Audio Stops Intermittently when I'm performing task on my brand new M4 Pro MacMini (2TB/64GB RAM)
Describe your network setup
My Node2i is connected to my new MacMini via USB SPIDIF Adapter (Culilux) recommended by Bluesound. I have my Node2i connected to the internet via 1GB Ethernet. In the same room I have a PowerNode 2i (WIFI connected) and grouped in Roon. If I delete a file or sometimes even change a tab in my browser the audio will stop, freeze. If I press play it will play again. If you look back over my previous support tickets I was told that my old MacPro and old macOS Monterey was not really compatible with the latest version of Roon. I now have a top spec M4 Pro MacMini and I still can't get Roon to fully work. I have also paid for a full years subscription (50% Off) as I did cancel again shortly after, but this offer was given to me so I said I would give it one last try. If I use the Bluesound app and link the very same two Bluesound devices none of this behaviour happens.
We’ve pulled diagnostic logging for the RoonServer instance and the RoonReady discovery events themselves. Here’s what we can see:
The PowerNode 2i is dropping off the network due to reachability change events - when this happens, Roon has to regroup and resync the BluOS devices.
We’ll need the following information to pin down precisely what’s happening, but there’s likely no issue with the processing power of the machine or the RoonServer instance itself. All evidence points to a bandwidth allocation problem causing Roon/BluOS to reset the connection.
First, please share a description of your router and any managed network hardware (like switches or access points or mesh nodes) servicing these BluOS endpoints.
Please also share a screenshot of Signal Path for any Zone that reproduces the issue.
If you haven’t already toggled on local network access for Roon on this new MacOS machine, it’s essential you do so right away. Navigate to MacOS System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network and grant Roon/RoonServer local network access.
Hi Connor and thank you for coming back to me. Roon/Roon Server already had automatic access granted inside that Privacy & Security → Local Network settings area. Inside my office my Node2i is connected to my main broadband provider Eir router (Sagemcom). I have 1GB Fibre to the Home Broadband with 100GB upload speeds. I personally think it must be something else, as this stopping issue does not happen when I’m using my Bluesound Desktop app as my primary audio controller and controller of my grouped Bluesound Devices, it only happens when I use Roon as my primary music player software.
Please see attached some additional screenshots of my Network setup. I’m not super technical, so apologies if I struggle to get you the exact info you need.
I also just noticed right now while I was getting these screenshots for you and also playing an album using Roon, was that as soon as I took a screenshot using my Parallels Toolbox software the audio instantly stopped playing. I also noticed last night that while I was listening again to an album using Roon and I went on my browser to check out my X social media account the audio instantly stopped also. I reckon it’s something else… I just noticed now also that when I reverted back to using my Bluesound app to play my music… and I selected my Tidal app to play an album, but selected the Node2i and Office PowerNode as a group, and selected the Tidal Connect option… I then tried a another screen grab using my Parallels Toolbox screencapture app, it instantly went from playing my music through the Tidal Connect output feature to the System default. Could it be something to do with the system audio… so that when a screen capture is done it normally makes a click or photo shutter type sound and the audio that outputs changes the settings in some way… not sure if that makes any sense… if I do the same screen capture while using the Bluesound app audio device grouping using the system default settings, the image captures, makes the shutter noise and the album playing in the background continues playing without interruption.
I also have a newish Bluesound PowerNode (2 years+) in my LivingRoom connected to one of my WIFI Extenders via an Ethernet connection, and that all plays perfectly with my Bluesound app and my new Roon app, no issues… so I really think that it’s gotta have to do with something with my setup with the Node2i connected to my new M4 Pro MacMini via the new USB SPDIF Adaptor.
Any help or guidance would be very much appreciated.
I have also updated to very latest version of macOS 15.2 (24C101), hoping that would just automatically fix the issue… but unfortunately not. I emptied some trash from my desktop bin and the audio instantly stopped once more.
It’s very frustrating not know or understanding what causing these issues…
OK… so I have changed that to having the macOS sounds play out through my monitor speakers and that seems to be working better for now for sure. Can you have a look at this screenshot of my audio setup inside Roon to see if there’s any other stand out problems I might have created…?
Just to clarify here, you are trying to use the Node 2i in Roon Ready mode most of the time, but you also have a USB SPDIF adapter you have connected from your Mac to the Node 2i? What are you trying to achieve by having both connections? Also, I believe Bluesound might have an auto-detect feature where it pauses playback and switches to a different source if it detects a new signal, perhaps that is what is happening?
