can i listen to lossless on my windows pc using iTunes?

can i listen to lossless on my windows pc using iTunes?

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on May 31, 2021 8:10 PM

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27 replies

Jun 13, 2021 9:57 AM in response to Demikids65

What I ended up doing is removing all of my iTunes downloads, changing my audio playback to 24/192. And then redownloading the entire library. You can change your playing from Windows iTunes from Edit - Preferences - at the bottom, change it to 192 kHz / 24 bit.

Not sure if this makes a difference, I personally can't tell the difference even with super high-end equipment.

But Apple has not updated PC iTunes in a really long time. But if you wanted to see and try this would be the best way of doing it.

Just make sure what your playing things through can support 24/192.

I am currently running everything through an AV receiver that can support 32/384 via HDMI.

Jul 25, 2021 2:32 PM in response to nicholas225

Hi there, so I must admit I haven’t tried yet, as I don’t use my Windows PC hosting my iTunes library to listen to music very often at all.


However while they don’t mention Windows in the ‘how to listen’ article, they also DON’T say it is not supported.


So I would say the answer is you can, but you might need to check quality settings in preferences AND delete the downloads from your library (not the actual songs/album) similar to what you need to do the iPhone to force it to download or stream the hi-res versions.


Of course the other factor will be the audio capabilities of your PC, not all on board DSPs offer higher bit/sample frequency support, so check the specs of your PC (unless you already know what they are of course!)

Jun 15, 2021 6:22 AM in response to FluffyApple

First of all if you are worried about REAL Hi-Fi quality then you should know AV reciver will never play or make you hear the difference between 16/24 bit and 44KHz to 192 or more. You need integrated amplifier and good speakers to actually hear the best sound that Hi rez offers. Dont get that what AV "can do". AV has mediocre DAC chips unless you buy the high-end 3K+ recivers that have good dac but still wont be as good as same price separate intergrated amp.

I'm using also PC iTunes but its goes to 3k integrated amp to speakers leaving my reciver to play movies not music.



Jul 6, 2021 11:26 AM in response to turingtest2

I sure do hope they add this capability for the Windows version of iTunes. I have both Macs and a Windows PC for gaming with high-end DACs and Hi-Res headphones. I used to use Tidal for higher-quality streaming, but once Apple released their lossless and I compared the two services (on my Mac of course), I decided I couldn't hear any difference and canceled my Tidal subscription (I could *definitely* hear a difference between 256kbps AAC and Tidal or Amazon's high-end files). I mainly use my Mac for productivity work, but am on my Windows PC and bummed. Maybe I will have to keep Tidal for now. 😔

Jun 25, 2021 3:25 PM in response to Berethon

My Sony STR-DE1075 pushes my macintosh speakers (high end speakers not apple related) very well and all i play is flac audio, and I think it sounds just fine.. I can tell the difference. But lets be real here for a minute when i really want to hear the crisp sound I use my RAAL SR1a's paired with a Schiit Jot R Amp/DAC. Those alone were WELL over 3k, but thats the cost you pay when your a audiophile. I prefer the sound of a viynl over a digital file but maybe thats just me lol.



Jun 29, 2021 9:43 AM in response to fds

If you like music listening multi channel stereo then its fine. Majority audiophiles use 2 speakers to get best sound and dead on soundsteage and image (no AV processing in middle.)



fds thats what i ment. Real audiophiles will never looks for AV recivers for serious music listening. You want as less as distortion and processing as possible. And only best speakers + intergrated amps provide that. I'm looking for external dac now to jump to next level music enojyment and instrument separation for wider eperience. Dac and amp cost total around 6-7k eur. Speakers are on top of that.


Jun 29, 2021 12:05 PM in response to Berethon

You couldn’t afford my Mcintosh Audio setup.. My “Av” receiver is for my computer as is pared with XR50s.. I have a Mcintosh MC152 AMP, with a C49 pre amp (overkill and not really needed) all pushing 2 Mcintosh XR100’s. Real audiophiles know nothing compares to vinyl.. Go flex on someone else dude. Because your“System” doesn’t even come close to mine, which cost me over 20 grand. To anyone else if you want good sound go find a find a pair of sennheiser hd 650 used or new, a reasonable headphone dac/amp and enjoy.

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can i listen to lossless on my windows pc using iTunes?

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