topic Re: Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it in Audio & Video

Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Obsydian — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 06:21:08 GMT

So following my other thread about what is lossless audio, i wanted a separate thread for a crucial topic.

So you paid for Spotify Lossless, then realise very few mobiles (Android or Apple) actually have the hardware or software to give you proper lossless and they all give you a version of lossy, arguing its only slightly compressed and only until 24/96, but then its not lossless, but then again, technical types will say Red Book audio is 16/44 max

HOLD UP WHAT ABOUT SAMSUNG HiRES

Well, it's not SBC. SSC are all lesss lossy (compressed), Samsung have taken the Sony type logic, saying they are clever and their hybrid method is as good, no, it is NOT,

That is why i use a BT dongle to bypass Samsung and Android CODECs, yes you can go into developer settings and tweak but it will always use your mobile Android codec which is rubbish and lossy.

#Lossless #Lossy #Audiophile #Music #Audio

Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Chappell101 — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:36:55 GMT

There are some good USB C DACs that can take advantage but that's obviously a wired pair of monitors affair. Most consumer companies all seem to have moved away from professional standards likely to save costs for customers working with cheaper compatable hardware. The requirement for albeit dedicated hardware in many areas is very common now.

I have the same issue with the standard Pro RAW no longer being lossless since OneUI 6.1.

Pro mode is a lossy JPGXL inside the DNG container at 'Visually lossless' spec which is only designed for if you never really zoom on a photo for artefacting which limits print a very small amount. Nobody asked for it to be made a compressed version but I imagine it was done as it pushed the need for a SSD with the large file sizes if your not constantly uploading to the cloud.

ExpertRaw RAW in a later update after feedback enabled turning on true lossless JPGXL compression so the change wasn't as bad here but it's an unnecessary lack of consistency on the OS.

Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Star_girl — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:33:59 GMT

Very useful info.😊

Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Obsydian — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:40:26 GMT

Now this is a pickle i fell into, i paid £300 a few years ago for a top end USB DAC, was super happy it was so much better to my ears, it was a wired setup using my Samsugn mobile.

Then i realised it was actually not doing anything as eveything still went through the Android sound driver.

After some searching and help, i found a developer who created and APP to bypass the Android driver and use the USB DAC on board driver, which i am convinced is even better.

Now the pickle, i just said the USB DAC was better, until i found out it wasnt doing anything 🤣 so if this all just in our heads 😋

Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Obsydian — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:43:51 GMT

Very good point, the same applies to photos, videos, all sorts of things, so call these things "snail oil"

Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Chappell101 — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:51:54 GMT

Interesting, to me it worked as it was a powered DAC that enabled my headphones to work fully. The speaker drivers drew too much power without. It was probably just being able to use my good sennheisers making the change maybe?

Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Chappell101 — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:03:16 GMT

It's minor but I can see the difference with RAW photos once demosaiaced but thats years of being able to see micoblocking compression artefacts on contrast edges. It's something you don't see unless you zoom in but becomes pretty obvious if you ever print the images as a small poster. We are probably less exposed to the issue as how often do people really print now.

RAW video is similar in it's avoiding macroblocking but it's mainly to just keeping a more gradule stepping of light for some texture in the highlights as they blow out so easy on a small sensor.

Re: Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Obsydian — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:31:08 GMT

No any and all Android will only output Android Audio Driver, even my new Snapdragon Elite isn't allowed by Samsung to output, hence you need the USB DAC but also the software to tell it to do so, otherwise there is nothing actually going on.

https://www.extreamsd.com/index.php/technology/usb-audio-driver

Re: Re: Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Chappell101 — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:39:06 GMT

I'll have to have a look at this more regarding the input stream.

You get what I mean regarding the wattage requirements, the batteries in my DAC made the headphones actually work with the phone so it was likely just their better midtone soundstage helping.

Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

zenbirder — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:41:20 GMT

Spotify are not charging extra for lossless audio. When it does become available the charge for this feature remains the same as Spotify Premium- which is to say, no charge. It is not a usable feature using Bluetooth, which doesn't have the necessary band width, so as you mentioned, a dongle and wired headphones are needed. But yes, it is not true lossless, but audiophiles will enjoy this feature, any improvement is more than welcome at no extra charge🙏

Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Obsydian — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:31:12 GMT

Ahh but Tidal is £11, Spotify £12 and Qobuz £15, so if anything Spotify has been taking the 🙏

Unless your in the Philippines then they are all under £4 🔥

Re: Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

zenbirder — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:12:18 GMT

After losing decades of vinyl, cd's and even my beloved cassettes in a flood, having instant access to all of the music that means so much to me, and which marked the periods of adventure and reflection over the years. Of friends, my loved and my lost, the soundtrack to my life, no less. It is a wonderful thing!
It is a small price to pay for so much, so very much- for something that adds so much value to my life. (Especially when wired up to my Sennheiser's!)
Fact 14. 🙏

Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Chappell101 — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:46:14 GMT

Article you might find interesting in follow up as it's frustrating others too in my feed today. https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/10/android-devices-lossless-streams-spotify-tidal-qobuz/

Re: Re: Re: Lossless Audio - Hang on so my mobile can't support it

Obsydian — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 18:21:13 GMT

Finally a decade later they realise it was never HiRes as strangled by Android. To me all the music and mobile brands know so its its basically lying.

Reckon we all need a class action lawsuit to claim back years of lossless subscriptions.

Right rant over, simply put there is actually nothing beyond the redbook 16 bit 44 hz 😂