Glossary term

Lossless

Encoding that allows the digital audio samples supplied to the encoder to be recovered on decoding. It may use compression, and it does not restore information removed before encoding.

Explained in depth

Digital audio & DACs

Lossless vs high-resolution audio: what each means

Lossless describes whether encoding preserves the digital audio samples supplied to it. High-resolution describes audio specifications, usually beyond the CD reference of 16-bit, 44.1 kHz PCM. These are separate properties. A lossless file can use CD resolution, while a higher-resolution label does not establish the original master, the playback route or an audible improvement.

PN
Pure Neo editorial
Updated 4 Oct 2026