Sample rate

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.