Audirvāna

Audirvāna is high-end playback software for listeners who care about their local music collections and audio setup. Studio adds streaming, while Origin keeps the focus on local playback; the choice is between an ongoing subscription and a license without a time limit.

Overview

Founded in Paris in 2011, Audirvāna plays local music and supports network playback. Its extensive format support spans FLAC, Ogg FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, APE, WavPack, AAC, MP3, DSF, DFF, ISO, CUE and MQA—a useful breadth for libraries assembled in different formats. The key distinction is that integrated streaming belongs to Studio, not Origin.

Playback can run over USB to a DAC or wirelessly through UPnP/DLNA and Chromecast. A free Remote app for iOS and Android controls the computer’s Core Player; processing remains on that computer, so the phone is a controller rather than the playback engine.

Key features

Studio library and streaming: Studio brings local and streaming tracks together in playlists and favorites, with filtering, sorting and search across sources. That makes it the better fit for listeners who move between a personal library and streaming services.

Signal processing: Studio includes a 10-band parametric EQ, convolution engine, adjustable crossfeed and output balance. Crossfeed is intended for stereo audio. These tools offer meaningful control for listeners who want to shape playback, but they are not part of Origin’s standard local-library offer.

Playback analysis and upsampling: Audirvāna offers upsampling algorithms and Audio Scan for checking file resolution. The trial includes 30 AudioScan analyses, so that quota matters to anyone evaluating the analysis feature during the trial.

Certified equipment: Plāys with Audirvāna identifies audio equipment certified for interoperability over supported connections such as UPnP, USB or Chromecast. It can help narrow hardware choices when connection compatibility is a priority.

Assistance: Getting Started guidance, requirements, an FAQ and a community forum provide several routes to support.

Pricing

Audirvāna has no free plan. Its 30-day trial requires no payment information and gives access to all features, subject to the 30 AudioScan analyses. That is enough time to assess the software before choosing between subscription streaming and a local-library license.

Studio Classic — $7.99 a month: Monthly subscription with full Studio features, integrated streaming content services and the free smartphone Remote app, with no time commitment. It suits listeners who want streaming and flexibility to stop without a 12-month commitment.

Studio Access — $79.99 a year: Yearly subscription with a 12-month commitment, full Studio features, integrated streaming services, the Remote app and an extended free trial for Qobuz. Choose it if the annual commitment suits your listening plans; the lower stated annual cost comes with less flexibility than monthly billing.

Origin — $149.99, paid once: One-time license for local music playback, with no time limit, no library-size limitation and the Remote app. It is the straightforward choice for a large personal library if integrated streaming is not needed.

Signal Processing Suite — custom pricing: Includes a 10-band EQ, convolution engine, crossfeed and output balance with gain and delay. It is aimed at listeners who want those processing tools; the price is custom pricing.

Bundle Offer — $219.99, paid once: One-time purchase combining the full Origin license and Signal Processing Suite. It suits local-library listeners who want the processing package as well, rather than a Studio streaming subscription.

License Origin — $14,999 as a one-time purchase: One-time purchase for local library playback with no library-size limitation, multiple installs for non-simultaneous use and at least two years of OS compatibility updates. The multi-install allowance may suit a user moving among devices, but use cannot be simultaneous.

Platforms

Audirvāna supports Windows, macOS and Linux, as well as iOS and Android. That reach covers desktop listening and mobile control, with the Remote app directing playback on the computer’s Core Player.

Who it's for

Audirvāna is best suited to listeners with substantial or varied local libraries who value broad format support, network connections and dedicated playback controls. Studio is the fit for people who also want integrated streaming and unified browsing; Origin is better for those who want local playback without a recurring license. It is not the right match for someone seeking a free plan, or for someone who needs Studio’s streaming while avoiding a subscription.

Pros and cons

Pro: Extensive audio-format support reduces the need to reshape a mixed-format library before playback.

Pro: USB, UPnP/DLNA and Chromecast connections give listeners options for connecting DACs and wireless playback devices.

Pro: Origin offers unlimited library size and a license without a time limit for local playback.

Con: Streaming services are reserved for the two Studio subscriptions, so Origin cannot replace them for listeners who want streaming access in the same player.

Con: Studio Access commits the buyer for 12 months, while Studio Classic costs $7.99 a month for greater flexibility.

Con: The trial’s AudioScan allowance is capped at 30 analyses, which limits repeated file checks during evaluation.

Alternatives

BBC Sounds is a free alternative for UK listeners who want its app on Android, iOS or the web; UK residents can use it abroad for around a month.

Apple Music Playlist Playground is a paid alternative with a free trial and Android and iOS support; its Student plan is $6.99 a month for verified students and includes everything in Individual plus Apple TV, while Individual is $11.99 a month.

JRiver Media Center is a paid alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows, with a Master License at $124.98 a month for one major version and a Windows-only option at $99.98, paid once.

Winamp for Artists is a freemium alternative for artists managing an artist profile across web, iOS and Android; its Ultra plan is €12.99 a month.

foobar2000 is a free alternative available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.

AIMP is a free, freeware option for Android, Linux and Windows.

Music Player Daemon is a free alternative for Android, Linux, macOS and Windows.

Audacious is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Browse more options in Audio Player Software and Media Player Software.

Verdict

Choose Audirvāna if a broad-format local library, flexible audio connections and playback processing matter more than a free option. Studio is the right choice when integrated streaming belongs in the same browsing experience; Origin is compelling for local collections that need no library-size cap or recurring license. Look elsewhere if you need a free player or want streaming without Studio’s subscription commitment.