Spotify adds 'Exclusive Mode' audiophile feature for Windows PCs

"your computer may alter audio before it reaches your DAC by resampling it, mixing other system sounds in, and changing the volume. Turning on Exclusive Mode prevents this, which Spotify says allows for Bit Perfect playback."

"Exclusive Mode is currently only available to Spotify Premium users on Windows, but Spotify says it will also be coming to the Mac app in a future release. To try it out, go to the settings in the Windows Spotify app and select Playback."

"Users on Spotify's community forums have been requesting bit-perfect playback through an exclusive mode similar to features offered by other streaming services like Tidal and Amazon Music."

Spotify introduces Exclusive Mode, a new feature for Windows Premium users that maximizes audio quality by giving the Spotify app full control over device audio processing. This prevents the computer from resampling audio, mixing system sounds, or altering volume before the signal reaches the DAC, enabling bit-perfect playback. The feature will eventually come to Mac. Users must access settings, select Playback, choose their audio device, and toggle Exclusive Mode on. However, enabling this feature disables audio from other applications and Spotify's automix and crossfade features. This addition addresses long-standing user requests for bit-perfect playback comparable to competing services like Tidal and Amazon Music.

Read at The Verge