diff --git a/modules/astra-audio-route/android/build.gradle b/modules/astra-audio-route/android/build.gradle
index 2fe7ec9..bc1dc18 100644
--- a/modules/astra-audio-route/android/build.gradle
+++ b/modules/astra-audio-route/android/build.gradle
@@ -16,3 +16,7 @@ android {
     abortOnError false
   }
 }
+
+dependencies {
+  testImplementation 'junit:junit:4.13.2'
+}
diff --git a/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/AstraAudioRouteModule.kt b/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/AstraAudioRouteModule.kt
index 8af8893..5680603 100644
--- a/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/AstraAudioRouteModule.kt
+++ b/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/AstraAudioRouteModule.kt
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package expo.modules.astraaudioroute
 
 import android.content.Context
+import android.media.AudioAttributes
 import android.media.AudioDeviceCallback
 import android.media.AudioDeviceInfo
 import android.media.AudioManager
@@ -162,20 +163,30 @@ class AstraAudioRouteModule : Module() {
     } catch (_: Throwable) {
       emptyList()
     }
-    if (outputs.isEmpty()) return null
-    return outputs.firstOrNull { kindForType(it.type) == "bluetooth" }
-      ?: outputs.firstOrNull { kindForType(it.type) == "wired" }
-      ?: outputs.firstOrNull { kindForType(it.type) == "usb" }
-      ?: outputs.firstOrNull { kindForType(it.type) == "hdmi" }
-      ?: outputs.firstOrNull { kindForType(it.type) == "speaker" }
-      ?: outputs.first()
+    val predicted = if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.TIRAMISU) {
+      try {
+        val mediaAttributes = AudioAttributes.Builder()
+          .setUsage(AudioAttributes.USAGE_MEDIA)
+          .setContentType(AudioAttributes.CONTENT_TYPE_MUSIC)
+          .build()
+        audioManager().getAudioDevicesForAttributes(mediaAttributes).filter { it.isSink }
+      } catch (_: Throwable) {
+        emptyList()
+      }
+    } else {
+      emptyList()
+    }
+    return selectPredictedOutputDevice(predicted, outputs) { kindForType(it.type) }
   }
 
   private fun kindForType(type: Int): String =
     if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
       when (type) {
         AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_BLUETOOTH_A2DP,
-        AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_BLUETOOTH_SCO -> "bluetooth"
+        AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_BLUETOOTH_SCO,
+        AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_BLE_HEADSET,
+        AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_BLE_SPEAKER,
+        AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_BLE_BROADCAST -> "bluetooth"
         AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_WIRED_HEADPHONES,
         AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_WIRED_HEADSET -> "wired"
         AudioDeviceInfo.TYPE_USB_ACCESSORY,
diff --git a/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/OutputDeviceSelector.kt b/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/OutputDeviceSelector.kt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f175ee4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/OutputDeviceSelector.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+package expo.modules.astraaudioroute
+
+/** Prefer Android's media-attribute prediction, then retain the legacy fallback. */
+internal fun <T> selectPredictedOutputDevice(
+  predicted: List<T>,
+  connected: List<T>,
+  kindFor: (T) -> String,
+): T? {
+  predicted.firstOrNull()?.let { return it }
+  if (connected.isEmpty()) return null
+  return connected.firstOrNull { kindFor(it) == "bluetooth" }
+    ?: connected.firstOrNull { kindFor(it) == "wired" }
+    ?: connected.firstOrNull { kindFor(it) == "usb" }
+    ?: connected.firstOrNull { kindFor(it) == "hdmi" }
+    ?: connected.firstOrNull { kindFor(it) == "speaker" }
+    ?: connected.first()
+}
diff --git a/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/test/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/OutputDeviceSelectorTest.kt b/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/test/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/OutputDeviceSelectorTest.kt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94f081e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/astra-audio-route/android/src/test/java/expo/modules/astraaudioroute/OutputDeviceSelectorTest.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+package expo.modules.astraaudioroute
+
+import org.junit.Assert.assertEquals
+import org.junit.Test
+
+class OutputDeviceSelectorTest {
+  private data class Device(val name: String, val kind: String)
+
+  @Test
+  fun predictedMediaDeviceWinsOverConnectedBluetoothPriority() {
+    val bluetooth = Device("car bluetooth", "bluetooth")
+    val usb = Device("android auto usb", "usb")
+
+    val selected = selectPredictedOutputDevice(
+      predicted = listOf(usb),
+      connected = listOf(bluetooth, usb),
+      kindFor = Device::kind,
+    )
+
+    assertEquals(usb, selected)
+  }
+
+  @Test
+  fun legacyFallbackKeepsExistingPriorityWithoutPrediction() {
+    val speaker = Device("phone", "speaker")
+    val usb = Device("dac", "usb")
+    val bluetooth = Device("headphones", "bluetooth")
+
+    val selected = selectPredictedOutputDevice(
+      predicted = emptyList(),
+      connected = listOf(speaker, usb, bluetooth),
+      kindFor = Device::kind,
+    )
+
+    assertEquals(bluetooth, selected)
+  }
+}
diff --git a/modules/astra-audio-route/index.ts b/modules/astra-audio-route/index.ts
index e249a5f..9addd33 100644
--- a/modules/astra-audio-route/index.ts
+++ b/modules/astra-audio-route/index.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ declare class AstraAudioRouteModuleType extends NativeModule<AstraAudioRouteEven
 
 const native = requireOptionalNativeModule<AstraAudioRouteModuleType>('AstraAudioRoute');
 
+export const isAstraAudioRouteAvailable = native !== null;
+
 export const AstraAudioRoute = native ?? {
   addListener: () => ({ remove: () => {} }),
   removeAllListeners: () => {},
diff --git a/modules/astra-scope/android/build.gradle b/modules/astra-scope/android/build.gradle
index 9b82df4..5684311 100644
--- a/modules/astra-scope/android/build.gradle
+++ b/modules/astra-scope/android/build.gradle
@@ -33,3 +33,7 @@ android {
     abortOnError false
   }
 }
+
+dependencies {
+  testImplementation 'junit:junit:4.13.2'
+}
diff --git a/modules/astra-scope/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astrascope/AstraScopeModule.kt b/modules/astra-scope/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astrascope/AstraScopeModule.kt
index 40661db..ebe3301 100644
--- a/modules/astra-scope/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astrascope/AstraScopeModule.kt
+++ b/modules/astra-scope/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astrascope/AstraScopeModule.kt
@@ -79,6 +79,12 @@ class AstraScopeModule : Module() {
       GainBridge.activateSmoothFor(url)
     }
 
+    // Hard-prime while paused; unlike activateTrackGain this must not spend the
+    // first audible second gliding down from the process default (unity).
+    Function("primeTrackGain") { url: String ->
+      GainBridge.primeFor(url)
+    }
+
     // Conservative temp gain applied when a transition hits an unregistered URL
     // (unanalyzed track). JS keeps this at 1 while normalization is disabled.
     Function("setFallbackGain") { linear: Double ->
diff --git a/modules/astra-scope/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astrascope/GainBridge.kt b/modules/astra-scope/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astrascope/GainBridge.kt
index 53c99f4..a38af58 100644
--- a/modules/astra-scope/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astrascope/GainBridge.kt
+++ b/modules/astra-scope/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/astrascope/GainBridge.kt
@@ -89,6 +89,15 @@ object GainBridge {
     setTarget(gains[url] ?: fallbackGain, CORRECTION_RAMP_MS)
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Prime a paused player before play is released. There is no live signal to
+   * declick here, so publishing a zero-duration target guarantees the first
+   * processed frame is already at the requested gain.
+   */
+  fun primeFor(url: String) {
+    setTarget(gains[url] ?: fallbackGain, 0)
+  }
+
   /** Glide to an explicit gain (unity paths: no track / remote track / disabled). */
   fun setGainSmooth(linear: Float) {
     setTarget(linear, CORRECTION_RAMP_MS)
diff --git a/modules/astra-scope/android/src/test/java/expo/modules/astrascope/GainBridgeTest.kt b/modules/astra-scope/android/src/test/java/expo/modules/astrascope/GainBridgeTest.kt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a8daab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/astra-scope/android/src/test/java/expo/modules/astrascope/GainBridgeTest.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package expo.modules.astrascope
+
+import org.junit.Assert.assertEquals
+import org.junit.Test
+
+class GainBridgeTest {
+  @Test
+  fun pausedPrimePublishesTargetWithoutCorrectionRamp() {
+    GainBridge.putGain("test-track", 0.25f)
+
+    GainBridge.primeFor("test-track")
+
+    assertEquals(0.25f, GainBridge.targetGain, 0.0001f)
+    assertEquals(0, GainBridge.rampMs)
+  }
+
+  @Test
+  fun pausedPrimeUsesFallbackForUnanalyzedTrack() {
+    GainBridge.fallbackGain = 0.5f
+
+    GainBridge.primeFor("missing-track")
+
+    assertEquals(0.5f, GainBridge.targetGain, 0.0001f)
+    assertEquals(0, GainBridge.rampMs)
+  }
+}
diff --git a/modules/astra-scope/index.ts b/modules/astra-scope/index.ts
index 99c084f..18b2aea 100644
--- a/modules/astra-scope/index.ts
+++ b/modules/astra-scope/index.ts
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ declare class AstraScopeModuleType extends NativeModule {
   setTrackGains(entries: Record<string, number>, clearExisting: boolean): void;
   /** Glide to the registered gain for this URL now (mount/settings/late measurement). */
   activateTrackGain(url: string): void;
+  /** Apply the registered gain immediately while playback is still paused. */
+  primeTrackGain(url: string): void;
   /**
    * Conservative temp gain (linear) applied when a media-item transition hits a URL
    * with no registered gain (unanalyzed track). Keep at 1 while normalization is off.
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index d475eda..dceef5e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@
     "test:desktop-sync": "node --experimental-strip-types --experimental-specifier-resolution=node --test src/library/importMatching.test.mts src/services/desktopSyncPlaylistMerge.test.mts src/services/desktopSyncPolicy.test.mts src/shared/sync/conflictPreview.test.mts",
     "test:eq-share": "node --experimental-strip-types --experimental-specifier-resolution=node --test src/audio/eqShare.test.mts",
     "test:eq-math": "node --experimental-strip-types --experimental-specifier-resolution=node --test src/audio/eq.test.mts",
+    "test:audio-startup": "node --experimental-strip-types --test src/audio/dspStartupCoordinator.test.mts src/audio/dspStartupGain.test.mts",
     "test:lyrics": "node --experimental-strip-types --experimental-specifier-resolution=node --test src/lyrics/parsing.test.mts src/lyrics/presentation.test.mts",
     "test:now-playing-layout": "node --experimental-strip-types --experimental-specifier-resolution=node --test src/components/player/nowPlayingLayout.test.mts src/components/player/nowPlayingPreferences.test.mts",
     "test:haptics": "node --experimental-strip-types --experimental-specifier-resolution=node --test src/lib/haptics.test.mts",
diff --git a/src/audio/audioProcessingStartup.ts b/src/audio/audioProcessingStartup.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8de4532
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/audio/audioProcessingStartup.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,232 @@
+import TrackPlayer, { type Track as RntpTrack } from 'react-native-track-player';
+import { DspStartupCoordinator, type DspWarmupInputs } from './dspStartupCoordinator';
+import { useAudioSettingsStore } from '@/stores/audioSettingsStore';
+import { useEQStore } from '@/stores/eqStore';
+import { openLibraryDb } from '@/db/database';
+import { getTrackLoudnessByPaths } from '@/db/queries';
+import { factsFromRow } from '@/audio/trackAnalysis';
+import type { NormalizationSettings } from '@/audio/normalization';
+import {
+  resolveFastStartupFallback,
+  resolveStartupTargetGain,
+  type StartupTargetGain,
+} from '@/audio/dspStartupGain';
+import {
+  applyEqNativeStrict,
+  assertNativeDspAvailable,
+  primeTrackGainNativeStrict,
+  setFallbackGainNativeStrict,
+  setTrackGainNativeStrict,
+} from '@/audio/eqNative';
+import {
+  dbToLinear as eqDbToLinear,
+  flattenBandsForNative,
+} from '@/audio/eq';
+import { buildGraphicBands } from '@/audio/graphicEq';
+import { refreshEQRouteForPlayback } from '@/audio/eqRouteSync';
+import {
+  ensureGainRegistryStarted,
+  loadPersistedFallbackGain,
+} from '@/audio/gainRegistry';
+import type { AudioOutputRoute } from '@/types/audio';
+
+export type DspTargetActivation = 'none' | 'immediate';
+
+export interface DspPlaybackTarget {
+  url: string | null;
+  sourceType?: string | null;
+  activation: DspTargetActivation;
+}
+
+type WarmupInputs = DspWarmupInputs<NormalizationSettings, AudioOutputRoute, number | null>;
+
+const ROUTE_FRESH_MS = 500;
+
+function strictSyncCurrentEq(): void {
+  const state = useEQStore.getState();
+  const bands = state.mode === 'graphic' ? buildGraphicBands(state.graphicGains) : state.bands;
+  applyEqNativeStrict(
+    state.enabled,
+    state.enabled ? eqDbToLinear(state.preamp) : 1,
+    flattenBandsForNative(bands),
+  );
+}
+
+async function resolveTargetGain(
+  target: DspPlaybackTarget,
+  settings: NormalizationSettings,
+  fallback: number,
+): Promise<StartupTargetGain> {
+  if (!target.url) return resolveStartupTargetGain('none', null, settings, fallback);
+  if (!settings.enabled) return resolveStartupTargetGain('local', null, settings, fallback);
+  if (target.sourceType && target.sourceType !== 'local') {
+    return resolveStartupTargetGain('remote', null, settings, fallback);
+  }
+
+  const db = await openLibraryDb();
+  const rows = await getTrackLoudnessByPaths(db, [target.url]);
+  const facts = factsFromRow(rows.get(target.url) ?? null);
+  return resolveStartupTargetGain('local', facts, settings, fallback);
+}
+
+function settingsSnapshot(): NormalizationSettings {
+  return useAudioSettingsStore.getState().asNormalizationSettings();
+}
+
+function timingLog(
+  stage: 'base' | 'target',
+  reason: string,
+  status: 'ready' | 'failed',
+  elapsedMs: number,
+): void {
+  const entry = { at: Date.now(), stage, reason, status, elapsedMs };
+  if (status === 'failed') console.warn('[dsp-startup] stage', entry);
+  else console.info('[dsp-startup] stage', entry);
+}
+
+const coordinator = new DspStartupCoordinator<
+  NormalizationSettings,
+  AudioOutputRoute,
+  number | null,
+  DspPlaybackTarget
+>({
+  loadSettings: async () => {
+    await useAudioSettingsStore.getState().load();
+    return settingsSnapshot();
+  },
+  loadEqRoute: refreshEQRouteForPlayback,
+  loadPersistedFallback: loadPersistedFallbackGain,
+  applyBase: ({ settings, route, persistedFallback }) => {
+    assertNativeDspAvailable();
+    strictSyncCurrentEq();
+    const fallback = resolveFastStartupFallback(settings, persistedFallback);
+    setFallbackGainNativeStrict(fallback);
+    const eq = useEQStore.getState();
+    console.info('[dsp-startup] base-applied', {
+      at: Date.now(),
+      routeKey: route.key,
+      eqEnabled: eq.enabled,
+      preampDb: eq.preamp,
+      normalizationEnabled: settings.enabled,
+      fallbackLinear: fallback,
+    });
+  },
+  prepareTarget: async (inputs, target) => {
+    const fallback = resolveFastStartupFallback(inputs.settings, inputs.persistedFallback);
+    const routePromise =
+      Date.now() - inputs.route.updatedAt <= ROUTE_FRESH_MS
+        ? Promise.resolve(inputs.route)
+        : refreshEQRouteForPlayback();
+    const [route, resolved] = await Promise.all([
+      routePromise,
+      resolveTargetGain(target, inputs.settings, fallback),
+    ]);
+
+    // Route listeners normally keep this current. Reassert synchronously here
+    // so their defensive/no-op wrappers cannot release a guarded play command.
+    assertNativeDspAvailable();
+    strictSyncCurrentEq();
+    setFallbackGainNativeStrict(fallback);
+    if (target.url) {
+      setTrackGainNativeStrict(target.url, resolved.linearGain);
+      if (target.activation === 'immediate') primeTrackGainNativeStrict(target.url);
+    }
+    console.info('[dsp-startup] target-applied', {
+      at: Date.now(),
+      routeKey: route.key,
+      gainSource: resolved.source,
+      activation: target.activation,
+      hasTarget: Boolean(target.url),
+    });
+  },
+  onTiming: ({ stage, reason, status, elapsedMs }) => {
+    timingLog(stage, reason, status, elapsedMs);
+  },
+});
+
+let monitoringStarted = false;
+
+function ensureStartupMonitoring(): void {
+  if (monitoringStarted) return;
+  monitoringStarted = true;
+  useAudioSettingsStore.subscribe((state, previous) => {
+    if (
+      state.normalizationEnabled !== previous.normalizationEnabled ||
+      state.normalizationTargetLufs !== previous.normalizationTargetLufs ||
+      state.replayGainEnabled !== previous.replayGainEnabled ||
+      state.replayGainMode !== previous.replayGainMode
+    ) {
+      void coordinator.rewarm('normalization-settings-change').catch((error) => {
+        console.warn('[dsp-startup] eager settings warm failed', {
+          at: Date.now(),
+          error: error instanceof Error ? error.name : 'UnknownError',
+        });
+      });
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+function startBackgroundGainWork(): void {
+  // Idempotent and intentionally launched only after the safety state is ready.
+  // Its library aggregate, analysis, and whole-queue map are not play blockers.
+  ensureGainRegistryStarted();
+}
+
+export function startAudioProcessingWarmup(reason: string): Promise<WarmupInputs> {
+  ensureStartupMonitoring();
+  const warmup = coordinator.warm(reason);
+  void warmup.then(startBackgroundGainWork, () => {});
+  return warmup;
+}
+
+export async function prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(
+  target: DspPlaybackTarget,
+  reason: string,
+): Promise<void> {
+  ensureStartupMonitoring();
+  try {
+    await coordinator.prepare(target, reason);
+    startBackgroundGainWork();
+  } catch (error) {
+    // Fail closed. Do not let an unavailable DB/route/native bridge turn into a
+    // unity-gain burst; the next explicit command retries through the coordinator.
+    await TrackPlayer.pause().catch(() => {});
+    console.warn('[dsp-startup] playback held paused', {
+      at: Date.now(),
+      reason,
+      error: error instanceof Error ? error.name : 'UnknownError',
+    });
+    throw error;
+  }
+}
+
+/** Re-prime an already registered target after a paused queue transition. */
+export async function primePreparedTrackForPlayback(
+  target: DspPlaybackTarget,
+  reason: string,
+): Promise<void> {
+  if (!target.url) return;
+  try {
+    assertNativeDspAvailable();
+    primeTrackGainNativeStrict(target.url);
+  } catch (error) {
+    await TrackPlayer.pause().catch(() => {});
+    console.warn('[dsp-startup] target prime held paused', {
+      at: Date.now(),
+      reason,
+      error: error instanceof Error ? error.name : 'UnknownError',
+    });
+    throw error;
+  }
+}
+
+export function dspTargetFromTrack(
+  track: RntpTrack | null | undefined,
+  activation: DspTargetActivation,
+): DspPlaybackTarget {
+  return {
+    url: typeof track?.url === 'string' && track.url.length > 0 ? track.url : null,
+    sourceType: typeof track?.sourceType === 'string' ? track.sourceType : null,
+    activation,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/src/audio/dspStartupCoordinator.test.mts b/src/audio/dspStartupCoordinator.test.mts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72a3529
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/audio/dspStartupCoordinator.test.mts
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import test from 'node:test';
+import { DspStartupCoordinator } from './dspStartupCoordinator.ts';
+
+function deferred<T>() {
+  let resolve!: (value: T) => void;
+  let reject!: (error: unknown) => void;
+  const promise = new Promise<T>((res, rej) => {
+    resolve = res;
+    reject = rej;
+  });
+  return { promise, resolve, reject };
+}
+
+test('starts settings, route, and fallback reads concurrently and gates the target', async () => {
+  const settings = deferred<string>();
+  const route = deferred<string>();
+  const fallback = deferred<number>();
+  const started: string[] = [];
+  const applied: string[] = [];
+
+  const coordinator = new DspStartupCoordinator({
+    loadSettings: () => {
+      started.push('settings');
+      return settings.promise;
+    },
+    loadEqRoute: () => {
+      started.push('route');
+      return route.promise;
+    },
+    loadPersistedFallback: () => {
+      started.push('fallback');
+      return fallback.promise;
+    },
+    applyBase: ({ settings: value, route: output, persistedFallback }) => {
+      applied.push(`base:${value}:${output}:${persistedFallback}`);
+    },
+    prepareTarget: (_inputs, target: string) => {
+      applied.push(`target:${target}`);
+    },
+  });
+
+  const preparation = coordinator.prepare('track-1', 'remote-play');
+  assert.deepEqual(started, ['settings', 'route', 'fallback']);
+  assert.deepEqual(applied, []);
+
+  settings.resolve('enabled');
+  route.resolve('usb');
+  await Promise.resolve();
+  assert.deepEqual(applied, []);
+
+  fallback.resolve(0.5);
+  await preparation;
+  assert.deepEqual(applied, ['base:enabled:usb:0.5', 'target:track-1']);
+});
+
+test('concurrent preparations share cold warm-up but prime each target', async () => {
+  let settingsLoads = 0;
+  let routeLoads = 0;
+  let fallbackLoads = 0;
+  const targets: string[] = [];
+  const coordinator = new DspStartupCoordinator({
+    loadSettings: async () => {
+      settingsLoads += 1;
+      return 'settings';
+    },
+    loadEqRoute: async () => {
+      routeLoads += 1;
+      return 'route';
+    },
+    loadPersistedFallback: async () => {
+      fallbackLoads += 1;
+      return 0.5;
+    },
+    applyBase: () => {},
+    prepareTarget: (_inputs, target: string) => {
+      targets.push(target);
+    },
+  });
+
+  await Promise.all([
+    coordinator.prepare('one', 'play'),
+    coordinator.prepare('two', 'play'),
+  ]);
+
+  assert.equal(settingsLoads, 1);
+  assert.equal(routeLoads, 1);
+  assert.equal(fallbackLoads, 1);
+  assert.deepEqual(targets.sort(), ['one', 'two']);
+});
+
+test('a failed warm-up is retried by the next explicit preparation', async () => {
+  let attempts = 0;
+  let primed = false;
+  const coordinator = new DspStartupCoordinator({
+    loadSettings: async () => {
+      attempts += 1;
+      if (attempts === 1) throw new Error('db unavailable');
+      return 'settings';
+    },
+    loadEqRoute: async () => 'route',
+    loadPersistedFallback: async () => 0.5,
+    applyBase: () => {},
+    prepareTarget: () => {
+      primed = true;
+    },
+  });
+
+  await assert.rejects(coordinator.prepare('one', 'play'), /db unavailable/);
+  assert.equal(primed, false);
+  await coordinator.prepare('one', 'play-retry');
+  assert.equal(attempts, 2);
+  assert.equal(primed, true);
+});
+
+test('invalidation makes an existing waiter join the replacement warm-up', async () => {
+  const firstSettings = deferred<string>();
+  let settingsLoads = 0;
+  const applied: string[] = [];
+  const coordinator = new DspStartupCoordinator({
+    loadSettings: () => {
+      settingsLoads += 1;
+      return settingsLoads === 1 ? firstSettings.promise : Promise.resolve('new');
+    },
+    loadEqRoute: async () => 'route',
+    loadPersistedFallback: async () => 0.5,
+    applyBase: ({ settings }) => {
+      applied.push(settings);
+    },
+    prepareTarget: () => {},
+  });
+
+  const waiting = coordinator.prepare('one', 'play');
+  const rewarm = coordinator.rewarm('settings-change');
+  firstSettings.resolve('old');
+  await Promise.all([waiting, rewarm]);
+
+  assert.equal(settingsLoads, 2);
+  assert.deepEqual(applied, ['new']);
+});
diff --git a/src/audio/dspStartupCoordinator.ts b/src/audio/dspStartupCoordinator.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3fb8449
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/audio/dspStartupCoordinator.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+export interface DspWarmupInputs<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback> {
+  settings: Settings;
+  route: Route;
+  persistedFallback: PersistedFallback;
+}
+
+export interface DspStartupTiming {
+  stage: 'base' | 'target';
+  reason: string;
+  elapsedMs: number;
+  status: 'ready' | 'failed';
+}
+
+export interface DspStartupDependencies<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback, Target> {
+  loadSettings: () => Promise<Settings>;
+  loadEqRoute: () => Promise<Route>;
+  loadPersistedFallback: () => Promise<PersistedFallback>;
+  applyBase: (
+    inputs: DspWarmupInputs<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback>,
+  ) => void | Promise<void>;
+  prepareTarget: (
+    inputs: DspWarmupInputs<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback>,
+    target: Target,
+  ) => void | Promise<void>;
+  now?: () => number;
+  onTiming?: (timing: DspStartupTiming) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Coalesces the cold DSP warm-up while keeping per-track priming explicit.
+ *
+ * The three persisted inputs deliberately start in the same turn. Invalidating
+ * never releases a waiter with stale state: an in-flight generation joins the
+ * replacement warm-up before it resolves.
+ */
+export class DspStartupCoordinator<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback, Target> {
+  private basePromise: Promise<DspWarmupInputs<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback>> | null = null;
+  private generation = 0;
+  private readonly dependencies: DspStartupDependencies<
+    Settings,
+    Route,
+    PersistedFallback,
+    Target
+  >;
+
+  constructor(
+    dependencies: DspStartupDependencies<
+      Settings,
+      Route,
+      PersistedFallback,
+      Target
+    >,
+  ) {
+    this.dependencies = dependencies;
+  }
+
+  warm(reason: string): Promise<DspWarmupInputs<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback>> {
+    if (this.basePromise) return this.basePromise;
+
+    const generation = this.generation;
+    const now = this.dependencies.now ?? Date.now;
+    const startedAt = now();
+    let tracked: Promise<DspWarmupInputs<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback>>;
+
+    const task = (async () => {
+      const [settings, route, persistedFallback] = await Promise.all([
+        this.dependencies.loadSettings(),
+        this.dependencies.loadEqRoute(),
+        this.dependencies.loadPersistedFallback(),
+      ]);
+
+      if (generation !== this.generation) return this.warm(reason);
+
+      const inputs = { settings, route, persistedFallback };
+      await this.dependencies.applyBase(inputs);
+
+      if (generation !== this.generation) return this.warm(reason);
+
+      this.dependencies.onTiming?.({
+        stage: 'base',
+        reason,
+        elapsedMs: now() - startedAt,
+        status: 'ready',
+      });
+      return inputs;
+    })();
+
+    tracked = task.catch((error) => {
+      if (this.basePromise === tracked) this.basePromise = null;
+      this.dependencies.onTiming?.({
+        stage: 'base',
+        reason,
+        elapsedMs: now() - startedAt,
+        status: 'failed',
+      });
+      throw error;
+    });
+    this.basePromise = tracked;
+    return tracked;
+  }
+
+  async prepare(target: Target, reason: string): Promise<void> {
+    const now = this.dependencies.now ?? Date.now;
+    const startedAt = now();
+
+    try {
+      // Settings can change while a track lookup is in flight. Repeat against
+      // the newest generation rather than releasing playback with stale gain.
+      while (true) {
+        const generation = this.generation;
+        const inputs = await this.warm(reason);
+        if (generation !== this.generation) continue;
+        await this.dependencies.prepareTarget(inputs, target);
+        if (generation !== this.generation) continue;
+        break;
+      }
+      this.dependencies.onTiming?.({
+        stage: 'target',
+        reason,
+        elapsedMs: now() - startedAt,
+        status: 'ready',
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.dependencies.onTiming?.({
+        stage: 'target',
+        reason,
+        elapsedMs: now() - startedAt,
+        status: 'failed',
+      });
+      throw error;
+    }
+  }
+
+  invalidate(): void {
+    this.generation += 1;
+    this.basePromise = null;
+  }
+
+  rewarm(reason: string): Promise<DspWarmupInputs<Settings, Route, PersistedFallback>> {
+    this.invalidate();
+    return this.warm(reason);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/audio/dspStartupGain.test.mts b/src/audio/dspStartupGain.test.mts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4c8e999
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/audio/dspStartupGain.test.mts
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import test from 'node:test';
+import { dbToLinear, type LoudnessFacts, type NormalizationSettings } from './normalization.ts';
+import {
+  resolveFastStartupFallback,
+  resolveStartupTargetGain,
+} from './dspStartupGain.ts';
+
+const enabled: NormalizationSettings = {
+  enabled: true,
+  targetLufs: -12,
+  replayGainEnabled: false,
+  replayGainMode: 'auto',
+};
+
+const emptyFacts: LoudnessFacts = {
+  loudnessLufs: null,
+  samplePeak: null,
+  replayGainTrackDb: null,
+  replayGainAlbumDb: null,
+  replayGainTrackPeak: null,
+  replayGainAlbumPeak: null,
+};
+
+test('cold fallback is conservative and clamps a stale loud persisted value', () => {
+  assert.equal(resolveFastStartupFallback(enabled, null), dbToLinear(-3));
+  assert.equal(resolveFastStartupFallback(enabled, 1), dbToLinear(-3));
+});
+
+test('normalization off reaches unity only from loaded disabled settings', () => {
+  const disabled = { ...enabled, enabled: false };
+  assert.deepEqual(resolveStartupTargetGain('local', emptyFacts, disabled, 0.5), {
+    linearGain: 1,
+    source: 'disabled',
+  });
+  assert.equal(resolveFastStartupFallback(disabled, 0.5), 1);
+});
+
+test('an analyzed local track uses exact stored gain', () => {
+  const facts = { ...emptyFacts, loudnessLufs: -8 };
+  assert.deepEqual(resolveStartupTargetGain('local', facts, enabled, 0.5), {
+    linearGain: dbToLinear(-4),
+    source: 'stored',
+  });
+});
+
+test('an unanalyzed local track uses fallback while remote tracks stay unity', () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(resolveStartupTargetGain('local', emptyFacts, enabled, 0.5), {
+    linearGain: 0.5,
+    source: 'fallback',
+  });
+  assert.deepEqual(resolveStartupTargetGain('remote', null, enabled, 0.5), {
+    linearGain: 1,
+    source: 'remote',
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/audio/dspStartupGain.ts b/src/audio/dspStartupGain.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e95906
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/audio/dspStartupGain.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import {
+  FALLBACK_CEILING_DB,
+  NORM_MIN_GAIN_DB,
+  dbToLinear,
+  hasUsableReplayGain,
+  resolveFallbackGain,
+  resolveNormalizationGain,
+  type LoudnessFacts,
+  type NormalizationSettings,
+} from './normalization.ts';
+
+export interface StartupTargetGain {
+  linearGain: number;
+  source: 'none' | 'disabled' | 'remote' | 'stored' | 'fallback';
+}
+
+const EMPTY_STATS = {
+  lufsCount: 0,
+  medianLufs: null,
+  rgCount: 0,
+  medianRgTrackDb: null,
+};
+
+export function resolveFastStartupFallback(
+  settings: NormalizationSettings,
+  persisted: number | null,
+): number {
+  if (!settings.enabled) return 1;
+
+  if (persisted != null && Number.isFinite(persisted) && persisted > 0) {
+    const quietest = dbToLinear(NORM_MIN_GAIN_DB);
+    const loudest = dbToLinear(FALLBACK_CEILING_DB);
+    return Math.max(quietest, Math.min(loudest, persisted));
+  }
+
+  return resolveFallbackGain(EMPTY_STATS, settings).linearGain;
+}
+
+export function resolveStartupTargetGain(
+  kind: 'none' | 'remote' | 'local',
+  facts: LoudnessFacts | null,
+  settings: NormalizationSettings,
+  fallback: number,
+): StartupTargetGain {
+  if (kind === 'none') return { linearGain: 1, source: 'none' };
+  if (!settings.enabled) return { linearGain: 1, source: 'disabled' };
+  if (kind === 'remote') return { linearGain: 1, source: 'remote' };
+  if (facts && (facts.loudnessLufs != null || hasUsableReplayGain(facts, settings))) {
+    return {
+      linearGain: resolveNormalizationGain(facts, settings).linearGain,
+      source: 'stored',
+    };
+  }
+  return { linearGain: fallback, source: 'fallback' };
+}
diff --git a/src/audio/eqNative.ts b/src/audio/eqNative.ts
index 586892c..6d275f6 100644
--- a/src/audio/eqNative.ts
+++ b/src/audio/eqNative.ts
@@ -12,12 +12,54 @@ type NativeEq = {
   setTrackGain?: (url: string, linear: number) => void;
   setTrackGains?: (entries: Record<string, number>, clearExisting: boolean) => void;
   activateTrackGain?: (url: string) => void;
+  primeTrackGain?: (url: string) => void;
   setFallbackGain?: (linear: number) => void;
   setActivePostEq?: (active: boolean) => void;
 };
 
 const native = AstraScope as unknown as NativeEq;
 
+function requireNativeMethod<K extends keyof NativeEq>(name: K): NonNullable<NativeEq[K]> {
+  const method = native[name];
+  if (typeof method !== 'function') {
+    throw new Error(`Native DSP method unavailable: ${String(name)}`);
+  }
+  return method as NonNullable<NativeEq[K]>;
+}
+
+/** Fail-closed capability check used before any guarded playback release. */
+export function assertNativeDspAvailable(): void {
+  requireNativeMethod('setEqEnabled');
+  requireNativeMethod('setEqPreamp');
+  requireNativeMethod('setEqBands');
+  requireNativeMethod('setTrackGain');
+  requireNativeMethod('primeTrackGain');
+  requireNativeMethod('setFallbackGain');
+}
+
+/** Strict startup setters: unlike the UI wrappers below, failures must block play. */
+export function applyEqNativeStrict(
+  enabled: boolean,
+  preampLinear: number,
+  bandParams: number[],
+): void {
+  (requireNativeMethod('setEqEnabled') as (value: boolean) => void)(enabled);
+  (requireNativeMethod('setEqPreamp') as (value: number) => void)(preampLinear);
+  (requireNativeMethod('setEqBands') as (value: number[]) => void)(bandParams);
+}
+
+export function setFallbackGainNativeStrict(linear: number): void {
+  (requireNativeMethod('setFallbackGain') as (value: number) => void)(linear);
+}
+
+export function setTrackGainNativeStrict(url: string, linear: number): void {
+  (requireNativeMethod('setTrackGain') as (key: string, value: number) => void)(url, linear);
+}
+
+export function primeTrackGainNativeStrict(url: string): void {
+  (requireNativeMethod('primeTrackGain') as (key: string) => void)(url);
+}
+
 export function setEqEnabledNative(enabled: boolean): void {
   try {
     native.setEqEnabled?.(enabled);
diff --git a/src/audio/eqRouteSync.ts b/src/audio/eqRouteSync.ts
index ae60563..a421dcc 100644
--- a/src/audio/eqRouteSync.ts
+++ b/src/audio/eqRouteSync.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
-import { AstraAudioRoute } from '../../modules/astra-audio-route';
+import {
+  AstraAudioRoute,
+  isAstraAudioRouteAvailable,
+} from '../../modules/astra-audio-route';
 import { useEQStore } from '@/stores/eqStore';
+import type { AudioOutputRoute } from '@/types/audio';
 
 type Subscription = { remove: () => void };
 
@@ -14,6 +18,23 @@ async function applyCurrentRoute(): Promise<void> {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Strict one-shot refresh for the guarded play path. The normal listener is
+ * defensive; this version must surface missing native routing or a failed EQ
+ * profile restore so playback can remain paused.
+ */
+export async function refreshEQRouteForPlayback(): Promise<AudioOutputRoute> {
+  if (!isAstraAudioRouteAvailable) {
+    throw new Error('Native audio-route module unavailable');
+  }
+  await useEQStore.getState().load();
+  const route = AstraAudioRoute.getCurrentRoute();
+  if (!route) throw new Error('Current media output route unavailable');
+  if (route.kind === 'unknown') throw new Error('Current media output route unresolved');
+  await useEQStore.getState().setOutputRoute(route);
+  return route;
+}
+
 async function startEQRouteSync(): Promise<void> {
   if (!subscription) {
     subscription = AstraAudioRoute.addListener('onAudioRouteChanged', (route) => {
diff --git a/src/audio/gainRegistry.ts b/src/audio/gainRegistry.ts
index 3875df3..2ca0974 100644
--- a/src/audio/gainRegistry.ts
+++ b/src/audio/gainRegistry.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,17 @@ import { setFallbackGainNative, setTrackGainsNative } from '@/audio/eqNative';
 /** Persisted fallback gain (dB) — pushed before the stats aggregate on cold start. */
 const FALLBACK_DB_KEY = 'normalization_fallback_db';
 
+/** Single-setting cold-start read; no library aggregate or track analysis. */
+export async function loadPersistedFallbackGain(): Promise<number | null> {
+  const db = await openLibraryDb();
+  const raw = await getSetting(db, FALLBACK_DB_KEY);
+  if (raw === null) return null;
+  const gainDb = Number(raw);
+  if (!Number.isFinite(gainDb)) return null;
+  const linear = dbToLinear(gainDb);
+  return Number.isFinite(linear) && linear > 0 ? linear : null;
+}
+
 /**
  * The queue can change rapidly (drag-reorder); coalesce re-registrations. Kept
  * past the start-of-playback transition: registering a large queue marshals a
diff --git a/src/audio/playbackController.ts b/src/audio/playbackController.ts
index 676efce..ab58b69 100644
--- a/src/audio/playbackController.ts
+++ b/src/audio/playbackController.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@ import {
   queueLoadSettled,
   setQueueLoadErrorHandler,
 } from './queueLoader';
+import {
+  dspTargetFromTrack,
+  prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback,
+  primePreparedTrackForPlayback,
+} from './audioProcessingStartup';
 
 // If a background queue fill dies partway, the mirror no longer matches the
 // native queue — re-read the truth.
@@ -321,10 +326,13 @@ async function playTracksInternal(
     ordered = [...tracks.slice(0, startIndex + 1), ...shuffleArray(tracks.slice(startIndex + 1))];
   }
   const queueTracks = ordered.map(toRntpTrack);
+  const playbackTarget = dspTargetFromTrack(queueTracks[startIndex], 'none');
   useQueueStore.getState().setSnapshot(queueTracks, startIndex);
   setOptimisticTrack(queueTracks[startIndex], 'loading');
   try {
+    await prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'queue-play');
     await loadQueueChunked(queueTracks, startIndex);
+    await primePreparedTrackForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'queue-play');
     await TrackPlayer.play();
     usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackState('playing');
   } catch (err) {
@@ -342,10 +350,13 @@ export async function shuffleTracks(tracks: Track[]): Promise<void> {
   originalOrder = tracks.map((t) => t.id);
   usePlayerStore.getState().setShuffle(true);
   const queueTracks = shuffleArray(tracks).map(toRntpTrack);
+  const playbackTarget = dspTargetFromTrack(queueTracks[0], 'none');
   useQueueStore.getState().setSnapshot(queueTracks, 0);
   setOptimisticTrack(queueTracks[0], 'loading');
   try {
+    await prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'shuffle-play');
     await loadQueueChunked(queueTracks, 0);
+    await primePreparedTrackForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'shuffle-play');
     await TrackPlayer.play();
     usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackState('playing');
   } catch (err) {
@@ -361,18 +372,24 @@ export async function playSample(): Promise<void> {
   await ensurePlayerReady({ materializeRestored: false });
   await queueLoadSettled();
   const queue = await TrackPlayer.getQueue();
+  let playbackTarget: ReturnType<typeof dspTargetFromTrack>;
   if (queue.length === 0) {
     const sampleQueue = SAMPLE_TRACKS.map(toRntpTrack);
+    playbackTarget = dspTargetFromTrack(sampleQueue[0], 'none');
+    await prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'sample-play');
     await TrackPlayer.add(sampleQueue);
     originalOrder = SAMPLE_TRACKS.map((t) => t.id);
     useQueueStore.getState().setSnapshot(sampleQueue, 0);
     setOptimisticTrack(sampleQueue[0], 'loading');
   } else {
     const activeIndex = await TrackPlayer.getActiveTrackIndex();
+    playbackTarget = dspTargetFromTrack(queue[activeIndex ?? 0], 'immediate');
+    await prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'sample-resume');
     useQueueStore.getState().setSnapshot(queue, activeIndex);
     setOptimisticTrack(queue[activeIndex ?? 0], 'loading');
   }
   try {
+    await primePreparedTrackForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'sample-play');
     await TrackPlayer.play();
     usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackState('playing');
   } catch (err) {
@@ -383,9 +400,14 @@ export async function playSample(): Promise<void> {
 
 export async function play(): Promise<void> {
   selectPhonePlaybackTarget();
-  usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackState('playing');
   try {
+    const activeTrack = await TrackPlayer.getActiveTrack();
+    await prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(
+      dspTargetFromTrack(activeTrack, 'immediate'),
+      'controller-play',
+    );
     await TrackPlayer.play();
+    usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackState('playing');
   } catch (err) {
     await reconcilePlayerFromNative();
     throw err;
@@ -431,6 +453,17 @@ export async function togglePlay(): Promise<void> {
 
 export async function skipToNext(): Promise<void> {
   await ensurePlayerReady();
+  const [nativeQueue, nativeIndex] = await Promise.all([
+    TrackPlayer.getQueue(),
+    TrackPlayer.getActiveTrackIndex(),
+  ]);
+  await prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(
+    dspTargetFromTrack(
+      nativeIndex == null ? undefined : nativeQueue[nativeIndex + 1],
+      'none',
+    ),
+    'skip-next',
+  );
   const { tracks, activeIndex } = useQueueStore.getState();
   const nextIndex = activeIndex >= 0 ? activeIndex + 1 : -1;
   if (nextIndex >= 0 && nextIndex < tracks.length) {
@@ -448,6 +481,17 @@ export async function skipToNext(): Promise<void> {
 
 export async function skipToPrevious(): Promise<void> {
   await ensurePlayerReady();
+  const [nativeQueue, nativeIndex] = await Promise.all([
+    TrackPlayer.getQueue(),
+    TrackPlayer.getActiveTrackIndex(),
+  ]);
+  await prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(
+    dspTargetFromTrack(
+      nativeIndex == null ? undefined : nativeQueue[nativeIndex - 1],
+      'none',
+    ),
+    'skip-previous',
+  );
   const { tracks, activeIndex } = useQueueStore.getState();
   const previousIndex = activeIndex > 0 ? activeIndex - 1 : -1;
   if (previousIndex >= 0 && previousIndex < tracks.length) {
@@ -627,6 +671,7 @@ export async function jumpToQueueIndex(index: number): Promise<void> {
   // a shifted native index while the head is still prepending) — translate,
   // waiting out the fill only when the target isn't loaded.
   const queuedTrack = useQueueStore.getState().tracks[index];
+  const playbackTarget = dspTargetFromTrack(queuedTrack, 'none');
   useQueueStore.getState().setActiveIndex(index);
   setOptimisticTrack(queuedTrack, 'playing');
   let nativeIndex = absoluteIndexToNative(index);
@@ -635,8 +680,10 @@ export async function jumpToQueueIndex(index: number): Promise<void> {
     nativeIndex = absoluteIndexToNative(index);
   }
   try {
+    await prepareAudioProcessingForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'queue-jump');
     await TrackPlayer.skip(nativeIndex);
     useQueueStore.getState().setActiveIndex(index);
+    await primePreparedTrackForPlayback(playbackTarget, 'queue-jump');
     await TrackPlayer.play();
     usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackState('playing');
   } catch (err) {
diff --git a/src/audio/playbackService.ts b/src/audio/playbackService.ts
index a15e5cb..ffc0ef0 100644
--- a/src/audio/playbackService.ts
+++ b/src/audio/playbackService.ts
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ import TrackPlayer, { Event } from 'react-native-track-player';
 import { syncCarNowPlayingFromTrackPlayer } from './carSync';
 import { syncWidgetNowPlayingFromTrackPlayer } from './widgetSync';
 import { applyNormalizationForActiveTrack } from './applyNormalization';
-import { ensureGainRegistryStarted } from './gainRegistry';
-import { ensureEQRouteSyncStarted } from './eqRouteSync';
+import { startAudioProcessingWarmup } from './audioProcessingStartup';
+import { playForCar, skipToNext, skipToPrevious } from './playbackController';
 import { nativeIndexToAbsolute } from './queueLoader';
 import { useQueueStore } from '@/stores/queueStore';
 
@@ -13,11 +13,13 @@ import { useQueueStore } from '@/stores/queueStore';
  * controls to the player. Must not depend on React or the JS UI tree.
  */
 export async function PlaybackService(): Promise<void> {
-  // Whole-queue gain registration + fallback gain, headless-safe (Android Auto /
-  // Bluetooth starts with the app UI never mounted must still normalize).
-  ensureGainRegistryStarted();
-  void ensureEQRouteSyncStarted().catch((error) => {
-    console.warn('[eq-route] headless init failed', error);
+  // Begin the small fail-closed warm-up before a car/Bluetooth play command can
+  // arrive. Full-queue registration and analysis start only after it is safe.
+  void startAudioProcessingWarmup('playback-service-start').catch((error) => {
+    console.warn('[dsp-startup] headless warm failed', {
+      at: Date.now(),
+      error: error instanceof Error ? error.name : 'UnknownError',
+    });
   });
 
   const syncNowPlaying = () =>
@@ -72,7 +74,9 @@ export async function PlaybackService(): Promise<void> {
     scheduleSync();
   });
   TrackPlayer.addEventListener(Event.RemotePlay, () => {
-    void TrackPlayer.play().finally(scheduleSync);
+    void playForCar()
+      .catch(() => {})
+      .finally(scheduleSync);
   });
   TrackPlayer.addEventListener(Event.RemotePause, () => {
     void TrackPlayer.pause().finally(scheduleSync);
@@ -81,12 +85,12 @@ export async function PlaybackService(): Promise<void> {
     void TrackPlayer.stop().finally(scheduleSync);
   });
   TrackPlayer.addEventListener(Event.RemoteNext, () => {
-    void TrackPlayer.skipToNext()
+    void skipToNext()
       .catch(() => {})
       .finally(scheduleSync);
   });
   TrackPlayer.addEventListener(Event.RemotePrevious, () => {
-    void TrackPlayer.skipToPrevious()
+    void skipToPrevious()
       .catch(() => {})
       .finally(scheduleSync);
   });
diff --git a/src/car/carPlayback.ts b/src/car/carPlayback.ts
index c292698..8b79c9d 100644
--- a/src/car/carPlayback.ts
+++ b/src/car/carPlayback.ts
@@ -15,9 +15,8 @@ import { buildArtistList, filterTracksByArtist } from '@/library/artistGrouping'
 import { dbTrackToTrack } from '@/library/trackAdapter';
 import { playForCar, playTracksForCar, pause, seekTo, skipToNext, skipToPrevious } from '@/audio/playbackController';
 import { syncCarNowPlayingFromTrackPlayer } from '@/audio/carSync';
-import { ensureEQRouteSyncStarted } from '@/audio/eqRouteSync';
+import { startAudioProcessingWarmup } from '@/audio/audioProcessingStartup';
 import TrackPlayer, { type Track as RntpTrack } from 'react-native-track-player';
-import { useAudioSettingsStore } from '@/stores/audioSettingsStore';
 import { useLibraryStore } from '@/stores/libraryStore';
 import { usePlaylistStore } from '@/stores/playlistStore';
 import { useRemoteSourcesStore } from '@/stores/remoteSourcesStore';
@@ -57,10 +56,6 @@ async function initializeForCar(): Promise<void> {
       await useLibraryStore.getState().initialize();
       await usePlaylistStore.getState().refresh();
       await useRemoteSourcesStore.getState().init();
-      await Promise.all([
-        ensureEQRouteSyncStarted(),
-        useAudioSettingsStore.getState().load(),
-      ]);
     })().catch((err) => {
       initPromise = null;
       throw err;
@@ -71,13 +66,17 @@ async function initializeForCar(): Promise<void> {
 
 export async function handleAstraCarCommand(payload: CarCommandPayload): Promise<void> {
   try {
-    await initializeForCar();
+    // Warm DSP independently of catalog/library startup. Transport commands do
+    // not need to wait for a full library initialize; media-id/search commands do.
+    void startAudioProcessingWarmup('car-command').catch(() => {});
 
     switch (payload.command) {
       case 'playMediaId':
+        await initializeForCar();
         if (payload.media) await playMedia(payload.media);
         break;
       case 'playSearch':
+        await initializeForCar();
         await playSearch(payload);
         break;
       case 'play':
@@ -96,6 +95,7 @@ export async function handleAstraCarCommand(payload: CarCommandPayload): Promise
         if (typeof payload.position === 'number') await seekTo(payload.position);
         break;
       case 'toggleFavorite':
+        await initializeForCar();
         await handleFavoriteCommand();
         break;
       default: