Which player is better to use for watching videos on the Internet?

MediaMonkey

Price:

$24.95 (Version 4 License, Gold version, entitles you to all updates of version 4.x); $49.95 (Gold, lifetime license with the right to all updates); free version with reduced features.

Operating system:

Windows (Windows 10 (desktop), 8 (desktop), Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP), iOS, Android, can be installed on OS X using a special add-on.

Official site:

www.mediamonkey.com

The media player will help systematize and catalog all AV content, i.e. act as an organizer for all available media collections, and in the paid version it is possible to work with several catalog collections simultaneously. Among the distinctive features of MediaMonkey is the ability to provide automatic conversion of formats in real time so that they are played on any device. There is an AccurateRip function for CD rips, Audio CD burning is supported, however, this software feels somewhat “tailored” to work with mobile devices, however, there are also some audiophile functions: Bit-perfect and DSD format are supported. You can load DSP plugins into the player, as well as plugins for correct sound output in Windows, for example, WASAPI. UPnP and DLNA protocols are supported, allowing you to share playlists with other devices. There is a function to auto-search and fill in lost tags or missing album covers. In addition, MediaMonkey remains quite flexible in terms of customization, allowing the use of many plugins and skins. The player has good sound with good detail.

Advantages:

Free version available.

Flaws:

Many essential audiophile features are missing.

Suitable for:

for fans of multiroom installations, for owners of mobile devices.

KMplayer

Our rating is topped by a player developed in South Korea from Pandora-TV. It has been available since the 2000s and enjoys well-deserved popularity among its fans due to the fact that it has its own library of video codecs, i.e. immediately after installing it, you do not need to separately download a codec library to play files of various formats. It can play audio and video of the main common types - DVD, 3GP, VCD, AVI, MKV, FLV, WMV, OGG, OGM, WMA, MPEG-1,2,4, MP3, RealMedia, QuickTime and others. At the same time, it is completely free and supports all existing operating systems.

This player plays videos smoothly, without jerking, due to optimal use of the computer's RAM. It copes well with the task of displaying 4K\8K video on powerful computers.

It has built-in functionality of the YouTube service, which allows you to view videos from it and download them in various formats.

It is also convenient for creating GIF animation from your favorite video fragment, literally in one click.

The appearance of the player is minimalist, the emphasis is on informativeness and readability of the controls, however, it also supports other skins that can be downloaded from the official website. Supports Russian language. There is a special version for weak computers.

Benefits of KMPlayer

• Working with 4k/8k resolution
• 3D video support
• Reading Blu-Ray and DVD with subtitles
• MacOS support
• Completely free
• Available in Russian

Disadvantages of KMPlayer

Among the shortcomings, we note problems in playing video in high resolution, especially in office computer models, and very infrequent updates.

Tidal HiFi

Price:

$19.99 per month (price may vary by country and plan), available for purchase through Ebay.

Operating system:

Windows 7 and above, OS X, iOS and Android, compatible with Apple TV, CarPlay, Android TV and Amazon Fire TV.

Official site:

www.tidal.com

In fact, Tidal can be called the crowning glory of the streaming service today. It has a proprietary Tidal application (client), which is downloaded directly from the official website. In principle, Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz all allow you to play music through a browser, but only Tidal has its own program that is installed on your computer. The Tidal mobile app is not available in every country, but many people can get around this ban by temporarily changing their credentials. To fully unlock the potential of this player, a necessary (though not mandatory) condition is the presence of a digital-to-analog converter with support for the MQA codec. Developed by Meridian Audio co-founder Bob Stuart, the MQA container allows you to package a Hi-Res file into a 24-bit/48 or 24-bit/44.1 kHz file, which is then decompressed to a higher resolution by the decoder. The good thing about the player is that it does not require “extra steps” associated with downloading and storing files, i.e. all that is required from the listener is a paid subscription. There are over 170,000 high quality tracks available in the Tidal HiFi database. The features of the player include the fact that you can listen to it for a long time without any fatigue.

Advantages:

ease of use based on the PnP (Plug and Play) or press to play principle.

Flaws:

The quality of the MQA stream is still inferior to the original PCM (24 bit/192 kHz) and DSD when directly playing Hi-Res audio from its own audio library; there is no ASIO support.

Suitable for:

for those who like quick access to music in lossless format without the need to store their own collection on their hard drive.

Top 10 players for Windows

Light Alloy

Universal software that can work with almost all known video and audio formats. The application is adapted to work with the Windows operating system of various versions, starting from 95 and higher. It takes up virtually no free space on your hard drive - only a few megabytes. The code is optimized for quick launch, and it consumes quite few system resources. For Russian users the program is completely free. The main thing that attracts people is ease of use. You can switch to full screen mode by clicking on the mouse wheel. Playback is paused with the left mouse button or spacebar. The rewind slider is also quite convenient - it displays a timeline, so a person can start watching from the moment where he left off last time.

If necessary, the user can use the function of selecting a codec: due to this, you can find the one that is least demanding on resources or allows you to ensure the highest quality. The program is able to work with absolutely all existing codecs. There is a testing system that determines the number of frames per second, as well as the period of time during which frames are processed. This function is also used to determine the capabilities of the hardware and check to what extent the video is compressed. The interface is multilingual, there is support for the Russian language. If necessary, you can change the design of the program shell, activate the position on top of all windows, and so on.

Advantages:

• Very convenient to use;
• A huge selection of settings is combined with ease of operation;
• Automatic system for determining installed codecs;
• Directly from the program you can access codec settings;
• There is a function to save your favorite frame;
• Works in almost all versions of Windows;
• Supports subtitle files;
• It is possible to view video frame by frame;
• Distributed absolutely free.

Flaws:

• Screenshots are saved only with .bmp resolution;
• To apply the selected codec, the application will have to be restarted.

AIMP

The full name of this program stands for Artem Izmaylov Media Player - it was developed by a Russian programmer. The application itself does not weigh too much and is well suited for playing music and videos of various formats. There is an expanded set of built-in codecs, with which you can work with a wide variety of formats - over 30 pieces. The application is capable of playing music from online radio stations. If necessary, the playlist can be saved and edited directly during playback. The functions of the keys are changeable; with their help, the player is controlled even when it is in an inactive window. The equalizer has a huge number of settings designed for use with the most popular genres of music. The appearance changes depending on the user's preferences. In this player you can edit tags of audio files. There is a scheduler that will automatically turn off the personal computer after the last file from the current playlist has finished playing. The application is not demanding in terms of resources and runs on Windows platforms from XP and higher.

The program is designed in such a way as to make it as convenient to use as possible. In general, the interface can be divided into three key blocks - music library, playback itself and playlist management. The control unit has five buttons responsible for calling up the menu and changing the cover color. Three more buttons control the window: expand it to full screen, minimize it to tray, or close it. Design themes can be downloaded from the official website of the developer, and there are quite a lot of them - each user will be able to find something most suitable for themselves. The program has regular updates. The application cannot download them on its own, so from time to time you will have to update it manually.

Advantages:

• Smooth playback, no delays were detected between tracks;
• A convenient and functional equalizer is provided;
• Consumes a minimal amount of system resources and practically does not load the central processor;
• There is a search function in the playlist;
• If necessary, after finishing playing the last file, the program can turn off the computer;
• The possibility of custom bookmarks is provided;
• You can work in several playlists at the same time.

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Flaws:

• You will have to install all updates yourself.

SMPlayer

A functional multi-platform program that can work not only with Windows, but also with Linux. It uses MPlayer as its engine, so the application can work with most available formats, both audio and video. One of the most useful features of this player is that it saves the settings of all files that are played using it. If for some reason the user interrupted watching the movie and closed the program, then the next time it starts it will start exactly from the moment at which it was stopped. In addition, all settings for subtitles, audio channels and volume indicators will be loaded automatically. If necessary, you can set up a system of hot keys, adjust the font size of subtitles and their color.

There are many different filters that allow you to remove noise from a music file and use deinterlacing. The developers have provided for the production of minus versions of songs by removing vocals from them. Such files can later be used during karaoke. Rewind a movie or any other video file by rotating the mouse wheel; you can adjust the contrast and color saturation. You can speed up the playback process by 2, 4, etc. once. Sound and subtitles are synchronized automatically. The application has a built-in browser of limited use, with which you can view videos on the YouTube portal. If desired, the played video can be scaled and the aspect ratio changed, adjusting them to the diagonal of your own monitor.

Advantages:

• Convenient and intuitive interface, fully translated into Russian;
• You can watch videos online and listen to Internet radio stations;
• The toolbar is customizable depending on the user's preferences;
• The program remembers the settings of each of the played files;
• Sound and subtitles can be delayed to optimally synchronize them with the picture;
• Supports compact or full screen mode;
• The video can be rotated, flipped, played in mirror format;
• Works with all existing codecs.

Flaws:

• You won’t be able to improve the quality in one click – to do this you will have to configure the parameters manually;
• Does not read specific formats like m2ts.

ALLPlayer

Another completely free program designed to work with video and audio files. The developers regularly release updates to it, and the interface is Russified. The program can run on Windows operating systems from XP and higher. The size is only 44 MB and consumes minimal system resources. The functionality of the media player is very wide; the application can work with a huge number of formats. There is an integrated package of codecs, so even without codecs installed in the system, any movies will be played. You can use subtitles in a variety of languages. At first glance, it may seem that this program is no different from similar applications, of which there are a great many today.

When playing sound, Dolby Surround technology is used, which allows you to get quite high quality sound even on modest computer speakers. The application can work with CD and DVD discs. There is an option called “recent files”, with its help you can find the necessary compositions or videos that were played not too long ago. It is possible to change the appearance of the application shell; it is capable of downloading subtitles for played films independently. The program is equipped with a built-in video converter, which allows you to change the resolution of media files and adjust them to a certain diagonal of the phone. DivFix helps you recover damaged .avi videos. There is another very interesting opportunity - developing your own design shells, and this is done very simply.

Advantages:

• Expanded software functionality;
• Works well with subtitles, downloading them on the Internet independently if necessary;
• There is a convenient and easy-to-use built-in converter;
• Availability of a huge package of its own codecs;
• Media files can be protected by setting a password;
• You can create your own design options.

Flaws:

• When adding the appropriate data, the utility may begin to slow down slightly;
• Russification is present, but not complete.

6. Media Player Classic Home Cinema

Another completely free program designed for use exclusively on the Windows platform of all versions. Using this player you can reformat DVD. It works with both built-in and external codecs, so the application can play almost any file. The creators of this software have taken care to equip it with extremely useful features that will be useful to each of the users. The player is designed primarily for playing music and video files, but it can simultaneously work with multiple monitors or with a computer and TV. The utility is equipped with everything necessary to read and restore damaged content in .avi format. If the TV's motherboard is supported by this device, then it will be possible to record the broadcast directly to a personal computer. There is a recording timer function, after which the computer automatically turns off.

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There is support for subtitles here, which allows you to view videos in unfamiliar languages. There is a function to save your favorite frames right while playing the movie. The interface is completely Russified; a huge number of plugins are available on the Internet that can significantly expand the functional side of the program. All played files are saved in history - the user will always see which film he has already watched and which one he is yet to become acquainted with. While viewing, the user can use hardware acceleration.

Advantages:

• Can partially replace Adobe Flash Player;
• It is possible to work with DVD format files;
• Suitable for working with audio with visual effects;
• If the television tuner is compatible with the program, then you can record the broadcast directly into the computer memory;
• Thorough hardware decoding;
• Plays and repairs damaged files with .avi resolution

Flaws:

• The developers did not provide automatic adjustment of brightness and contrast;
• It may slow down a bit when working with heavy files.

VLC Media Player

The first program in our review that is open source. The application weighs a little, but it is very powerful, lightweight and quite functional. The program is capable of working with most video and audio formats, and the use of external codecs is completely optional. This player reads information from CD, DVD, Blu-Ray discs and supports HD, Full HD, Ultra HD resolutions. It can be used to play multimedia streams using a variety of protocols. If necessary, the video scale can be made larger or smaller; there is a full-screen playback mode. There is a function for selecting a specific fragment and playing it cyclically, you can create screenshots, visualize music, and so on.

The set of effects for working with sound includes a convenient and functional graphic equalizer, and it has both several standard settings and the ability to save custom ones. Subtitle display parameters are adjustable - font size and type, letter thickness, presence and color of outline, location on the screen, presence or absence of shadows. If desired, the user can use hardware acceleration of the computer's central processor. Most functions are customized to specific keys depending on the user's convenience. On the official website of the application you can find a huge number of extensions and plugins that can be used to further increase the functionality of the program.

Advantages:

• The interface is designed in the spirit of minimalism, simple and clear, there are a large number of fine settings;
• Can be used on all existing computer platforms, there is even a version for Android;
• If desired, you can view the streaming video online;
• Playlists can be created, saved, deleted and edited;
• There are a large number of additional modules.

Flaws:

• It is not very convenient to change the volume when working with video;
• It happens that it starts to slow down - this is especially noticeable when playing high-definition films such as Blu-Ray.

Daum Potplayer

This utility was developed by the same programmers who created the well-known KMPlayer. This program consumes significantly less resources and hardly loads the operating system, providing stable 60 fps regardless of the power of the hardware used. If necessary, you can record video from the screen or from the camera on your laptop. If the application is installed on a Windows platform, you do not have to first install a codec package. If desired, you can also play television channels broadcast on the Internet. There are a lot of built-in effects and filters, a video capture function is provided, and it supports any multimedia file formats.

The outer shell looks stylish, but at the same time quite modest. The audio options include a multi-band equalizer that allows you to fine-tune the sound of each file. When playing video files, the user can adjust parameters such as brightness, contrast, color. At the top of the window you can find a special slider that controls the transparency of the shell. This is not a required feature, but it allows you to give the program additional originality.

Advantages:

• Regardless of the file format, the program will open it in the shortest possible time;
• Works on all Windows operating systems, including 64-bit ones;
• Low demands on system requirements;
• If necessary, independently searches for subtitles on the Internet;
• You can control the player via the touch screen;
• Updates are installed automatically;
• Support for various types of design.

Flaws:

• During the installation process, you will have to manually specify the language.

KMPlayer

One of the most popular programs for playing audio and video. Despite the fact that the first version of the application was released quite a long time ago, it still continues to be very popular among users. First of all, this is due to a very large package of built-in codecs, with which you can play any file format. The program has a decent number of fine settings, so it will be quite easy to make it your own. With its help, you can watch movies without translation, with subtitles, which the application searches on the Internet independently. There are a lot of specific functions for working with video. In general, there are several versions of this application - for use on a computer, tablet or even on a mobile device.

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This program instantly opens movies, regardless of their format and size. The main application panel contains only the main control buttons; everything else can be found in the settings. The program's interface is quite simple, it won't take long to get used to it, it is completely Russified and available for free download. Updates are released regularly, but you will need to install them manually.

Advantages:

• Universal player;
• Large set of integrated codecs;
• It works very quickly on both modern and outdated computers;
• There are a lot of effects and settings, so viewing becomes truly comfortable;
• Free application.

Flaws:

• Sometimes you have to search for a long time for the necessary setting;
• Users note some instability - during video playback it periodically freezes, the problem is solved by restarting the player.

BS.Player

The player is capable of significantly surpassing many modern players, although it was developed quite a long time ago - its first version first appeared about 14 years ago. The program can work with video and audio documents of various extensions, and the “file types” section provides a complete list of supported formats. The equalizer here is built-in, includes seven bands, the frequencies are adjusted only in general terms, but this is quite enough to get good sound. Users note special video processing, making viewing even more comfortable and enjoyable. The load on RAM and video card is minimal, no matter how heavy the video is played.

There is a tag editing function here, and it is implemented quite interestingly. Subtitles can be downloaded separately from video files. The program supports several dozen languages, and you can install additional language packs and plugins. There is a function for playing streaming video from the Internet. The main window combines all the necessary operations; no unnecessary details can be found here. The set of settings is optimal – this application is often praised by novice users. If necessary, the video can be scaled.

Advantages:

• Completely free application;
• Minor system requirements;
• You can control it using a multimedia keyboard;
• The program can work with video recorded on digital cameras from Panasonic, Canon, Sony and JVC brands;
• If an image and text are embedded in the audio, then during playback they will also be displayed on the screen;
• The interface supports Russian language.

Flaws:

• The presence of advertising (if necessary, it can be easily removed);
• Some translation inaccuracies.

ComboPlayer

The most powerful multimedia player in our review of the best players for Windows - that's why it came in first place. Another important quality is that it is distributed absolutely free. With this application you can not only watch movies and listen to music. It is capable of playing TV channels, working with online radio stations, and playing movies from torrents. The hardware requirements here are insignificant6 for the application to work correctly you will need 1 GB of RAM and 350 MB of free hard disk space. Immediately after installation, free access to 20 television channels and 400 radio stations is available. There really are a lot of possibilities here: there is an extended package of built-in codecs that allow you to work with various video formats.

Using the application is very easy - just launch it and select the desired channel, after which you will start watching. All channels are played in at least 480p quality, but “Russia” and “Channel 1” will be played in higher quality – 576p. To access other channels, you must purchase a subscription. If there is enough space on your hard drive, you can record a TV broadcast or a radio station, and the latter can be filtered by adding only the most interesting ones to your favorites. There is a parental control function - you will have to enter a password every time you launch this application. It is also possible to watch a TV program on each of the active channels.

Advantages:

• Can be used to watch TV;
• Simple and very clear application interface;
• Works fast enough even on weak and outdated computers;
• Supports most existing media file extensions;
• For comfortable use, you don’t have to spend a long time delving into the settings.

Flaws:

• Supported by operating systems from Windows 7 and higher;
• When working with torrents, you must ensure that you have the required amount of free space on your hard drive.

Resonic Player

Price:

for free.

Operating system:

Windows 7 and higher.

Official site:

www.resonic.at

The Resonic Player software player, specially optimized for Windows 10, is distinguished by its laconic appearance and omnivorous functionality. The player understands most modern audio formats, including DSD up to DSD512, consumes a small amount of system resources, impresses with high speed and has a minimum number of functions. There are no unnecessary additional modules that slow down operation. However, visual amenities that can be turned off if necessary are present: an audio frequency spectrum analyzer, an oscilloscope, a signal level indicator, and so on. To start playing audio files, you can simply “drag and drop” the mouse using the file manager. There is a Crossfeed mode designed for comfortable listening with headphones. The interface language is English only. The sound of Resonic Player can be called precise, musical, emotional, without excessive attention to detail.

Advantages:

Accurate musical sound, high performance and speed.

Flaws:

boring interface, poor functionality.

Suitable for:

for ascetic purists and those music lovers who are accustomed to working with large amounts of audio data.

Daum PotPlayer

The player was developed by one of the creators of KMPlayer, so the main characteristics of these two programs are similar. But Daum PotPlayer is an improved version of its “big brother”, so it plays high-definition video and supports modern video and audio formats. The player has built-in DXVA video codecs. The main advantages of Daum PotPlayer:

• minimal consumption of computer system resources;
• high definition video playback;
• wide range of supported formats and settings;
• clear interface.

Korg Audiogate

Price:

for free.

Operating system:

OS X 10.10 and above, Windows 7 and above.

Official site:

www.korg.com

The Korg Audiogate 4.0.2 player was created to work in tandem with external Korg DS-DAC USB DACs that support DSD 5.6 MHz and PCM playback up to 24 bit/192 kHz, so only the corresponding device will allow you to fully experience the potential of this product . In conjunction with the DS-DAC-10R DAC equipped with an ADC, the application makes it possible to make recordings in Hi-Res format, as well as digitize vinyl discs. The company focuses on the ability to record a DSD disc on a computer drive. At the same time, this software can work with any other digital-to-analog converters in Lite mode, but the output of the audio signal is limited to a sampling frequency of 48 kHz, i.e. even DSD format will be converted to PCM at 44.1 or 48 kHz. The player's sound can be called confident and even somewhat assertive, with clearly defined sound images and impressive volume.

Advantages:

surround sound with the right musical images.

Flaws:

Only reveals its full potential when paired with Korg DACs.

Suitable for:

for owners of Korg digital-to-analog converters.

foobar2000

Price:

for free.

Operating system:

Windows, iOS, Android.

Official site:

www.foobar2000.org

“Fubar” can be called a timeless classic and, in fact, a cult software player among Hi-Fi adherents who are accustomed to stability, flexibility and reliability. The main feature of foobar2000 is the presence of an extensive database of additional modules/plugins that can be easily and quickly installed. There is native DSD output or conversion of this format to PCM literally “on the fly”. In fact, this is a real audio kit that has a decent sound and offers many assembly options. Thanks to this, it can be finely tuned to your taste. To output sound in Windows, it is accordingly better to use the ASIO protocol or, in extreme cases, WASAPI with the Event buffering mode, which requires the WASAPI output support module to be installed. However, among the most demanding modern audiophiles about the FUBAR, there are some complaints about the not-so-outstanding sound quality.

Advantages:

free software, an extensive library of additional modules that are easy and quick to install.

Flaws:

according to progressive audiophile experimenters, foobar2000 is somewhat inferior to its more modern competitors in terms of sound quality and has an archaic interface; difficulty in obtaining high-quality sound when configured by an untrained user.

Suitable for:

for lovers of stability and reliability, as well as experimenters.

JRiver MediaCenter

Price:

$59.98 (single OS license); $79.98 (universal license, suitable for any OS); A 30-day free trial version of the product is provided.

Operating system:

Windows, iOS, Android, Linux.

Official site:

www.jriver.com

The JRiver MediaCenter player is capable of playing both audio files and video, can make Blue-ray/DVD/CD rips, burn discs, create playlists, convert files to other formats, can act as an organizer/editor/cataloguer, work with Internet media content and much more. There are a huge number of settings, a DSP studio, sound can be output in any format, there is a Russian language. In fact, this is another classic software Hi-Fi player, only on the scale of a multimedia center. Some companies even sell AV components and other hardware products with JRiver MediaCenter pre-installed/configured. The player has an outdated, bulky interface and cannot boast of good ergonomics, but in contrast, it has a highly efficient 64-bit engine, outputs a DSD stream, supports Bit-perfect and provides accurate natural sound with good detail and a wide stage, for which it remains beloved by audiophiles of all kinds. generations. In terms of visual effects, it is interesting to display available media content in 3D mode.

Advantages:

excellent sound quality, extensive customization options.

Flaws:

cumbersome outdated interface, demanding on computer resources.

Suitable for:

for demanding listeners and those who like to “play” with settings.

Media Player Classic

One of the very first and most popular programs for watching video on a computer in the mid-2000s was Media Player Classic. Despite its advanced age, the player still remains relevant, especially on weak and old machines. Its advantages include ease of management and low system requirements. Along with the regular version, there is a more advanced Media Player Classic Home Cinema with integrated support for 64-bit systems, a large number of supported video formats and a built-in Youtube service client.

Unlike the overwhelming number of competitors, Media Player Classic has its own set of codecs. By supporting hardware decoding, it provides high-quality playback of movies and music in common formats: MP3, MPEG, AC3, DTS, WMA, WMV, AVI, CDA, JPEG, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MP4, MOV, QT, FLV, MKV. Media Player Classic Home Cinema additionally includes H.264 and VC-1 decoders with DXVA.

The player interface looks like early versions of Windows Media Player, and this has its pros and cons. The advantage is the complete absence of additional settings and the simplest possible controls. The downside is the roughness and unsightliness of the shell, the complete opposite of modern trends.

Advantages:

• two versions with support for hardware decoding;
• classic controls and appearance;
• plays CD/DVD discs and Flash videos;
• supports displaying subtitles;
• there is Russian language in the settings;
• minimum system requirements;
• free and open source software.

Flaws:

• boring, outdated shell;
• the developer has stopped supporting both versions.

Signalyst HQPlayer 4

Price:

$246.75 (full version); A 30-day free version of the product is provided, which must be restarted every 30 minutes.

Operating system:

Windows, OS X, Linux.

Official site:

www.signalyst.com

The HQPlayer 4 player, developed by Signalyst, does not have an attractive interface, but in this case it is not necessary. The player will perform well as an add-on integrated into the Roon software, well known to lovers of high-quality music. To control HQPlayer, you can use the HQPDcontrol application installed on your tablet or smartphone.

The peculiarity of the player is that it provides great opportunities in terms of upsampling (several highly efficient algorithms are used) and downsampling. Uses delta-sigma modulation designed to upsample PCM/DSD formats to 98.304 MHz, 1-bit SDM (24 upsampling options for PCM and 2 for DSD). There is a selectable dithering/filtering and noise shaping algorithm, 9 options in total, as well as a selectable convolution calculation algorithm (FIR filter) for equalization and room correction (2 versions). Conversion of any audio signal to DSD is available. ASIO and WASAPI supported. HQPlayer 4 offers a great variety of different settings that you can play with for months. And most importantly, the sound of this software deserves the most praise due to its outstanding resolution, excellent detail, lightness, transparency and excellent musicality.

Advantages:

a huge variety of smart options, a wide range of fine-tuning possibilities, excellent sound.

Flaws:

ancient interface, inconvenient management, high price.

Suitable for:

for hardcore audiophiles.

RealPlayer

One of the veterans among video players, known to fans since 1995. Over all this time, it has undergone significant changes and can boast of powerful functionality. Its main feature has not changed: it is “omnivorous” and can also play damaged or incompletely downloaded video.

The basic version is free and there are three paid versions - Plus, Premium, 100GB. The more expensive the version, the more functionality it provides.

It has gained particular popularity among various gaming and video streamers; it can receive and broadcast streaming video. In paid versions, you can use the cloud service provided by the manufacturer itself.

The player shows all popular audio and video formats.

Benefits of RealPlayer

• There are useful tools such as video grabber and converter
• Streaming tools from various platforms
• Built-in web browser linked to the RealCloud cloud service
• MacOS support
• Free Free version

Disadvantages of RealPlayer:

• High cost of the most advanced version
• Lack of Russian language in the interface
• Nasty advertising window at the bottom right in the free version

Amarra 4 Luxe

Price:

$99.

Operating system:

Windows 8 and above, OS X 10.8 and above, 15-day free trial available; special version of Amarra Play for iOS.

Official site:

www.sonicstudio.com

Previously, Amarra 4 Luxe was an add-on to iTunes, but now it is an independent full-fledged product that not only performs the functions of a regular audio player, but also provides integration into such popular online services as Tidal, Qobuz and Nugs.net. Naturally, the application supports work with the MQA codec, upsampling and allows you to play DSD64/128 format (DSD to PCM conversion in real time or DoP (will be available after a software update)). There is an equalizer with 16 fixed presets, and it is possible to control Amarra 4 Luxe from a mobile phone using the Amarra iOS Remote application. The player boasts a clean, softened sound with the right tones, well-developed mids, dense deep bass and a chic surround sound stage. That is why the Amarra 4 Luxe has become a regular at various high-end equipment exhibitions, where it is used to demonstrate top-end components and high-end audio systems.

Advantages:

excellent sound corresponding to the level of high-end audio components, an intuitive interface with a pleasant design.

Flaws:

relatively high price.

Suitable for:

for lovers of jazz and classical music.

JPLAY

Price:

€149 full version of JPLAY FEMTO, there is a free trial version for 21 days for two PCs.

Operating system:

Windows 8 and higher (64 bit only).

Official site:

www.jplay.eu

According to the official website of the application, the JPLAY player was developed by particularly meticulous audiophiles, whose goal was to achieve ideal music playback on a PC using maximum OS optimization. The latest version of the player, called FEMTO, works with the UPnP protocol (renderer function), plays DSD in native mode up to DSD256, has three unique engines with support for Bit-perfect output, provides minimal latency and guarantees music playback with the highest possible priority , and also allows you to create a configuration using another computer for monitoring/management. The special JPLAY driver improves the sound quality of any software that supports ASIO, which is appreciated by the most demanding Hi-Fi adherents. The player significantly improves the sound of streaming services Tidal, Qobuz and is great for turning your PC into a real high-end streamer or music server.

In the full version of the program, you can use this software not only as a renderer player (JPLAY FEMTO UPnP Renderer), but also as a server program (JPLAY femtoServer). The package includes a specially optimized JPLAY Classic engine, which can be purchased separately at a lower price and which includes the minimalist JPLAYmini player interface and the JPLAY Driver. The software also allows you to use two computers connected to each other via WLAN or LAN: 1) Control PC, on which the audio library is stored and which plays the role of a server, 2) Audio PC (on which only Windows OS and JPLAY software are installed), connected directly to an external USB DAC and audio system. The player runs on the first Control PC server computer, and all processes (DSP processing, loading, etc.) take place on this PC, and only a clean signal is transmitted to the second PC, i.e. the second computer is completely free from interference and noise that can be created by these processes.

Advantages:

ideal for building a PC-based streamer/music server, reference sound quality.

Flaws:

It is desirable to have a mobile device with an installed application or another computer for control, high price.

Suitable for:

for true adherents of quality sound.

Infinity Blade HQ (Bug Head Emperor)

Price:

for free.

Operating system:

Windows.

Official site:

www.mics.ne.jp/~coolverse/

The Infinity Blade HQ (Bug Head Emperor) player was created by Japanese developer Hiroyuki Yokota and, in fact, is a unique software, the work of which is based on a special algorithm for converting audio data into a raw RAW file, which is then processed using special interpolation algorithms . The player supports DSD, Bit-perfect and requires powerful hardware designed for audio playback. The ideal option would be a PC with JPLAY software already installed on it; it is this combo that will provide the highest quality sound, striking in its transparency, purity, exceptional attention to detail, powerful dynamics and perfect balance. The player can work in tandem with other applications, for example, with JRiver.

Advantages:

exceptional sound quality.

Flaws:

virtually zero ergonomics, long waiting times for audio files to be processed using proprietary Bug Head algorithms when working in conjunction with other software.

Suitable for:

audiophiles in search of their “Holy Grail” - the perfect sound.