[Mark]

Sandyb wrote:

But if its Apple’s Music app, as mentioned before, it will get downsampled from 16/44,

What does it get downsampled to?

All my (few) MP3’s show the sample rate of 44,100 kHz, with no sample size, so I don’t know if this (alone) is any indication of lossless or lossy. If lossy what is the bit rate?

[Mark]

I wonder if the bit rate, sample size, and sample rate could be added to the signal info for the device in the B&O app?

 

[Sandyb]

https://darko.audio/2023/10/apple-airplay-isnt-always-lossless-sometimes-its-lossy/

Your answer is here.

 

[Mark]

I always hope that Apple can improve Airplay 2 performance. Whatever is going on behind scenes is not always easy to determine, which is why I would love to see more information added to “Signal info” in the B&O app for each device, if possible to do so.

 

[Sandyb]

Sure, and Apple have doubtless had feedback about making Airplay 2 + Apple Music 16/44 capable (or higher).

But there’s a pretty obvious reason why they haven’t – they’re a mainstream company, and too few actually care enough, given modern music listening habits.

As for signal info, while it would be nice for the B&O app to show signal info when it comes to music, when it comes to your (what I interpret as your) case – using the Music app to airplay (2) stream your ripped CDs, then we already know the answer to be 256 (according to the article I posted, and others).

There’s a reason why some who have more particular needs – wanting to stream their own CDs rips, and / or have long wanted to stream CD or above from whichever service provider – tend not to use Apple Music.

[Mark]

Sandyb wrote:

we already know the answer to be 256 (according to the article I posted, and others).

Adding this information to signal info would only confirm what they state, which I don’t think would be a bad thing.

 

[Mark]

While I don’t out-right disagree with any of these testing methodologies there are many variables involved that could affect the outcome. It would be nice if there are tools available where we can each know for sure in our environment.

[Mark]

Millemissen wrote:

And see here for the explanation that Apple Music can not be distributed via AirPlay 2.

It says Airplay 2 is limited to 16/44.1 which is the normal CD format. It seems to define high-res as above this, so if ALAC is encoded at 16/44.1 then it should be lossless over Airplay 2. If ALAC is above this, say 24/192 then it would be downgraded. Is my understanding correct?

[Mark]

For my system, I rip CDs to iTunes/Music to AIFF. My understanding is that Airplay converts everything to ALAC or AAC, so I am hoping that means that my AIFF files are converted to ALAC 16/44.1 over Airplay 2. When I A/B’ed a CD played on my Oppo to Airplay over AppleTV, there seemed to be a slight decrease in quality, but not much. Certainly acceptable for the flexibility of streaming. Both used a Bryston DAC.

[Author]

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