Apologies if this has been asked/answered elsewhere (I’ve searched, unsuccessfully) … why is the sample rate matching feature not available on the plexamp windows app?
I like having the “strict” version of this feature on the Mac and iOS apps … even if I can’t always/easily tell the difference between native and converted sample rates, it’s nice to know that I can choose to avoid the additional processing.
It’s not available on Windows b/c IIRC we hadn’t tested, but also because the Windows audio chain tends to do more, so it was less useful to offer there.
Thank you for the reply … so does sample rate matching require bypassing the OS audio chain? can you elaborate on the additional benefit/functionality that comes from using the windows audio chain?
I’ll admit I’m looking at this from an audiophile-leaning perspective (preference is to not mess with the data unless necessary, or at least have the option).
It helps to be able to bypass OS chain in some cases.
My default—you almost certainly won’t be able to tell the difference. Your brain might tell you otherwise, but an ABX test is the gold standard 
Be careful, the audiophiles will hear you …
In many cases, the same can be said for lossless vs lossy files … and plexamp supports both, despite the marginal (often negligible) differences.
If it’s possible to implement without giving up other useful features, I’d like to see sample rate switching added to the windows version in the future.
Every audio app I know off supports exclusive mode which allows sample rate switching so it’s pretty standard audio feature of WASAPI. Even Tidal and Qobuz own apps do this. And yes I hear a difference, I don’t want my audio messed with.
I don’t think exclusive mode specifically is necessary to accomplish the sample rate switching … at least in the Mac version of plexamp, which already has sample rate switching, other apps can still output sound (which is fine with me, easy enough to avoid/minimize).
Maybe. You might hear a volume difference.
This line of discussion (you can’t tell the difference, yes I can …) isn’t productive.
Again, this feature already exists on Mac and iOS (why?), and it would be nice to have a matching feature on Windows. If it’s a ‘no’ due to difficult implementation or other useful features from the Windows audio chain that would be lost in the process, please share whatever details you can (initial reply from @elan was a start), and I’ll consider my question answered.
Is it so difficult to implement exclusive audio in a player that prides itself on being “for audiophiles” (cit.)?
Hilarious that this feature exists for Plex for Windows but is basically useless without gapless while it’s exactly the opposite for Plexamp…
I have zero skin in the game, and you shouldn’t listen to me anyway - sometimes I listen to music over Bluetooth.
I’m always amused by the audiophile slippery slope. Cold-pressed bits, amplifiers assembled by virgins, DACs with souls harvested from puppies, alien antimatter isolation feet.
The most likely explanations for “I can hear a difference” are always “I want to believe” and “it’s louder”.
But I’m not at all opposed, and I support the feature if it’s feasible. I have no idea if the Windows audio mixer is any good at resampling, and exclusive/direct mode is nice for other reasons.
Exclusive mode in Windows is tricky to add, so no current plans.
Look, bypassing the Windows mixer is the minimum required for high fidelity reproduction. The fact that audiophiles swallow the nonsense in the brochures has nothing to do with it… just listen to music via Bluetooth… have fun.
Completely irrelevant, it’s a 100% different codebase.
Can sample rate switching be added for Windows without the use of exclusive mode?
My guess is that exclusive mode requires a lot of underlying additions to the app to replace what’s currently being handled by the Windows audio chain.
No, those are two sides of the same coin. When using the Mixer, Windows is in charge of the output.
I thought the same was true for Mac (no support for auto sample rate switching), but it appears there’s a way to do this without the use of exclusive/hog mode. Maybe it’s not possible for Windows, but I’m still looking for a clear reply from plexamp devs to the original posted question.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding. You’re asking if an app can change the mode of the mixer’s output device?
