Does the issue happen with local library music, streaming service music, or both?
· *Both streaming and local* *library* music are affected.
Do you encounter any playback errors with the "System Output" Zone?
· The System Output has the same problem as my other Zone.
Do you have a complex network setup?
· Both the device and RoonServer are connecting to a *single router*
Please try rebooting your router.
· No, I'm still having trouble
Do you have an approximate timestamp of when the issue last occurred?
· Listening music on May 23rd has been a nightmare with multiple and repeated lags in the afternoon from say 1pm to 7pm approx
What are the make and model of the affected audio device(s) and the connection type?
· ANTIPODES AUDIO EDGE in the living room and a BLUE SOUND NODE X in the office
Describe the issue
I am using an Antipodes Audio EDGE with 2x1To SSD'sNetwork box is a FREE ULTRA directly connected to a hub dispatching to the EDGE and TV - Music is interrupted , at random, either with Qobuz/Tidal or ripped music with messages "QOBUZ/TIDAL ... flow is slowed down during to network problems" which is not explicite since I have no issues when using BLUEOS with Qobuz/Tidal without the ROON READY part - I have about 1000 ripped Cd's and 8000 albums in the library (CD's included) - ROON is becoming an issue for my day to day music entertainment !
Describe your network setup
BOX is a FREE ULTRA linked to a Netgera hub at 20m from the Antipodes Audio EDGE Server/Core on which the ROON Core is configured
Thank you for reaching out, and I completely understand your frustration. Experiencing repeated dropouts turns what should be a relaxing experience into a nightmare.
It is very common to wonder why Roon struggles with network errors while native applications like the BluOS app play perfectly fine. When you use BluOS, the app simply tells your Node X to fetch the stream directly, building up a massive audio buffer that masks network hiccups. Roon, however, streams uncompressed audio continuously in real-time from your Antipodes EDGE (the Core) to your endpoints using our RAAT protocol. This requires a flawless, constant local network connection; Roon cannot tolerate the micro-dropouts that a heavily buffered app easily ignores.
Since the issue affects both Qobuz/Tidal and your local ripped CDs, the bottleneck is almost certainly the physical network connection between the EDGE and your router.
Let’s focus on that Netgear equipment:
1. Identify the Switch You mentioned a Netgear “hub.” True hubs are quite rare now, so it is likely a network switch. However, certain switches (especially “managed” ones) can restrict or alter the multicast traffic that Roon relies on to maintain a stable stream.
Could you please provide the exact model number of this Netgear device?
Do you know if it is a “managed” or “unmanaged” switch?
Is it rated for Gigabit speeds, or is it an older 10/100 model?
2. Swap Ports and Cables A single failing port on a switch or a slightly degraded Ethernet cable is one of the most common causes of RAAT dropouts.
Try plugging the Antipodes EDGE into a different port on the Netgear switch.
If you have spare Ethernet cables, please temporarily swap out the 20-meter cable, as well as the cable connecting the switch to the FREE ULTRA router, to ensure the physical wiring is intact.
3. The Bypass Test To definitively rule out the Netgear switch as the source of the dropouts, please temporarily bypass it entirely. Connect the Antipodes EDGE directly to the back of the FREE ULTRA router. If the music plays flawlessly in this configuration, we will know for sure that the switch (or its configuration) is the culprit.
Please let us know the specific model of that Netgear device and how the system behaves during the bypass test!
Thanks a lot for your kind consideration of my problems !
First of all here is the NETGEAR switch I’m using : can It be the beginning of the issues? I don’t think it is a managed one (how would it be managed in fact? Just plugged it
The box is directly connected to the incoming of the fiber optic cable and then the brand new 20m cable bought from Amazon:
BUSOHE Câble Ethernet Cat 8 20M, Câble Réseau LAN Gigabit RJ45 Plat Haute Vitesse, Cordon de Brassage Internet 40Gbps 2000MHz pour Commutateur,Routeur,Modem,Panneau de Brassage,PC (Blanc)
And then new Furutech LAN 8 plus RJ45 cables (violet on the pictures) are running from the switch to the EDGE, and Bang & Olufsen Theatre plus one to the FREE TV box
To make the by pass I should connect the FREE BOX with the 20m cable plus another one to the THEATRE to get the sound : I will see what I can do since I don’t have a second 20 m cable
Let me know about the switch if I must get one with more convenient specs (let me know a type or model for example please).
I will observe the changes made as advised as follows :
I have directly connected the box to the EDGE ; other items to TV and BOX TV FREE are connected through a FREE repeater
I have ordered a new switch 1Gb to reconnect later on for another period of test (the office is connected to the second repeater with a 10/100/1000 GS605V4 NETGEAR which seems convenient as far as I may guess !)
To be advised after several days or as per your next advise if required
The Netgear switch is a 10/100, not 1000, type FS108V3 which is clearly not suitable as I understood from your comments
I am withdrawing it and will replace by a 1Gb one : I will surely keep the direct connection from the FREE box to the EDGE, and separate the TV / BOX TV needed ethernet connections with the new one either with the repeater or install a second cable from the box to avoid the repeater
Thanks for your clarification which I hope will keep the problems in the past !
Great catch! That old 10/100 switch was definitely the weak link. A new Gigabit switch should solve the issue perfectly.
Keep us posted on how it runs with the new setup!
Thanks for your request : I was about to re-contact you after this period of test
I have installed a new switch : AMAZON supply / TP-Link LS1005G Switch Ethernet Gigabit 5 Ports 10/100/1000 Mbps (Vitesse Jusqu’à 2000Mbps)
I still have short lags or interruptions when listening to ROON / Qobuz - Tidal - ripped CD’s from my AA EDGE to the B&O THEATRE / B&O Speakers (no problems with TV) or in my office with a repeater (Free one)
For remembrance :
FREE BOX is connected with an FO cable provided by Free to the incoming box in the living room - outside FO cable is coming from the network box in the street at about 120m from the house) - speed test is shown at 250-300 Mbps at this very moment and is around 3Go / 1 to 30 ko/s for loading / streaming as shown in Cleanmymac window
Cabling (20m) is direct from box with RJ45 CAT8 cable to the Streamer / Server EDGE Antipodes Audio on on hand and direct from the box to the switch splitting to LG smart TV and TV Free box with same kind of RJ45 CAT 8 cables
In the office I have installed a FREE repeater which supplies a 10/100/1000 switch to a Bluesound Node X connected to ROON / EDGE through the WIFI network (not possible to use cable yet)
Let me know whether you need more details or have other fields of actions
I have decide to withdraw Qobuz / Tidal from the ROON services, and to only listen to my ripped CD’s (1145 CD’s) with ROON to see the result
For the time being it works normally , and I will keep on testing today
Tomorrow I will add Qobuz, then withdraw after a while according to results, and add Tidal , then conclude individually, and accordingly see whether it works individually and / or together …
I’ll be back next week !
By the way I can listen to Qobuz / TIDAL directly through my smart TV or Bluesound Node X with the HD quality for QOBUZ (TIDAL too I guess), but with no ROON service …
I have seen that ROON could be Chromacasted to the TV : don’t know how it works !
cancel Qobuz / Tidal : remain 1145 CD albums ripped in the past on 2 x 1To SSD on the EDGE - listening in random conditions = OK no lags, no interruptions for about 1 hour
Add Qobuz : 3332 albums in addition, 4477 albums in total : same listening conditions ; no problems with both CD and Qobuz albums appearing
Remove Qobuz, Add TIDAL ; slow update of albums ; finally 3661 more to the 1145 - 4806 in total - same listening conditions - no trouble with Bothe CD and Tidal albums appearing
Add Qobuz again, faster update of number of albums , which make 8138 albums in total - same listening conditions in random status -
The network is showing between 320 to 440 Mbps : when I faced problems this morning around 8-9 am it was lower at 250/300 Mbps
I will see in the daytime how it is going on
“See you” later on to let you know the coming status
I have been listening on my two systems in the living room and office : today’s conclusion is that I am not facing interruptions / lags after my tests and changes ; main action is the direct cabling from the internet box to the streamer / server with an RJ45 (cat 8) and cancellation of CPL / repeater / old 10/100 switch !
To be noticed that I have re-synchronized the albums list for Tidal : might be a purely minded feeling (?!) but processing from track to track when listening at random or per item is fluid whatever the source is between Qobuz / Tidal or ripped CD’s
I will leave the subject until it automatically close, and will come back if needed - thanks for your assistance - I will keep an eye on the network speed / fluctuation which could be a matter of concern in my countryside area !
