We’ve been hearing a lot about lossless audio lately. Apple Music says it has it. So does Amazon Music. Tidal and Qobuz have it too, but Spotify doesn’t. (Yet. Or still.) Is lossless audio a big deal?

Lossless audio is the first step toward audio nirvana. But what is it, does it really make a difference, and how can you get it? Here’s what to know. There’s a difference, of course, between “putting ...