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The Best Budget Audiophile Kit for Apple Music Lossless Audio

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The Best Budget Audiophile Kit for Apple Music Lossless Audio
The next big thing in audio streaming, Apple Music’s Lossless Audio option, is rolling out now globally. Listeners in India can now try high-resolution audio streaming, Spatial Audio, and Dolby Atmos at no extra cost. However, it’s important to note that high-resolution audio doesn’t work well with Bluetooth headphones or earphones; a Bluetooth connection simply cannot carry all the additional data that high-resolution and lossless audio require.

In order to properly take advantage of Apple Music Lossless Audio – or indeed any high-resolution audio, be it streaming from services such as Tidal, or audio tracks that you can play back on a supported source device – you’ll need a wired headphone or earphone setup. Although you can use most wired earphones and headphones directly with a source device, there are benefits to using additional equipment such as DACs, or even modifying your headphones and earphones with better tips or padding.

Thankfully, none of this needs to be expensive anymore; you can set up a basic audiophile kit on a budget. We’ve put together a list of the best affordable equipment to properly enjoy Apple Music Lossless Audio and other high-resolution audio – read on for our recommendations, which include headphones, earphones, DACs, and more.

Some tracks and albums on Apple Music are now available in ‘High-Res Lossless’ resolution

What do I need to get started?

Before we get into the actual recommendations, it’s important to figure out what you already have and what you’ll need to add to enjoy Apple Music Lossless Audio or other high-resolution music. The source device is an important part of the chain, and fortunately most popular platforms and devices, including smartphones, computers, and dedicated audio players, support high-resolution audio streaming and playback.

If you’re specifically looking to take advantage of Apple Music Lossless Audio, it will work on iOS, macOS, and is coming soon to Android as well. The maximum resolution of the stream or download will depend on the specific device and platform in use and the settings you choose, but Apple Music will be capable of streaming up to 24-bit / 192kHz resolution using the ALAC codec on supported devices.

While you might be better off using a Mac computer as your main source device because of the ability to connect wired headphones or a DAC, you’ll be able to stream Apple Music Lossless Audio even on iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. Other high-resolution audio files and streams can similarly be accessed on computers and Android devices too.

Apple Music is a premium streaming service, and is priced at Rs. 99 per month in India for regular individual users. You can get access to Apple Music through an Apple One Plan, which also includes access to Apple Arcade, Apple TV+ and iCloud storage. Interestingly, Lossless Audio on Apple Music is available to users at no extra cost over and above the basic subscription, making this an excellent value proposition even if you don’t have Apple devices. Other services such as Tidal aren’t officially available in India, and cost a fair bit more.

The most important part of the chain – the headphones (or earphones)

As anyone in the know will tell you, the most important component in any audio chain, be it wired or wireless, is the output device. For a decent budget personal audio setup, you’ll need a decent pair of wired headphones or earphones, and fortunately, many audiophile-friendly options are available at affordable prices.

While there’s no real limit to how much you can spend, a decent pair of audiophile earphones will cost at least around Rs. 2,000, and you can get pretty good options at up to Rs. 10,000 if you can bump up your budget a bit. Here are our top picks among headphones and earphones on a reasonable budget.

KZ ZSN Pro X: Priced at Rs. 1,899 in India, the KZ ZSN Pro X is the ideal pair of audiophile earphones for anyone on a budget. It’s affordable, looks good, is well built. It gets the sonic signature right with plenty of detail in the sound, along with punchy, strong bass. The detachable earphone cable is a big advantage as well.

kz zsn pro x review cover new

The KZ ZSN Pro X is loud, detailed, and offers excellent value for money

Moondrop Spaceship: Perhaps the most beautiful pair of budget audiophile earphones around, the Rs. 1,699 Moondrop Spaceship has a balanced, gentle sound, and works well with good amplification. Although not quite as detailed as the KZ ZSN Pro X or even as customisable, this is an all-rounder in that you can use it with pretty much any genre, source device, and audio resolution, all with decent results.

Blon BL-03: One of the most highly regarded pairs of budget audiophile earphones around, the Rs. 2,299 is a popular option for its tonal excellence, natural and engaging sound, and immense value for money. The detachable braided cable is a helpful touch as well, making this a great way to get into audiophile listening on a budget.

Sony MDR-XB55AP: Part of Sony’s Extra Bass lineup, the Sony MDR-XB55AP is priced at Rs. 2,490 and delivers exactly as promised: a bass-heavy, aggressive sound. Usefully, this isn’t all grunt; the bass is tight and refined, and wired connectivity will help the earphones bring out as much detail in the sound as possible while giving the bass a considerable push.

Mi Dual-Driver Earphones: Although not what you’d typically consider ‘audiophile’ equipment, the Mi Dual-Driver Earphones are among the most affordable decent wired earphones you can buy at under Rs. 1,000. The bass can sometimes be a bit rough, but the sound is detailed, and this headset is great value for money.

AKG K52: This isn’t a recent launch by any means; we reviewed the AKG K52 back in 2016. It’s still an excellent value-for-money option at Rs. 1,999, offering a comfortable over-ear fit, 3.5mm connectivity, and tonally excellent sound quality.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: Among the most expensive options in our list of recommendations, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x comes from a reputed line of monitor-grade headphones and is priced at Rs. 4,599 in India. The fit is comfortable, the sound is balanced, and you’ll get a decent experience with high-resolution music with these headphones.

Do I need a DAC-amplifier?

Although you don’t strictly need a DAC-amplifier and can plug your wired earphones directly into your source device (with the help of an adapter or dongle, in some cases), it will help to have one. The integrated DACs in most smartphones and computers are quite ordinary, so a dedicated unit will provide not only better digital-to-analogue conversion, but also decent amplification for your headphones or earphones.

There are a number of options in the budget segment when it comes to DACs, and here are our recommendations for the best ones you can buy on a budget.

iBasso DC03: Priced at Rs. 4,999, the iBasso DC03 is a compact DAC-amplifier that would be best used with an Android smartphone, but can also be put to good use with a Windows or macOS computer thanks to an included adapter. It plugs in to either a USB Type-C or Type-A port, and outputs through its 3.5mm headphone jack to the earphones or headphones of your choice.

ibasso dc03 review plugged

The iBasso DC03 can be connected to both USB Type-C and Type-A source devices

Although small and relatively inexpensive, the iBasso DC03 is a capable device in many ways, offering enhanced detail and gain in the sound, ease of use, and the ability to drive most budget and mid-range headphones and earphones suitably well. This is among the best budget DACs you can buy right now.

Shanling UA1: Although not quite as capable as the iBasso DC03 when it comes to detail and overall performance, the Shanling is equally easy to use, just as compact, and a fair bit more affordable at Rs. 3,999. You can use this with USB Type-C and Type-A source devices, as well as with iOS devices, provided they have the right adapter or port.

While it’s a great DAC-amplifier for budget earphones, the Shanling UA1 didn’t drive more expensive and bigger headphones quite as well, and the amplification was a bit shrill and excessive in some cases. However, it’s a worthwhile device for the price, especially if you intend to pair it with budget audiophile earphones.

Fiio BTR3K: Priced at around Rs. 6,500, the Fiio BTR3K is both a wired DAC-amplifier as well as a Bluetooth receiver for your wired headphones. Although the latter function won’t really help with high-resolution audio, the former means that you can use this device with Apple Music’s Lossless Audio tier.

With a dual-DAC setup, this device is more than capable of serving as a DAC, and has the added benefit of letting you use your favourite wired earphones over Bluetooth when you prefer the convenience of being untethered from your smartphone or tablet.

Other accessories that you might need

If you’re using a source device with a 3.5mm headphone jack, you’ll only need a good pair of wired headphones or earphones to enjoy high-resolution audio. Although some modern Android smartphones such as the LG Velvet (Review) and Realme GT 5G do have 3.5mm headphone jacks, most devices don’t. If you aren’t using a DAC with Type-C connectivity, you’ll need a dongle or adapter to let you plug in your wired earphones on devices that don’t have a headphone jack.

There are plenty of affordable options, but you do need to watch out for compatibility with your specific smartphone. The most affordable options are passive dongles and usually cost under Rs. 500, but these will only work with smartphones that have a built-in DAC. If your smartphone doesn’t have this, or if you want to bypass it with something better, you’ll need an active dongle – essentially an external DAC – similar to the options we listed in the previous section.

If you have an Apple smartphone or tablet, you’ll need the right adapter for it. The official Apple Lightning to 3.5mm adapter is priced at Rs. 900. If you want to connect a DAC to your iPhone or iPad, you’ll need the Lightning-to-USB adapter, which is priced at Rs. 2,900. Additionally, basic accessories such as aftermarket foam ear tips, foam padding for headphones, or a good carry case will help you get the best out of your setup, or keep it in good condition.

Basic setups by price

Under Rs. 1,000: If you have a smartphone with a 3.5mm headphone jack, you can get started with just a wired headset such as the Rs. 799 Mi Dual-Driver Earphones, which will keep costs down.

Under Rs. 5,000: If you have a modern iPhone, you can pick up the basic Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter and a decent headset such as the KZ ZSN Pro X for a beginner setup priced at under Rs. 5,000.

Under Rs. 10,000: With a higher budget, you can add a DAC into the chain regardless of the source device in use. The iBasso DC03 will combine well with the Audio Technica ATH-M20x for just under Rs. 10,000, but you could also get a more affordable headset such as the Moondrop Spaceship in case you also need to factor in the Lightning-to-USB adapter needed to connect a DAC to an iPhone.


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Microsoft Partners With Inworld to Bring AI Game Development Tools to Xbox

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Microsoft Partners With Inworld to Bring AI Game Development Tools to Xbox


Microsoft is teaming up with Inworld AI to create game development tools for Xbox, enabling developers to create characters, generate entire scripts and quests, and more. The multi-year deal brings an AI design copilot and an AI character runtime engine to the forefront, both of them being totally optional to use and to varying degrees. Of course, the use of AI in art has been criticised by many for simply lacking originality, in addition to running the risk of fewer jobs for artists — a growing fear among many considering the alarming number of layoffs seen at game studios this year in an attempt to cut costs.

“At Xbox, we believe that with better tools, creators can make even more extraordinary games,” Haiyan Zhang, GM, Xbox Gaming AI, said in a blog post. “This partnership will bring together: Inworld’s expertise in working with generative AI models for character development, Microsoft’s cutting-edge cloud-based AI solutions including Azure OpenAI Service, Microsoft Research’s technical insights into the future of play, and Team Xbox’s strengths in revolutionizing accessible and responsible creator tools for all developers.”

The aforementioned AI design copilot is a toolset that will help game designers turn prompts into scripts and dialogue trees. In contrast, the character runtime will enable dynamically generated plot beats and quests. We’ve already seen heavy AI integration in games by way of procedural generation — a more recent example being the 1000+ planets in Starfield. Not to mention, enemy AI has been around for way longer.

Inworld made headlines in August when it launched a modded story mode for Grand Theft Auto V, Sentient Streets, in which players had to investigate the rise of a bizarre AI-worshipping cult — a segment loaded with characters that spoke in AI-generated dialogue, on the fly. The mod was later taken down by publisher Take-Two, leaving a permanent strike on the creator Bloc’s YouTube channel. As per The Verge, Inworld’s AI technology can also be used for narration in top-down RPGs to warn players about any events awaiting off-screen and respond to questions like we’ve seen in the past year with AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing Chat. Microsoft has also been heavily banking on artificial intelligence, having made a $10 billion (about Rs. 83,254 crore) investment in OpenAI. The company has also integrated AI tools into its popular suite of services and also added an AI copilot to Windows.

Despite being a Microsoft-affiliated AI toolset, it would be interesting to see whether titles using them will be allowed to thrive on other platforms. In July, Valve claimed that it would be cracking down on games that included AI-generated assets if the developer didn’t own the copyright to the piece of art. For the uninitiated, when you insert a prompt to create something in AI, the software simply repurposes existing assets found online and mushes them together — basically stealing from other artists and writers without appropriate commercial licenses. Infringing them would lead to the game not being distributed on Steam, forcing the developers to seek proper licenses for the asset by reaching out to the AI companies involved. It’s unclear how Microsoft’s partnership will play out — as long as AI content is being used as a catalyst to innovate and create something new, it should be fine.


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BSNL Offers Free 4G SIM Upgrade: Here’s How to Get It

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BSNL Offers Free 4G SIM Upgrade: Here’s How to Get It


BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) is a state-owned telecommunication company in India. Earlier this year in May, the government said that the firm started rolling out 4G services in the country. By December, the networks were said to be upgraded to 5G. However, at the India Mobile Congress, BSNL chairman P K Purwar said that the company will launch 4G services in December and then roll it across the country by June 2024. The chairman added that the 5G upgrades will take place after June next year.

In a post on X shared by BSNL’s Andhra Pradesh (@bsnl_ap_circle) unit, the company confirmed that BSNL users can upgrade their older 2G or 3G SIMs to a 4G SIM for free. Not only will the upgrade be free, but a promotional image shared with the post suggests that users who opt for the upgrade will also receive 4GB of free data that will be valid for three months. It is speculated that BSNL is aiming to boost its upcoming 4G services with this offer. The announcement was first spotted by Telecom Talk.

To access the free data offer and the free upgrade, BSNL users are requested to get in touch with executives at BSNL’s Customer Service Centre, franchisee or retailer stores, or contact one of their Direct Selling Agents (DSA). The promo image also adds in a finer print that the offer is available with certain terms and conditions, but hasn’t detailed any, so far.

Reliance’s Jio recently launched the 4G-supported Bharat B1 feature phone in India. The handset is priced at Rs. 1,299 in India. Alongside 4G connectivity, the phone comes with JioCinema and JioSaavn applications pre-installed.

The Jio Bharat B1 is equipped with the JioPay application, which is said to allow users to make UPI payments. Aiming to increase accessibility, the phone supports 23 languages overall, including multiple regional languages.


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Realme GT 5 Pro Teased to Feature 3,000 Nits Display; More Details Revealed

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Realme GT 5 Pro Teased to Feature 3,000 Nits Display; More Details Revealed


Realme GT 5 Pro’s launch date is not far away. The Chinese smartphone brand on Tuesday (November 7) confirmed the arrival of the new GT series smartphone in its home country. The Realme GT 5 Pro is teased to come with a display with over 3000 nits of peak brightness. It is also confirmed to pack a larger heat dissipation area for thermal management. The handset will ship with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. The Realme GT 5 Pro is expected to come as a successor to the Realme GT 5 that debuted in China in August.

Realme, via Weibo, announced the arrival of the Realme GT 5 Pro in China. The display of the handset is confirmed to offer 3000 nits peak brightness. It has also been teased to offer heat dissipation with a surface area of around 10,000mm2. It is confirmed to ship with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. The post doesn’t specify the exact launch date of the smartphone, however, given the release of the teasers, the launch could be just around the corner.

The Realme GT 5 Pro has been in the news a lot lately. It is expected to feature a 6.78-inch (1,264×2,780 pixels) AMOLED display and is tipped to come in 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB RAM options along with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB inbuilt storage options.

For optics, the Realme GT 5 Pro is said to have a triple rear camera unit comprising two 50-megapixel sensors and an 8-megapixel shooter at the rear. The camera setup might include a Sony LYTIA LYT808 sensor, an OmniVision OV08D10 secondary sensor, and a Sony IMX890 telephoto sensor. For selfies, there could be a 32-megapixel sensor at the front. It is said to carry a 5,400mAh battery with support for 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

The Realme GT 5 Pro is expected to come with upgrades over Realme GT 5. The latter was launched in China in August with a price tag of CNY 2,999 for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.


The Motorola Edge 40 recently made its debut in the country as the successor to the Edge 30 that was launched last year. Should you buy this phone instead of the Nothing Phone 1 or the Realme Pro+? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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