Using jRiver Media Center with the XDA-2, DC-1, and XMC-1

[KeithL]

Configuring jRiver Media Center v20 To Use WASAPI Mode

To configure WASAPI Mode in jRiver Media Center, do the following:

- (If you haven’t already) install and run the jRiver Media Center program.

Under the Tools menu, go to Options.
- Select the Audio category.
- On the right, under Audio Device, select USB2.0 High-Speed True HD Audio (WASAPI).
- Now, under Audio Device, click Device Settings. (This option won’t be available until you select the Audio Device in the previous step).

In Device Settings...
- Check the box next to Open device for exclusive output.
- Check the box next to Disable event style.
- Leave Bit Depth set to Automatic.
- Leave Buffering set to 100 milliseconds.

Click OK twice to save your settings and exit.

NOTE: For each source sample rate, jRiver Media Center can be independently configured to convert files of that sample rate to a specified sample rate, or to play them at their native sample rate. For “bit perfect playback”, you want each file to play at its native (unconverted) sample rate. However, there are certain situations where converting the sample rate can be useful. For example, the XDA-2 doesn’t support 176k via USB (it does support 176k on its other inputs). Therefore, if you wish to play 176k files on your XDA-2 using jRiver, you should configure jRiver to play 176k files at 192k.

NOTE: Windows “itself”, and Windows Media Player, do NOT use WASAPI Mode. WASAPI Mode must be configured in EACH player program that you wish to use it with. Configuring WASAPI Mode in jRiver Media Center will NOT configure Windows itself, or other Windows audio player programs (including Windows Media Player) to use WASAPI.

[Davecski65]

This is the way I have my JRiver 19 setup with DC-1,never had any issues.

Thanks for info keith

[klinemj]

KeithL

Thanks for setting up this new section of the forum. I think it's going to populate with lots of good things quickly, and the info I already see is quite good resource material.

Thanks!

Mark

[novisnick]

Sept 28, 2014 2:28:35 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Configuring jRiver Media Center v20 To Use WASAPI Mode

To configure WASAPI Mode in jRiver Media Center, do the following:

- (If you haven’t already) install and run the jRiver Media Center program.

Under the Tools menu, go to Options.
- Select the Audio category.
- On the right, under Audio Device, select USB2.0 High-Speed True HD Audio (WASAPI).
- Now, under Audio Device, click Device Settings. (This option won’t be available until you select the Audio Device in the previous step).

In Device Settings...
- Check the box next to Open device for exclusive output.
- Check the box next to Disable event style.
- Leave Bit Depth set to Automatic.
- Leave Buffering set to 100 milliseconds.

Click OK twice to save your settings and exit.

NOTE: For each source sample rate, jRiver Media Center can be independently configured to convert files of that sample rate to a specified sample rate, or to play them at their native sample rate. For “bit perfect playback”, you want each file to play at its native (unconverted) sample rate. However, there are certain situations where converting the sample rate can be useful. For example, the XDA-2 doesn’t support 176k via USB (it does support 176k on its other inputs). Therefore, if you wish to play 176k files on your XDA-2 using jRiver, you should configure jRiver to play 176k files at 192k.

NOTE: Windows “itself”, and Windows Media Player, do NOT use WASAPI Mode. WASAPI Mode must be configured in EACH player program that you wish to use it with. Configuring WASAPI Mode in jRiver Media Center will NOT configure Windows itself, or other Windows audio player programs (including Windows Media Player) to use WASAPI.

14 hours ago, this would have been great,,,,   .  I had to hunt and peck to figure this all out and to make matters worse, after I was sure I had it right and it still didn't work I found that I had inadvertently ingauged mute on my mini! Oh what fun!!,,,,he,,,he,,,

Now I'll go back and make sure it's correct. This was after installing the free upgrade to MC 20.
still have doubles and triples of music but when I play through iTunes it skips the second and third entry of the sound name.
Very strange!

[novisnick]

Sept 28, 2014 2:28:35 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Configuring jRiver Media Center v20 To Use WASAPI Mode

To configure WASAPI Mode in jRiver Media Center, do the following:

- (If you haven’t already) install and run the jRiver Media Center program.

Under the Tools menu, go to Options.
- Select the Audio category.
- On the right, under Audio Device, select USB2.0 High-Speed True HD Audio (WASAPI).
- Now, under Audio Device, click Device Settings. (This option won’t be available until you select the Audio Device in the previous step).

In Device Settings...
- Check the box next to Open device for exclusive output.
- Check the box next to Disable event style.
- Leave Bit Depth set to Automatic.
- Leave Buffering set to 100 milliseconds.

Click OK twice to save your settings and exit.

NOTE: For each source sample rate, jRiver Media Center can be independently configured to convert files of that sample rate to a specified sample rate, or to play them at their native sample rate. For “bit perfect playback”, you want each file to play at its native (unconverted) sample rate. However, there are certain situations where converting the sample rate can be useful. For example, the XDA-2 doesn’t support 176k via USB (it does support 176k on its other inputs). Therefore, if you wish to play 176k files on your XDA-2 using jRiver, you should configure jRiver to play 176k files at 192k.

NOTE: Windows “itself”, and Windows Media Player, do NOT use WASAPI Mode. WASAPI Mode must be configured in EACH player program that you wish to use it with. Configuring WASAPI Mode in jRiver Media Center will NOT configure Windows itself, or other Windows audio player programs (including Windows Media Player) to use WASAPI.

I'm using a Mac Mini and this doesn't seem to apply,
A little help please, can't find usb 2.0. Is this only for PC?
Thanks

[KeithL]

I'm not really a Mac person - but I gave give you some general guidance about them....

If you're using the optical output (on either a PC or a Mac).....

Optical outputs are "stupid" (or "blind" if you prefer). In other words, an optical output has no idea if there is a device connected to it or not, and won't detect when you connect something to it (or act differently if and when you do). You simply tell the computer to send the output to that port. Not all PCs have optical ports but, on the ones that do, they are controlled by the particular card they are attached to. (So, if you have a Toslink port on your sound card, then it is the sound card drivers and software that determine how it will act. As long as those drivers are loaded properly you should see it as an output device. Also, the capabilities of the Toslink port - like whether it supports a specific bit rate - will be determined by those drivers.) On a Mac, if it has an optical output, you should see that output as an option.

(Note that, on many Mac Minis, the single 1/8" audio output connector includes BOTH an electrical stereo output and an optical (Toslink) output. If you plug in a standard electrical "stereo headphone plug output" you get a regular (electrical) stereo signal. However, if you plug in a special optical cable (the end that fits the computer has what looks like an 1/8" electrical connector, but there's an optical windows in the tip; the other end has a Toslink connector), you have an optical output. The cable is NOT a converter; the port has both outputs already in it, and you just need the appropriate cable to access the one you want. (You can also purchase cheap little adapters that go from a standard Toslink connector to the special one - and use them with a standard Toslink cable.)

If you're using the USB output...

USB devices are "intelligent"; they communicate with the computer. This means that, if you look at the list of output devices, the DAC will be on that list when it is connected and turned On, and will disappear from the list when it's off or disconnected. The specific name it appears under will depend on your computer, what ports it has, and even what software you have installed and what other devices you currently have connected (it will usually be described as something like "USB Audio Output Device" or "USB Speaker"). However, it will always be the option that appears when you connect the DAC and disappears when you disconnect it.

The XDA-2, DC-1, and the USB Stream Input on the XMC-1 are UAC2 (USB Audio Class 2) devices...

Microsoft Windows does not have built-in support for UAC2, which is why you need to install a separate driver to use it with UAC2 devices.
Recent versions of the Mac OS DO support UAC2, so you don't need a separate driver. (They also use a driver; it's just already provided by Apple.)

WASAPI is a specific mode offered by Windows, and basically "disables" or "overrides" the automatic re-sampling normally performed by Windows.
However, in order to use WASAPI mode, you must be using a player program that supports it.
(Incidentally, WASAPI mode is in Windows 7 and Windows 8; it does NOT exist in Windows XP.)


There is no equivalent specific mode in Apple computers.
If you wish to avoid re-sampling with Apple Computers, you simply must select a program that supports "Bit-Perfect" output.
There are separate programs that do this - like jRiver, and Audirvana, and Amarra - to name just a few.
There is also a plugin for iTunes named "BitPerfect" that enables it to do so.

[djoel]

Great information, and fantastic idea for a thread I know I'm not smart when it comes to these things, but Jriver makes me feel like a down right village idiot.
Only wish this thread was started 3 month ago, would have save me a world of pain, lol

Will be peeking in here as long as folks continue posting relevant info.

Thank you Keith

Dan

[wilburthegoose]

My settings on JRiver for my XMC-1:

[ÈlTwo]

I think you're really enjoying that XMC-1!

[wilburthegoose]

[frenchyfranky]

I wonder if their any difference in sound quality with hi-res flac file played with jriver on a HTPC windows 8.1 via HDMI or USB to XMC-1. Which is better way?

I'm on the fence to buy this minix HTPC www.amazon.com/Minix-Z64-W-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B00T7ETYZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426454985&sr=8-1&keywords=minix+neo+z64w+windows+8.1 to run Jriver and Gizmo android remote and converting all my CD collection in flac on an external HDD

I think that it's an economical way to do it, 170$ for HTPC + 100$ for external 2tb HDD and 50$ for Jriver = total 320$ . What do you think folks? Is this a waste of money or should I invest a little bit more on better HTPC?

[wilburthegoose]

I just got done re-ripping about 2300 CDs to FLAC. I'm running JRiver directly connected to the XMC-1 via USB, and the sound quality is great. No difference that I can hear between this and popping a CD into my Oppo.

From a purist point of view, there is some sound from the PC, but I don't notice it at the volumes I play music at.

[scubadiver]

I'm 'just' getting into JRiver and very recently installed it on a spare PC I had lying around to test it... I like it and will be building a dedicated JRiver machine. I intend to use JRiver to rip my entire CD collection. If possible, I'd like to rip my DVD-Audio/BluRay-Audio collection, too.

Additionally, I'm on the cusp of buying an XMC-1 and I have a few newbe questions:

1 - What is the best way to connect a JRiver server to an XMC-1? USB? HDMI? Other?
2 - Does JRiver support the ripping/playback of DVD/Blu-Ray multi-channel?

And on a separate note:

3 - What easy-to-use devices can I place in other rooms of my house (like my 12-year old daughter's bedroom) for high quality playback from my JRiver server? (my house is fully wired with CAT6)

[vneal]

Apr 8, 2015 16:42:26 GMT -5 scubadiver said:

I'm 'just' getting into JRiver and very recently installed it on a spare PC I had lying around to test it... I like it and will be building a dedicated JRiver machine. I intend to use JRiver to rip my entire CD collection. If possible, I'd like to rip my DVD-Audio/BluRay-Audio collection, too.

Additionally, I'm on the cusp of buying an XMC-1 and I have a few newbe questions:

1 - What is the best way to connect a JRiver server to an XMC-1? USB? HDMI? Other?
2 - Does JRiver support the ripping/playback of DVD/Blu-Ray multi-channel?

And on a separate note:

3 - What easy-to-use devices can I place in other rooms of my house (like my 12-year old daughter's bedroom) for high quality playback from my JRiver server? (my house is fully wired with CAT6)

1- My suggestion is HDMI
2-I take two 3TB external drives connect to a laptop and just drag it to my external hard drive. Why two? You WILL have a HARD DRIVE fail sometime. I have an extra copy. I dont like the computer in the audio room. My other suggestion is run dont walk-sell your 103D and get a 105D. It does several things your 103D does not do. Start with a smoother sound with a better DAC.
3-I use JRiverprogram and app on a droid tablet and have replaced the HDMI cables with the best Emotiva cables with very good results and they are affordable

[scubadiver]

Apr 8, 2015 19:27:56 GMT -5 vneal said:

Apr 8, 2015 16:42:26 GMT -5 scubadiver said:

I'm 'just' getting into JRiver and very recently installed it on a spare PC I had lying around to test it... I like it and will be building a dedicated JRiver machine. I intend to use JRiver to rip my entire CD collection. If possible, I'd like to rip my DVD-Audio/BluRay-Audio collection, too.

Additionally, I'm on the cusp of buying an XMC-1 and I have a few newbe questions:

1 - What is the best way to connect a JRiver server to an XMC-1? USB? HDMI? Other?
2 - Does JRiver support the ripping/playback of DVD/Blu-Ray multi-channel?

And on a separate note:

3 - What easy-to-use devices can I place in other rooms of my house (like my 12-year old daughter's bedroom) for high quality playback from my JRiver server? (my house is fully wired with CAT6)

1- My suggestion is HDMI
2-I take two 3TB external drives connect to a laptop and just drag it to my external hard drive. Why two? You WILL have a HARD DRIVE fail sometime. I have an extra copy. I dont like the computer in the audio room. My other suggestion is run dont walk-sell your 103D and get a 105D. It does several things your 103D does not do. Start with a smoother sound with a better DAC.
3-I use JRiverprogram and app on a droid tablet and have replaced the HDMI cables with the best Emotiva cables with very good results and they are affordable

So do you connect your laptop to your Oppo, or do you use your Oppo to stream data from your laptop via your network?

[vneal]

No I connect my external hard drive to my laptop temporarily--drag in the music files(FLAC) then reconnect the hard drive to the audio system. The only thing connected to the Oppo 105D is the external drive connected to the Oppos HDMI. I then can see my music choice via remote(tablet) or big screen monitor(if it is on) The 105D uses the Oppos DAC. So this portion is hardwired.

The only streaming I use is the Oppos pre loaded NetFlix, Pandora etc. which streams automatically to my router in another room. I did add a Spotify app to my remote tablet for streaming music. I like the quality much better than Pandora. Most of my sound that does not come from LPs or CDs is now downloaded HiRes from HD Tracks/ always use a coupon.

HINT HINT----OPPODIG15

[emovac]

Apr 8, 2015 16:42:26 GMT -5 scubadiver said:

I'm 'just' getting into JRiver and very recently installed it on a spare PC I had lying around to test it... I like it and will be building a dedicated JRiver machine. I intend to use JRiver to rip my entire CD collection. If possible, I'd like to rip my DVD-Audio/BluRay-Audio collection, too.

Additionally, I'm on the cusp of buying an XMC-1 and I have a few newbe questions:

1 - What is the best way to connect a JRiver server to an XMC-1? USB? HDMI? Other?
2 - Does JRiver support the ripping/playback of DVD/Blu-Ray multi-channel?

And on a separate note:

3 - What easy-to-use devices can I place in other rooms of my house (like my 12-year old daughter's bedroom) for high quality playback from my JRiver server? (my house is fully wired with CAT6)

#3. you could use a Sonos Connect device or pick up a JRiver Id. The Id comes in various versions, and can be used as a renderer or as a server. It is a 4"x4"x2" NUC Celeron Linux device. I have both units. The JRiver Id is an awesome machine. If streaming music services is your preference the Sonos does a great job. The Id is setup for use with an ipad as controller using Gizmo or iOS app JRemote.

[wilburthegoose]

A reason to upgrade to Windows 10 if you're running JRiver thru USB to your XMC-1: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/mt298187(v=vs.85).aspx

[millst]

So your music gets to your ears 10ms faster? Yippee.

-tm

[acousticmood]

Apr 8, 2015 19:27:56 GMT -5 vneal said:

Apr 8, 2015 16:42:26 GMT -5 scubadiver said:

I'm 'just' getting into JRiver and very recently installed it on a spare PC I had lying around to test it... I like it and will be building a dedicated JRiver machine. I intend to use JRiver to rip my entire CD collection. If possible, I'd like to rip my DVD-Audio/BluRay-Audio collection, too.

Additionally, I'm on the cusp of buying an XMC-1 and I have a few newbe questions:

1 - What is the best way to connect a JRiver server to an XMC-1? USB? HDMI? Other?
2 - Does JRiver support the ripping/playback of DVD/Blu-Ray multi-channel?

And on a separate note:

3 - What easy-to-use devices can I place in other rooms of my house (like my 12-year old daughter's bedroom) for high quality playback from my JRiver server? (my house is fully wired with CAT6)

1- My suggestion is HDMI
2-I take two 3TB external drives connect to a laptop and just drag it to my external hard drive. Why two? You WILL have a HARD DRIVE fail sometime. I have an extra copy. I dont like the computer in the audio room. My other suggestion is run dont walk-sell your 103D and get a 105D. It does several things your 103D does not do. Start with a smoother sound with a better DAC.
3-I use JRiverprogram and app on a droid tablet and have replaced the HDMI cables with the best Emotiva cables with very good results and they are affordable

I am running JRiver from a server in the back room through Ethernet then an Ethernet to HDMI converter in the xmc-1. How do I configure JRiver for this?