diff --git a/server/src/audio.rs b/server/src/audio.rs
index 8c0812c..bf08362 100644
--- a/server/src/audio.rs
+++ b/server/src/audio.rs
@@ -131,7 +131,9 @@ pub async fn ear(alsa_dev: &str, id: u32) -> anyhow::Result<AudioStream> {
 // ─── server/src/audio.rs: build_pipeline_desc()  (replace entire fn) ─────────
 fn build_pipeline_desc(dev: &str) -> anyhow::Result<String> {
     let reg = gst::Registry::get();
-    let enc = ["fdkaacenc", "voaacenc", "avenc_aac"]
+
+    // Pick the first available encoder
+    let enc = ["avenc_aac", "fdkaacenc", "voaacenc"]
         .into_iter()
         .find(|&e| {
             reg.find_plugin(e).is_some()
@@ -139,10 +141,13 @@ fn build_pipeline_desc(dev: &str) -> anyhow::Result<String> {
         })
         .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("no AAC encoder plugin available"))?;
 
+    // All encoders are asked for raw elementary AAC; aacparse +
+    // capsfilter converts it to **ADTS** unconditionally.
     Ok(format!(
         "alsasrc device=\"{dev}\" do-timestamp=true ! \
         audio/x-raw,channels=2,rate=48000 ! {enc} bitrate=192000 ! \
-        aacparse add-adts=true ! \
+        aacparse ! \
+        capsfilter caps=audio/mpeg,stream-format=adts,channels=2,rate=48000 ! \
         queue ! appsink name=asink emit-signals=true"
     ))
 }
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