The best Hi-Res audio players: characteristics, models and prices

Contents [show]

• What is Hi-Res audio
• Is there a real difference between regular audio and high-resolution audio?
• What you need to listen to high-resolution audio
• What to consider when buying a Hi-Res player
• Best Hi-Res players Cambridge Azure 851N
• Equipment SL-G700
• Pioneer N-50AE
• Full name M11 Pro
• Pioneer XDP-02U
• Sony player A100

What is Hi-Res audio

Hi-Res means high resolution . Hence, Hi-Res audio or audio is nothing but high resolution audio and the idea here is to indicate to the user that the listening experience will be identical to the original recording. But before you record, it's still worth explaining.

When you enter a recording studio, an analog process occurs that records the waveform of the various sounds produced. It could be the sounds of a musical instrument, voice, etc. This process is completely captured by this wave without any compression or modification.

So far so good, but to be able to enjoy this recording on the devices we use every day, such as TVs, mobile phones and many other players, it is important that it is first converted to digital format. This is where Hi-Res audio quality comes into play.

When an analog wave is converted to digital, a process called sampling is carried out . This divides it into small sections corresponding to different frequency ranges. Thus, the higher the sampling frequency, the more reliable and accurate the generated wave will be. To better understand, think of them as a bar graph. The greater the number of stripes, the more accurate the generated shape in relation to the analog wave.

Well, most of the audio we record with everyday instruments allows us to achieve a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz. This means that 44,100 samples are generated every second. However, Hi-Res or Hi-Res Audio increases this number to at least 96,000 samples or 96 kHz.

This increase logically also implies a larger file size. And of course, until recently this was a problem. However, this has now become much easier thanks to the capabilities of new devices, storage systems and what is also key to all of these products: compression.

Modern compression algorithms make these high-quality files much easier to manage and take up less space without affecting the final quality. So not only can you store multiple Hi-Res tracks on the media we used for the popular MP3, but you can also stream over the Internet if a significant bandwidth connection is required.

So, by combining the ability to capture audio at the same quality as was originally recorded with all these algorithms and technical improvements, you end up with services like Spotify, Tidal or Amazon Music HD that are capable of delivering very high quality audio.

Audirvana

https://audirvana.com/windows/

Audirvana allows you to control the audio stream from source to output. If you have a powerful computer that can handle great audio, this is an option worth considering. For example, Audirvana supports running algorithms at higher performance to reduce the load on the signal processor and avoid overload.

The app also supports VST3 plugins that help with audio customization. Audirvana is an inexpensive option, but the sheer power of the app is worth the money.

Is there a real difference between regular audio and high-resolution audio?

The answer to the question, are there real differences between regular audio and high-resolution audio ? Yes, of course there are. Although it should be noted that in order to appreciate this greater precision in the representation of each of the frequencies, it is not enough to access a service with Hi-Res music or download it as a file. A sound system consisting of a compatible player and headphones or speakers is required.

So if you're accessing the Hi-Res audio option of Spotify, Tidal or Amazon Music HD among others, you'll need a player and sound system capable of reproducing all those frequencies that allow you to enjoy a variety of nuances that previously went unnoticed. . Or, as they say, a much wider and richer soundstage.

And we did not comment on anything, but it is also important that you train your ear and take the necessary time to sit quietly and listen to those notes that you have not heard before or could not find with the same accuracy, which you now do.

Highsolid

https://www.hysolid.com/#download

If your computer is connected to a quality hi-fi system, Hysolid may be just what you need. This is not a traditional music player, it turns your computer into a music player controlled by iOS or Android devices. You just need to sit on the sofa, select the song you like, and the computer will play through the Hi-Fi system.

Hysolid can play most high definition formats. The app is compatible with PCM audio, including WAV and FLAC up to 384 kHz, as well as DSD from 2.8 MHz to 11.2 MHz in DSF format. Hysolid can also display the operating mode of the USB DAC you are using.

What you need to listen to high-resolution audio

As we have already said, to listen to high-resolution audio, it is important to have a player and a sound system (headphones or speakers) capable of reproducing all those frequencies that other devices cannot reproduce due to technical limitations.

These devices are usually easy to identify because they have some type of seal or indicator that they are ready for. Hi-Res audio . Otherwise, if you have doubts about what it is capable of or not, you will have to visit the manufacturer's page and check the manufacturer's specifications to see if this is the case.

Once you have it, there are many services like Tidal, Spotify or Amazon Music that offer the ability to listen to high-resolution audio via streaming. Although you can also do this through applications for your computer that are compatible with the various formats used for this type of recording, as long as you have a compatible sound card.

For example, for Windows and Mac there are applications such as Audirvana, Amarra, Fidelia, BitPerfect or Pure Music that allow this, although there are others. All of them should support FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, DSD DFF or DSD DSF formats, which are usually used in most cases.

We get what we see

Anyone who buys music from online stores or listens to streams from services like Spotify must have already encountered high-resolution audio recordings. iTunes, for example, offers songs in the AAC codec format. A typical song about three minutes long will require about 6 MB of available internal memory or disk space. For a song in FLAC format you will have to find 15-20 MB. High-resolution files are noticeably larger than regular ones. In addition, new formats such as DSD or MQA are used to store recordings. Many smartphones and tablets do not support them at all. But there are many new audio players, such as the DP-X1 from Onyko, that play such songs without problems.

What to consider when buying a Hi-Res player

If you don't have hardware capable of handling Hi-Res content, or if you're looking for more specific hardware to enjoy at home even when you go traveling, etc., you can purchase one of the many that exist on the market today. Although you should take into account some considerations :

• Compatible Formats: As we said, it should at least support FLAC; ALAC, AIFF and WAV which are the most popular
• If it offers the ability to connect to internet services, it should support the ones you need, such as Spotify, Tidal or similar.
• Output connections for connecting different types of speakers or headphones, as long as they also support high-resolution audio.
• Do you need portability? There are options for both a portable player and other fixed ones, everything will depend on your needs.
• Price: Obviously, but Hi-Res players tend to cost more than regular players. But if you want to enjoy the highest quality, the investment will pay off in the long run.

Moor Lux

https://www.sonicstudio.com/amarra/

Amarra Luxe is a high-end music player app, so it's not cheap, but it has a lot of features. The program supports high-resolution audio formats such as FLAC, MQA and DSD.

It's also a handy app if you want to stream high-resolution audio. In addition to being able to play music from your collection, Amarra Luxe can be streamed directly from Tidal and Qobuz. If you want to manage all your music with one app, no matter where it comes from, this might be what you're looking for.

Best Hi-Res Players

Here's a selection of the best Hi-Res players on the market. We hope that with it you will find the perfect option that suits your needs and even your budget.

Cambridge Azure 851N

Cambridge is a respected brand in audio and their Azur 851N is one of the most interesting players on the market. This is a must have device at home, it is not a portable solution but it offers a wide range of connection types for audio output such as XLR, RCA, coaxial or optical. The input signal is digital, and services you can use to play high-resolution audio include Spotify. To do this, just connect the player to the network with an Ethernet cable and that’s it. Enjoy.

Equipment SL-G700

Like Cambridge, Technics is another classic brand in the industry. The SL-G700 is a player that not only supports digital signals and supports services such as Spotify Connect, Chromecast, Tidal, AirPlay and other audio playback methods such as AirPlay or DLNA, as well as the use of physical discs in CD or SACD format .

Pioneer N-50AE

Another great option if you're looking for a player that supports Hi-Res audio is the Pioneer N-70AE . Also suitable for home use, this equipment offers support for Spotify Connect, Chromecast, AirPlay, DLNA and a wide range of output connections.

Full name M11 Pro

Leaving aside players that are designed or created to enjoy the silence of the home, let's talk about portable solutions. Because if you like to enjoy the best possible sound quality, you'll want to do so wherever you go. In this sense the Fio M11 Pro is a very good option, although it is somewhat overpriced (or not).

This player, in the form of a small smartphone or MP3 player, offers a touch screen to control the device interface, access songs, lists, etc. Of course, this is a product for use with downloaded music (it offers 64 GB of storage) or over Wi-Fi connections .

Pioneer XDP-02U

Pioneer again, but this time with a portable player, the price of which is somewhat more modest (about 299 euros) and with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options. In addition to 16GB of internal storage that can be expanded via microSD cards, it also comes with a 2.4-inch touchscreen. An interesting solution for those looking for quality and an affordable investment.

Sony player A100

Sony has a wide range of Hi-Res players, but this Sony A100 player is one of the most emblematic and currently one of the most attractive options for its price. Obviously there are cheaper models and many more expensive ones, but this one has a very good balance.

The Walkman A100 not only allows you to play stored music in high definition, but also do so directly from various streaming applications thanks to the support offered by Android as an operating system . A highly recommended option.

Devices supporting "High-Res Audio"

Other Hi-Res Players Worth Considering

These are some of the coolest Hi-Res audio players out there, but there are many more on the market. There are even solutions that allow you to enjoy this content through mobile devices that are not supported a priori. And not because they don't have the capabilities, but because onboard DACs are sometimes limited.

Therefore, external DACs connected via a Lightning connection in the case of iPhone or USB C in Android terminals can offer the kind of digital to analog conversion that allows you to enjoy the highest quality. So, everyone is looking to see what needs you want to satisfy. Of course, the idea is to always enjoy all this sound quality in the peace of your home, sitting comfortably and not thinking about anything other than what you're listening to.

Foobar2000

1. Download Foobar2000 for Windows

Foobar2000 is one of the most popular music playing programs for Windows. This software has a slightly dated interface, but it is fast, customizable, and best of all, free. While it's not the only free music player on this list, it is the only app that looks like a traditional media player.

Foobar supports FLAC, but does not support DSD. To get support for this format, you need to use the DSDIFF add-on. When you use it, you will see that it is a powerful audio player.

Jriver

https://www.jriver.com/index.html

This music player supports DSD and PC lossless formats. It can also use ASIO or WASAPI, ideal audio transfer to your DAC.

Jriver has other outstanding features compared to other music players, such as audiophile-grade crossfeed features. This feature makes the sound heard through the headphones more natural, similar to listening through a speaker in the room.

Roon

https://roonlabs.com/

Most high-resolution music players focus on sound quality, but Roon focuses on something else that's missing when converting electronic music. Roon aims to present a searchable music magazine.

This software applies this method to more than just music stored on your computer. It can do this with music played from a local NAS, or even streamed from Tidal.