Formats & sound quality

Getting started, updated October 23, 2026

Luma plays your files as they are: lossless formats losslessly, with no conversion and no streaming compression.

Supported formats

Other files (such as .ogg, .wma, .ape or videos) are counted as not supported during the import and skipped.

Bit-perfect: what does that mean?

As long as you don't change the sound yourself, Luma outputs the audio data unchanged. The equalizer is then taken out of the signal path entirely, even when it's set to “Flat”. What happens after that depends on your output device: AirPods and other Bluetooth headphones re-compress the signal for wireless transmission. For truly lossless sound you need wired headphones or a USB DAC.

These features change the sound when you turn them on:

• Equalizer with any setting other than “Flat”
• Normalize volume (changes only the volume, not the character of the sound; on by default)
• Cross-fade at the transitions

More in Sound: equalizer, volume, cross-fade. Which format suits what, and what blind tests say about audible differences, is covered in depth on the blog: Music file formats explained.

Gapless: seamless transitions

On live albums, DJ mixes or concept albums, songs flow into each other. Luma plays consecutive tracks without a pause, exactly like the CD. You don't need to set anything; cross-fade should be off (0 s) so nothing is blended.

Copy-protected music

Downloads from Apple Music, Spotify and other streaming subscriptions are encrypted and only work in their apps. Luma can't play them. Purchased DRM-free music (Bandcamp, Qobuz, HDtracks, 7digital, many iTunes Store purchases) and your own CD rips work without any problem.

Still have a question or found a mistake? Email hello@suenavus.com.