Try comparing this to Foobar. There's definitely a difference and I'm not just talking about volume. Could it be a DSP effect? The demo's easy to find but the unlocked software costs 72 euros. I need some opinions because this thing sounds good, but why?

but the unlocked software costs 72 euros

Fail.

I don't really care if the dude wants money. However, his player really does something different than foobar. I want the reason why. There shouldn't be any difference if they're both transporting the same packets, but there's something that he does that makes the difference light and day.

Try the damn demo. I want to hear some opinions.

No.

but there's something that he does that makes the difference light and day.

I don't want software to do anything to my music, thanks all the same.

Honestly, I didn't want to start this thread because it'll become another cable strangulation match. But there's more than snake oil here. At least somebody must be interested in software as much as hardware here? This guy is completely off of HF and HC radar, but he has been discussed around AA and diyAudio.

Most folks here prefer neutral playback to their music, as opposed to anything that adds "excitement" or a "wow factor". This is simply the wrong place to look for enthusiasts of that sound.

I'd suggest hydrogen audio as being the appropriate audience for the discussion you're wanting to have.

I'd suggest hydrogen audio as being the appropriate audience for the discussion you're wanting to have.

Hydrogenaudio already has some (not too complimentary) threads

Do this in foobar:

Preferences > Advanced > Playback > Full file buffering up to: Something ridiculously large.

"Memory playback" is supposed to be one of the reasons it sounds good. I'm not sure if it will make a difference but if it stops the hard drive from ticking all the god damn time its already improving my listening experience.