Can I stream lossless music with Airplay and Apple Music ?

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teardr0p Author

Level 1

10 points

Can I stream lossless music with Airplay and Apple Music ?

Hello.

Simple question, but I can't find any reliable answer.

I have an Apple Music account. And a Harman Kardon receiver that works with Airplay.

If I stream lossless tracks through Airplay to my receiver, will I hear real lossless sound in the speakers ?

I know Airplay can stream up to 16 bits/44 kHz. But I read that in the beginning of Apple lossless audio, Airplay streaming lossless was downscaled to AAC.

How is the situation today ?

Thank you for your help.

iPhone 8 Plus, iOS 15

Posted on Apr 18, 2022 2:26 AM

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Answer 1

Alex_Han

Community Specialist

Apr 19, 2022 7:43 AM in response to teardr0p

Hi teardr0p,

If you'd like to know more about lossless audio in Apple Music with AirPlay, these steps might help.

Can I listen to lossless audio via Bluetooth?

We will deliver music using lossless audio compression to your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Lossless audio will play back normally on Bluetooth speakers and headphones. However, Bluetooth connections don’t support lossless audio.

The information above is from About lossless audio in Apple Music. Since Airplay uses a Bluetooth connection to a receiver/speaker, it isn't lossless.

We hope that helps with your question and take care!

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Answer 2

teardr0p Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 19, 2022 10:00 AM in response to Alex_Han

Hello.

Thank you for your answer.

I thought AirPlay uses wi-fi. See here : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPlay#Receivers ("Compatible devices can receive AirPlay over wi-fi or ethernet.")

Since AirPlay can stream 16 bits/48 kHz, shouldn't it be able to stream ALAC 16 bits/44 kHz ?

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Can I stream lossless music with Airplay and Apple Music ?

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