Apple Music Lossless and Bluetooth

[Vushka]

If I send my lossless music to my streamer via AirPlay, I’m still getting AAC quality because it’s being limited by what Bluetooth supports, ie. AAC codec, 256 Kb/s?
If that’s correct, what’s the best way of getting music off my iPad Pro into my amplifier?

 

[Marco Klobas]

AirPlay is a Wi-Fi protocol, not Bluetooth. AirPlay (both 1 and 2) supports lossless audio at 44.1 kHz.

Apple Music has some issues right now (either via USB or via AirPlay). In order to get bit perfect lossless audio from your iPad via AirPlay you need to use an AirPlay 1 receiver.

I share a recap scheme:

 

[JasonHB]

If you want to get lossless and hi-res lossless, the only way to do that is to connect your iPhone or iPad into a DAC and then into your amplifier.

As said above, AirPlay will work but only at 44.1KHz. Anything from 48KHz and above, requires a wired connection via a DAC

Jason

 

[Vushka]

If you want to get lossless and hi-res lossless, the only way to do that is to connect your iPhone or iPad into a DAC and then into your amplifier.

As said above, AirPlay will work but only at 44.1KHz. Anything from 48KHz and above, requires a wired connection via a DAC

Jason

Thanks Jason, would a hard wired output from my iPad’s USB C running into a DAC and then into my amp give me the full 96 and 192 kHz. I would use an audio quest dragonfly DAC.

 

[JasonHB]

Thanks Jason, would a hard wired output from my iPad’s USB C running into a DAC and then into my amp give me the full 96 and 192 kHz. I would use an audio quest dragonfly DAC.

The DragonFly is a stunning DAC, especially for the money. I’ve been using the Cobalt for a while now, BUT it only supports 24/96.

Now, you can get carried away in chasing numbers, is there much of a difference between 24/96 and 24/192? A lot of people would argue that there isn’t.

A great sounding, well engineered DAC will always sound better than one that just had a better specification.

In answer to your question though, it will work brilliantly and sound fabulous, you just won’t get 24/192.

To do that, you would need a different DAC but unless you’re prepared to spend a fair bit more money, you won’t get anything that sounds better than the DragonFly

Jason

 

[Vushka]

Cheers Jason,

I was on Tidal's HiFi option and bought an Audioquest Black for MQA playback, but was running it via a BluSound streamer and just using the iPad as a controller. When I (purely by accident) came across the Apple lossless news, I immediately cancelled the £20 subscription and jumped onto Apple. Most of their stuff's now on 16/44.1, which they're labelling lossless; some of it's Hi Res lossless (24/96 I guess); Then there's the Studio Masters, which must be 24/192. OMG, it's saved me a fortune. the improvement it's made means I don't think I actually need the Chord DAC and Naim amp I had earmarked. And that, my friend, is playing back via Airplay.
I have an elderly neighbour, who goes out on a Monday night and I've lots of work to do today, but guess what I'll be trying tonight?
If there turns out to be a discernable difference over the Airplay/BluSound streamer, I'll be super happy because it's already sounding sweeeeet!
Thanks for the feedback mate! Some accidents ARE happy!

 

[JasonHB]

Cheers Jason,

I was on Tidal's HiFi option and bought an Audioquest Black for MQA playback, but was running it via a BluSound streamer and just using the iPad as a controller. When I (purely by accident) came across the Apple lossless news, I immediately cancelled the £20 subscription and jumped onto Apple. Most of their stuff's now on 16/44.1, which they're labelling lossless; some of it's Hi Res lossless (24/96 I guess); Then there's the Studio Masters, which must be 24/192. OMG, it's saved me a fortune. the improvement it's made means I don't think I actually need the Chord DAC and Naim amp I had earmarked. And that, my friend, is playing back via Airplay.
I have an elderly neighbour, who goes out on a Monday night and I've lots of work to do today, but guess what I'll be trying tonight?
If there turns out to be a discernable difference over the Airplay/BluSound streamer, I'll be super happy because it's already sounding sweeeeet!
Thanks for the feedback mate! Some accidents ARE happy!

I would say that the DragonFly connected to your phone with a cable will sound better than the Bluesound with Airplay. In fact, I think the DragonFly is a better DAC than what is in the Bluesound.

That has certainly been my experience to date.

Now, a dedicated higher end DAC will sound better, I’ve just bought the Denafrips Ares II and that has been a massive improvement over the AudioQuest, BUT, where do you stop.

I was hugely happy with the DragonFly before I upgraded.

Jason

 

[mcvaughan]

I wonder if you're using wireless CarPlay, could you benefit from hi-res lossless?

 

[JasonHB]

I wonder if you're using wireless CarPlay, could you benefit from hi-res lossless?

No