Best audiophile streaming option?

[XTheUnknown]

Hi everyone -

So here's a question for those of you that are into audiophile quality music. I'm wondering what the best option is to be able to stream the highest resolution audio possible over the B&O system (for those that have it)?

We have a GTPE and have multiple availble devices that support both CarPlay, AndroidAuto, (and even an Android 9 based Ibasso DX300 audiophile music transport that can be utilized as well).

So...first off, can the USB be used as a "Aux" wired transport if I wanted to send either Tidal Master quality downloaded music across or FLAC (lossless) albums from my DX300 music library? Or maybe I would just transfer to a thumb drive with a FLAC (or other lossless codec) directory?

Essentially, what's the best way you've found to play the highest quality audio through the system, whether pre-downloaded, or streaming? I'd love to hear suggestions as to what you all are doing?

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[Logal727]

Sirius obviously doesn’t sound good at all. Wireless CarPlay sounds surprisingly good depending on the track. I haven’t messed around with wired or USB.

 

[back_at_it_19]

Wired iPhone with Apple Music downloaded (not streaming) ”Lossless” quality (not default) wired Carplay (not wireless) gives CD quality at 24-bit/48 kHz. Wireless CarPlay is not as good. Definitely interested in better quality but not interested in jumping through more hoops.

 

[Jim D]

I use wav files on a 256G USB drive

 

[Matt Bagne]

You cannot stream lossless audio via Bluetooth, so only a wired connection will work if you want the best quality sound. Qualcomm is just now coming out with the first lossless Bluetooth technology called "aptX Lossless", but right now you need specific hardware/software to use it.

Here are some tips for getting best sound in your car: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-qBVuLg4IEyR/learn/how-can-i-listen-to-hi-res-music-in-the-car.html

 

[Jim D]

FYI: From the Ford website

How do I play music using a USB through SYNC®*?


When a device is plugged into the vehicle's USB port, SYNC will try to read the contents and determine if any supported music files are found.
The system will index any supported music files that are found. The SYNC system will then attempt to build speech commands from the indexed music files.
To ensure proper operation, you must ensure that your music files' metadata is accurate.
The supported music file types are .mp3, .wma, .wav, and .aac.
Playback of a USB device is initiated with the voice command “USB” or by using the menu/screen of the SYNC system. The specific information on starting USB playback, including what voice commands are available, can be found in the Owner's Manual.
You can also use SYNC voice commands for USB playback.

 

[XTheUnknown]

Just back from a little bit of experimentation with my Ibasso DX300.

I plugged in via USB and it did some indexing (took about 3-4 mins but I had about 70gb and almost 4,000 songs) and then allowed me access to my music.

A few interesting outcomes...FLAC lossless is definitely supported and the music quality was much improved and full; definitely less compressed and thin vs typical CarPlay/Android Auto.

It was nice to actually play source material that took advantage of the upgraded B&O system. Still not as amazing as the sound we had on our previous XC60 B&W upgraded system, but very impressive nonetheless. To be fair, we've only put a handful of hours on these new speakers so don't want to judge prematurely until they are properly broken in.

Unfortunately, the index didn't allow for me to search for artist/title, only to go forward/backward/random by track # starting at 1 (1/3865). Much thanks to Jim D and the post above to explain how to use voice to work the index. Definitely relieved to have SOME way to manage the tracks but will have to "guess" what I put on there or use my DX300 player's display to find something and then use the Mach-E voice to grab it.

My player showed that 16/44 was no issue but as I didn't know how to search my index at the time, I wasn't able to try 16/88, 24/96, etc. so we'll have to see if that works at a later time.

Streaming from Tidal or playing from Tidal or any other streaming app through the DX300's Android 9 based OS was a no go via USB wire. I would have had to go via standard BT which would have been compressed. At that point, better to just use my phone's wired Android Auto interface.

In short, using the DX300 is essentially the (VERY) expensive equivalent of loading FLAC files onto a $30 SD USB drive. Sync will read it, but only directory based FLAC files (and presumably other codecs such as MP3, or maybe AAC) can be read. No apps seem to work on USB mode.

 

[Jim D]

Just back from a little bit of experimentation with my Ibasso DX300.

I plugged in via USB and it did some indexing (took about 3-4 mins but I had about 70gb and almost 4,000 songs) and then allowed me access to my music.

A few interesting outcomes...FLAC lossless is definitely supported and the music quality was much improved and full; definitely less compressed and thin vs typical CarPlay/Android Auto.

It was nice to actually play source material that took advantage of the upgraded B&O system. Still not as amazing as the sound we had on our previous XC60 B&W upgraded system, but very impressive nonetheless. To be fair, we've only put a handful of hours on these new speakers so don't want to judge prematurely until they are properly broken in.

Unfortunately, the index didn't allow for me to search for artist/title, only to go forward/backward/random by track # starting at 1 (1/3865). Much thanks to Jim D and the post above to explain how to use voice to work the index. Definitely relieved to have SOME way to manage the tracks but will have to "guess" what I put on there or use my DX300 player's display to find something and then use the Mach-E voice to grab it.

My player showed that 16/44 was no issue but as I didn't know how to search my index at the time, I wasn't able to try 16/88, 24/96, etc. so we'll have to see if that works at a later time.

Streaming from Tidal or playing from Tidal or any other streaming app through the DX300's Android 9 based OS was a no go via USB wire. I would have had to go via standard BT which would have been compressed. At that point, better to just use my phone's wired Android Auto interface.

In short, using the DX300 is essentially the (VERY) expensive equivalent of loading FLAC files onto a $30 SD USB drive. Sync will read it, but only directory based FLAC files (and presumably other codecs such as MP3, or maybe AAC) can be read. No apps seem to work on USB mode.

It took me a few months to discover that I could use voice and say things like 'ok ford play nightwish ghost love score'

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