6 Apps That Play Hi-Res Audio At Full Quality On Android – SlashGear

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High-resolution digital audio, often referred to as hi-res audio, signifies recordings that exceed the traditional “Redbook” CD standard of 16-bit/44.1kHz in terms of bit depth and sample rate. Once relegated to the sidelines by failed physical media formats like DVD Audio and niche download platforms such as HDTracks, hi-res audio has emerged as a pivotal selling point for major subscription music streaming services, including Tidal, Apple Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited. While Spotify has long promised hi-res and losslessly compressed streaming, it remains elusive for users. The debate continues regarding the audibility of these differences; however, studies indicate that the higher frequencies captured by hi-res and analog formats may influence our brain’s response to music.

Despite its growing popularity, a significant barrier to widespread adoption existed until the release of Android 14 in 2023. Prior to this update, Android devices lacked native support for playback exceeding 24-bit/48kHz, even when utilizing external digital-to-analog converters (DACs). This limitation compelled developers to devise workarounds for Android apps to fully leverage the capabilities of hi-res DACs. Even after the update, some hi-res streaming applications still do not support bit-perfect playback through their official Android apps. Drawing from years of experience navigating these challenges, I present a selection of applications that ensure you receive the full audio quality you are investing in, based on both documentation and personal testing on my devices.

USB Audio Player PRO for the most flexible app with the best UI

For those seeking to enjoy hi-res audio on Android devices, USB Audio Player PRO (UAPP), priced at .99, stands out as a remarkably flexible option. It effectively bypasses the 48kHz restriction found in older Android versions and supports bit-perfect playback from Android 14 onwards. The app is rich in customization options and provides clear information about file and playback resolutions. Beyond local playback of your personal music collection, UAPP can stream hi-res music over your home network from a DLNA server, a feature easily integrated into many network-attached storage devices or personal computers. Notably, if your music resides on your phone, UAPP includes its own DLNA server software, enabling seamless streaming to DLNA-capable speaker systems.

One of UAPP’s standout features is its ability to connect to your Qobuz and Tidal accounts, allowing you to stream hi-res content from either service. However, offline listening to their catalogs is not supported. Qobuz even directs Android users to UAPP, although it ambiguously states that “some” DACs can access hi-res playback through its native app, which is why it does not make this list. The combination of an appealing user interface, extensive customization, and streaming capabilities makes UAPP a formidable choice for audiophiles.

Tidal is the major streamer best equipped for hi-res

Tidal emerges as a leading contender in the hi-res streaming arena, offering native support for hi-res playback within its Android app. The service provides API access, enabling integration with other applications like USB Audio Player PRO. Following the transition from the lossy MQA format to FLAC for hi-res titles, Tidal’s website confirms that Android devices can play its hi-res FLAC-encoded tracks. This transition occurred almost a year after the rollout of Android 14, enhancing the overall user experience.

Since Summer 2021, Tidal has distinguished itself as one of the few mainstream Android music apps capable of controlling the DAC and bypassing Android’s audio drivers, allowing for bit-perfect playback even on older Android versions. This is particularly beneficial for users with older hi-res playback devices that have not received system updates. While Tidal may not boast the largest hi-res catalog—Qobuz holds that title—it still offers a substantial selection of hi-res titles, often featuring albums unavailable on competing services or only offered at lower sampling rates.

Amazon Music Unlimited is the most transparent streamer

Amazon Music Unlimited is another noteworthy player in the hi-res streaming landscape, providing a vast library of hi-res titles. Unlike its competitors, Amazon’s Android app excels in transparency, clearly displaying the output to your DAC alongside the file’s bit depth and sample rate. By tapping on the quality indicator during playback, users can access a detailed chart outlining this information. My experience with an Anker 24-bit/96kHz headphone dongle/DAC connected to a Samsung Galaxy S22 confirmed actual hi-res playback, free from downsampling.

However, the timeline for Amazon’s support of bit-perfect playback on Android remains somewhat unclear. A detailed post on Reddit from September 2022 suggested that it was not possible at that time, and the lack of clarity in Amazon’s documentation adds to the confusion. Despite this, the app’s recent improvements indicate a positive trend toward supporting high-quality audio playback.

Use Apple Music if you want the biggest streamer to support hi-res

Apple Music, the most popular music streaming service, has incorporated hi-res content into its primary subscription tier since May 2021, bundling lossless, hi-res, and Dolby Atmos offerings. Users are required to opt in to this experience due to the substantial file sizes and bandwidth demands associated with Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless Audio, which necessitate external equipment like a USB DAC.

Unfortunately, the Apple Music app lacks transparency regarding DAC output, only displaying the file resolution. My tests revealed that both my LG G7, equipped with a built-in ESS SABRE ES9218P DAC, and my Samsung Galaxy S22 with a 24-bit/96kHz Anker DAC showed the same information for hi-res songs. This suggests that, prior to Android 14, Apple Music’s Android app did not support bit-perfect mode. However, user reports indicate that Apple may have enabled this feature following the OS update, enhancing the overall experience for hi-res audio enthusiasts.

Neutron Music Player is for fans of DSP effects

For those who appreciate local and network playback of their personal hi-res music collections, Neutron Music Player, available for .99 with a trial version, is a compelling option. The app boasts an advanced audiophile-grade audio engine that operates independently of the OS music player API, delivering a unique listening experience. It supports hi-res audio output directly to internal and USB DACs while offering a rich array of DSP effects.

Neutron Music Player’s capabilities extend to playing files across various local network standards for music sharing. Furthermore, it can send songs from your Android device to a Chromecast or UPnP/DLNA receiver, applying all DSP effects, including gapless playback. While achieving bit-perfect playback may require some navigation through menus, the app still supports high-quality playback with DSP effects enabled, making it an excellent choice for those who value both sound quality and customization.

Poweramp Music Player is an old local playback warhorse

Poweramp Music Player, available as a trial version with a separate .99 full version, has long been a favorite among high-resolution music enthusiasts. Its robust feature set includes broad format support, including hi-res DSD files, a graphic equalizer, various DSP effects, and support for gapless playback and ReplayGain. Additionally, Poweramp allows for extensive customization, including custom themes and visualizers.

However, users seeking to ensure full-quality playback of hi-res files may find the process somewhat complex. Discussions on forums suggest that achieving bit-perfect playback can be challenging, and while Poweramp may upsample lower sample rates to match the maximum sample rate of your DAC, there are arguably more user-friendly alternatives available. Nonetheless, Poweramp remains a solid option for those who appreciate its long-standing reputation in the audiophile community.

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6 Apps That Play Hi-Res Audio At Full Quality On Android - SlashGear