In Reply to: Stick with Audirvana or migrate to...... ???? posted by andy evans on December 19, 2016 at 08:00:46:
It took a little while to get HQP up and running on my Mac. I got a prompt reply to my emails from Jussi and he sent some follow-up emails with filter suggestions. Full marks for that - this is very impressive customer service. This is just the demo version, but it did have some false starts when trying to play tracks. Jury's out on stability - I'm not commenting since it's entirely new to me and I'm not a software geek, I'm a musician.First impression of HQP in default mode was of good vocals - smooth and pleasant. It didn't take long, however, for me to start missing some of the detail and definition in the orchestral parts in the Janacek opera excerpts I was comparing. The individual instruments - strings, wind instruments etc - were somewhat muffled and lacked both attack and timbral definition. The more I listened the more alarmed I got. I switched back and fore and however euphonic the overall sound of HQPlayer undoubtedly is, the detail and focus of inner parts and low level detail isn't what you can get in Audirvana+.
I'm going to regret not having the pleasant sound to vocals in HQPlayer - they did sound less sharp. But..... the whole sound was less sharp. So after comparing about 5 tracks including some Kim Burrell and Claire Martin I'm pretty sure I'm going to stay with A+. It's not perfect but I haven't heard anything better yet. It has the best level of overall musicality and that's what counts for me - I listen to a lot of opera and orchestral detail and timbre is not negotiable!
I haven't, however, had time yet to try out Jussi's other filter recommendations, so this may not be the last word. I also have Audirvana 1.5.12 and it may be the case that Ver 2.0 has better SQ again. But that's my preliminary impressions.
Can anyone else give me a direct comparison between A+ and HQP? I'd like to hear other listeners' impressions, particularly on orchestral and opera.
Edits: 12/19/16
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Follow Ups
- Right - compared A+ with HQP and here's my impressions - andy evans 15:42:17 12/19/16 (17)
- RE: Right - compared A+ with HQP and here's my impressions - scruffy_ 07:43:55 12/20/16 (0)
- I have HQ 3.14.4 - oldmkvi 16:16:24 12/19/16 (15)
- RE: I have HQ 3.14.4 - Bibo01 22:12:35 12/20/16 (0)
- RE: I have HQ 3.14.4 - andy evans 16:24:03 12/19/16 (13)
- Oops! I need to update! [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 10:25:49 12/20/16 (0)
- Tried other HQP filters - still preferring A+ - andy evans 02:53:56 12/20/16 (6)
- The choices aren't mutually exclusive - you can have both, as oldmkvi and I do [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 10:09:53 12/20/16 (4)
- BTW, I'm using Audirvana 2.6.2 and HQ Player 3.7.1 [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 10:17:19 12/20/16 (2)
- I'm using Audirvana 2.6.2 as well... - Ivan303 13:24:59 12/20/16 (0)
- OK - now I'm back up to 3.14.4 [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 10:45:43 12/20/16 (0)
- I am at least moderately bummed about - oldmkvi 10:14:02 12/20/16 (0)
- RE: Tried other HQP filters - still preferring A+ - oldmkvi 05:09:54 12/20/16 (0)
- RE: oldmkvi... - Ivan303 17:46:48 12/19/16 (4)
- RE: oldmkvi... - oldmkvi 18:10:05 12/19/16 (3)
- Played on a Selmer Bundy Clarinet in the late 50's... - Ivan303 19:00:03 12/19/16 (2)
- Made from only the Finest Aged Virgin Plastic. - oldmkvi 20:23:59 12/19/16 (1)
- Nope, the Selmer Bundy I had was all wood... - Ivan303 22:06:25 12/19/16 (0)