Apple Hifi is apparently going hi-res (not just CD quality). If that’s true, then Tidal is dead, Qobuz will soon expire. What does that mean for Roon? Can Roon survive by catering only to people with large personal collections? We all know that streaming will only get stronger. I myself have given away my CD collection and switched to streaming (exclusively). A possible lifeline for Roon might be to integrate more specialised platforms, such as Idagio and/or Primephonic (for classical music) or jazz streaming. Smaller platforms, by dint of being highly specialised, have an edge over Apple Music and Co. More general platforms will crumble under the onslaught of the mastodons (Apple, Spotify, Amazon).
My family and close relatives all have Apple devices. Not one of us subscribes to Apple music. Why? Because there is not support with streamers,etc. and the music streams from your phone which we primarily use for other things and don’t want to drain the battery and need notifications for emails and texts. These notifications would ruin the music experience and we can’t go to silent mode.
If Apple would do something like Spotify Connect I would subscribe. Otherwise Spotify it will be.
Hi davidh. This issue (just the part I’ve quoted) was solved with Airplay 2, i.e. notification sounds play on the iOS/macOS device. They don’t play to the Airplay 2 system speakers and interrupt music.
Hi @wklie , can you clarify?
Thanks for the info. It still will be a major battery drainer though i suspect or am I wrong about that?
I can’t say that’s wrong but I never have battery draining issues so I guess it’s one of those ‘it depends’ things.
When I sit down for an hour or two listening, if using Airplay 2 my iPad is fully charged or I have a USB powerbank with me on the couch, so there’s never battery issues.
The same ‘problem’ with the way Airplay 2 works compared with Spotify Connect, also allows multi-room playback and control with Airplay 2…
So like everything in life, pros and cons
I use Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect too (also well as Qobuz on Roon).
So I experience all the pros and cons of each on a weekly basis.
The crown for the ultimate streaming service is still up for grabs !
Apple Music lossless up to 192 kHz confirmed. Available in June.
Introduced Spatial Audio with Support for Dolby Atmos, too:
And the beauty of this is the price! Hi-Res Lossless won’t cost any more than AAC
Very impressive.
No MQA? How will users possibly authenticate the master quality of their 24/192 content if their blue light doesn’t come on?
Tidal & Qobuz are going to be hard pressed to handle Apple and Spotify.
Note that Hi‑Res Lossless requires external equipment such as a USB digital to analog converter
Hoping that Apple Music integration for Roon is possible. I’d love to switch back from Tidal
This will absolutely kill Tidal and Qobuz. Wow. Glad I switched back to my Apple Music family sub last week and got a few HomePods
In addition their Apple One (family subscription) feels like an absolute bargain. Music+, TV+, Arcade and 200GB Cloud space included.
Question is: How do I get the lossless music into the DAC / streamer? No more USB or TOSLINK jacks with the AppleTV …?
I imagine you’ll need an Apple DAC or streamer. Eventually.
Unofficial
Thanks for confirming.
Hopefully new Apple Music developments motivates Lumin to move to official Airplay 2 support in future.
It requires specific hardware correct? Cannot be delivered with software update?
Question, which streamer do you have?
Have to wait for more news if current Airplay 2 devices will automatically support it.