In reality, the bitrate doesn’t make all that much difference past a certain point. If you blind test it, you’re not going to be able to actually hear any difference between a 160, 256, 320, or even a 1,000 kbps MP3/FLAC whatever. That’s just not how it works.

What does have a big, noticeable effect are primarily:

1. different master recordings – this is often what people mistake for “better quality” when comparing digital copies versus streams, or this streaming platform versus that streaming platform. In fact, it’s because version A is based on a different remaster than verison B.

2. psychology. The placebo effect cannot be understated stated in terms of its impact on audio enjoyment. If your brain is expecting, either consciously or unconsciously, that would be a difference, then you will most likely hear one.

The long and the short of it is, just enjoy the music in the way that feels most enjoyable! Once you start fussing over audio formats and bitrates, the whole thing can easily descend into silliness very quickly.