Apple Music HiFi Tier incoming?

Unless I am mistaken, what you say is true for purchased downloads, but music that has been downloaded for local playback as part of the Apple Music subscription, (i.e. the music you are “renting”), is still protected by DRM.

Its still not a great experience and with Chromecast as an option to output it. Apparently they have gapless working whicj is something but Chromecast does sound a bit zingy compared to streams from integrated services.

I guess for users of PC’s iPod, iPad or iPhone you can use USB DAC to get it out, although not sure it’s exclusive control on desktops. Also it may still be limited on iOS even with a DAC that bits not really clear. Other apps work hires with USB DAC and the camera adaptor so its likely this would to.

Is that not the normal situation with all streaming services?
eg If I download to the PC Amazon library for playing offline, I can only play the content via the Amazon player. I can’t copy the download off to a separate folder and then play it with another player.
Are Qobuz downloads ( streamed, not bought) much the same?

Yes, I believe so… I just wanted to clarify that there are downloads which are NOT affected by DRM (purchased), and those that are (rented and downloaded for local playback). I know for a fact that Qobuz purchases are not protected.

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Steve Jobs at home in the 90s with vinyl, mcintosh amp (of course!) and, I beleive, magnepans. Later in life he owned six-figure speakers from Wilson Audio:

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Purchased downloads will almost certainly be free of DRM. I don’t think there is anyone anymore that protects purchased downloads with DRM.

To play subscribed music via Roon will almost certainly require Roon integration, and I would be very surprised if Apple opens up an API for that to happen. Ditto for the Naim app.

Or huge yachts.

Imported M&S socks as well, on a monthly basis, never wore the same pair twice.

The picture was taken in 1982 by Diana Walker. The system you see there behind him is a Michell Gyrodec (not sure of the arm but looks like it could be an SME III), Threshold FET One pre-amp, a Denon TU-750 tuner, and Acoustat Monitor speakers. IIRC the power amp (unseen) was allegedly also from Threshold. SME III aside (pretty average sounding, IMHO), it was a very serious system for the day.

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Considering many people are consuming Apple Music on iOS devices (many more of those out there than Macs), I guess, they thought to keep their headphones „mobile“ (and in their own AAC chain).
Interesting, that they now offer services many of their devices don’t really support. Maybe a short-term marketing trick? Enable it on the network, disable it by default in the apps, have everybody say, „on the move“ you anyway don’t hear a difference (which is likely true in many environments), so in the end only a few people with adequate devices and interest will enable it. (Having 1 less reason to use another service plus the marketing hype.)

A colleague today speculated/hoped, the 3D-audio stuff is a precursor (or byproduct) of them offering real AR/VR in the (near) future.

By the way: Apple Music is available on Android, and as a web player application, IIRC.
They are in general opening up somewhat for their service business: AppleTV+ (streaming) on many TV models (where they don’t compete and would make more money by selling the service than by selling their Apple TV box); I think Samsung even got the rental/buying app on their TVs.
And, IIRC, Sonos had Apple Music „natively“; curious, which quality for streaming they can provide.

So, let’s see, what the future brings.
(iMessage was kept „in house“ for customer retention since a long time. I guess, also nobody would pay for such a service.)

Quick question … does AM connect to UQ2 directly or via Naim app? Thinking of switching from Spotify. Ta.

We have the AppleTV webOS app on our LG OLED, but still need the physical device for the installed apps, so it doesn’t matter much that it’s included. Choosing the embedded app isn’t any more or less troublesome than switching to the physical AppleTV. In fact, I have ordered the new AppleTV 4K that is due on Friday.

Sure, if you are interested in the apps (or even games, iCloud services, …) then it does not help much / you will have the box anyway.

But if you don’t, and only have, say, and iPhone, it might make you more susceptible to subscribe to Apple TV(+) (as a service) or Apple One, if it works out of the box with your TV. Plus, having Airplay on the TVs also offers quick integration with “anything playing on your phone”.
(It cannot be the content yet, which makes Apple TV+ (the service) attractive.)

The more you read about this launch the more it really just is marketing to compete with the others. Airpods and the Airpod max at nearly $600 only supports AAC BT so now way your getting lossless or anything better than AAC period via BT. Using a DAC is the only way so we are likelu to see an incoming Apple HiRes Adaptor/DAC soon then for wireless. The biggest consumers of Apple Music are likely Airpod owners to and they cant get the benefit until they upsell you a newer model of Airpods with a new BT codec they will obviously patent to handle it but it will never be lossless.

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Just about to make a similar comment - Apple’s headphones/earbuds WILL play lossless audio, just not with lossless quality - hilarious! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Have to wonder if Jay-Z knew something…

I don’t think that you are able to hear the difference between AAC and lossless on the HomePod. But the typical HomePod buyer won’t care, because they still get superior Audio quality compared to cheaper Bluetooth loudspeaker and won’t invest into Hi-End equipment anyway.

Of course it is. But I couldn’t care less as long as brings better audio quality for the same monthly fee as before.

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Oh this is sweet news! “These new features will be available for Apple Music subscribers starting next month at no additional cost.”
-from the above Apple link

Nothing is as smooth or cool as Apple Music. So easy to do everything, plus lyrics are really cool to have. I love telling Siri to play my music when I don’t know what to listen to.

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I doubt it either but you never know.

I got my daughter a HomePod 2 years ago.

I’m pretty annoyed they discontinued them as she might have wanted a pair for stereo, and they hadn’t sorted that out at launch.