Alternative to JRiver

pelhamplace

I currently play FLAC files using a dedicated Dell lap top connected to a Dragonfly DAC. I find the JRiver software to be very confusing. I don’t want to commit the funds for Roon. Any suggestions for other software solutions?

msg

Music Bee, iTunes, foobar2000, etc.?

rooftop59

I like media monkey as well, I got a lifetime license for $25 I think.

I will say that roon is awesome and 💯 worth it. I’m a cheapass so I tried to follow @msg and go back to squeezebox’s LMS but I missed roon too much and went back lol...

Thorton

rooftop59 wrote: »

I like media monkey as well, I got a lifetime license for $25 I think.

I will say that roon is awesome and 💯 worth it. I’m a cheapass so I tried to follow @msg and go back to squeezebox’s LMS but I missed roon too much and went back lol...

Media Monkey has worked good for me too (for ripping). And I agree, Roon kicks ****.

Thorton

Thorton wrote: »

rooftop59 wrote: »

I like media monkey as well, I got a lifetime license for $25 I think.

I will say that roon is awesome and 💯 worth it. I’m a cheapass so I tried to follow @msg and go back to squeezebox’s LMS but I missed roon too much and went back lol...

Media Monkey has worked good for me too (for ripping). And I agree, Roon kicks ****.

I can't say a variation of butt!

pelhamplace

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

Mikey081057

I am roon'd for life...

98Badger

What are you having trouble with in JRiver? I’ve been using it for years. Can’t say I’m an expert, but feel free to message me and I will help if I can.

Otherwise, I have used mediamonkey a long time ago and found it pretty user friendly.

BlueBirdMusic

With JRiver, just use the audio feature. Primarily, use the JRemote App on your phone to play your music. My library is on a Windows computer: Music/Artist/Album/Tracks (standard Windows file structure) ripped from CDs and downloaded from HDtracks. My setup and path is Dell desktop/JRiver to PS Audio DSD DAC to Integrated Amplifier which is not unlike your path.

The only "complicated" thing I have done is streaming to a ChromeCast Audio device in another room. I do change the formats of the music files sent to and played by the DAC from time-to-time. I don't change the FLAC formats in the Music Library. I do create playlists with tracks across the library.

Windows is probably the worst detriment to everything operating smoothly with its updates and other computer stoppages which causes the JRemote App to loose its connection over your network.

I have used it for a long time and tried most all of the other features (TV, Image, iPhone, Video, etc). All those features are too much. You don't have to update JRiver every time a new release is announced. Most of the new releases involve things other than audio improvements.

It does take awhile to become confident with the interface and the many options. You will learn which options are of no use to you. It is up to you to learn about the software and establish a complicated or a straight forward system for music. I believe you will face the same issues with any of the software packages.

With all of that said, I have actually tapered my use of JRiver. I have not used it lately. I have dedicated my time to listening to LPs mainly then real CDs, SACDs, and DVD-A discs.

Here is how my Options Page appears:

Emlyn

All media software has a learning curve. I started out using Windows Media then tried Media Monkey, iTunes, and a couple others. JRiver just provides more than most other programs for a reasonable cost so I decided to buy that and stick with it. Think of it as data management software because that's what a digital music collection really is. All the options available in it are there for a reason, but not all the options need to be learned to use the basic functions.

There are Youtube videos that help explain how to set JRiver up and get the most out of it. JRiver's wiki and forum can be helpful but they can also introduce confusion. It can be complicated, but doesn't have to be. I actually found it just as complicated to use other programs after using JRiver because they all do things a little differently.

pelhamplace

@BlueBirdMusic thanks for the copy of your options page. That’s really helpful.
@Emlyn I have to admit I’m probably not diving into the JRiver wiki like I should. Unfortunately my laptop is on a shelf on my audio rack and not the best setup (that’s the best excuse I can come up with).

BlueBirdMusic

You are welcome @pelhamplace.

I should have noted the Features Options are in the General Section to the left.

The File Location Section to the left contains Audio Options related to file locations of your music. It's straight forward except for the Filename Rule which is the name generated for each track in the data base (not the track name that shows for play selection). The Filename Rule on my page was arrived at after I ripped the first mult-disk album. It was screwed up. I wanted each disk to be listed separately with its tracks under its disc number especially on JRemote. Otherwise, if there are 2 discs, track ones are together, track twos are together, etc. It took me some time to figure how to do it.



Here is the JRiver main computer screen. See the disk 1 tracks are all listed then the disk 2 tracks are listed.



Here is the JRemote App with the same Album. Note JRemote is used to make a music selection but it does not affect other activity such as outgoing and incoming calls. Nor, do incoming calls affect the music.



Another page that is confusing is the Audio Section at the left. I don't have my DAC in the system presently, but I'll try to make it so in the upcoming week and post that page if you would like to see it. The Audio Device Options and Settings Options are the most confusing in the Audio Section, especially the DSP & Output Format parameters.

JRiver has many options, and your goal is to know about the ones that you should control. Most of the options generated by JRiver are okay to use as presented. I suggest you limit your music playing to your ripped (and downloaded) albums so you become very efficient with the basics before "turning on" other options.

Harry - Marietta GA