Get started with PGGB

Set up PGGB.

Prepare your system, download PGGB and find settings for your DAC. Your choices are saved as you go, and the last step walks you through applying them in PGGB.

What you need.

Start with what you have. One familiar album is enough.

Your computer.

MacWindows

Your music.

Have a track or album ready.

Your playback system.

Connect your DAC and check that normal playback works.

What kind of computer do I need?

These offline-processing guidelines use the default Precision Optimized Upsampling Engine with Precision optimized selected. Memory use does not grow with track length, and paging space is rarely needed.

Operating system

Windows or Mac.

64-bit Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 12 Monterey or later. Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are supported. Intel and AMD processors must support AVX2.

Processor and memory

Recommended configurations.

A comfortable all-round system

8 cores · 32 GB RAM.

A modern processor and a fast internal SSD are a comfortable starting point for a large library. Smaller systems can also work well.

This is a practical guideline, not a fixed minimum for every setting.

Offline PCM · up to 256-bit precision

16 GB RAM.

4-core processor

A starting point for PCM processing with the default engine. More cores can shorten processing time.

Once you have enough RAM, a faster processor and faster RAM usually help large PCM batches more than additional capacity.

Offline DSD · up to DSD256

16 GB RAM.

4-core processor

A starting point for DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256. Your chosen modulator also affects processing time.

Offline DSD · DSD512

24 GB RAM.

At least an 8-core processor

More cores can help with demanding settings and larger libraries. The selected modulator affects processing speed.

Offline DSD · DSD1024 and DSD2048

32–64 GB RAM.

More cores recommended

The highest DSD rates benefit from additional cores and memory, especially when you want faster processing.

Full Offline requirements ↗

The computer stays on and processes the music throughout playback.

Operating system

Windows or Mac.

64-bit Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 12 Monterey or later. Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are supported. Intel and AMD processors must support AVX2.

Processor and memory

Recommended configurations.

Live PCM

16 GB RAM.

8-core processor

For Live PCM, we recommend an 8-core processor and 16 GB RAM.

Calibration finds the settings your computer can process in real time. Start with one familiar track and check that playback is steady.

Live DSD

24 GB RAM.

Modern processor with 16 or more cores

For Live DSD, we recommend a modern processor with 16 or more cores and 24 GB RAM.

Calibration finds the settings your computer can process in real time. Start with one familiar track and check that playback is steady.

Full Live requirements ↗

I have a computer ready I have music to try My DAC plays normally

Continue: download PGGB →

Download and install PGGB.

Choose your platform and get the installer here.

Your platform

WindowsMac · Apple SiliconMac · Intel

Not sure which Mac you have?

Open the Apple menu → About This Mac. “Chip” identifies Apple Silicon; “Processor” identifies an Intel Mac.

PAL and all installers (GitHub) ↗

Your download button will appear here.

PGGB-Audio-Link (PAL) downloads

Install the endpoint on the computer connected to your DAC. Choose its operating system and processor below.

Windows

Mac

Apple Silicon and Intel (.pkg) ↗

Debian, Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi OS

Install or update from a terminal

Choose your processor. Run both commands in the same folder on the computer connected to your DAC. They install PAL or update an existing installation.

Intel / AMD 64-bit (.deb)

curl -L -O https://github.com/remastero/pggb-downloads/releases/latest/download/pggb-audio-link_amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./pggb-audio-link_amd64.deb

ARM64 (.deb)

curl -L -O https://github.com/remastero/pggb-downloads/releases/latest/download/pggb-audio-link_arm64.deb
sudo apt install ./pggb-audio-link_arm64.deb

Fedora and other RPM systems

Install or update from a terminal

Choose your processor. Run both commands in the same folder on the computer connected to your DAC. They install PAL or update an existing installation.

Intel / AMD 64-bit (.rpm)

curl -L -O https://github.com/remastero/pggb-downloads/releases/latest/download/pggb-audio-link.x86_64.rpm
sudo dnf install ./pggb-audio-link.x86_64.rpm

ARM64 (.rpm)

curl -L -O https://github.com/remastero/pggb-downloads/releases/latest/download/pggb-audio-link.aarch64.rpm
sudo dnf install ./pggb-audio-link.aarch64.rpm

Arch Linux

Install or update from a terminal

Choose your processor. Run both commands in the same folder on the computer connected to your DAC. They install PAL or update an existing installation.

Intel / AMD 64-bit (.pkg.tar.zst)

curl -L -O https://github.com/remastero/pggb-downloads/releases/latest/download/pggb-audio-link-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst
sudo pacman -U ./pggb-audio-link-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst

ARM64 (.pkg.tar.zst)

curl -L -O https://github.com/remastero/pggb-downloads/releases/latest/download/pggb-audio-link-aarch64.pkg.tar.zst
sudo pacman -U ./pggb-audio-link-aarch64.pkg.tar.zst

PAL OS 9.1.42 for Raspberry Pi 4

About the Pi 4 image ↗

PAL OS 9.1.42 for Raspberry Pi 5

Write the card and connect your DAC ↗

PGGB-Audio-Link (PAL) installation guide ↗

How to install on your computer

Choose a platform above to see its installation steps.

Older versions & downloads ↗

PGGB is installed and open

Start with the trial

30 days in your own system.

Try PGGB for 30 days. During the trial, PCM processing up to 107-bit precision is unlimited; higher precision and DSD output are limited to two tracks. After 30 days, PGGB continues as the free Lite version.

Open PGGB to begin the trial. You can choose a license later.

Already have a license?

Use your existing email and activation code in Settings → Application → License and About. V9 is included for V8 owners. If your activation limit is reached, follow the prompts to move the license to this computer.

← Back: Prepare Continue: find your DAC and settings →

Match PGGB to your DAC.

Choose your DAC to see its recommended settings. The list covers DACs often used with PGGB and is not exhaustive.

Choose your DAC.

Find a brand or model

Your recommended settings.

Select a DAC to see its recommended settings here.

If yours isn’t listed, choose Other DACs and then the closest type. You can still set it up with the rates in its manual.

← Back: Download Continue: choose how to listen →

Choose how you want to listen.

Choose Offline or Live and your player. The final step will show you how to apply these choices in PGGB.

OfflinePrepare files once. Play them whenever you like.LiveProcess music while you listen.

Your setup

Set up the files you’ll create.

Your player

Save the processed files as

Room for your music.

Minutes per album

Number of albums

Choose your output settings

How this is estimated

Uses your selected rate, output bit depth and file type for stereo audio in the 44.1 kHz rate family. Files in the 48 kHz family need about 9% more space. FLAC and WavPack estimates assume a 30% saving; compression varies with the music and settings.

GiB and TiB are binary storage units. Allow extra space for originals, temporary files, tags and artwork. PGGB’s internal processing precision does not increase the output file size.

Change output settings →

← Back: Your DAC Continue: make it yours →

Optional EQ, crossfeed and Remote.

Choose any extras you want to try. We’ll include them in your personalized walkthrough; you can also leave them off for your first listen.

EQFine-tune the tonal balance

Include EQ in my setup

PGGB Settings: equalization. Current Windows application, idle.

Open Settings → Personalize Sound → Equalization to use parametric or convolution equalization. Begin with small changes, using music you know.

Adjust the sound with parametric EQ, import correction filters for your headphones, or apply digital room correction, all inside PGGB’s high-precision processing.

PGGB-EQ guide

ARCAdjust crossfeed for headphones

Include ARC in my setup

A middle-aged brown-skinned listener wearing glasses and Audeze CRBN2 headphones looks down at a laptop

PGGB Settings: crossfeed. Current Windows application, idle.

Open Settings → Personalize Sound → PGGB-ARC and enable crossfeed. Start with the defaults, then personalize it with your own head measurements.

Crossfeed works in Offline and Live. The optional Room reflections are for offline processing.

PGGB-ARC guide

RemoteChoose music from your seatOffline and Live

Include Remote in my setup

PGGB Remote playing Take Five, with signal path, Live stats and playback controls.

With PGGB running, open Links beside Remote in the header. Use that address in a browser on your phone or tablet, on the same home network.

Your computer still does the processing. Remote can control Live playback or Offline file processing.

Set up PGGB-Remote

← Back: Listen Show my personalized walkthrough →

Your selections are saved in this browser.

Your setup, step by step in PGGB.

Use your choices from this guide in the application.

Your choices, in PGGB

Change settings →

Follow along in the app. Screenshots show where to look; use the values listed for your setup.

Roon.

Roon’s documented format list is WAV, WAV64, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC and OGG, with DSF and DFF for DSD. RF64 and WavPack are not on it, so save as Wav (4GB), FLAC or DSF. Roon plays PCM up to 768 kHz and 32 bits, and DSD to DSD512.

Open Settings → Storage, add a folder and point Roon at the PGGB output folder.
Open Settings → Audio, find your DAC and open Device Setup from its gear icon.
On General, turn Exclusive Mode on. Set Volume Control Mode to Fixed Volume where your DAC or preamplifier sets the level.
Set DSD Playback Strategy to Native with an ASIO driver on Windows, or to DSD over PCM v1.0 (DoP) otherwise.
On Advanced, set Max Sample Rate, Max Bits Per Sample and Max DSD Sample Rate to what your DAC accepts.
Right-click the zone, open Zone settings and set Volume Leveling to Off with Crossfade at zero.
Open MUSE with Ctrl+/ or Command+/ and switch the engine off.
Play a track and open the Signal Path. It should read Lossless, with no conversion between the file and your DAC.

What audio file formats does Roon support? Exclusive Mode MUSE What is signal path?

HQPlayer Desktop.

HQPlayer reads WAV including RF64, FLAC, WavPack for both PCM and DSD, DSF and DFF, covering the file formats PGGB writes. Signalyst states no ceiling on the rate of a file it plays back.

Open File → Settings, or Preferences on a Mac. On Outputs, choose the backend and your DAC.
Set Default output mode to [source], so PCM files play as PCM and DSD files play as SDM.
Under Volume control, set the minimum and maximum both to 0. Volume control is then bypassed.
On the PCM tab, set the 1x and Nx filters to none: no sample rate conversion is applied.
On the same tab, set Noise-shaping / dither to none, leaving only rounding.
On the SDM tab, tick DirectSDM, which disables processing when the source is DSD.
Leave Convolution off, the 20 kHz filter off and Adaptive gain off.
Load the files and press Play. The rate readout should show the file’s own rate.

HQPlayer Desktop, with its format list Signalyst documentation

JRiver Media Center.

JRiver reads WAV including RF64, FLAC, WavPack and DSF, covering the file formats PGGB writes. JRiver states no rate ceiling of its own: the limit is your driver and your DAC.

Open Tools → Options → Audio → Audio Device. Pick the zone first if you have more than one, then your DAC, using its ASIO or WASAPI entry.
Open Device settings and check Open device for exclusive access. Leave Disable event style unchecked.
Under Audio → Settings → Bitstreaming, leave the setting at None for PCM files.
For a DSD DAC that wants DoP rather than ASIO 2.2 native, tick DSD bitstream in DoP Format in Device settings.
Open DSP Studio with Ctrl+D, choose Output Format, and set Output Encoding to None with no sample rate conversion.
In the DSP Studio list, uncheck everything else: Volume Leveling, Adaptive Volume, Equalizer, Parametric Equalizer and Room Correction.
Set Player → Volume to Disabled Volume where your DAC or preamplifier sets the level.
Play a track and hover the DSP button to read the Audio Path. It should report no changes to the signal.

Audio Formats DAC Settings DSP Studio Audio Path

foobar2000.

foobar2000 reads WAV, RF64, Wave64, FLAC and WavPack natively, covering the PCM file formats PGGB writes. DSD is not in its native format list: .dsf playback needs the Super Audio CD Decoder component.

Open File → Preferences → Playback → Output and choose the ASIO or WASAPI (exclusive) entry for your DAC.
Under Fading, leave Enable smooth seeking, pause and volume changes unchecked.
Open Playback → Output → Devices and set the bit depth for that DAC to its native depth.
Open Playback → DSP Manager and empty the Active DSPs column, in particular any Resampler.
On the Playback page, set ReplayGain Source mode and Processing to none, with both preamps at 0.0 dB.
Set foobar2000’s own volume to 0.0 dB.
For .dsf files, install the Super Audio CD Decoder component. DSD does not play without it.
Play a track and compare the rate your DAC reports with the file’s own rate.

foobar2000 audio formats ASIO Output component Super Audio CD Decoder

Audirvāna.

Audirvāna’s documented format list is FLAC, Ogg FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, APE, WAV Pack, AAC, MP3, DSF, DFF, ISO, CUE and MQA. RF64 is not on it, so save as Wav (4GB), FLAC or WavPack. DSD goes to DSD1024 where the DAC supports it.

Stop playback and click the lock icon beside the speaker icon to release exclusive access, so the settings can be changed.
Open the audio settings from the button at the top right, or the speaker icon at the bottom right.
Choose your DAC as the output. On Windows, pick its ASIO device where one exists.
In Upsampling, leave the operating rule unset, so nothing is resampled.
In Processing, leave Use Audio Units (or plugin) effects off.
Leave the software volume control off, so the attenuation is not applied before the DAC.
For DSD on a Mac, or on Windows over WASAPI or Kernel Streaming, set DoP 1.0 or DoP 1.1 in the device settings.
Press Play and check that the lock icon appears: exclusive access engages when playback starts.

Which audio file formats are compatible with Audirvāna? Is Audirvāna bit perfect? How to play DSD over PCM (DoP)?

VeraVox.

VeraVox runs on macOS. It reads WAV, RF64 and BW64, FLAC, WavPack for both PCM and DSD, and DSF, covering the file formats PGGB writes. It plays PCM to 768 kHz and 32 bits, and carries DSD as DoP to DSD512.

Click the speaker icon in the transport row to open the output device picker, and choose your DAC.
In Playback Mode, set that DAC to Exclusive Mode. VeraVox asks once per device and remembers the answer.
Set your listening level on the DAC, preamplifier or amplifier. VeraVox has no software volume.
No additional processing settings are needed: VeraVox applies no equalization, dither or resampling.
Before playing DSD, open DAC Diagnostic and read DAC Maximum Capability for the highest rate your device reports.
Press Play. The Hog mode (exclusive) lock and the Bit-Perfect badge should both appear.
Click the badge to open the Signal Path and read the chain from file to device. Any conversion is named there.

VeraVox VeraVox FAQ, with the format list Exclusive mode on macOS

Any player.

These steps apply to any player. Check its documentation for the file formats it reads before choosing an output format. In particular, confirm support for RF64 and WavPack if you plan to use them.

Point the player at the PGGB output folder.
Choose your DAC as the output, using an exclusive or bit-perfect mode where the player offers one.
Turn off sample rate conversion, equalization, volume leveling and any other DSP.
Set the player’s own volume to unity, or disable it where your DAC or preamplifier sets the level.
For DSD, check whether the player sends native DSD or DoP, and which of those your DAC accepts.
Play a track and compare the rate your DAC reports with the file’s own rate.

More detail, when you need it

System requirements →PGGB guide →PGGB-Live guide →Find your DAC →Help & guides →

Set up PGGB.

Your computer.

Your music.

Your playback system.

Windows or Mac.

Recommended configurations.

8 cores · 32 GB RAM.

16 GB RAM.

16 GB RAM.

24 GB RAM.

32–64 GB RAM.

Windows or Mac.

Recommended configurations.

16 GB RAM.

24 GB RAM.

Windows

Mac

Debian, Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi OS

Fedora and other RPM systems

Arch Linux

PAL OS 9.1.42 for Raspberry Pi 4

PAL OS 9.1.42 for Raspberry Pi 5

30 days in your own system.

Choose your DAC.

Your recommended settings.

Choose your own settings.

NOS / R2R.

PCM DAC.

Delta-sigma.

Pure 1-bit DSD.

Set up the files you’ll create.

Room for your music.

Roon.

HQPlayer Desktop.

JRiver Media Center.

foobar2000.

Audirvāna.

VeraVox.

Any player.

Your setup is complete.

Listening impressions.

Listening impressions.

Listening impressions.

Listening impressions.

Listening impressions.

Listening impressions.

Listening impressions.

Listening impressions.

Listening impressions.