Preserving Deezer Hi-Fi Quality with Node

Hi Folks,

I’m switching to Deezer to get hi-res audio quality (1) and I want to make sure it’s preserved all the way.

My streamer is Bluesound Node which is plugged in my pre-amp (2).

I can stream to the Node using the Deezer apps or the BluOS apps that come with the Node. They both have a mobile and desktop version. I prefer using the latter. I’m on an Apple ecosystem so it’s macOS/iOS versions.

When using the Deezer apps (either desktop or mobile), the only way is to use AirPlay (that I assume is AirPlay 2 since all my gear is pretty recent). I read here that "AirPlay 2 protocol which authorizes streaming in 16-bit/48kHz from any Apple device (iPhone, iPod, iPad and Mac)". Deezer Hi-Fi is FLAC 1141 kbit/s according to this support page. Interestingly, when streaming via AirPlay, I perceived a small but annoying lag (~1 sec) when pausing or switching songs.

When using the BluOS apps (either desktop or mobile), I don’t have to explicitly choose AirPlay, it goes to the Node automatically. The controls are also snappier. I assume they use some other protocol to get to the Node. However, the BluOS applications are much less user-friendly than the Deezer ones that I prefer.

So my questions to you are:

1. Does audio quality gets degraded when using AirPlay? (does FLAC 1141 kbit/s "fits" into 16-bit/48kHz?)

2. Where the lag comes from when using AirPlay and is there any way to remove it?

3. How does the BluOS communicate to the Node? I’m not aware of a "Deezer Connect" similar to Spotify Connect or Tidal connect.

4. Am I overthinking all this?

Thanks for your help!

-Papyneau

(1) Why switch to Deezer?

• I want Hi-Fi audio

• Qboz is not available in Canada where I live

• I don’t want to use MQA, so Tidal is out of the equation.

• I leaving Spotify over the Rogan vs. Young incident. You can read my thoughts here.

(2) Not that is relevant, but here is the rest of my setup:

• McIntosh C712 / MC7100 (semi-vintage)

• Focal Sopra No. 1