1. Use whatever you prefer. I don't like Apple at all but they have the best value lossless streaming service. Obviously someone who doesn't care about lossless audio gains nothing from this. Nothing is wrong with Spotify. Imo it's got a super UX to Apple Music esp on Android too.

2. MQA is indeed a scam. But that's Tidal's scam. ALAC isn't a scam.

3. Cheers for the tip!

4. I respect this for sure. If Spotify offered lossless streaming as part of Premium I'd happily switch. I don't like using Apple crap. I do however find it ironic that Apple's primary competition (Android) takes better advantage of Apple's lossless streaming than Apple's own devices.

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Discussion

Yeah, I had no beef with your post. Hope I was clear on that. FiiO makes a killer DAC for iPhones and Android devices that is very affordable (the KA1).

It’s also worth noting that lossless is supported by all Macs, HomePods, and AppleTV, so for the home theater experience it is of benefit. The standard lightning to 3.5 jack also supports lossless up to 24bit/48kHz.

If you haven’t experienced Dolby Atmos yet, you should definitely check it out. Not all releases are mixed for it equally well, but a good number sound amazing.

Yeah you're Gucci just wanted to make sure everyone is clear I'm not tryna be an audiophile snob, it just doesn't make any business sense to me haha.

I had one of those FiiO DACs too before I get my A45. I actually love that A45 and feel sad about replacing it. Had it for years, it's taken so many beatings, still works perfectly. But I wanted a DAP that could also work with lossless music services. Plus it's Android, plenty to tinker with, I literally have Amethyst on my Walkman 🤣

As for Dolby Atmos yes it's fucking amazing! My Samsung supports it including in the Android Apple Music app. Great fun.

What are you driving with it? I’m having a hard time finding satisfactory IEMs to compete with the AirPods.

Over ear is good at home, but I spent $400 on Bose headphones just to be constantly disgusted with them.

Any tips or reviews?

I'm an over ear headphones guy myself so this probably ain't for you but I use DT 770 80ohm indoors and Sony WH1000XM4's when I'm out and about.

Despite being Bluetooth the Sony pair is very very good esp with LDAC. It's not got that flat sound audiophiles like, it's tuned to be a bit "lively" and has a bit of a punchy bass, obviously nothing too forced that it blocks out the rest of the track though. Very good for the kind of music I tend to listen to (hip-hop) and the battery lasts forever too. Also can be plugged into a 3.5mm jack.

DT770's should speak for themselves. The DAP I have here drives em very well. Plugging into a laptop or something directly without a DAC though, they'll sound dull. Luckily the DAP doubles as a USB DAC and does the job well!

I wonder how the KA1 would drive em. Worth trying at least. 🤔

If you get the 80ohm DT770's any reasonable DAC should have no trouble at all with them.

Back when phones still had 3.5mm jacks they'd even sound pretty decent on most flagships, although they're not exactly designed to be portable. Verrrrry long wire as you always get from professional headphones, bulky too, but very comfy and seals outside noise out well without needing ANC.