Bug Head Technology Music Player

[Claus]

Great Ken! Found out my files were bad. Kind of blue has for some reason been compromised... All other files working fine, and sounding pretty great!

[Clive]

I have to say that using Ken's settings I'm getting stunningly good results with 4.88 Infectiously good. I just wish it was possible it would start up faster. Maybe the start up ceremony adds to the experience, rather like handling an LP.

[sebna]

How would you rate it in compare to MQN?

[Clive]

How would you rate it in compare to MQN?

I can only compare the later non-Haswell MQn versions from sometime back. In command line and black screen mode BH offers a significant improvement. Without the tweaks they are level pegging.

[Claus]

Are you using the full stardust x2 mode? I just compared with jplay 6 "Come pick me up" by Ryan Adams. Cymbals are just unbelievable on my system! Black background and instrument separation is amazing! I hope what I am hearing is not something added by Bug Head, but actually on the recording... ;)

[Clive]

Are you using the full stardust x2 mode? I just compared with jplay 6 "Come pick me up" by Ryan Adams. Cymbals are just unbelievable on my system! Black background and instrument separation is amazing! I hope what I am hearing is not something added by Bug Head, but actually on the recording... ;)

Yes full Stardust x2.....including all the time this takes. The sound seems very natural.

[dannyhc]

4.88 with default tweaks recommend takes this to a whole new level, very smooth sound.

[Ken Moreland]

4-89 out now and just listening to M Davis/My Funny Valentine on DSF and sounding very good.

Hard to answer Seb's question clearly. For me MQN/Wasapi was better than Jplay/KS at the time for all PCM rates. I also preferred MQN/KS to Jplay/KS but the direction of research meant that only 16bit was continuing to develop. Jplay/KS has also improved and has the capability to play all PCM rates and DoP. Now Bughead(IB) has moved on rapidly in some way due to it's rewriting procedure. Previously I used Rewrite program pre Jplay and there was improvement. I think there are flavours of sound associated with Wasapi/KS and ASIO, Jplay played via Wasapi sounded more like MQN/Wasapi and now Bughead via ASIO is similar to Jplay/ASIO. I like ASIO's nimble sound and recent Bugheads have tight bass and great detail. Played Patricia Barber's Verse on 24/96 yesterday and it was the best I've ever heard this album sounding. The setup is a little tedious but well worth it, it's suitable for album playing not single tracks only.
I still think MQN has potential to be best but will have some catching up to do.
Overall it's a matter of taste otherwise we'd all be drinking Duff Beer only.

KM

[Claus]

I agree with you Ken. Last night I was listening to "tin pan alley". Comparing a few different settings on 4.88. I thought command line and black screen added something. Could not hear a massive difference between default tweaks (blade 10 mmx+) and Ken's recommendation. I unfortunately had the PC restart mid album a couple of times so might need to reinstall server 2012 r 2.... Does anyone know if win10 is likely to good sound wise...?

[sebna]

Thanks guys for a nice roundup. I have to give it a proper try. Just MQN sound so good recently on my setup that whenever I start listening decided to test some new things I just end up playing more and more music and my time for music is gone :)

Do you use Bug Head with OS in Ramdisk? It worked for me initially but recently stopped and I could not get the dual memory mode every to become available even tough I have 16gb ram (but most taken by OS sitting in it)

Cheers,
seb