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Apple Music Hi-Res

Does anyone know of *any* way to output Apple Hi-Res Lossless to external speakers?

From what I've read so far (e.g. https://www.marcoklobas.net/sharing/Apple-Music.png), the only thing that *might* work is a direct Lightening to DAC physical connection.

And I've tried this, but my DAC (a Cambridge DACMagic) is reading 48kHz, which is too low (according to my iPhone it should be 96 for the particular piece I was playing).

If I need some other DAC, does anyone know of a DAC that definitely works?

This has turned into one very weird rabbit hole.

Posted on Jan 26, 2022 1:17 PM

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Marco Klobas

Level 6

8,249 points

Posted on Jan 27, 2022 4:52 AM

I confirm that the Topping DX7 Pro works with Apple Music in lossless hi-res up to 192 kHz. I've tried many times.

The DAC can get sample rates up to 768 kHz.

It's indeed strange that your DAC basically works with your iPhone, yet it doesn't go beyond 48 kHz. I assume you have already checked the hi-res settings on iPhone's side:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212183

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Best reply

Marco Klobas

Level 6

8,249 points

Jan 27, 2022 4:52 AM in response to Waters of the Nile

I confirm that the Topping DX7 Pro works with Apple Music in lossless hi-res up to 192 kHz. I've tried many times.

The DAC can get sample rates up to 768 kHz.

It's indeed strange that your DAC basically works with your iPhone, yet it doesn't go beyond 48 kHz. I assume you have already checked the hi-res settings on iPhone's side:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212183

Jan 26, 2022 11:15 PM in response to Waters of the Nile

In order to get lossless hi-res Apple Music playback on external speakers an external DAC is required.

The Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter works fine for this purpose with many DACs.

I don't have a direct experience with your specific DAC. I've found a thread about Cambridge DACMagic, though:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251933417

Moreover, Cambridge Audio mentions something about their DAC used with an Apple Camera Adapter:

https://techsupport.cambridgeaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018375718-Can-the-DacMagic-200M-be-used-with-a-Apple-Camera-Adapter-

It seems that the compatibility with mobile devices isn't supported (or, at least, not fully supported). If the issue is power-related can try to put a powered USB hub between your iPhone and the DAC and see if it works. It's worth a try:

iPhone -> Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter -> Powered USB Hub -> USB -> DAC

In my case, years ago with a Bryston DAC, I had to use this kind of chain. The USB hub has to be powered – not a passive one.

My current Topping DX7 Pro doesn't need it.

Jan 27, 2022 4:10 AM in response to Marco Klobas

Thanks Marco. I'll look into your setup. I know that Topping has a good reputation, and I was planning to get a new DAC anyway.

My questions is: does your Topping DX7 provide enough feedback (or do you have any other way) to confirm that you are getting *hi-res* audio rather than something else?

My current setup (direct Lightening to USB to DAC) plays music "fine," but the DACMagic is indicating a sampling frequency that is not the hi-res frequency (e.g., 96kHz or something like that). My interpretation is that I'm not seeing hi-res and possibly not even seeing lossless.

Jan 27, 2022 5:49 AM in response to Marco Klobas

Marco, thanks very much. I'll go invest in a new DAC. This seems to be something with multiple possible points of failure, one of which turned out to be my particular DAC.

Apple Music Hi-Res