Streaming High Res Audio – audio-products.eu

Rediscover your favourite music with high-resolution streaming

Explore favourite albums, discover new recordings and build a listening setup around the music you love. High-resolution streaming puts a wide choice of recordings within reach of a compatible DAC or network player.

Start with the guide below to choose your playback path and settings. Then make your system your own with Audio Products modules for your next DIY audio project.

Discover our audiophile playlist Explore Audio Products modules

1. Connect your music to your system

A DAC is the bridge between your digital music and your amplifier or headphones. Choose one with the connections and playback formats that fit the way you listen, from a compact headphone setup to a dedicated listening room.

Check compatibility. Confirm support for your computer or streamer, the input you intend to use and the sample rates you want to play.
Check drivers. Windows includes a driver for compatible USB Audio Class 2.0 devices. A manufacturer driver may still be needed for ASIO or additional device features. Follow the DAC manufacturer’s instructions.
Buy for your needs. Compare the complete implementation, measured performance, reliability and support. Look at the complete device, from its analogue output and measurements to the support available for your playback equipment.

For PCM/FLAC streaming, prioritise the formats and connections you will use. Add DSD support if your own library includes DSD recordings; choose upsampling according to your playback preferences.

Reference: Microsoft: USB Audio 2.0 drivers.

2. Choose the convenience that suits your listening room

Enjoy the flexibility of a computer or mobile device, or the convenience of a dedicated network streamer. Choose a player that supports your preferred service and connects easily to your DAC or amplifier.

Computer or mobile device → USB DAC → amplifier or headphones
A flexible setup that gives you access to the app’s playback and output settings.

Compatible network streamer → DAC or amplifier
A convenient setup for a listening room. Qobuz Connect can stream directly to compatible equipment, with the phone or computer acting as the controller.

Use Ethernet or a reliable Wi-Fi connection. If playback drops out, check signal strength, network congestion, firmware and app settings before replacing audio equipment.

Reference: Qobuz: supported devices and Qobuz Connect.

3. Set up your player for your next listening session

Select the intended output. Choose the DAC or network player in the streaming app, rather than leaving playback on the computer’s built-in speakers.
Enable lossless or Hi-Res quality. Check streaming and download settings separately where the app offers both.
Use an appropriate output mode. In Qobuz on Windows, WASAPI Exclusive or a compatible ASIO driver can provide direct access to the audio device. ASIO is not the only option.
Check processing. Review volume normalisation, equalisation and other effects. Keep settings consistent when comparing recordings.
Check the actual playback format. Where available, compare the app’s displayed bit depth and sample rate with the DAC’s display. The result depends on the recording and the complete playback path.

For a straightforward lossless setup, use a compatible wired output or network player. Bluetooth, AirPlay and casting capabilities vary by device, codec and app; a Hi-Res source label does not guarantee the same format reaches the DAC. Check the documentation for your exact combination.

References: Qobuz: desktop output modes · Apple: lossless playback requirements.

4. Discover the catalogue that inspires you

Both Qobuz and Tidal offer lossless music, including selected Hi-Res recordings up to 24-bit/192 kHz. The available resolution depends on the release, the service and your playback equipment.

Tidal update: Tidal discontinued MQA playback on 24 July 2024 and uses FLAC for its lossless stereo catalogue. MQA decoding is therefore no longer a requirement for listening to Tidal.

When comparing a CD rip with a streamed album, try to use the same release or mastering and a similar listening level. Differences between releases and playback settings can affect the comparison. Choose the version you enjoy and use familiar recordings when exploring your system.

Choose a service for its catalogue, device compatibility, app and the recordings you enjoy. Use familiar music to evaluate your system.

Explore our audiophile playlist

References: Qobuz: streaming catalogue · Tidal: HiRes FLAC · Tidal: audio format updates.

5. Keep your favourite recordings ready to play

FLAC is a practical format for archiving PCM recordings such as CD rips. It compresses the audio without discarding information; decoding reproduces the original audio samples. WAV can contain the same PCM audio in an uncompressed form, usually taking more storage space.

Keep the original resolution, check the rip and add clear artist, album and track tags. Store a separate backup of your library.

Converting a lossy MP3 or WMA file to FLAC does not recover information already discarded. WMA exists in both lossy and lossless variants, so check the source format before converting an existing archive.

Reference: Xiph.Org: how FLAC preserves audio data.

Make your next audio project happen

Whether you are planning an active loudspeaker system or building an amplifier, Audio Products offers modules, power supplies and control interfaces for your own design. Tell us about your project and we can help you choose a suitable combination.

Explore our modules Get personal project advice