Random audio glitches during playback on MacBook Pro as Roon server (ref#G163T9)

[Arlen]

If there is indeed a space in the name, you should find a way to escape it or any other way to let the space be recognized.
Like the examples here: https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=335670

[Chris_Berens]

I get what you’re saying about spaces, but as mentioned, I tried a few options without success. Also note that the example shared in the FAQ article referenced by @benjamin has two spaces in it, so I’m disinclined to think that’s why this isn’t working.

Other options are very welcome, I’d love to move the server duties and stop this annoying glitching.

[Chris_Berens]

@alex_h @connor @benjamin Any ideas on how to get Roon to access/create this backup on the SSD?

[otinkyad]

@Chris_Berens – not sure if this will help – but I had an audio cracking/popping issue a while ago and increasing buffer size fixed it for me:

Crackling/Popping with multichannel DSD playback

Eureka! Increasing the buffer size from Default to 500 ms has eliminated (or reduced to unnoticeable) the crackle/pops for me (so far! – fingers crossed): [Screen Shot 2022-11-16 at 11.17.08 AM] I can reliably reproduce the introduction/elimination of the crackle/pop by varying buffer size between Default and 500 ms. This is a pretty big relief. I have ~300 mch DSD albums (self-ripped from SACDs), and they are 90% of what I listen to, so this was feeling a bit nightmarish. @Newton_John –…

Worth trying..?

HTH

[Chris_Berens]

Thanks. I don’t have a distinct “buffer size” setting available in device setup, but I have resync delay and zone group delay set to 500ms, and I’ve enabled max buffer size and power of 2 buffer as well.

At this point I think there’s just a problem with the MacBook so I’m trying to make the move to abandon it as server, but in order to do that without having to start over I need to be able to back up to a removable HD (which is the current problem I’m trying to resolve).

[benjamin]

Hi @Chris_Berens,

Have you also tried the network share without ‘Extreme SSD’? So it would be:

smb://192.168.1.198/Volumes 

This may gain you access to the SSD, where you’d be able to select the specific folder within the SSD.

Another area to review - within your macOS Folder share settings - toggle ‘share files and folders via smb’ on and off:

I’d also check your ‘Full Disk’ macOS settings and toggle Roon on here.

Let me know if any of the above help!

[Chris_Berens]

Thanks @benjamin I tried those things and nothing has changed. It still says “invalid network path” regardless of how I enter info there.

[Arlen]

Just another thought… maybe it’s not relevant for you but maybe it’s useful…
Does your router offer you the opportunity to plug in an external drive? Mine does. When I do it, the disk shows up as a network drive which is reachable by Roon. Is this an option for you too, assuming the SSD you mentioned is portable?

[Chris_Berens]

Thanks Arlen. There’s a USB port on the router so I plugged the SSD in but don’t see it on the network.

I decided to just move on and set up the iMac as server again. This means starting over without a database, but oh well. I’ve been using it most of the day without any glitches and that’s much more important!

[Arlen]

@Chris_Berens

There’s a USB port on the router so I plugged the SSD in but don’t see it on the network.

You will have to enable it in your router’s settings in order to see it. Something like this:

[benjamin]

Hey @Chris_Berens,

I’m sorry to hear your issues persist in terms of accessing the SSD!

From a recent diagnostic report, I can still see the error trace referring to a permissions issue:

Warn: [broker/filebrowser/drive] GetEntries: failed to get entries: Result[Status=Unauthorized, ErrorText=Missing required permission to access directory: /Volumes/Extreme SSD] 

Perhaps completely removing all shared settings on the drive and then re-adding them may help here.

Either way, I’m happy to hear you’ve been able to play music smoothly!

[Chris_Berens]

Thanks, the sharing reset didn’t work but I’m over it at this point. I’ve moved back to the iMac as server and any Roon backups are lost/unavailable.

In better news, I think the glitching issue from the laptop may be resolved. It’s going on 6 hrs of playback without a single glitch now. I did two things, one or both of which may have brought about the positive change:

1. Updated to macOS Tahoe
2. Turned off Set time and date automatically under Settings>General>Date & Time

Pretty sure it was #1 that did it, but since I did both at the same time I can’t be sure.
In any case I’m calling this resolved and am happily listening without interruption on either machine!