Audio dropouts when using iFi micro iDSD DAC with Lenovo Thinkpad (ref#PW20W8)

Support
1

What’s happening?

· Other

How can we help?

· None of the above

Other options

· Other

Describe the issue

Hello, I have set up of a laptop (Lenovo Thinkpad Carbon X1) with the music on a USB drive attached to the laptop. I have the choice of streaming the output to a Sony Bravia TV which directs via toslink to my sound system. Music (never matter the resolution) or live radio never stops. If I connect the laptop directly via my iFi micro iDSD to my sound system I get drop outs on both radio and music. I am controlling it with Roon Remote on a Galaxy Tab. Appreciate if you could shed some light on this it is a mystery to me.
Obviously prefer directly via DAC - help appreciated

Describe your network setup

Videotron 1 GB, router make Arris model XB7

2

Hello @Wim_Blauw,

Thank you for reaching out to Roon Support — it’s great to see you back in the community!

To help us better understand the issue, could you kindly confirm whether the dropouts still occur when using the iFi micro iDSD in Exclusive Mode in Roon? This setting allows Roon to take full control of the DAC, which can sometimes help resolve playback issues.

As a next step, I’d like to enable diagnostics on your account so our technical team can take a closer look at what’s happening behind the scenes.

Before we proceed, please reproduce the issue once more and make a note of the exact time it occurs. Once you’ve done that, just reply here with the timestamp, and we’ll pull the diagnostic logs from your system to analyze the problem further.

Looking forward to your update!

4

Dear Vadim,

thanks for contacting me.

I reconnected the iFi micro iDSD in exclusive mode, and started playing around 12th May 15.00 via my 5 GHz network (I split the bands).

Then I got drop outs around 16.24, and at ca. 16.32 a very long one.

I disconnected the micro DSD and am now streaming via my TV again.

let me know whet next

Wim Blauw

5

Hey @Wim_Blauw,

Thanks for sharing a fresh timestamp!

Have you tested a hard-wired ethernet connection yet? This would be a good next step.

We were able to review a fresh diagnostic report, but didn’t see any failures around the time you’ve mentioned. Do you have any DSP active when the dropouts occur?

Also if you haven’t yet, I’d reboot both your router, Roon Server, as well as the iDSD and see if the issues persist. Thank you! :raised_hands:

6

Hello, what seems to happen is that if there is a drop out the cursor on the now playing bar is still moving forward like the music is playing however there is no sound.
This happens if I connect my PC directly to the DAC and using Galaxy Tab as control.
If I use my PC with Roon Server disconnected from the DAC streaming (google cast) via my Bravia TV I do not get this.

I had hoped you could see something on your logs.

7

Hi @Wim_Blauw ,

If playback shows as working as expected on your end, logs will not likely have any errors.

Does the same issue also happen when using the RCA/3.5mm outputs on the device? Or does it only happen with optical involved in the mix?