I appreciate your candour and time given to the response. The (superior) alternatives in respect to the given objectives were given as these were also concerns shared by me and at the time of my personal search they were the top contenders. Napster I recall eliminating early due to bountiful issues and subpar features, however I admit their state in 2025 is unknown to me.

At day’s end, the goal of the ideal is never summited by the well-worn path of least resistance. Our thoughts whisper “at least it’s better than XYZ” so that our conscience, though we know it a lie, is lightened. But I’m blathering on the piracy Lemmy so I can be ignored.

Music is actually one thing I will always pay for. I use Apple Music because they pay artists more and they offer better quality.

If paying artists and hi-res audio are your primary metrics, why not Tidal or Qobuz?