@Brodric Yeah… that’s why. That is an exception… it most likely is sending bit perfect data. That is on a completely different level than using a PC and the desktop app.
Instead of Spotify have you considered Tidal? If you are in the US Tidal costs $20.55 for CD quality and MQA which the Tidal desktop will unfold to usually 24/96.
While a dedicated streamer is the best option, if you already have a Mac or PC that you can use just for music, get an Audioquest Jitterbug and a good USB cable, I use an Audioquest 1.5m Carbon, I find the sound quality to be very good, with no obvious noise issues. I have used a Toshiba laptop dedicated for music using JRiver, Tidal, and Vinyl Studio for digitizing vinyl at 24/96. The DACs have been a Benchmark Dac2 HGC and now a Lindemann 825.
Tidal has been working on their desktop player, and it is much better than when I first started using it. Which was right around the time they started MQA, I got a free 3 month trial. During that whole time they have been doing updates, this week was the first time I had to download a new version of the player. Cosmetically the same, but overwise a lot of the original bugs have been addressed.
One thing I miss with the new forum, we used to be able to put our systems in our signature. Let’s just say that my system is very good, well balanced, with plenty of detail and I am very happy with Tidal’s CD quality files. So if you already have a computer, give it a try. It will be better than using the Airplay’s built in cheap DAC.
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@Brodric thanks for answering.
@jeffstarr Thanks. I evaluate Tidal eventually, will definitely need same music material across all the platforms to actually compare them in my setup. Something will be revealed I’m sure.
Although I was crediting the speakers for revealing the issues, it is obvious that the weak link in the chain is the Airport Express hooked in the manner that it is, this hasty setup was done in purpose to see what both the PS gear and different speakers would reproduce. The result was that there are lots of speakers that won’t reveal, and in other cases is the electronics. In this case I hit the mark on the combo that won’t hide a bad source or recording.
I have zero interest in connecting anything via USB in my installation.
I’m happy with the sound quality of Spotify. I don’t want the drama of migrating my Spotify presence (all the favorites and artists etc that fine tune my Spotify experience) into Tidal.
Actually I was posting to the OP, I kind of consider someone with an Esoteric DAC to be aware of their options. And probably able to buy a dedicated player, if they want one.
Although if you have a way to get Spotify without using a USB connection, maybe you could connect Tidal the same way. I don’t believe there is any audiophile rule that says you can’t have both. I have no interest in Spotify, so I can understand that you could feel the same way about Tidal.
With either service I like being able to program a bunch of music, and that I can hear new releases without purchasing. If I wasn’t in the financial dumper, I would probably use it to audition before buying the download or the physical media.
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Exactly my thoughts with Monitor Audio speakers. I have tried PC, Volumio (on x86/rPi) and Marantz network streamer with different connections (usb/spdif/toslink) - conclusions are the same - Spotify is for smart phones / car audio / BT speakers. If you are after good sound quality stay away from spotify. IMO.
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Come to my place and I will demo how good Spotify can sound.
Data compressed audio, such as MP3s and Spotify, can sound pretty good. But there are much better options.
I was using DSJ Bridge2 as my Spotify renderer, it also sounded pretty good. Not as good as the Esoteric DAC, but still, I had no sound quality concerns with the DSJ and Spotify. Makes me wonder why Spotify doesn’t seem to be getting much traction in the wider community for its sound quality attributes. Maybe we get a different quality stream down here, don’t know. As far as I know I’m getting 320 kbps. Sounds great. CD isn’t beating it by much.
Thanks for the invitation @Brodric, but I’m on the other side of the world. 
Maybe the key device is DSJ. In my case the stream is also 320kbps (maybe different 320kbps for different regions?). It’s like a pillow is in front of the speakers or thick curtains when compared to CD’s or CD ripped flac. Most of the internet radio stations are unlistenable also. I have tried different Spotify renderers and no difference. Down the chain is Mytek Brooklyn DAC/pre -> Klotz MC5000 with Neutrik XLR -> M700’s -> QED Genesis -> Monitor Audio Silver 10’s - it’s quite revealing setup I think.
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I also dislike the sound of Spotify, even at its highest quality “Extreme” 320kbps.
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I’m trying something new (to me) with Spotify and I’m surprised how much I enjoy the sound.
Using the headless Mac Mini (where Roon server typically runs), I installed the Spotify desktop app plus Amarra sQ+. In this configuration, I’m essentially just using the Spotify app for Spotify Connect controlling it with an Android tablet.
I’m just really surprised by the sound quality and have been enjoying some albums that TIDAL does not have in their library.
In the end, I think this is all about Amarra’s sQ+ and it’s sometimes remarkable audio engine.
@Elk take note. Finally somebody who agrees with me!
ummm…I’m not sure how this relates to our topic of SVS Ultra Towers. But anyway, @Elk is the keeper of where stuff belongs here.
After someone suggested it on these forums, I purchased an Allo DigiOne Player with Volumio and it is exactly what Spotify needed to work best. After the last Volumio update, Spotify Connect is now working consistently at its highest bitrate. It gets very close to FLAC and it sounds a lot better than when I first got it. The Allo device made all the difference. However, bad recordings will always sound bad, no matter the hardware and software, except in the car as many have pointed out.
Can you post some links to the products mentioned, for reference.
SVS Ultra Towers
Allo DigiOne Player
https://www.allo.com/sparky/digione-player.html