Music Assistant: 24-bit WAV Playback Issue

Are you a music aficionado who's noticed that your high-resolution 24-bit audio tracks seem to be losing their fidelity when played through Music Assistant, specifically when using the WAV codec with DLNA renderers or Squeezlite players? You're not alone! Many users have encountered this puzzling phenomenon where perfectly good 24-bit files are inexplicably down-converted to 16-bit. This article dives deep into this issue, exploring why it might be happening, how to potentially troubleshoot it, and what it means for your listening experience. We'll break down the technicalities in a way that's easy to understand, even if you're not a network engineer or a seasoned audiophile.

The Mystery of the Down-Converted WAV Files

Let's start by setting the stage. You've meticulously curated a library of high-resolution music, specifically choosing 24-bit tracks for their superior dynamic range and detail. You're using Music Assistant, a fantastic tool for managing and playing your audio, and you've configured it to output audio using the WAV codec. The problem arises when you send this audio to a DLNA renderer (like a smart TV, a network streamer, or a high-end audio receiver) or a Squeezelite player. Instead of the pristine 24-bit audio you expect, the playback device reports receiving only 16-bit audio. This means a significant amount of the subtle nuances and dynamic headroom in your high-resolution files is being lost in translation. It's like buying a premium 4K movie and finding out it's being streamed in standard definition. The core content is there, but the quality is compromised. This issue has been reported with Music Assistant version 2.7.0b15, installed via the Home Assistant OS Addon, and it appears to be independent of the music provider (like Qobuz), focusing instead on the player output and the codec selection. The troubleshooting steps provided by Music Assistant are comprehensive, covering network configurations, log examination, and device checks, but this specific scenario seems to persist for some users, pointing towards a potential codec or protocol handling quirk within Music Assistant or how it interacts with these specific player types.

Why 24-bit Matters and What Down-Conversion Means

Before we delve into the 'how' and 'why' of this specific issue, it's crucial to understand what 24-bit audio actually is and why it's desirable. In digital audio, the 'bit depth' refers to the number of bits used to represent each sample of the audio signal. Think of it like the number of shades of gray you have to paint a picture. A higher bit depth allows for a wider dynamic range and a more accurate representation of the original analog sound wave. 16-bit audio, commonly used in CDs, offers a dynamic range of about 96 dB. While this is quite good for many listening situations, 24-bit audio can achieve a dynamic range of up to 144 dB. This expanded range means that the difference between the quietest and loudest sounds can be much greater, leading to a more lifelike and immersive listening experience. You'll often notice finer details in quiet passages, a more impactful punch in loud sections, and a generally richer, more textured sound. When a 24-bit track is down-converted to 16-bit, it's essentially being