Apple Music Discussion Thread

[powerav]

Hearing this track in Atmos is what the future of hifi could be. It’s not objects flying around the room but just the simple strum of an acoustic guitar emulating from the front speakers and ringing through the room and ending in the rear of room. Breathtaking.

[Raffinator]

On 27/09/2023 at 4:20 PM, powerav said:

If anyone already has an Atmos setup in a room then for something like $200 for an Apple TV to play Dolby Atmos music is without a doubt the absolute best hifi deal ever. 

I just bought an Apple TV just for this purpose. I was a bit disappointed my Android based TV can't access the Apple Music app, despite my Android phone having it.

 

Will be trying it out next week with some of your music suggestions.

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

10 hours ago, John Raffin said:

I just bought an Apple TV just for this purpose. I was a bit disappointed my Android based TV can't access the Apple Music app, despite my Android phone having it.

 

Will be trying it out next week with some of your music suggestions.

If you are like me it will be the best $279 you've spent on your system, so much upside for everyday use and Apples Music app and features is excellent on the Apple TV. Siri Voice search through the remote makes finding new music easy too.

 

I currently listen to a downmixed 5.1 version of the Atmos soundtracks and even that is impressive.

 

As a side note, you can also output the stereo sound from the ATV to your Hegel 390 using Airplay if its something that interested you.

[betty boop]

Have owned most gen of appletv to current and can’t beat as media streamer 

use Apple TV music for a lot of music videos in the library too …

[powerav]

Yup fully agree with this fellas take on the current state of Atmos music, it’s the the older albums that have been remixed with care and love while the newer pop albums just seem to press the upmix button to just get the Atmos logo on them. 

 

Edited October 6, 2023 by powerav

[LHC]

For clarification when members write 'Apple TV', they are referring to a hardware set top box, and not referring to a software app to access Apple subscription services? 

[betty boop]

2 hours ago, LHC said:

For clarification when members write 'Apple TV', they are referring to a hardware set top box, and not referring to a software app to access Apple subscription services? 

am referring to the apple TV box...which has been around for many years and across many generation of release...upto 6th gen i think...

 

are you thinking of Apple TV+ that is the subscription service

https://tv.apple.com 

[LHC]

1 hour ago, betty boop said:

am referring to the apple TV box...which has been around for many years and across many generation of release...upto 6th gen i think...

 

are you thinking of Apple TV+ that is the subscription service

https://tv.apple.com 

 

To access Apple TV+ subscription service one still needs to open an 'Apple TV' app on certain platforms. That was my confusion as they shared the same name. On my Mac it has the logo below. 

 

[betty boop]

10 hours ago, LHC said:

'Apple TV' app

 

its just  called "tv" i realise the confusion and am sure apple is doing their best to distinguish best they can as well

 

that allows to access the tv+ subscription 

Edited October 8, 2023 by betty boop

[Grant Slack]

On 7/10/2023 at 8:33 PM, LHC said:

For clarification when members write 'Apple TV', they are referring to a hardware set top box, and not referring to a software app to access Apple subscription services? 

Hi LHC,

 

Apple actually call it the Apple TV 4K these days, and yes, that is the product under discussion. The posts usually say “I bought an Apple TV”, or “on the Apple TV”, etc.

 

I also see you used the term “set top box” (STB). That usually refers to a unit that connects to a DTV aerial and can receive digital TV broadcasts, ie live over-air TV. Satellite TV decoders and cable TV decoders (like Foxtel) also count as STBs. All modern STBs can also stream a limited range of streaming services, and most also have a hard drive that can record DTV broadcasts. Since the Apple TV 4K (or Amazon Firestick) cannot handle live TV broadcasts, they are not referred to as STBs, and if you search on JB Hifi for “set top box”, you won’t find them listed there.

 

cheers

Grant

[Esoterica]

Just to add to the above, you need the hardware “box” that is Apple TV to stream in audiophile quality, via HDMI. Older generations have optical out. Just as a side question how do you guys stream in the highest quality from the 4K box? Seeing as though most preamps or integrated amps don’t have HDMI in. I have done it before but not sure how, as it was ages ago.

 

The main difference with the TV box vs the Apple TV+ app (which is available on many devices) is that the latter is only used to access Apple TV+ content. 
 

Now to the main reason I dropped in… I recently had my Amazon Music Unlimited free trial expire and have been without streaming for a week and couldn’t handle not having the convenience of being able to stream whatever I felt like, hence I looked for deals on Apple Music as it my preferred platform. I hate the Amazon interface and most else about it. Todal and Qobuz are fine but too expensive, so Apple Music it is. Seeing as I have several Apple devices too, it just integrates better also.

 

Finally to the good stuff, I found a cool way to get some free months of Apple Music. Courtesy of ozbargain, just download the Shazam app and in settings (I think) or somewhere there will be an offer of 3 months free. If you’ve used free trials before it will affect the deal probably, as in my case. I clicked the offer and was given 2 months free. I’ve used several free trials before so was happy with that. I expected to get nothing so saving $26 is good. 
 

Apparently when your free trial is nearly up you can cancel the subscription, delete the Shazam app and repeat the process. I don’t know if that works but will find out eventually.

[betty boop]

5 minutes ago, Esoterica said:

Just to add to the above, you need the hardware “box” that is Apple TV to stream in audiophile quality, via HDMI. Older generations have optical out. Just as a side question how do you guys stream in the highest quality from the 4K box? Seeing as though most preamps or integrated amps don’t have HDMI in. I have done it before but not sure how, as it was ages ago.

using a digital multichannel av processor or av receiver id suggest is what most folks are probably using ...thats what i do anyways if wanting to pipe the music through the system  

[Esoterica]

6 minutes ago, betty boop said:

using a digital multichannel av processor or av receiver id suggest is what most folks are probably using ...thats what i do anyways if wanting to pipe the music through the system  

Yeah I thought as much. My AVR is connected to my Primare I32, which has home theatre bypass. I probably did it that way since the TV box is connected to AVR. You have to do that to enjoy any Atmos content too.

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

Some streamers now have native playback of Apple Music, which is the game changer  we have all been waiting for to get cd quality and hires from the service for 2ch playback.

 

 

 

[Grant Slack]

1 hour ago, Esoterica said:

Just as a side question how do you guys stream in the highest quality from the 4K box? Seeing as though most preamps or integrated amps don’t have HDMI in.

Hi Ash,

 

Personally I use an AVR. But HDMI to SPDIF audio extractor boxes are simple and cheap, widely available for $30-$50.

 

cheers

Grant

[Lil Caesar]

...Just be aware that the Apple TV 4K "box" is limited to outputting audio @ 24/48 because of it's HDMI implementation.  

[powerav]

I’m still waiting for the dream product that can output Dolby Atmos vis hdmi and bit perfect stereo from Apple Music 

[powerav]

A definite Atmos reference album.

Because the bonus material is not in Atmos, it is not flagged Atmos but the main album tracks are sensationally Dolby Atmos 

[powerav]

Absolutely breathtaking. 

[powerav]

Wow! Some pretty cool Atmos stuff here.

https://music.apple.com/au/playlist/música-mexicana-in-spatial-audio/pl.80c172b78a6b4d92b05fca5a42dad045

[Nick44]

On 13/11/2023 at 3:48 PM, powerav said:

I’m still waiting for the dream product that can output Dolby Atmos vis hdmi and bit perfect stereo from Apple Music 

I bought an Apple TV 4k to stream Dolby Atmos Apple Music, I notice all Atmos tracks are lossless (up to 24/48 I believe?). 

Some stuff sounds great, I find big orchestral works don't sound nearly as good as a MC SACD eg.

Looking at Mac Minis etc they look like they can stream Atmos as Hi-Res Lossless ( up to 24/192).

I understand any Atmos via Apple is compressed/decimated via Dolby Digital Plus in any case, with that in mind would there be any theoretical (or real if people have compared) difference between the Hires and plain Lossless Atmos?

Cheers

Nick

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

My understanding is that all AM Atmos tracks are compressed so it won’t matter if the mini has the capabilities to stream Atmos in hi res, the source file is the limitation.

 

i could be wrong though. 

[Lil Caesar]

The only way to obtain anything vaguely resembling losslessly-encoded Dolby Atmos is via 4k UHD bluray discs.  ALL Atmos encoded material available online via streaming services is compressed into a dolby digital plus container with a very low bitrate.

[Nick44]

11 minutes ago, Lil Caesar said:

The only way to obtain anything vaguely resembling losslessly-encoded Dolby Atmos is via 4k UHD bluray discs.  ALL Atmos encoded material available online via streaming services is compressed into a dolby digital plus container with a very low bitrate.

Cheers both, that is what I thought.

Thanks Nick

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

1 hour ago, Nick44 said:

Cheers both, that is what I thought.

Thanks Nick

Dont let it deter you exploring Atmos tracks on AM, as you say there are some very good albums available that are enjoyable to listen too.