topic Spotify losless in Streaming

Spotify losless

Fynn_D — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:23:17 GMT

Dear reader,

I was wondering if it is possible to stream lossless spotify (flac) to my chromecast audio connected to an dac.

Regards,

Fynn

Re: Spotify losless

David_K — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:02:37 GMT

@Fynn_D

Chromecast Audio does support FLAC (up to 96kHz/24-bit) so in theory I don't see why not.

https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media#audio_codecs

Re: Spotify losless

marcolopes — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 13:32:02 GMT

What about Google Nest Devices (like the Google Nest Mini)??

I already have Spotify LOSSLESS, but the Google Nest Minis do NOT support it!

There is no real tech reason why they should not!

The transmission is made with WiFi (from ROUTER -> SPREAKER and from SPEAKER -> SPEAKER when PAIRED in STEREO)

Can we expect the support for Spotify Lossless in the Google Nest Mini / Google Nest Ecoystem?

Re: Spotify losless

marcolopes — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:20:52 GMT

I’m John, engineering manager at Spotify. I helped develop the Lossless feature. https://www.reddit.com/r/truespotify/comments/1nf17py/im_john_engineering_manager_at_spotify_i_helped

This is a bizarre restriction as Chromecast Audio literally lists FLAC (up to 96kHz/24-bit) as one of its supported audio codecs so it should work out of the box.

https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media#audio_codecs

Currently Chromecast devices (at least the Nest Audio) don't even get 320kbps vorbis as it defaults to the 256 AAC that is also served by the web player.

ASKING A.I.

What this means for Nest Mini

FLAC is supported by Google Cast (so yes, the system could accept and decode FLAC).

However, for multi-room playback, stereo pairing, or Assistant responses, Google almost always uses Opus internally, because it’s efficient and easy to sync across devices.

So while Cast supports FLAC, your Nest Mini may not actually play it bit-perfect — the firmware can transcode it to Opus/AAC before outputting to the DAC.

✅ Bottom line

Google Cast supports FLAC, Opus, AAC, MP3, Vorbis, WAV.

Nest Mini can handle FLAC input via Cast, but in practice, audio is often downconverted/transcoded for consistency and sync, which is why Spotify Lossless doesn’t “light up” on it.

Re: Spotify losless

marcolopes — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:34:57 GMT

If this is TRUE, then Google would have to make a lot of changes...

"Currently Chromecast devices (at least the Nest Audio) don't even get 320kbps vorbis as it defaults to the 256 AAC that is also served by the web player."

When i play Spotify on my Google Nest Mini, the Spotify APP says it's streaming UP TO 320kbps...

Very lacking in info... :\\\\

Re: Spotify losless

MicFdL — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 08:57:55 GMT

In my case, too, is it possible to select "loosless" mode on any Google Nest Audio device (mini, audio, hub, or group). Currently, it's only available on smartphones and Samsung TVs. Why? When will Google devices be updated?

Re: Spotify losless

MicFdL — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:04:07 GMT

Can't you report it and update the firmware to make "loosless" work?Can't you report this and update the firmware to make it work "loosless"? That's unacceptable.

Re: Spotify losless

marcolopes — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 22:30:36 GMT

I just wish they solved (for the THIRD time in 2 years!) the problem with the VOICE commands playing music / executing routines! 😕 https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Google-Assistant-not-playing-ROUTINES-and-personal-playlists-on-Spotify/m-p/750541

Re: Spotify losless

Pt28 — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 19:45:42 GMT

This is frustrating for me too.

I run two Wiim devices and a Google Nesthub Max in my "downstairs speakers" group in Google Home. If I disable Google cast in the Wiim app I can connect to the Wiim devices and play lossless on an individual speaker via Spotify Connect, however if I want to use the group I have to enable Google cast and subsequently lose the option for lossless in my Spotify app.

Re: Spotify losless

PhilthyPhil — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:46:00 GMT

Also would appreciate if Google would update the Chromecast Audio firmware to support lossless via Spotify Connect (not Google Cast, which I have not seen any reference to in Spotify PRs/marketing).

I’m not sure what to think about the quoted / linked Reddit AMA, cause Spotify marketing materials specifically identified a firmware update is REQUIRED on the device to enable lossless setting in the audio quality configuration. Which means it DOES NOT work ‘out of the box’.

PLEASE GOOGLE there many owners of CCA that are Spotify users as well, and would love to leverage the convenience of this FABULOUS little device and its capable (enough) DAC to get HiFi sound to their (vintage) HiFi gear!

Re: Spotify losless

eventheminions — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 08:50:04 GMT

Just jumping in here to request that the Chromecast Audio and Chromecast Ultra get firmware updates to allow for Lossless Spotify playback.

Re: Spotify losless

kjli — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:21:01 GMT

yes i think so too.

Re: Spotify losless

marcolopes — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:01:17 GMT

I want it on Google Nest Mini Speakers...

Re: Spotify losless

eventheminions — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:10:10 GMT

I have to imagine the firmware update be pushed out to all cast-enabled audio receivers - Nest Mini, Nest Audio, CC Ultra, CC 4K, etc.

Re: Spotify losless

HorstSeehofer — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 07:33:01 GMT

Same here. Switching away from Google just because of this. Chromecast Audio was a great device but it's not acceptable it doesn't support lossless on the biggest streaming service.