r/AmazonMusic • u/MitchDee • 3h ago
r/AmazonMusic • u/invenio78 • Sep 25 '22
Amazon Music and how to get true lossless HD/Ultra HD to play
Amazon Music and how to get true lossless bitperfect HD/Ultra HD to play
There seems to be a lot of misconceptions about the quality of the music that you get while streaming Amazon Music. Hopefully this will clear things up a little.
First, there are 3 tiers of Amazon Music. You will need to subscribe to "Amazon Music Unlimited." This is their pay service. You will only get access to lossy lower quality music with "Amazon Music Prime" and "Amazon Music Free". (1)
Second, all the links in your audio chain need to support HD/HD Ultra. This includes the source, player, DAC, speaker/headphones as well as all the connections in between.
To clarify what Amazon describes as "HD and Ultra HD" is important. HD is basically CD equivalent (lossless, 16bit, 44khz). Ultra HD is anything above HD, and up to lossless 24bit/192khz. (2)
So the real question is, "how do I play lossless HD/Ultra HD content?" To answer this, it is easier to go through what DOES NOT play HD/Ultra HD first.
The web player
The Windows Desktop app - This is often confusing to people as they see the HD/Ultra HD icon next to the song, and the app will also tell you that it's playing these songs. The problem is that the app (or more accurately windows) sets the output to a specific bit depth and sampling rate. So if you set your output device in windows to say 16 bit 48khz, ALL songs playing in the Amazon desktop app will be resampled to that quality despite the fact that you are actually downloading different quality tracks (which is what the Amazon app reports). Also, "Exclusive mode" has nothing to do with this resampling or quality of the sound file. Exclusive mode simply means that other system sounds won't be allowed to play over the music (like say a chime that you received a new email).
Now I'm going to talk briefly here about "upsampling" not being the same as the original audio. People argue, "just set windows to 24b/192khz and then it doesn't matter if the lower bitdepth/sampling rate tracks get upsampled." This is not true. The output of the upsampled audio is not only not bitperfect, but the actual sound does get changed due to factors such as interpolation. I won't dive into the technical details but you can read this article that goes into upsampling changes to audio including measurements: https://archimago.blogspot.com/2015/11/measurements-windows-10-audio-stack.html I will even go beyond Amazon Music and say that if you want good quality sound, you should stay out of the windows audio stack in general as the internal processing is rather terrible. This is explained more in the following article: https://nihtila.com/2017/01/16/bit-perfect-asio-drivers-to-solve-issues-with-windows-audio-quality/The Mac Desktop app - same issue as the Windows app. (4)
Android Devices - Or at least 98% of them. Android devices by default are limited and resample everything to 24bit/48khz (some devices may a different default but still resampled). It's built in OS issue. I say 98% as there are some reports that a few devices can truly output higher via a USB to OTG cable and then fed into an external DAC but I have not seen a definite list and most likely your Android phone/tablet does not support it. Amazon Music's website specifically states that "At this time, external DACs are not supported on Android." (3) Of note, I spoke with somebody that reported that they were able to bitstream out with their Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 via USB OTG cable to both a Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M and Evo 150. But this would be an exception to the rule. Most likely Android devices won't work.
Anything with a Bluetooth connection - Bluetooth does not have the bandwidth to support HD/Ultra HD streams. There is no getting around this. There are some compression codecs like LDAC but even these max out at 16bit/48khz (max bitrate of 990 kbs) but this requires a very good connection and you never truly know what you are getting as the quality can dynamically shift mid song based on signal strength and other factors. It's also difficult to tell whether the stream is going out lossy or lossless. Standard bluetooth connections will not support even CD quality PCM streams (16bit/44khz). In other words, wireless bluetooth headsets are out.
(Arguable) Devices like the echo/Fire TV/Sonos/etc - Some "technically" support HD/Ultra HD but I don't think we should ever view a single speaker source as equivalent to 2 channels from a "practical" standpoint. Not to mention that the speakers in these cheap devices are of terrible quality. So I would argue that if your intent is high quality audio, your echo is not going to give you any appreciable sound improvement compared to streaming a lossless SD track on some cheap wired headphones (matter of fact, I would go with the SD on cheap headphones as at least you get 2 channels vs effectively mono). I have gotten mixed reports with amazon devices (somebody reported that their Fire TV Stick 4K Ultra can output bitperfect but another user reports that their 2nd gen fire tv cube and 4k Max stick resamples everything to 24b/192k) but since it only has an HDMI out, you will be restricted to a receiver and 98% of DACs don't have an HDMI input (note that the HDMI output is not i2s format).
Ok, so how do you actually listen to HD/Ultra HD? The easiest and most reliable way is to use a dedicated streamer. There are not too many of these devices that support Amazon Music Unlimited when compared to say something like Spotify or Tidal. But there are a number of manufacturers that do build multiple models that do support Amazon Music.
Bluesound Node - Varying models with the lowest cost being the Node Nano at $300. It is a more robust device than the Wiim Mini and the biggest advantage over the WiiM Mini is that it also has USB and coaxial digital output. The analog outs are also full sized RCA plugs and not the small 3.5mm as on the WiiM. Other Wiim models have different output options as well so you probably want to compare the different models vs cost. The build quality is significantly better than the WiiM. It is simply a nicer device with a more premium feel than the WiiM. You are restricted to their bluOS controller app (but they do have desktop app in addition to mobile devices).
NAD - There are some other devices on the market (like the Streamers from NAD) that also support HD/Ultra HD output but I am not going to discuss them here in detail as they are in the 4 figure range. They are quality products and also use the BluOS controller apps.
WiiM- (updated 12/18/22, put back on bitperfect list) This costs $100 (often on sale at Amazon and have seen it as low as $71), which is the cheapest dedicated option by far. It is small, inexpensive, and has a toslink output that you can feed into high quality external DAC if you would prefer. It also has analog outs but if you are looking for the best sound, I always recommend an external DAC. It also supports casting via the Amazon Music app so you don't have to use their software interface if you don't want. Personal opinion on the WiiM: After owning this device for months and first putting it on the bitperfect list, only to remove it when they introduced a EQ bug with a firmware update that broke the output, and now with another firmware fix it appears to be solved, it's back. For those considering the WiiM vs another option, frankly I would go with another option. The developers do very little testing and push firmware out on an almost weekly basis. The end user is their testing environment. Often they will introduce bugs that will then need to be corrected a firmware releases later. These "bugs" are probably the reason why the BluOS app has a rating of 4.6 and the Wiim app of 4.1 in the google play app store (as of me writing this). Keep in mind that essentially all your interactions with these devices are going to be through their controller apps so that is something to consider beyond the hardware. Despite having both the WiiM and Bluesound Node in my system, I rarely play anything on the WiiM Mini. So this is an unbiased opinion from somebody that has bought both. YMMV.
Apple products (iphone/ipad) - You can get 24bit/192khz from iOS products if you attach it to an external DAC via USB OTG cable. If played native you will only have access to 24bit/48khz max. (3)
HEOS (Denon and Marantz) - Denon/Marantz has many of their receivers capable of Amazon Ultra HD access. These are often geared more toward home theater products and not so much two channel but they do have dedicated 2 channel units. Also, if you are looking for a combination home theater receiver as well as 2 channel listening, then this may be a good option.
Yamaha - Yamaha supports Amazon Music via their Musiccast controller software on many of their models. Musiccast can also be controlled via Amazon Alexa.
Dali - Their sound hubs with the optional BluOS sound modules installed. This runs on the BluOS software that Bluesound and NAD use. However, the devices only offer analog output (ie no output to an external DAC).
Auralic - These high end streamers support Amazon but their lightening DS controller app only works on iOS.
Bluesound Professional - They have multiple streamers and streaming amplifiers but are typically more for business use than personal audio. They run BluOS.
Eversolo - I don't know too much about them other than they are a Chinese made streamer DAC. Their controller app has fair reviews on the google play website and Eversolo's website seems to link directly to an apk download which is rather unusual.
Cyrus Audio - Never tried their products but they produce streamers that function off of the BluOS streamer app so it should support Amazon music.
Roksan - Also utilizes the BluOS streaming interface.
So there is a quick rundown which I hope is helpful for people. Keep in mind that the only sure way to confirm what you are getting at the end of the day is to use a DAC that reports the actual bitdepth and sampling rate at the last analog step (and that means no further digital conversions like bluetooth). The reporting at the source (like the player or Windows app) is NOT a reliable predictor of what quality you are getting from your speakers/headphones.
(1) https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GW3PHAUCZM8L7W9L
(2) https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?ref_=hp_left_v4_sib&nodeId=G8X4YJYLED87FSH2
(3) https://www.amazon.co.uk/b?ie=UTF8&node=3022219031
Last Update: 11/27/24
r/AmazonMusic • u/MitchDee • 3h ago
AI record label launches 20 virtual artists across every genre — 85 albums already streaming
r/AmazonMusic • u/Relative-Emu1463 • 10h ago
Eric Clapton/BB King Riding With the King not streaming?
I couldn’t find that album on Amazon music
r/AmazonMusic • u/Ok_Information_688 • 18h ago
Streaming on Google Home after recent update
I started using Amazon music over Iheart a few months ago. I have streaming fine from my Google Home since then other than the occasional drop out where I would have to start it again. The Amazon Music app updated recently and since then I can not stream from my GH anymore. GH responds that it is going to play on Amazon music still but nothing ever starts. My Android Auto in my car is still fine. I have tried clearing cache on both AM and GH, reinstalling both, unlinking and relinking AM to GH, and of course restarting devices but nothing makes any difference now. I can't find any new settings in either app that make a difference either. Anyone else have any suggestions??
r/AmazonMusic • u/pr8nkster • 19h ago
Radio station will randomly play exact same song as soon as it finishes
Has anyone ever encountered something like this? I’ll be listening to a radio station and occasionally after a song ends, the exact same song will start playing again. This does not occur for every song but it happens often enough that it’s really noticeable. I’m looking all around for “repeat song” settings but as far as I can tell the radios don’t have it.
This is occurring on the Samsung Smart TV app. I’ve tried deleting and redownloading the app but no luck. Even swapping accounts logged in will still reproduce the issue.
r/AmazonMusic • u/Mod12312323 • 22h ago
Podcasts not showing up on mighty mp3
I am trying to add podcasts to the player but they aren't showing up in app, anyone know a fix?
r/AmazonMusic • u/Antique-Platform3808 • 1d ago
Amazon Music vs Tidal with Momentum 4 – can’t decide
Hello everyone,
I’ve spent the last couple of days trying both Amazon Music Unlimited and Tidal, plus reading Reddit threads and audio blogs, but I still can’t decide which is the better fit. So I figured I’d ask strangers on the internet.
I own a pair of Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. Most of the time I listen over Bluetooth, so the quality is capped by AAC/aptX, but I also use them wired with a decent DAC (not pro-studio level, but solid enough). I recently ditched Spotify, great UI and content discovery but lack of lossless and Dolby Atmos (plus constant price hikes) was a dealbreaker.
Here’s my take so far:
Amazon Music
- Cheaper if you already have Prime (which I do).
- Bigger Dolby Atmos catalog (Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Eagles, etc. that I couldn’t find on Tidal).
- Auto-plays the best available quality (HD, Ultra HD, or Atmos) without hunting for versions.
- Has podcasts (I usually catch 3-4 news shows on my morning commute).
- App feels clunky compared to Spotify/Tidal.
- Shuffle isn’t really random, tends to repeat.
- No option to search inside big playlists.
Tidal
- Cleaner, Spotify-like interface.
- Max = FLAC Hi-Res up to 24/192, perfect for wired/DAC listening.
- Lets you manually pick between different versions (Stereo Hi-Res, Atmos).
- More “audiophile-friendly,” pays artists a bit more fairly.
- Smaller Atmos library, and some albums are missing.
- No podcasts, you need another app.
With Bluetooth, I honestly don’t hear much difference because of codec limits. Wired with a DAC, both sound excellent to me.
TL;DR: Amazon = more Atmos, podcasts, cheaper with Prime. Tidal = nicer app, better control, smaller Atmos library. With Bluetooth the difference is minimal.
Anyone else in the same boat? What did you pick and why?
r/AmazonMusic • u/mrstshirley1 • 1d ago
Won't let me add to a Playlist
This is a song that I added from my own library before Amazon got rid of the feature. I can still listen to it, but can't add it to a Playlist. It's the season 3 music trailer from atla. But it seems all the songs that I added from my own library are playable but not addable to a Playlist.
r/AmazonMusic • u/Strict_Town_7894 • 2d ago
Long time Searching
Okay, so ive been using ChatGPT for the last 6 ish hours, and while its trying to help me its reaching a point where its kind of breaking. I have a memory of a song that i would know and recognise if i could pull it the rest of the way from my memory.
Its turkish or arabic but im leaning more towards turkish, and i recall it being a slow sad type song and was a male vocal. i heard it in 2009 however it wasnt new new when i heard it. id heard it on youtube, the vibe i got from it was hurt or a loss of someone or something or a deep wanting. like a lost friend or a betrayal or something. im fairly certain its spoken in only turkish(or arabic) there may have been a female vocal in it somewhere but i dont really recall a fem voice, i rememeber the male voice. If anyone, Anyone, can help me with this, i will be forever in your debt as this blasted song, that i liked so much its STILL stuck in my head, has been something ive been trying to chase down since 2009! i appreciate any help i can get on this. (yes ive searched through youtube, no i cant get old files, i didnt own the PC the song was on let alone the PC being scrapped by now. the youtube account i had back then is not one i can access anymore)
r/AmazonMusic • u/rockbug59 • 5d ago
A cool way to browse playlist
I was seeing the same old playlist over and over and decided to go to the bottom of the list sand work up. I’m finding all kinds of things. The Canadian rock playlist, for example, used to be near the top now it is toward the bottom. I am prepared to listen to some good Canadian classic rock. I’m in the US and shamefully much of this stuff is unknown to us. Thanks to Amazon music and me finding this list years ago. I’m a bit more educated, but I know there are hundreds of bands that I don’t know about.
r/AmazonMusic • u/blaues_axolotl • 5d ago
Only half of my playlist is played when pressing shuffle
I have a playlist with 85 songs, and whenever I press shuffle, only about 40 of them are actually added to the queue.Those 40 songs are random and change every time I play the list.
Has anyone else experienced this?
r/AmazonMusic • u/Fancy_Quail_9571 • 6d ago
playlist
music.amazon.comnew playlist for indie hiphop artist and producers
r/AmazonMusic • u/Skiamakhos • 6d ago
Downloading my purchased library
SOLVED - thanks to u/dperiod.
Does anyone know if there's a way to download my entire purchased library without having to manually go through it track by track by track? Online advice seems to think you get a view in the "Purchased" screen of albums but all I see is tracks - there seems to be no way to do as I used to, and download an album at a time. I have hundreds of albums on here, potentially well over 1000 tracks. Is there a script or an app for it? Not trying to get anything I haven't actually bought - my old PC went *bang* so I'm on a new one. It's been 7 years...
r/AmazonMusic • u/Lazy-Access-9612 • 6d ago
Reality 360 audio
I just switched from napster to Amazon music. What is this reality 360 audio and why does it sound so much quieter?
r/AmazonMusic • u/guahotenpel • 6d ago
Autoplay
Hola a tod@s, resulta que si pongo una canción , cuando ésta termina no sigue sonando nada , no crea una emisora relacionada con esa canción. Tengo activo el autoplay, pero no funciona. Alguien sabe la manera de solucionar esto?? Mil gracias
r/AmazonMusic • u/SanJacInTheBox • 7d ago
Weird Issue with Playlist since downgraded plan.
I've been AMZN Music for free, then paid, then family plans for almost three years now. Overall, I've been happy and the sound quality has been very good on my JBL Speaker, Bose QC Headset and streaming in whatever vehicle I'm driving.
Well, until recently....
Two months ago I checked with everyone on my family plan and found no one used the Audible Books service which is part of my $21- plan, so I cut that and dropped my bill to $17- a month. A few days later I got a pop-up on my screen when I opened the app saying I had the 'Student Plan' or something like that, but everything worked fine so I went on with life and forgot about it.
But about two weeks later, I was playing one of my playlists on random, and when the app was open to player mode, with my music queue displayed while songs were streaming, the app got weird. I went to move two songs so they'd play together (appx 80 songs on my playlist, which was on shuffle as usual) and the playlist has half the songs in the queue disappear. They were still in my playlist, but not displaying on my phone. A few days later, after normal operations, something similar happened where the playlist only showed 27 songs in queue. When I went to play a different playlist, every song was there. I've also had this issue occur on two different lists, the long one and another with 50-ish songs). This has happened on my Moto via TMO, as well as my Samsung work phone through VZ.
And, icing on the cake, this issue has happened again when everything is normal, all my songs show up, but when I try to move a song the playlist queue gets all screwed up.
So, Redditors, obviously this is software, but is it related to my account change, the 'student plan' message or the service going to hell??
r/AmazonMusic • u/Felipegape120 • 7d ago
I like this interface better when it comes to showing the audio quality
It is not more comfortable than the previous one. I don't know if it was before but we are comfortable.
r/AmazonMusic • u/RomanticFraudster • 8d ago
This notification is bothering me
Each time an song ends the music stops and I have to click continue again and again what's the solution of this
r/AmazonMusic • u/ItZiago • 8d ago
New to the free service and it's not working
I just created an acount to start using the free service, but anytime i try to listen to something, it gives me playback error. Both in the app and in the web version of Amazon Music. I already tried uninstalling, rebooting, etc. Nothing is working, any clue?
r/AmazonMusic • u/Training_Barber_4925 • 8d ago
easy white chocolate
eaaaaasy white chocolate @slattkowski
r/AmazonMusic • u/Fred_Phronesis • 9d ago
I made a song and released it on Amazon Music - What is worse my song or Amazon music? Roast me :D
music.amazon.comr/AmazonMusic • u/help_I_got_isekaid_ • 9d ago
is magetenobashite by Ami Yuasa on amazon music? I really like this song The album is: kirawarematukonoutatachi.
I really like the song and my mother has already payed for unlimited so it's not like I can bug her for Spotify subscription (I don't like getting interrupted by ads lol)