Is the affected network Zone connected with Ethernet or WiFi?
· WiFi
Does the issue affect all file formats?
· The issue affects *multiple/all* file formats.
Which network audio protocol is the Zone using with Roon?
· RoonReady
Does the device show up at all in Roon Settings -> Audio?
· No, it does not show up there
Does the device play audio from another source when using the same connection?
· The device has no problems with another audio source
Have you checked that Roon is whitelisted in any firewalls?
· I've checked the firewall and the issue remains
If the device has multiple output options, do the other options work as expected?
· Only one output type is affected while the other output type works as expected
Is the device using the latest firmware as per the manufacturer?
· Firmware is up-to-date but the issue remains
Do you have an approximate timestamp of when the issue last occurred?
· This happens very frequently and is not dependent on the truck or the file type. I do not have a time stamp
What are the make and model of the affected audio device(s) and the connection type?
· Mac Studio M1 connected to a WiiM pro+ by wifi
Describe the issue
Roon core is a Mac M1 Studio 32GB streaming through WiiM Pro+. All connections are WiFi DOCS IS 3.1 model EU2251 modem, Spectrum WiFi 6 model SAXIVIK Router. DAC is an Emotive XDA-3.
I am experiencing intermittent skipping of tracks, and at times tracks not starting at all. I have been using Roon about 6 months, but the problem only started recently. The problem has become more frequent lately, but still there are stretches where everything runs well. At one point bit rate conversion began down sampling 192/24 files to 192/16, I turned off sample rate conversion and that fixed this, and also appeared to fix the skipping, but the skipping returned after a few hours. I then tried the automated help. I was to log out of my streaming services and log back in(Qobuz, and Tidal). This appeared to help, but the problem came back. If I stream directly through the WiiM, it works fine, Roon through the computer speakers works fine as well. I have rebooted everything many times. Sometimes this provides temporary help, sometimes it doesn't . I spoke to the internet provider and they could not see anything wrong on their end. Internet speed at the router averages over 1000 mbps, ant at the computer 200-300mbps. The message I get when the tracks start skipping is that Tidal Or Qobuz is loading slowly
The first thing that occurs is your use of WiFi for all device connections - including the Roon Server.
Roon strongly advocate a wired ethernet connection to your router (with intermediate switches if necessary) for the Roon Server.
The fact that using the Wiim to stream directly, and indeed using the system output on the Roon Server computer, lends weight to the possibility that this issue is WiFi related because both of these use cases place much less demand on the WiFi than streaming Tidal or Qobuz via a WiFi connected Roon Server to a WiFi connected audio device.
I have no doubt that the problem is wifi related, however I went some 6 months without a problem, an Ethernet connection to the Roon server, although possible, is not something that can easily be done. I already have an extender by the Roon core, but not near the WiiM. I am wondering if a dedicated port for the Mac and for the Wii might help. I might also consider an extender in the room with the WiiM.
Thanks for reaching out with your report. I’ve activated diagnostics for your account and I’m seeing that your Roon Server has a buffer of 100% when the issue occurs, meaning that the track is downloaded to the Server properly, but the issue lies with sending it from Server → WiiM. I would try to connect the WiiM to Ethernet to see if that helps, or if you must stay on WiFi, I would see if you can choose a different channel with less congestion.
Extenders can help, but sometimes they don’t solve the issue fully, you can also try a mesh network and we’ve seen mesh networks be a bit more reliable than extenders.
Same issue with NAD 388 and Mac M1 as server. I found I need to turn the NAD off completely and back on when this happens and the problem is resolved until it happens again, usually after using Roon on and off a number of times. So for me it is not the internet, but how Roon and the NAD 388 are communicating.
For days now, I have been struggling with this issue, then suddenly yesterday, Roon began to work without skipping or stopping. Curiously however, when viewing the signal path, the way Roon is processing the signal has changed. Previously all file types were up sampled to 192/32. Only 192/24 files showed up as Enhanced in the signal path. Now all lossless files show up as Enhanced, but only the bit rate is up sampled. Files from the hard drive which previously played flawlessly are now skipping and stopping. 352/24 files are being down sampled to176.4/24 as before. The only thing I’m aware of that has changed is that I submitted a ticket. Another thing I have noticed is that the screen on the DAC which displays the sample rate, previously showed 192 all the time, even when playing directly through the WiiM. Now it displays the sample rate of the original file.
At one point I thought the problems had been resolved, then they did return. I played with settings in both Roon, and the WiiM streamer as well as the router and got some improvement, yesterday I was getting very slow internet speeds. Today the internet was back up to speed, and performance was pretty good. I had a drop out or two, but nothing I couldn’t live with. I have two grand daughters visiting whom are on their devices continually, they return home on Thursday. I will be monitoring to see if this has been contributing to the problem. Hopefully performance improvement will remain consistent.