What’s that sound? Linux Audio Players

Pulseaudio needs ALSA. ALSA is the lower-level layer that supplies drivers and interfaces with the kernel. PulseAudio is a software and hardware router, and mixer. You can have audio without Pulseaudio, but not without ALSA. OSS can replace ALSA, and I mean the real OSS, not the OSS compatibility layer in ALSA.

VLC is awesome, hands-down the best media player.

VLC is a good media player but I think that kind of plays-everything media players are wrong choices for listening music. Music needs a more specialized solution. They need extensive music libraries and easy ways to reach playlists and online radios. Both Rhythmbox and Clementine are much better, and the other software audio players like Pragha are usually better too.

For music I use Spotify but that is probably a different case then what the author is talking here. If I were to use an audio player, I would go with Clementine. I did go with Clementine.

Even in the video side I prefer Totem. I didn't use to use it but new Totem in Ubuntu (new to me at least) is quite good, fully featured (with things like continue from last position, sadly missing from VLC) and simple.

Pulseaudio + Soundblaster 5.1 + Skype == More snap crackle & pop than a bowl of rice crispies.

Pulseaudio is the frst thing to be ripped out when I install a distro, its ALSA all the way for me.

Personally I really dislike the specialised music player, I actually go to the trouble of removing whichever one comes with my distribution, so I can use VLC or MPlayer for everything.

VLC and Rhythmbox cover most of my needs.

I mainly use Exaile for my audio player, Parole for video.

My life is much easier without PulseAudio/Phonon.