I have a pretty advanced hifi setup (compared to most people but the nerd-fi crew); it’s good enough to hear differences when I use better power and signal cables; even a better HDMI cable carrying the I2S connection between the USB conditioner and the DAC made a difference.
That being said, I use Apple Music as source. I’d prefer to have used Spotify from my native Sweden, but unfortunately, their sound compression is vastly inferior to Apple’s (freeware Ogg Vorbis vs AAC licensed from the Fraunhofer Institute). I don’t need Apple to go high-resolution audio, lossless would suffice.
I’d also like too see Apple doing a better/simpler API to Apple Music. Most hifi streamers support Spotify and Tidal, but only Sonos supports Apple Music. And let’s face it, without an USB output, Sonos Connect isn’t very hifi.
Agree wholeheartedly...I listen to vinyl when I have the time, but I am constantly impressed with sound I get from AppleMusic + iPhone + AirPod or my AM + my HomePod. I suspect Apple must “tune” their streams for their products in some regard.
AppleLossless or AAC does well in most of the sound quality comparisons of codecs in Audiophile magazines.
On the other hand, I wish Apple would offer higher rez streaming but I don’t think it is in the DNA of the company to do this....the modus operandi is always that there is one way to do things well.
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AppleLossless or AAC does well in most of the sound quality comparisons of codecs in Audiophile magazines.
On the other hand, I wish Apple would offer higher rez streaming but I don’t think it is in the DNA of the company to do this....the modus operandi is always that there is one way to do things well.