Add Bit-Perfect Playback (WASAPI Exclusive Mode) on Windows

[Alexandre_Bordat]

Now that Spotify Premium offers lossless streaming, it’s time to unlock its full potential for Windows users.

Currently, the Windows app routes audio through the system mixer, which can alter the signal (resampling, volume control, etc.). To deliver true bit-perfect lossless audio, we need a WASAPI exclusive mode option (similar to what Tidal, Qobuz, and others provide).

This feature would:

• Ensure the audio stream is delivered untouched to the DAC.
• Allow audiophiles and Hi-Fi users to enjoy Spotify at its highest fidelity.
• Make Spotify a true alternative to other lossless services for critical listening on Windows.

[legolas2]

Yessss, We've been waiting for decade. I prefer ASIO though.

[Alexandre_Bordat]

@legolas2: I’d also prefer ASIO, but from a mainstream streaming platform perspective, WASAPI exclusive might make more sense since it doesn’t require installing extra drivers. It would be a simpler solution for most users while still delivering true bit-perfect playback.

[ebannasch]

Pretty naive to claim the difference is ‘just drivers.’ ASIO isn’t free, it’s Steinberg property, requiring licenses, per-device drivers, and ongoing updates. Most consumer Hi-Fi DACs don’t even support ASIO, so it can’t be used at all. Its real purpose is low-latency, multi-channel recording and sample-accurate synchronization, none of which matter for Spotify or Hi-Fi streaming. WASAPI Exclusive, by contrast, is baked into Windows, works across nearly every DAC, gets continuous OS-level updates, and delivers bit-perfect playback without extra overhead. Choosing WASAPI isn’t just convenience it’s technically correct for consumer hifi streaming, and the notion that ASIO would inherently be ‘better’ here is completely naive.