As noted from the source, although it is common for users to access Android phones to stream content, the platform’s audio functionality seems to have some restrictions. This failing has been referred to as Android being “an audiophile’s worst nightmare.” The recently unveiled Auralic Lightningcast Android, however, solves this problem. This particular device is touted to be an audio streamer for Android with the capability to rectify the phone’s audio processing pitfalls, claiming to enhance the streaming experience on Android devices “exponentially.”
The Limitation of Android Audio Capabilities
The concern in question deals with the way in which audio signals are managed on an Android device. For some strange reason, the Android ecosystem is said to upsample all audio within the system to 48kHz. The reporting indicates that regardless of the quality of the audio file, be it compressed, like FLAC or MQA, all users will, because of this process, apparently hear a degraded sound due to this limitation. This form is said to be from all system-wide sources, which means no matter the source of the signal—be it headphones or streaming devices—the system processes the signal at 48,000 samples per second. Although some apps, including Tidal and QOBUZ, seem to be able to lift this restriction, iOS device users do not have this “annoying restriction,” as reported, which is said to be the reason why many people prefer iPhones for audio playback if high-quality sound reproduction is important.
Auralic’s Solution—Lightningcast Android
Auralic’s solution to this problem is the new device they claim is a streamer that can bit-perfectly stream music from Android phones: the Lightningcast Android. As we know, Android does a per-device-level system-wide audio resampling of sorts, so this would typically also pose a problem for signals sent through an Android streamer to external devices. However, reports state that Auralic has ‘taken the wraps off’ the new Lightningcast Android, which it claims is capable of streaming music directly from an Android device. This report also mentions that this feature ‘sounds too good to be true, but it truly isn’t.’ The Lightning casts are exclusively tailored for Android devices, hence the name.
The Functionality of the Technology
As the source recounts, the Lightningcast Android apparently fixes the resampling problem. It seems to use a streaming approach that differs from standard ones like Apple AirPlay and Chromecast. The source states these technologies do not transmit an uncompressed signal. However, Auralic’s technology reportedly enables the Android phone or tablet to transmit a digital audio signal with a sample rate of up to 192 kHz and a bit rate of 32 bits. This feature is said to allow listeners to experience what is termed “crystal clear audio.” Auralic achieves this by circumventing the Android device’s audio processor. The source claims that because streaming sources like Android process the audio signal themselves, it becomes impossible for the Android to resample the audio to 48 kHz, yielding enhanced sound quality. This process of bypassing and full system dedicated processing is claimed to enable bit perfect sound that is free of the compression caused by the system’s standard audio subsystems: standard audio routing within the speakers.
Groundwork Software and Additional Information
The resource gives some insight into the software foundation that Auralic employs for its technology. It mentions that Auralic’s software appears to be implemented on LineageOS 21 and 22. Regarding the new Lightningcast Android device, details are still scant at this point. It notes that not much is known about the device as of now, as well as the price range for the device upon release. Auralic is known for selling “quite expensive devices”, thus the source proposes that the cost of the Lightningcast Android is also presumed to be “a pretty penny”. Reportedly, the company intends to preview this new device in the High End Munich event that is set to happen next week. Information on the Lightningcast Android’s specifications and features will also be published, in addition to Auralic’s pricing strategies, aimed towards addressing the constraints of Android-based audio systems.
