{"id":37056,"date":"2024-01-04T11:18:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T09:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=37056"},"modified":"2024-08-07T11:12:51","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T09:12:51","slug":"jplay-for-ios","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/audio-software-reviews\/jplay-for-ios\/","title":{"rendered":"JPLAY for iOS"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the longest time, we’ve been used to requiring a core for our libraries to control them in a comfortable manner. Roon<\/a> is a good example of this. As a 3-tier system, it requires a core, endpoint, and control component. The core is the part that tracks the library content and hosts the database, the endpoint is where you send the music to playback, and the control element is how you control this, usually with a phone or tablet, often an iPad. If your music sources are predominantly of the cloud service (streaming) kind, you might wonder why you’d still need a core. Indeed, as Qobuz Connect and Tidal Connect prove, you can just as easily stream to your endpoint directly from your phone or tablet. But herein lies the clincher. In the aforementioned cases, you are bound to a single service. All services have their own dedicated app that does not play ball with other streaming services. Even more importantly, these apps only work via Airplay.<\/p>\n

JPLAY solves this problem by combining Qobuz, Tidal, and local content in a single, simple, and elegant interface that offers literally all the functionality one can wish for. According to the maker, the app works instantly with nearly every streamer or network DAC on the market through UPnP AV.<\/p>\n

The design brief was not just to create a superb user interface, but to also minimize the network traffic between the app and the audio endpoint to the absolute minimum to ensure the lowest possible network noise and, as a result, the best sound quality.<\/p>\n

Thanks to native iOS programming and advanced optimizations, JPLAY promises exceptional speed and responsiveness. You may combine all your music in a single library or use each music server and streaming service separately.<\/p>\n

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With the latest update<\/a> (version 1.0.14), JPLAY also features integration with TIDAL MAX. With the integration of TIDAL MAX, JPLAY users can now enjoy audio streaming up to 24-bit, 192 kHz, exceeding the quality offered by TIDAL Master.<\/p>\n

The cost matter<\/h3>\n

JPLAY positively stands out when it concerns the slickness of the interface and the extra functionality that is offered. In line with most software these days, JPLAY can only be purchased as a subscription, and the amount adds up over the years. A fair question is whether it is worth the extra expense over other single-purchase apps. Andoid users have historically been served better with a choice of UPnP apps while for iOS users, Mconnect was really the only good option.<\/p>\n

Mconnect can be downloaded for peanuts, but its very basic functionality is only barely good enough. More precisely, I found its user interface merely adequate and nowhere near as good as Roon. Still, I used it because there was nothing better for iOS.<\/p>\n

It is widely agreed that Roon has set the benchmark with its user interface. However, Roon is a 3-prong system that requires a core for the server component, does not work with UPnP, and is quite costly. In that light, what’s offered with JPLAY starts to make a lot of sense. And that’s before we even get into the Sound Quality side of things. But I’ll get to that in a second. First, let me show some more screenshots to illustrate the app’s extensive functionality.<\/p>\n

User Interface<\/h3>\n

When opening the app for the first time, it takes you by the hand by automatically scanning the network and showing the found renderers (streaming endpoints).<\/p>\n

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The next step is to select the desired streaming service.<\/p>\n

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After logging in with Qobuz for the first time, the JPLAY main screen is automatically and fully populated with all your personal content. Below is the Home screen in its full glory.<\/p>\n

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Is that a beautiful interface, or what? Every header, such as Playlists, Favorites, Recently Added, etcetera, has a “more” button to show more of the related content.<\/p>\n

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The beauty of this app is that it looks very clean and simple but offers all the functionality that I can think of and then some! And there is no learning curve; everything is where you expect it to be. You simply start exploring, and all is revealed naturally.<\/p>\n

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All the usual metadata sub-divisions and streaming service categories, as well as access to the app’s main settings, are right there in the main slide-over settings pane.<\/p>\n

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Every endpoint has its dedicated Settings section, along with all the adjustments you could ever need.<\/p>\n

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Once you have used Qobuz to play a few tracks, the home screen is also populated with all Recently Played Tracks.<\/p>\n

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Next: functionality Continued<\/p>\n

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As I tapped away in the app, I found more and more enrichment “goodies” some of which may seem self-evident but are unavailable in most other apps.<\/p>\n

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For instance, the app has seamless integration of multiple local libraries and online services and allows the user to combine or filter between the various sources.<\/p>\n

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The app automatically finds more albums by the same artist and displays them with a lot of extra information.<\/p>\n

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If you then tap the “more” button, you will also see albums related to this artist.<\/p>\n

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The app even shows versions of the album, such as the Qobuz version of an album that I have stored locally, as well as suggestions for other artists I might like.<\/p>\n

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In all the instances where the 3-dot button is displayed, you can request more info about the artist, track, or album.<\/p>\n

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Something that is definitely not widely available is that when searching by Artist, the app offers Roon-like background information about the selected artist.<\/p>\n

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Another rare feature is the possibility to add tracks to playlists no matter where you access them, be it on the associated album, in the Queue, or in another playlist.<\/p>\n

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Above is the Now Playing screen. The 3 bars above the album cover indicate you can swipe right to access two more associated screens. The next screen is the Queue. You can preset the default cueing behavior: either play all tracks now or Add all tracks to the end of the play queue.<\/p>\n

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There is a clear distinction in the queue between what’s coming up and what’s already played. And as soon as you’ve scrolled past the “now playing” point, a button appears that brings you right back to the current track.<\/p>\n

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The third screen offers access to the app’s Radio function. Originally introduced by Roon, this is another feature that you will not find in other UPnP apps. This super-handy function auto-selects and plays music at the end of the now-playing queue based on music played earlier, as well as direct user feedback. You can teach the algorithm by thumbing up or down.<\/p>\n

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The app even has Roon-like functionality such as Focus, which lets you quickly and easily narrow down the results.<\/p>\n

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I find this particularly useful when I want to distinguish between Qobuz and local files, search only on a particular server, or show only certain formats, bit depths, or sample rates. Additionally, Focus lets you sort by ownership (local\/cloud), decade, genre, artist, or composer.<\/p>\n

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Continued playback in Lock Mode<\/h3>\n

Although UPnP requires the control point to continuously queue the next track in the queue, JPLAY keeps the music playing even when the tablet is locked (sleeping, with the screen off), and when the queue is finished, the Radio function will take over. It works with both of my streaming endpoints, as well as the iPad itself. However, if the JPLAY app is closed, or the iPad is powered down entirely, the music will stop after the currently playing track. While this may seem restrictive compared to Roon, I have not noticed an increase in battery consumption during my weeks of use. As such, I don’t see a use case for closing an app that is frequently used or shutting down the iPad during music listening.<\/p>\n

Lastly, we should probably also credit Apple for this, but even the lock screen looks pretty, and as you would expect, the controls work flawlessly.<\/p>\n

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Next: Review Context and Listening<\/p>\n

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Review Context<\/h3>\n

JPLAY will be listened to in the main system<\/a> using the Precision C1.2<\/a> and Aqua LinQ<\/a> streaming endpoints and the Aqua Formula xHD DAC<\/a>. The rest of the system comprises the CH Precision L1<\/a> preamplifier, CH Precision A1.5<\/a> power amp, and Magico S1 MkII speakers.<\/p>\n

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Connection to Endpoints<\/h3>\n

In practice, I found that the app connects instantly, as promised. The detection process is automatic but, if desired, can be re-triggered by tapping the Refresh or Search Again buttons. Sometimes, an output can take a while to appear in the list. I’m unsure what the variable is, but after I downloaded the app and fired it up for the first time, the CH Precision C1.2 DAC and the Denon AVC-X3800H receiver took a while to appear. But when I later switched on the Aqua LinQ<\/a>, it appeared instantly in the list of outputs, even though it was powered on and accessed through JPLAY last. I should add that this is not unique to JPLAY but is common behavior to all other UPnP apps I use presently and have used in the past. In any case, my experience is that once a device is recognized, it will remain available instantly.<\/p>\n

Indeed, all outputs always appeared instantly throughout the rest of my listening sessions, spread over several days and through system power cycles. Even when I uninstalled and reinstalled the app, the Renderer screen populated absolutely instantly.<\/p>\n

Setting the stage<\/h3>\n

The interesting aspect of software reviews is that they do not start with a piece of hardware. Usually, I connect a device and allow it to warm up, wait a certain period, and then form my listening impressions across a handful of listening sessions. With software, that process is turned around. As my work room and music room are in different sections of the apartment, these tasks are usually separate. Sometimes, I take a laptop with me to make notes while listening, but usually, I collect thoughts and walk over to the other room to write them down. I guess all those walks count at least a little toward retaining my health… Anyway, with this JPLAY review, I found myself glued mostly to the computer in the workroom while the audio system in the other room was switched on so that I could test the app and take screenshots.<\/p>\n

As I casually walked back and forth between the work room and the audio room while streaming directly from JPLAY with Qobuz to the C1.2 DAC to patch a cable, I noticed how crisp and lively the music sounded. Really, I thought, would the Sound Quality difference be this<\/em> obvious?<\/p>\n

But before I get into detail on how JPLAY compares to Roon and other UPnP players, please allow me a little detour to set the stage.<\/p>\n

As I’ve mentioned in other reviews, Roon’s sound quality fluctuates with every update. After a long dip, Roon build 1359 thankfully sounds very good again, but even when performing optimally, Roon has an inherently different character than UPnP, MPD, and Squeeze. In a nutshell, Roon sounds smoother, fuller, and more saturated. Combined with its spacious presentation, I can understand why it may be preferable to some. However, UPnP is inherently crisper, more direct, lively, and expressive. It is still fluid and refined but just not overly smooth or round. Just how individual users feel about these relative differences is a personal matter, but the differences are there.<\/p>\n

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Roon is not compatible with UPnP but does work with HQPlayer, which is why I am so glad to also have the Aqua LinQ streaming endpoint, which supports both UPnP and HQPlayer. Roon’s sound quality ties in with the server on which it runs, but I can always hear its inherent presentation. Interestingly, the Grimm MU1 achieved a particularly synergistic balance. At some point, that server sounded every bit as crisp and expressive with Roon as the Aqua LinQ did with UPnP. But a lot of Roon updates and a few Grimm updates later, this balance tilted. While the Grimm currently still sounds tighter and more direct than other Roon servers I heard, the Aqua retains the crown in these areas.<\/p>\n

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The CH Precision C1.2 DAC has provision for UPnP and Roon streaming functionality via optional extension modules that slide in the back. The DAC sure works effortlessly with both formats, but with Roon, I feel it sounds quite laidback and a little soft. With UPnP, however, the C1.2 sounds really good, especially<\/em> now that I hear it again with the JPLAY app.<\/p>\n

So, how do the CH and Aqua endpoints compare using JPLAY, and, more importantly, how does JPLAY compare to other UPnP apps?<\/p>\n

JPLAY compared<\/h3>\n

As hinted at further up, I noticed even in passing that JPLAY sounds beautifully crisp and coherent, streaming from Qobuz. When sitting down and comparing it to Roon, my hunch was immediately proven correct. Sure enough, Qobuz in Roon via Grimm MU1 into C1.2 via a Jorma AES\/EBU cable sounds noticeably less incisive and crisp than Qobuz in JPLAY directly to the C1.2’s streaming input. The latter has a beautiful liquidity, refinement, and naturalness, but at the same time also offers the articulation, expression, and communication that I so crave.<\/p>\n

I realize the C1.2 is not within everyone’s reach, but fortunately, there are alternatives that are not only much more affordable but perform at the same level or, depending on your preferences, arguably sound even better. My personal reference in this field is the Aqua LinQ.<\/p>\n

With UPnP and connected with the same Jorma AES\/EBU cable, the LinQ sounds even tighter and more focused than the C1.2, with a less wide, more forward, more upfront soundstage. It does give up a smidgeon of airiness and refinement and is a little drier, but regardless, it sounds so hugely toe-tapping and expressive that the remaining offset is, if not academic, at the very least, no deal-breaker.<\/p>\n

With the LinQ, we always had standard UPnP, but the Core + NAA Module<\/a> adds HQPlayer compatibility and integrates a UPnP renderer. To my surprise, I found that these two input options sound different!<\/p>\n

I know HQPlayer may have a bit of a spotty reputation, rightfully praised by dedicated tweakers and understandably loathed by music lovers who just want to hit play. Sure, the HQPlayer software can be tricky to set up on its own and offers more configuration options than some are comfortable with, but the way the software is implemented in the Aqua LinQ (HQPlayer embedded), it is pre-configured by Aqua and basically Plug & Play. In any case, when streaming to the HQPlayer Embedded output in JPLAY, we’re still using UPnP, which is very much Plug & Play. As a result, there is literally nothing the user needs to do. Both of the LinQ’s inputs just appeared in the JPLAY output list immediately after switching the unit on.<\/p>\n

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With the HQPlayerEmbedded and regular UPnP input (labeled “LinQ”) available, I could freely swap between the two back and forth and back, and it just worked instantly. Moreover, my jaw dropped a little when I heard UPnP via the LinQ’s Core + NAA module. In this mode, JPLAY offered the fluidity, air, spaciousness, and refinement of the C1.2, combined with the robustness, tightness, and focus of the LinQ. How about that?<\/p>\n

And now, we’ve arrived at the final part of my comparisons to assess how JPLAY compares to Mconnect. I will admit I was a little worried the difference might not be as large as it seemed while listening casually. But in comparing the same track in Qobuz via Mconnect versus JPLAY, both streaming to the Aqua LinQ, sure enough, JPLAY sounds crisper, more expressive, and more well-rooted. I repeated the test twice but can only confirm these differences exist. Mconnect, by comparison, sounds softer, less incisive, and a little bit more processed\/filtered. All things combined, JPLAY sounds more vigorous and alive and, ultimately, more realistic.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Whereas most non-Roon apps make the user give up a lot of convenient functionality, JPLAY combines Qobuz, Tidal, and local content in a single, richly-populated interface while also offering features that you don’t often see outside of Roon, certainly not in a UPnP app.<\/p>\n

JPLAY is a wonderful app that offers a rich yet slick and easy-to-use interface combined with superb sound quality. I rarely encounter zero hurdles when trying a new piece of software while effortlessly stumbling on one unexpected and rarely included useful feature after another. JPLAY for iOS offers the cake, adds whipped cream and a cherry on top, and then allows you to eat it!<\/p>\n

This app is not only a joy to use, but it is also packed with everything you can think of for controlling your local and streaming libraries via UPnP, and then some. Meanwhile, it offers the best Sound Quality I have heard from a UPnP app. As may come as no surprise, JPLAY is not only Highly Recommended, but effective immediately, also my new favorite UPnP tool!<\/p>\n

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Availability<\/strong><\/p>\n

The updated JPLAY app with TIDAL MAX integration is available for download in the App Store for devices running iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS (M1 CPU or later).<\/p>\n

Associated Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

Manufacturer’s website front page: JPlay<\/a>
\nJPLAY for iOS website: https:\/\/jplay.app\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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