Playback Software

This is the software that organizes and plays your music. You likely are already using on of these. This is just a sampling of the choices out there. Software is less a question of quality than compatibility with your own needs and preferences.

Tip: When your computer is connected to your stereo, disable the volume control on the computer, or turn it all the way up, and use your stereo's volume control. This will disable some of the computer signal processing which can detrimentally affect sound quality.

Winamp

One of the oldest and best solutions out there. Winamp handles many formats, internet radio and there are numerous plug-ins that allow you to customize everything from the skin to the output.

Apple iTunes
Apple's iTunes music player is one of the most popular complete digital audio packages. It is the required companion to Apple's iPod music player, but you don't need to have an iPod to enjoy iTunes many benefits. Itunes offers many ripping and playback options, internet radio, and access to Apples' large iTunes music store. It is a very complete solution that works well on both Mac and Windows operating systems.

Formats Supported: MP3, AAC, AIFF/WAV, M4A.

Real Player
Another complete solution. Real players biggest attraction seems is it is the de facto standard for internet radio. Just about any radio station you is available on Real Player. It also features ripping, burning, video, amnd premium content, such as television programming and sports, and access to their online music store.

Formats Supported: WMA, MP3, RA, M4a, WAV, various video formats.

Windows Media Player
Microsoft's multi-media solution. Does just about everything - ripping, burning, video, radio, store access, but you're limited to compression formats (WMA and MP3, and a few others). The big thing going for Windows Media Player is that you can use with just about every portable audio player out there, including those from Creative, Rio, iRiver, Dell, RCA, Samsung, Gateway, iRock, and more. Does not support the iPod.


Foobar/Exact Audio Copy(EAC)

This is the audiophile/hackers delight. These are two separate and unrelated but complimentary pieces of software very popular with audiophiles.

Exact Audio Copy is a ripper on steroids, with excellent error correction, providing absolutely perfect copies of your music. If EAC finds an error on your disc, it will re-read that portion of the disc until it has exactly the correct data.

Foobar2000 is a very flexible audio player that uses very little memory. You can customize all kinds of playback options and settings to help you optimize for best sound. The interface is probably the worst out there, but if sound quality is your priority, then this is the player for you.

Formats Supported: WAV, AIFF, VOC, AU, SND, Ogg Vorbis, MPC, MP2, MP3, MPEG-4, AAC, and more!