Spotify has introduced a new ‘Exclusive Mode’ for its Windows desktop app, giving Premium subscribers access to so-called “bit-perfect” audio playback.

The feature allows Spotify to take full control of a computer’s audio processing, bypassing the Windows system mixer.

Typically, a PC may resample audio, adjust volume, or blend in system sounds like notifications before the signal reaches headphones or speakers. With Exclusive Mode enabled, those interferences are removed, delivering music exactly as it was mastered.

Spotify says the feature is best suited to users with dedicated audio hardware, such as external digital-to-analogue converters (DACs). It works in tandem with its recently introduced lossless streaming tier (up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC quality).

But there are trade-offs. When active, Exclusive Mode disables all other system audio on the selected device, meaning no alerts, video sound, or app notifications will be heard.

Some Spotify features, including crossfade, automix and equaliser settings, may also need to be turned off for optimal results.

The feature is currently limited to Windows desktop users, with a macOS rollout expected in a future update.

The move signals Spotify’s continued push into higher-fidelity audio, as it looks to compete more with rivals like Tidal and Qobuz, which have long catered to audiophile users.