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User profile for user: RoadRunnerSD
RoadRunnerSD Author
User level: Level 1
126 points

Apple Music Hi-Res Lossless vs. Lossless

So I've been enjoying Apple's new update to their Apple Music audio quality, and I am pretty familiar with the different classifications; that lossless differs from hi-res lossless, and that you need an external DAC for hi-res lossless. But I've been browsing through some of my music and I noticed that for some songs, the classification is Lossless, but for others it is Hi-Res Lossless. Does this mean that the songs marked with just Lossless don't support Apples Hi-Res lossless? Or is there another explanation for the difference in classification?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Jun 9, 2021 6:05 PM

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User profile for user: philfnyc1
philfnyc1
User level: Level 1
130 points

Jun 11, 2021 4:27 PM in response to RoadRunnerSD

Apple Lossless is CD quality: 16 bit at 44.1 kHz (kilohertz), and goes up to 24 bit at 48 kHz

Apple Hi-Res Lossless: 24 bit at 192 kHz


When playing a Lossless or Hi-res Lossless via Apple Music on a Mac, you need a DAC connected via USB that supports the lossless sample rates. Some speakers have built in DAC. I have Audioengine A2+ speakers which support up to 24 bit at 48 kHz.


If you don't have decent speakers and equipment, don't worry about lossless. You will likely not hear a difference.


This article goes into much more detail: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/05/apple-music-announces-spatial-audio-and-lossless-audio/.


BTW, Apple TV 4K (2 Gen) does not support Hi-Res Lossless. My Living room audio equipment can support it -- only if AT4K could.

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Apple Music Hi-Res Lossless vs. Lossless

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