Lossless transmission is already present in the main music streaming services on the market today, with the exception of Spotify, which even announced plans to implement it in 2022, but has not yet implemented it. However, among the platforms that offer this benefit, it is not always possible to access it depending on the device and operating system used.
What does it take to get lossless streaming in streaming?
For the audio of tracks on an album on the streaming service to be lossless, it must adopt a lossless format (example: FLAC, ALAC, WAV) [1]. This means that, theoretically, the music should play in a way that represents the “artist and label intent” when recording the audio, mixing and mastering it. To access lossless audio file transmission, the music streaming platform must:
- Offer lossless music filesthat is, it must have at least 44.1kHz/16bit, which is the resolution found on a CD, and adopt a compatible format, for example, FLAC or ALAC.
- Have bit perfect connectivitywhich is the transmission of the audio file, without changes/influences from the operating system of the device responsible for playing the music.
- Possess the “exclusive mode” in the application, which disables the audio of all programs/apps that are installed on the device, with the exception of the app responsible for playing music from the streaming service used. Technically speaking, this is the “WASAPI exclusive mode” audio driver present in Windows.
[1] Article “Know the difference between MP3, FLAC, Opus and AAC”
Which platforms deliver lossless streaming?
Check out which music streaming platforms actually stream “lossless” audio files and on which devices they allow this to happen.
Apple Music
Although Apple Music offers lossless music streaming, not all devices support this. Even Apple users won’t be able to play losslessly depending on the device they use. For Macs, lossless streaming is not possible because the sample rate [2] will not change if the file resolution is different (example: the first song played has 96Khz, but the next track has 192Khz, the system will not obey the change in the sample rate, being necessary to manually change it every time this happens).
The sample rate issue in desktop Apple Music on Macs can be resolved in parts by downloading this file from GitHub. It is a software called LosslessSwitcher, indicated by the DarkoAudio website, which automatically changes the sample rate with each track change. However, on the “AppleMusic” subreddit, user “pointthinker” reports that there are noises when using this solution and recommends setting “Audio MIDI” to 24 bits/176.4 kHz, because according to him “it’s an integer multiple of 44.1 kHz and 88.2 kHz to ensure lossless upsampling for almost any song”.
By setting the Mac’s “Audio MIDI” to 24bit/176.4kHz, “all Apple Music playback will be upscaled to that rate”, says “pointthinker”. He adds that “Apple Music for macOS does not have an exclusive mode, so macOS audio output format is defined by MacOS Audio Midi Setup”.
User “redsquale” asks on the “AppleMusic” subreddit if it is possible to obtain the bit perfect by connecting an iPhone to the Topping E30 II DAC using the “Lightning to USB Camera Adapter”, which in turn is connected via RCA to any amplifier. According to the answer from the user “LinkinPark9999” this is possible, that is, the above problem does not occur on iOS (iPhone).
DAPs (Digital Audio Players) with Android such as FiiO M11S and FiiO M11 Plus [3], are currently able to automatically change the sample rate, as well as the “LosslessSwitcher”, mentioned above, but even so, it is not possible to obtain bit perfect. The reason for this is that there is no “exclusive mode” in this case and the device’s volume is enabled even when connected to a desktop DAC, as I did using my M11S and my Topping D70S.
In January 2023, Apple Music won a preview version in the Windows 11 Microsoft Store. However, it is not yet known whether this version of the application will have the exclusive mode to guarantee the perfect bit in the operating system. If this happens, it will be a surprise, as Apple generally does not provide the main benefits found in its devices.
On Android phones there is no bit perfect in songs above 48Khz. If this occurs, the file will be resampled (resizing) [5] (example: files with a sampling rate of 96Khz will be converted to 44.1Khz or 48Khz, depending on the device used).
[2] Article “Difference between sample rate, frequency response and frequency range”
[3] Article “Best DAPs (Digital Audio Players) of 2023”
[4] Article “USB Bluetooth DAC/amp (headphone adapters) or DAPs?”
[5] Resampling (redimensionamento) no Android: Android currently can use two different audio APIs (application programming interface), OpenSL ES and AAudio. The API “Open Sound Library for Embedded Systems”, commonly called “OpenSL E”, is older and is responsible for limiting music streaming applications to sending files with a sample rate (sample rate) of 48Khz. However, when using the AAudio API, it is possible to transmit audio files both in USB, with OTG cable (On-The-Go) and in the P2 output without resampling (resizing) to 48Khz.
Amazon Music
Amazon certainly has enough revenue to invest in its streaming app. However, unfortunately, Amazon Music leaves much to be desired on all platforms where it is present. In the case of the desktop application on Windows, it is possible to get the bit perfect by disabling the volume normalization and activating the exclusive mode, but there is a problem that still needs to be solved by the developers: the change of sample rate (the same as Apple Music).
Fortunately, it seems, the problem of automatic sample rate switching can be circumvented by using a “streamer” such as, for example, the Wiim mini, which was mentioned by user “eddy166” on the “AmazonMusic” subreddit. He reports that when using the Wiim Pro, the sample rate started to change corresponding to what the music file has.
Amazon Music on Android suffers resampling (resizing) Android and does not exceed 48Khz. Resample occurs (example: files with sample rate of 192Khz will be converted to 48Khz).
User “dweeeeb2” reports on the “AmazonMusic” subreddit that iOS (iPhone) is unable to automatically change the sample rate and says he feels frustrated.
Qobuz
Qobuz is the streaming service with the best Windows desktop application on the market as it allows the user to choose to use “exclusive mode” through the WASAPI and ASIO audio drivers [6].
Apparently, on Macs there are no problems with bit perfect either. User “pirso” reports on the subreddit “qobuz” that his DAC Topping E30 displays the sample rate corresponding to the file played every time.
On Android devices, Qobuz is capable of lossless playback natively (using the service’s app). This was reported by user “ogerloaf”, who talks about his Helm Bolt DAC changing color when the next song has a different resolution.
It is also possible to achieve lossless transmission through the USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) application. [7]. It is important to say that in DAPs (Digital Audio Player) there is no such need, as there are modifications in Android so that there is no resampling when using the Qobuz app.
User “DirtyWookieScalp” reported on the subreddit “qobuz” two years ago that iOS (iPhone) is capable of bit perfect playback of tracks. Previously, for some reason, this did not happen, but luckily this has been fixed.
[6] Article “What’s the difference between ASIO, WASAPI, WDM and MME audio drivers?”
[7] Article “Tidal and Qobuz not delivering maximum quality on Android? Fix it now”
Tidal
Tidal is the only lossless music streaming app to offer bit perfect on all major platforms whether it’s Windows, Android, macOS, iOS and iPadOS. However, in the case of Android devices, to get bit perfect, you will need to use a portable DAC/amp, and luckily, you won’t need to install the USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) app, as Tidal is already able to identify the device. connected external audio device and activate “exclusive mode”.
Without a doubt, Tidal is a good app when it comes to lossless music streaming. However, only the files identified as “Hi-Fi” are in fact “lossless”, as the “master” tracks (MQA) [8] have changes compared to the original data. All Tidal songs identified as “master” do not have a lossless copy, that is, even if you configure it not to play MQA songs, you will still not be able to get lossless streaming.
[8] Article “MQA: What is it and how to get a complete experience?”
Deezer
On Deezer’s forum, the “deezercommunity”, user “BarefootDyl” asked if there are any plans to add features to get bit perfect, such as support for the “ASIO” audio driver in the Windows app. Unfortunately there is no forecast for this to happen according to “Johnathan Finotti”, forum moderator, but he says the question has been sent to the responsible team.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any more reports about lossless reproduction with bit perfect on Deezer, but I intend to carry out tests to find out how the situation is currently on the platforms where the streaming service is present.