Why Winamp 5 sounds different from Winamp 2.91?

[Rozerw]

Hi to all! I use normally the last version of Winamp (5.56) but i used a pc with a old version of Winamp, 2.91, and it sounds better! I used to try it on my pc, and sounds better than 5.56! 2 version of the same software on the same pc that sounds different... weird...

No dsp for each player, same EQ preset (pop), no replay gain active... For Winamp 5 i used 4Front EQ and Winamp EQ bands

I have recorded the same song with volume = 70 and this is the graph from Nero Wave editor

Edit: the link of the image is obscured...

[Rozerw]

Sorry for double post, using "Edit" i can't attach a file

Left: Winamp v5.56, right Winamp v2.91

[JonnyMac]

Winamp 2.x used the waveOut output plug-in by default and WA 5.x uses DirectSound by default. You may be noticing subtle differences between the two exaggerated by the placebo effect. You could try changing to waveOut and see if that "improves" the sound...Winamp > Ctrl+P > Plug-ins > Output > highlight/select 'Nullsoft waveOut output'However it is generally recommended to use DirectSound.


If this only seems to happen with MP3 or ACC files... Winamp > Preferences > Nullsoft Mpeg Audio Decoder > checkmark (or uncheck) 'Fast Layer 3 EQ'.

Otherwise, if you want to use the (recommended) DirectSound instead of waveOut, try the DirectSound tweaks (http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?postid=1212926#post1212926). Although not necessary close Winamp, Windows and reboot the computer after making the DS tweaks. Some users have found changes don't fully take place until a reboot.