What is the best way to listen to Apple Music Lossless ?

[jwar1976]

Hi all. I have been loving using Apple Music on my iPhone when out and about, and via an app on my smart tv, or either Airplay 1 or 2, when at home. But now I have started thinking about lossless and Hi Res, and was wondering how I should go about achieving this. Ideally I would like a set up, where I can connect a device to my Yamaha amplifier, which supports and plays Hi Resolution audio natively, and for artwork etc be displayed on my iPad, while I am on the couch.

What I am trying to avoid is having a television or monitor on all the time, and just to have a set up, where I can control from either a Bluetooth remote, or remote viewed on a iPad. I know there are Non Apple devices like the Fiio & Eversolo, which can achieve this, but I am wondering if there are any other ways of achieving this, like for instance with a Mac Mini or Apple TV ?

I spend many hours in front of a computer screen, so would love to listen to Apple Music in lossless and hi resolution, through my amplifier, and control from the couch.

Can anyone advise me on what hardware would be needed for this ?

Many thanks

 

[kitKAC]

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118295

About lossless audio in Apple Music​

 

[Marco Klobas]

In order to enjoy Apple Music in Hi-Res via an iPad there's only one way: use the Apple Lightning (or USB C for new models) to USB3 camera adapter.

The chain is the following:
iPad -> Apple Lightning to USB3 camera adapter -> USB cable -> DAC USB input

If your Yamaha has a USB input (acting as a DAC, not only as a storage option) it should work. The only annoyance is the USB cable going from your couch to the Yamaha.

 

[jwar1976]

In order to enjoy Apple Music in Hi-Res via an iPad there's only one way: use the Apple Lightning (or USB C for new models) to USB3 camera adapter.

The chain is the following:
iPad -> Apple Lightning to USB3 camera adapter -> USB cable -> DAC USB input

If your Yamaha has a USB input (acting as a DAC, not only as a storage option) it should work. The only annoyance is the USB cable going from your couch to the Yamaha.

Hi there, thank you for your reply. I had no idea that was the only way, I was hoping for something more seamless, like a Mac Mini plugged into my amplifier via a Dac, and then view the screen on my iPad, without wires all over the place.

 

[Marco Klobas]

AFAIK the only way to control Apple Music (I mean, browsing the catalogue and playing the tracks) on a Mac via an iPad is through screen sharing. Not the most user friendly way. Apple Remote app can't control Apple Music (the streaming service – only local files).

Just to be clear: I am assuming you want to reach potentially the maximum Apple Music can offer – i.e. up to 192 kHz sample rate tracks in lossless quality. If you want to stop at 44.1 kHz (still lossless) AirPlay 1 is fine. In this case if the Yamaha supports AirPlay the wireless iPad-Yamaha combo is enough.

 

[jwar1976]

AFAIK the only way to control Apple Music (I mean, browsing the catalogue and playing the tracks) on a Mac via an iPad is through screen sharing. Not the most user friendly way. Apple Remote app can't control Apple Music (the streaming service – only local files).

Just to be clear: I am assuming you want to reach potentially the maximum Apple Music can offer – i.e. up to 192 kHz sample rate tracks in lossless quality. If you want to stop at 44.1 kHz (still lossless) AirPlay 1 is fine. In this case if the Yamaha supports AirPlay the wireless iPad-Yamaha combo is enough.

Hi there, yes I would have loved to have complete control on the iPad, with the highest sample rate. I know there are other apps like Remote Buddy, but unsure how reliable these are. It is a shame that screen sharing is the only way, as it would have been great to say have a iPad on top of my stereo and the for it to be controlled either by a physical remote control like a Apple TV, or from a iPhone.

 

[Marco Klobas]

The missing part is the browsing of the Apple Music catalogue. Play/Pause is achievable with Remote Buddy, other third party apps, even physical Bluetooth trigger buttons and, I guess, Apple Remote app itself. The problem is flipping/browsing the albums/tracks.

It's a known main issue with Apple Music for "audiophiles" who want to squeeze out of the service the maximum combined with convenience.

 

[jwar1976]

The missing part is the browsing of the Apple Music catalogue. Play/Pause is achievable with Remote Buddy, other third party apps, even physical Bluetooth trigger buttons and, I guess, Apple Remote app itself. The problem is flipping/browsing the albums/tracks.

It's a known main issue with Apple Music for "audiophiles" who want to squeeze out of the service the maximum combined with convenience.

This is really frustrating that this issue exists, as it would be a dream to be able to have that convenience of highest quality of audio, from the comfort of your sofa. What makes it even more frustrating, is that my Yamaha receiver can playback dsf files from my Synology Nas, from an app on my phone or iPad. But something so simple as browsing the Apple Music Catalog or flipping tracks etc, cannot be done. It is kind of ironic, that even those in the Apple Ecosystem, have to use an Android music streamer / Dac, to have the ability of the above and a lot more.

 

[Marco Klobas]

Yes, it's limiting. Apple is more interested in Spatial Audio than usual "audiophile" stuff in the audio realm. Their claim is that the average consumer can spot and appreciate the difference between regular audio and Spatial Audio. The same can't be said for regular audio vs hi-res/lossless.

Actually, even in the audio field many argue that the "audiophile" approach in this regard is borderline: it's debatable if and how much difference does the hi-res make in comparison to a red-book CD quality.

Personally, I use Apple Music because it's convenient from an ecosystem point of view (cross device syncing). I rely on Roon, though, for the rest. I keep somehow manually synced the Apple Music library with Roon (limited to owned tracks, of course). When I want to listen at home to Apple Music streaming service in its "full glory" I go the Mac/iPad USB route or, if I'm not in a particularly picky mood, I choose AirPlay 1 for convenience.

 

[jwar1976]

Yes, it's limiting. Apple is more interested in Spatial Audio than usual "audiophile" stuff in the audio realm. Their claim is that the average consumer can spot and appreciate the difference between regular audio and Spatial Audio. The same can't be said for regular audio vs hi-res/lossless.

Actually, even in the audio field many argue that the "audiophile" approach in this regard is borderline: it's debatable if and how much difference does the hi-res make in comparison to a red-book CD quality.

Personally, I use Apple Music because it's convenient from an ecosystem point of view (cross device syncing). I rely on Roon, though, for the rest. I keep somehow manually synced the Apple Music library with Roon (limited to owned tracks, of course). When I want to listen at home to Apple Music streaming service in its "full glory" I go the Mac/iPad USB route or, if I'm not in a particularly picky mood, I choose AirPlay 1 for convenience.

I think that the Mac usb route is going to be the best way to go, as I use Apple Music more than say Spotify. Thank you for the great advice.