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Mehdiem
Avid Contributor I
June 8, 2021
Answered

Sonos Port with Apple’s Lossless, High-res, Spatial?

  • June 8, 2021
  • 14 replies
  • 8829 views

Hello,

I’m wondering if Sonos Port cable of playing Apple’s 1-Lossless, 2-High-res Lossless 3-Spatial Audio when connect to external amp? My current setup is this : Sonos Port (through RCA) → Yamaha Amp → KEF LS50 L & R

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    Best answer by GuitarSuperstar

    Apple Music Lossless is not currently supported by Sonos, but hopefully it will be supported in the near future. Read more here:


    With Qobuz, you can currently stream 24-bit/48 kHz audio from the Sonos app. Hopefully this will be possible with Apple Lossless too.
    https://support.sonos.com/s/article/1782?language=en_US


    Apple Music Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos is currently supported by the Sonos Arc through the Apple Music app on an Apple TV 4K and an eARC connection or HDFury Arcana.

    14 replies

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    June 8, 2021

    With the S2 app, Sonos currently supports 24-bit/48 kHz audio from Qobuz, so I would imagine the Port would eventually be able to support Apple Lossless at 24-bit/48 kHz too. But Apple Hi-Res Lossless goes all the way up to 24-bit at 192kHz which I doubt Sonos products can support.

    The only Sonos product that currently supports Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos is the Sonos Arc. And this is only supported through an HDMI eARC connection.

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    MehdiemAuthor
    Avid Contributor I
    June 8, 2021

    With the S2 app, Sonos currently supports 24-bit/48 kHz audio from Qobuz, so I would imagine the Port would eventually be able to support Apple Lossless at 24-bit/48 kHz too. But Apple Hi-Res Lossless goes all the way up to 24-bit at 192kHz which I doubt Sonos products can support.

    The only Sonos product that currently supports Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos is the Sonos Arc. And this is only supported through an HDMI eARC connection.

    Do you mean there would be a need for update, or will work just right now? Also, do you mean I should use S2 app to stream in order to get lossless, or I can play directly from Apple Music?

    GuitarSuperstarAnswer
    Lead Maestro
    June 8, 2021

    Apple Music Lossless is not currently supported by Sonos, but hopefully it will be supported in the near future. Read more here:


    With Qobuz, you can currently stream 24-bit/48 kHz audio from the Sonos app. Hopefully this will be possible with Apple Lossless too.
    https://support.sonos.com/s/article/1782?language=en_US


    Apple Music Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos is currently supported by the Sonos Arc through the Apple Music app on an Apple TV 4K and an eARC connection or HDFury Arcana.

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    stefanomasi1974
    Contributor II
    June 9, 2021

    I got a Port (through rca) to Marantz and BW 606. I played Apple Music on Sonos app, will be lossy again and then I played same track from music app on the iPhone via Airplay. With Airplay there isn’t full hires, but a lossless limited to Cd quality, for me? Airplay with lossless sound better, detailed and more spacious than aac via Sonos app.

     

     

    MehdiemAuthor
    Avid Contributor I
    June 9, 2021

    I got a Port (through rca) to Marantz and BW 606. I played Apple Music on Sonos app, will be lossy again and then I played same track from music app on the iPhone via Airplay. With Airplay there isn’t full hires, but a lossless limited to Cd quality, for me? Airplay with lossless sound better, detailed and more spacious than aac via Sonos app.

     

     

    I clearly hear the difference between Dolby Atmos and regular lossless streaming through Sonos Port directly from Apple Music. Which quality is better, is debatable but what I can say Dolby sounds less harsh, less distorted to my ear. There is a playlist on Apple Music for Dolby version of songs: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/jazz-in-spatial-audio/pl.efbd24628ff04ff3b5e416a6e237d753
     

    In order to test, I turn on/off Dolby from Setting → Music 

      Vjpasq
      Lyricist III
      June 10, 2021

      I agree, I definitely hear a significant difference turning it on/off AND IT WILL STAY ON FOR ME!

        stefanomasi1974
        Contributor II
        June 10, 2021

        We have to wait lossless on Sonos app now AirPlay is good

          MehdiemAuthor
          Avid Contributor I
          June 10, 2021

          I agree, I definitely hear a significant difference turning it on/off AND IT WILL STAY ON FOR ME!

          I’m mistakenly marked this as an answer 

          MehdiemAuthor
          Avid Contributor I
          June 10, 2021

          We have to wait lossless on Sonos app now AirPlay is good

          What would be the advantage of Sonos app over local Apple Music player? Why even use Sonos App and ad d an extra step?

          stefanomasi1974
          Contributor II
          June 10, 2021

          Sonos Port has got own Dac 24/48, right for hires music. The advantage of Sonos app the streaming comes from Apple Music server, to Sonos Device it sound like Spotify connect or chromecast. With Airplay the transmission pass through iPhone to Sonos Port and it is limited to 16/44. With Sonos app you can turn off your phone, with Airplay both devices has to be linked. I hope to explain, sorr for my nglish I reply from Italy

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