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Topic: Winamp - highest quality settings? (Read 5755 times) previous topic - next topic
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Winamp - highest quality settings?

For the longest time, I've been using Otachan's in_mpg123 and out_asio(dll) plugins with Winamp.  I just want to double check the various settings for the plugins to make sure I'm achieving the best quality with my hardware.

I've got an SB Audigy2 ZS card and Creative MegaWorks THX® 6.1 650.

in_mpg123
decoder
  • Enable
    [highest] thread priority
    [24bits (int)] output format
  • full buffering
  • supress zero samples
    [ ] reverse L/R
    [ ] invert polarity
    [ ] alternative volume setting method
  • display average bitrate

    replaygain
  • enable [track gain]
    preamp:
    files with replaygain: 0 dB
    files without replaygain: -5 dB
  • hard limiter

    out_asio(dll)
    [SB Audigy 2 ZS ASIO] device. 
    [above normal] thread priority
    [7] buffer size
    [0] shift output channels
  • gapless mode
  • convert 1channel to 2 channels
    [ ] use direct input monitor
  • Resampling
    [highest] thread priority
    [48000] sample rate
    [top] quality

    Questions:
    1) Do I have everything set up properly for my hardware?
    2) In out_asio, there is also "Creative ASIO" which works. Any difference from SB Audigy 2 ZS ASIO? Also, why doesn't "SB Audigy 2 ZS ASIO 24/96" work?
    3) What does the buffer size do in regards to music quality?
    4) What is "use direct input monitor" ?
    5) In resampling, could I use 96000?
 

Winamp - highest quality settings?

Reply #1 –
Quote
3) What does the buffer size do in regards to music quality?


if you are referring to the buffer size in reguards to ASIO output, the general rule of thumb is, especially if you are into music production in which case you are not, but you would want low-latency output if you were using MIDI controller in conjunction with MIDI sequencer in case you were using a software synthesizer and were pressing down on keyboard you wouldn't want any delay in the signal path, which can occur if API is not fast enough. Therefore you would want a small buffer size. Creative Cards resample by default there isn't anything you can do about that seeing that they are such a "terrific" company  . Buffering in terms of decoder output can effect output in various ways. If the decoder isn't buffering in enough samples you can get "skipping" in the output, etc in short.
budding I.T professional

Winamp - highest quality settings?

Reply #2 –
A forum full of audiophiles and no other comments about my questions?

Winamp - highest quality settings?

Reply #3 –
Quote
A forum full of audiophiles and no other comments about my questions?
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After installing KX drivers onto your Audigy 2 ZS you will achieve MUCH better sound. This is in case if you really want to squeeze everything your card is capable of.

[a href="http://download.kxproject.lugosoft.com/tmp/kxdrv3538i-full.exe]http://download.kxproject.lugosoft.com/tmp...v3538i-full.exe[/url]

Regarding your other questions, don't go anything higher than 16\48. It won't make any difference to the sound. Just do proper resampling to 48khz and that's all. And in conclusion, don't be so paranoic about all those settings you've mentioned. By changing most of them you won't hear any difference, believe me.

Winamp - highest quality settings?

Reply #4 –
if you're replaygaing the tracks, the use of the Hard Limiter is almost certainly both redundant and reducing the dynamics of the tracks.