Weird and mysterious: algorithms and how/why they work for some some and not from others. In my case, in general it works so well that it tore me from Pandora after years of working on that one (I think initially having my entire library to “look at” and use, whereas pandora didn’t, must have made the difference at that time), and now I’m hell-bent on perfecting this one. I think the other commenters insight may have at least a bit to do with it (I mean, most of my original library was not gotten from Apple, but I’ve been streaming, rating, loving, and also getting their versions for a long time now, so it likely has an impact on the effectiveness…).

AHH! THERE IT IS!! Somehow my neurotic adhd brain KNEW IT! Lolol! THANK YOU! So how this reads to me, what it equates to, is that, sure enough, if I want the algorithm to “know” that “X is one of my favorite albums ever; you should play it often, base suggestions off it, etc,” really I should continue to download—or “add to my library,” rate, and “love”—their new shiney, lossless versions, NOT because it’ll sound better, but because, as you say, it has the “right parts,” the right digital info attached! 😵‍💫🤯😯

DUDE! I could barely figure out what I was asking, and you nailed it!!! Thank you for real! 💜🙏✌️

Apologies. This became, like, stream-of-consciousness, my god! But yes, that’s a question, but also, a stranger one: would it affect the streaming algorithm in any way to not have, in effect, “their” version of the album? It’s presented that way.