Sound
Contents
The settings of JPlay are a bit technical. On their website, however, most of it is explained. We’ll run them by briefly:
- Playing via: choose your sound card and mode here. (Wasapi, KS (Kernel Streaming), ASIO. We think Kernel Streaming is the best. However, it’s very close together.
- Engine: the ‘renderer’ that JPlay uses. ULTRAstream is the best, but the toughest. If it demands too much, Classic or Xtream can also work.
- DAC Link: Frequency of the dac link. There’s no “best” here. Just trying to see what sounds better.
- AudioPC: which PC to use: local or network
- XtreamSize: Memory buffer
- Bitstream: number of bits (possible resampling). Native is the best option
- Throttle: PC speed. Slower speed would sound better.
- Bitperfect volume: How much db should be native adjustable (only works with 32bit)
- Hibernate Fashion: Turn off everything you don’t need. Quite experimental.
Better?
We tested the software in combination with our working PC (Gigabyte X399, Threadripper 1920X, 64GB RAM, GTX1070 and 3 x m.2 nvme ssd) which has a semi-professional Maya44 eX soundcard. It has its own ASIO drivers, which makes a direct comparison easy. After all, apples with apples! As playback software, we largely use Foobar, but also the JPlay player that can be used over the network. We use our loyal Focal Elear over-ear headphones to determine playback quality.
Does JPlay Femto sound better? Sure! JPlay sounds better than the standard ASIO drivers. And we’ve largely tested without throttling or advanced Hibernate modes or dac settings. In fact, just out of the box. With tuning an even better result can be achieved. If we turn that on, we hear an extra (subtle) improvement. Throttling in particular can help. Although a 12-core processor remains totally overkill and in fact unsuitable for music (too much cpu junk). We recommend a low-voltage quad-core. Or maybe even a dual-core, although they are not really future-proof anymore.
What is striking is the tranquillity and extra textures in the music that JPlay brings. The whole sounds particularly fluent, free of grain and generous. Especially through Foobar JPlay sounds really nice. Strangely enough, through the network player a little more aggressive. No idea exactly how this is possible, but Foobar just sounds more pleasant. Fortunately, the ASIO driver of JPlay can be used in many software. Think of JRiver or in some cases even in ROON.
JPlay VS ROON
Ai… that’s a tough one. First of all, JPlay is cheaper (one-time 150 euros). However, ROON has considerably more possibilities, although the basics remain the same: a server, a player and a control app. ROON has its own app and can integrate services. ROON can also connect a lot of brands. That’s a big advantage, because you have one system to control all kinds of streamers. JPlay can’t do that.
But to be honest: JPlay sounds just as good on our PC via the sound card, or even better; just a little more peace and quiet and fluidity. We are really impressed by the display of JPlay via Foobar. And that’s on a regular PC.
Conclusion
JPlay puts an interesting piece of software on the market with the Femto server and player. The playback is impressively good. Better than many a software package we have had in our hands. It even plays a bit better than ROON in certain cases. Very impressive, because ROON is a benchmark for us.The only thing that could be better is the controls. JPlay doesn't have its own app. And although there are numerous apps, having your own app in such an ecosystem is an advantage. Not a must... ...but very nice. And professional.