1by1 vs Other Music Players: Speed, Simplicity, Sound

Why Audiophiles Love 1by1: A Deep Dive1by1 is a tiny, no-frills audio player for Windows that has earned a devoted following among audiophiles and minimalists alike. It strips playback down to essentials: fast, accurate audio, extremely low resource use, and a focus on sound quality and simple library navigation rather than flashy interfaces or bloated features. Below I’ll explain what makes 1by1 attractive to discerning listeners, how it compares to other players, and practical tips to get the best sound out of it.

What 1by1 is (and what it isn’t)

1by1 is a lightweight, single-window audio player developed by Carlos Rojas. It’s focused on folder-based playback (not a heavy database-driven library) and plays a wide range of audio formats. It is not a streaming app, smartphone-first player, or music manager — it purposefully avoids feature bloat to prioritize dependable, transparent playback.

Key facts:

• Developer: Carlos Rojas
• Platform: Windows
• Primary design: folder-based, lossless-friendly playback

Sound quality: why simplicity helps

Audiophiles often prefer software that adds as little as possible to the audio chain. 1by1’s minimal processing philosophy aligns with that principle.

• Direct output path: 1by1 can use Windows DirectSound, WASAPI, or even Kernel Streaming (depending on version and configuration), enabling a relatively direct path from file to audio output device. Fewer processing layers reduce chances of unwanted resampling, format conversion, or DSP interference.
• Low CPU overhead: because it’s lightweight, 1by1 minimizes jitter and processing-related artifacts on underpowered systems.
• Accurate handling of files: folder-based playback tends to preserve original file order and metadata-less file collections, which many collectors prefer.

Library approach: folders over databases

1by1 treats your music collection like a file system rather than forcing you into a centralized database. This appeals to audiophiles who:

• Keep carefully curated collections in folder hierarchies (e.g., Artist > Album > Disc)
• Prefer lossless formats (FLAC, WAV, ALAC) stored on local drives or NAS
• Want predictable playback order and exact control over which files are played

Pros of this approach: simplicity, transparency, no long import times. Cons: less convenient for very large libraries if you want global searching or smart playlists.

Customization and control

Despite being minimalist, 1by1 offers configurable options that matter to power users:

• Hotkeys for navigation and playback control
• Playback modes (repeat, shuffle, history)
• Crossfade and gapless playback support for album continuity when available in the files
• Output device selection and buffer adjustments in supported modes

These settings give experienced listeners control over behavior without introducing audio-processing features that could alter sound character.

Use cases where 1by1 shines

• Listening to lossless rips from CD or high-resolution files where fidelity is paramount
• Small, curated libraries on a dedicated listening PC or laptop
• Situations requiring extreme stability and low resource usage (old hardware, long playback sessions)
• Critical listening where you want the playback software to be as “transparent” as possible

Comparison with other popular players

Setup tips for best sound with 1by1

• Use WASAPI exclusive or Kernel Streaming if your sound card supports it to avoid system mixing/resampling.
• Ensure your output device is set to the native sample rate of your files when possible.
• Disable any system sound enhancements in Windows sound control panel to prevent automatic processing.
• For gapless albums, ensure your files are properly encoded with gapless metadata (e.g., FLAC with correct tags).
• If using an external DAC, set buffer sizes conservatively to avoid dropouts while keeping latency low.

Limitations to be aware of

• No built-in streaming service support.
• Minimal tagging and library management — you may need an external tag editor for large collections.
• Fewer plugins and third-party extensions compared with foobar2000 or MusicBee.
• Windows-only: no native macOS or Linux versions.

Conclusion

1by1 appeals to audiophiles because it does one job and does it well: playing local audio files transparently and reliably with minimal interference. Its folder-based model, tiny footprint, and direct output capabilities make it an excellent choice for critical listening on modest hardware or when you want the software to disappear and leave only the music. If you value control, simplicity, and fidelity over elaborate features, 1by1 deserves a spot in your listening toolkit.