Best Sound Quality Software MP3 Player?

[Jonj1611]

So, I have used Winamp for years, but starting to wonder, is anyone using anything different in terms of sound quality wise? I notice winamp has been updated proper in a very long time and the plugins are years old for the most part.

So what do you use to play music that has a great sound quality?

[Siuko]

I use Foobar2000 mainly because it plays .Flac files... larger than MP3 files but they are lossless so you get full cd quality sound.

[kalniel]

I don't think the software is going to make much difference (it shouldn't, at least). Your DAC and speakers/headphone is going to be more important, so look at improving your soundcard or output digitally to an external amp.

[Jonj1611]

Hmmm my soundcard could be updated a bit I guess, currently using a X-Fi Extremegamer.

Any recommendations?

[g8ina]

optical out and an outboard DAC ?

[kalniel]

X-Fi have some nice stuff for adding punch to overly compressed mp3 files, but I find the Xonar cards better for music (the Xense I have is at least). Auzentech have some interesting products - based on X-fi but with updated and user replaceable op amps - if I was buying a new card I'd have a look at something like the Auzen X-Fi Bravura 7.1.

Otherwise external DAC as mentioned.

[offroadpia]

Take a look at JRiver Media Center, it has great audiophiles capabilities, check out its review on computeraudiophile.com

[dav532000]

I use AIMP3 myself, as a media player for my mp3s.