· I have a Small Green Computer SonicTransporter i5 running Roon and just installed a pair of LS60. All firmware and software are the latest and up to date. My network is a fairly robust Ubiquity UniFi installation. I experience subtle random crackling when anything is played through the Roon server. This happens in both wired and wireless mode on the LS60. If I use Qobuz or Tidal directly through their App or KEF Connect there is no crackling. I’ve tried every setup possible in Roon and through KEF Connect with no success - a minor, random crackling is heard through both speakers when using Roon. This is experienced with standard files up to 192 kHz. As an example of the noise, I just played a 1 kHz reference tone off the local SSD in the Roon server for 1:22 minutes and the crackle came thru in both channels 4 times. It seems mostly random although I’ve not studied it extensively It is almost like there is an LP record effect built into the speakers or Roon mimicking a stylus generating a crackle from the record’s groove. I've contacted KEF NA about this and they say they are looking into it as well. If felt it might be good to open a Support Request to go on the record and let this side of the issue know.
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Thank you for your report. Roon Ready shouldn’t introduce audible artifacts unless DSP has been inadvertently applied or there’s a problem with the analog stage itself. You’ve ruled out the latter by testing other digital inputs and software, so let’s see what Roon is sending when you’re connected to the KEFs and playing.
Can you please share a screenshot of the Signal Path within Roon? This will be fully transparent to the stages in the digital chain.
Please also share a screenshot of the Settings → Audio → Device Setup page for the affected Zone.
I hope these signal paths help. I’ve supplied KEF with MAC address and firmware version of the speakers and the pertinent information about Roon setup on Monday.
He says: “I’m experiencing crackling on my KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers. It’s intermittent and only happens when I am using Roon. The TV is fine and so is the Qubuz app. Will this fix work with LS50s as well?”
“I have been experiencing this on my KEF LS50 w2 speakers for months, and it’s infuriating. Zero crackles or pops or distortion of any kind when using other non-Roon inputs, including while streaming Tidal and/or Qobuz through the native KEF app.”
