Apple Digital Masters Downloading As AAC (256)

Question

acurtis001 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apple Digital Masters Downloading As AAC (256)

Today I downloaded 2 different albums from Music> iTunes Store, both of which had the Apple Digital Masters (ADM) tag.

On Mac 15.2, both albums showed up as AAC, 256.

On iPhone 18.2, both albums showed up with the ADM logo.

The ADM download was even more expensive (5.99 versus 4.99).

1-How do I get the ALAC correctly download on Mac?

2-Why does it appear that the download being treated differently on my 2 devices?

Thanks.

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 8, 2025 03:00 PM

Reply

Answer 1

acurtis001 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 8, 2025 04:37 PM in response to ed2345

Thanks for the quick reply.

Per the article at Apple Music - Apple Digital Masters - Apple they say, "Apple Music now offers lossless versions of these masters using the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC)."

What am I still not getting?

Reply

Answer 2

acurtis001 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 8, 2025 05:02 PM in response to acurtis001

Been spending time on Qobuz, but never had cause to purchase from them.

They have a few options:

16 bit High Res 44.1
24 bit High Res 96
CD quality (what does that equate to?)
Also have a check box to filter on 'Hi-Res albums' (what does that equate to, as it seems that everything is "high res"?)

The high res option seems to consistently be about $1 more.

Any education as to how the above options relate to a typical "lossless" file (such as ALAC), would be greatly appreciated.

Fwiw...I'm listening on LS50 Wireless II.

Reply

Answer 3

ed2345

Level 9

63,434 points

Jan 8, 2025 04:10 PM in response to acurtis001

A Curtis,

The ADM tag means that the master recording of that track meets the Apple requirements. It does not mean they are selling the master.

The iTunes Store only sells tracks in AAC/256. It does not sell lossless tracks. You can buy lossless downloads at many other sources such as Beatport, Bandcamp, HDTracks, etc.

Reply

Answer 4

ed2345

Level 9

63,434 points

Jan 8, 2025 05:08 PM in response to acurtis001

When Apple says "lossless," they mean "equivalent to CD quality" (which is not a precisely correct use of the term, but that is what Apple means).

CD quality equates to 44.1 kHz sample rate, 16 bit sample size, 2 channel stereo. #1 and #3 on your list are synonyms. Higher bitrates, such as 96/24, is for very discerning listeners. They would normally be called hi-res. You can decide for yourself whether hi-res is worth the higher price, based on your own listening conditions and ears. Most of us cannot tell the difference.

Reply