Is PlexAmp bitperfect via Airplay on iOS and Mac

Plex Labs
1

Hello,

When playing my FLAC files in PlexAmp from either my iPhone or Mac to an AirPlay 2 endpoint can I be certain it’s going across as 16/44?

I assume some processing happens as it has to go via Apples ALAC, so won’t be bitperfect. But I’d like it to remain lossless.

Thanks.

2

It should be bit-perfect as far as I know, as long as you haven’t applied effects like EQ, or loudness leveling of course.

3

I was wondering (more so out of interest than disruption for my love for music), AirPlay surely uses some Apple codec for lossless. Apple ALAC. Hence I assume a conversion is occurring somewhere. So can’t be bitperfect right?

4

AirPlay 2 is transcoding everything with ALAC at 16 bit and 44.1 kHz. For your CD collection this process would be completely lossless and also for lossy compression like MP3 or AAC. For higher bitrates and frequencies it won’t but most people won’t be able to tell the difference.

5

Thanks.

Yeah, likewise I don’t really care for the world above cd quality. CDs are great for me.

Good to know AirPlay with Plex is 16/44 lossless. I’ve read all sorts with how it’s handling Apple Music which is what got me wondering.

Wish there was way to see the signal path @elan in PlexAmp - just for the satisfaction and peace of mind.

6

Conversions to a lossless codec can still be bit-perfect.

For higher bitrates and frequencies, humans can’t tell the difference as their ears barely go up to 20kHz :grimacing:

FTFY.

7

But a few people will tell you that they can and this is unacceptable behaviour. And they become angry when you are starting to laugh at them.

8

Ask them to do an ABX test :laughing:

9

I don’t want to be lynched though.