Apple Music vs Tidal

[sarumbear]

Thanks, but this is Wiki. Have you seen anywhere Apple saying Airplay (1 or 2) or Airport Express (1st or 2nd) are lossless?

Hi, what about airplay, can stream apple … - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[telemike]

I don't think another streaming service will sort this problem for you.

Only Tidal has had stuttering with Tidal Connect. Apple music with Airplay, no problem. Spotify via Spotify Connect, no problem.

 

[NiagaraPete]

Airplay 2 uses a considerable amount of buffering. Which is a good thing.

 

[Liya]

Hi, what about airplay, can stream apple … - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

In the above link there is only one post by Apple specialist and they are saying you need wired connection for lossless.
Have u got any other Apple sources where they stated Airplay or Airport Express can do lossless?

 

[sarumbear]

In the above link there is only one post by Apple specialist and they are saying you need wired connection for lossless.
Have u got any other Apple sources where they stated Airplay or Airport Express can do lossless?

I’m afraid no but when I tested using RME test files (PCM 44.1/16) played through AirPort Express, it showed as bit perfect on my RME DAC.

 

[Liya]

I’m afraid no but when I tested using RME test files (PCM 44.1/16) played through AirPort Express, it showed as bit perfect on my RME DAC.

I think we are confusing here bit depth, sample rate and bit rate.
For example, AAC files have 44100Hz sampling.

 

[sarumbear]

I think we are confusing here bit depth, sample rate and bit rate.
For example, AAC files have 44100Hz sampling.

I’m not confusing. You may want to check how the RME “bit test” works.

 

[Liya]

I’m not confusing. You may want to check how the RME “bit test” works.

Can you tell how it works?

 

[NiagaraPete]

If this is a consideration Apple Music by far has the largest library.

The Best Music Streaming Services of 2023

Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal — what's the difference? And what other streaming services are out there? We break it all down for you.

www.gearpatrol.com

 

[sarumbear]

Can you tell how it works?

Google is your friend.

Bit Test - RME Audio ADI-2 DAC User Manual [Page 63]

RME Audio ADI-2 DAC Manual Online: Bit Test. A bit test is used to check the playback path for unwanted changes in the playback data. Playback software can cut bits, add dither, or change the level - without these changes becoming noticed easily. A poorly programmed driver can...

www.manualslib.com

 

[Liya]

Google is your friend.

Bit Test - RME Audio ADI-2 DAC User Manual [Page 63]

RME Audio ADI-2 DAC Manual Online: Bit Test. A bit test is used to check the playback path for unwanted changes in the playback data. Playback software can cut bits, add dither, or change the level - without these changes becoming noticed easily. A poorly programmed driver can...

www.manualslib.com

If you would convert 16/44 file to 256AAC what RME would show you?

 

[sarumbear]

If you would convert 16/44 file to 256AAC what RME would show you?

You don’t seem to understand the process. We are testing AirPlay transmission. You play a test file (PCM) on a player, send it via AirPlay to an AirPort Express, connect the digital output to RME and check.

 

[Liya]

You don’t seem to understand the process. We are testing AirPlay transmission. You play a test file (PCM) on a player, send it via AirPlay to an AirPort Express, connect the digital output to RME and check.

Would that means that no matter what you play on a player (24/96 or 24/48 or 16/44 or 256AAC) Airplay and Airport Express will output 16/44?

 

[sarumbear]

Would that means that no matter what you play on a player (24/96 or 24/48 or 16/44 or 256AAC) Airplay and Airport Express will output 16/44?

Yes, but only 44.1/16 files will be bit perfect. Other formats (within limits) are resampled by AirPlay hence won’t be bit perfect. On AirPlay 2 and on AppleTV HDMI output this is 48/24.

 

[Liya]

Yes, but only 44.1/16 files will be bit perfect. Other formats (within limits) are resampled by AirPlay hence won’t be bit perfect. On AirPlay 2 and on AppleTV HDMI output this is 48/24.

Yeah, got it. So if you would play - say - 256AAC RME would show 16/44?

edit: you have answered the question above, so that's fine.

 

[sarumbear]

Yeah, got it. So if you would play - say - 256AAC RME would show 16/44?

What is the sampling rate of the AAC file?

 

[Liya]

What is the sampling rate of the AAC file?

44100Hz

 

[sarumbear]

44100Hz

Then yes. Your file is the source. It’s outside the AirPlay link. Play 128kbps MP3 if you want. AirPlay will transfer it bit perfect. You will hear all the artefacts perfectly

 

[Liya]

Then yes. Your file is the source. It’s outside the AirPlay link. Play 128kbps MP3 if you want. AirPlay will transfer it bit perfect. You will hear all the artefacts perfectly

I have converted Hi Res file (24/48) to:
- AAC (sample frequency 44100kHz, true VBR with bitrate target quality set at 255kbps),
- ALAC at 16/44100kHz.
I then loaded them to Audirvana.
For the 24/48 version Audirvana is showing 24/48kHz.
For the 16/44.1 ALAC Audirvana is showing 16/44.1kHz.
For the 255AAC Audirvana is showing 16/44.1kHz.
So it is possible that when your RME is showing you 16/44 it is not a proof that Airplay transmission is lossy or lossless.

 

[sarumbear]

I have converted Hi Res file (24/48) to:
- AAC (sample frequency 44100kHz, true VBR with bitrate target quality set at 255kbps),
- ALAC at 16/44100kHz.
I then loaded them to Audirvana.
For the 24/48 version Audirvana is showing 24/48kHz.
For the 16/44.1 ALAC Audirvana is showing 16/44.1kHz.
For the 255AAC Audirvana is showing 16/44.1kHz.
So it is possible that when your RME is showing you 16/44 it is not a proof that Airplay transmission is lossy or lossless.

I'm confused. You are testing source files. Where does AirPlay enters into what you have explained? You are talking about playback (Audirvana), not transmission. AirPlay is a transmission protocol.

Do you have any means to broadcast a file via AirPlay and receive it digitally? That is the only way to test if AirPlay is lossless or not.

PS. You keep writing 255AAC, what does it mean?