Playing a radiostation to two devices via Airplay is stuttering [Solved - networking configuration]

[Cooper_Nalou (Jan S)]

Roon Core Machine

Rock i5

Networking Gear & Setup Details

Telenet modem and router, hardwired to my devices through Powerlines

Connected Audio Devices

Ropieee on Raspberry Pi4; connected to ROCK through ethernet over Powerline; USB out to Hegel H190
Bang & Olufsen Essence, connected via Ethernet over Powerline

Description of Issue

When I play a radio station over Airplay to a group composed of the B&O Essence and the Hegel H190, streaming works fine. But after a while (approx. 30 min.) the stream starts to stutter. Playing to only one device over airplay works much better. Stuttering usually is absent, or only starts after playing for hours.
Playing the same radio-stream over Chromecast to the B&O Essence works flawless.
Any idea how to solve it?

The radio-station is VRT Radio 2 Oost Vlaanderen.

[Uwe_Albrecht]

Very simply speaking, the air numbers are technically inferior to a wired one. Would it be possible to hardwire a radio station to the player?

[Simon_Arnold3 (Simon Arnold)]

You won’t to hear this but Powerlines will be the issue they have a nasty habit of dropping speeds and are not very reliable and often struggle with multicast systems which Roon is one, they are not good network devices really even though they can work in some situations in most they fail under any strain. I would recommend using a hard wired or a decent wireless mesh system. Try a cable direct first to test it out just to to see if it helps. I think you will find it does and likely improve sq. They put out load of RF interference that audio equipment has a habit of picking up.

[wizardofoz (Mr Fix It aka The Wiz)]

@Simon_Arnold3

They put out load of RF interference that audio equipment has a habit of picking up.

Yup steer clear of these at all costs - don’t even have them in the house if you are any kind of audiophile or enthusiast.

[Cooper_Nalou (Jan S)]

thank you for your feedback. Unfortunately I don’t have the possibility to hardwire to my audio devices.

[wizardofoz (Mr Fix It aka The Wiz)]

Get better WiFi perhaps…something you can return if it doesn’t work out.

[jamie]

Hi @Cooper_Nalou

Unfortunately, as your fellow community members have suggested, your use of EOP is likely the cause of your problems here.

Please take a look at our Networking Best Practices for more recommendations for optimizing your Roon ecosystem.

Networking Best Practices

Have you tried disconnecting the Hegel from the powerline and attempting playback by Airplay (or Chromecast) over Wi-Fi?

[Cooper_Nalou (Jan S)]

I am not at home right now as I am travelling. I will test with a hard wired ethernet connection when I am back home.

Nevertheless I do not understand why the problem only occurs when playing live radio streams. Yesterday I streamed from Qobuz via Roon for hours and without any hiccup. Are Radia streams different in terms of Roon processing than Qobuz or TIDAL?

[beka]

Hey @Cooper_Nalou,

I simply wanted to check in and see if the proposed solution helped in your case?

[Cooper_Nalou (Jan S)]

Hello Rebeka, thank you for following-up!
As a matter of fact, I didn’t change anything. Nevertheless the problem has disappeared. So I guess, it was related to the Radio Stream, rather than my Roon setup at home.