The problem began about 6-8 weeks ago- I’ve been trying to isolate variables ever since. When tracks change from MQA to non-MQA, bit depth or sample rate, there is an approximate 5-10 second period of silence followed sometimes by the track playing, but often with the track being skipped (no error message). Skips have been as many as 90+ tracks in a row. In addition, use of iOS devices such as iPad or iPhone to control playback result in skipping and delay being more common. Even changing a setting such as Volume Leveling on/off via iPad/iPhone stops playback and starts the skipping.
My set up: Mid 2012 MacBook Pro (MBP)- 8gb. Always rebooted prior to Roon use. Memory presssure per Activity Monitor very low- only running Roon and Dirac Live. I use Dirac Live (DL) for room correction. I have used both Roon and DL without issue until recently. Output is USB With Audioquest Jitterbug and Wireworld Cable to Cambridge Audio Azur 851D DAC/Pre. None of the above are recent additions or changes.
Is DL the problem? Doubtful as DL performs perfectly using Tidal directly without Roon. Format/BitRate/Sample rate changes are handled flawlessly without skips or delays.
Is the DAC the problem? Again, doubtful as above experience with Tidal. Also, another DAC (DragonFly 1.2) exhibits the same delay and skipping issues when paired with DL and Roon.
How about the MBP Hard Drive? Maybe, but again - all is well with DL-> Tidal vs. DL-> Roon.
MBP USB ports have been reset and all connections have been cleaned with Caig ProGold contact cleaner.
The DAC has been power cycled numerous times. Computer has been connected via ethernet and wireless with same skipping issues. Download speeds are 22Mbps and is consistent in quality with low jitter and zero packet loss during skipping issues.
I’ve tested Roon playback with MQA decoder disabled and enabled with no effect on skipping behavior.
Tracks that are Redbook (11/44.1) play without issue- no skipping or delay.
All settings within Roon are per “Best Practices” regarding single computer and DL.
Tried delay on Re Sync from 0 to 8000ms without any difference in skipping and delay.
Used Optical out rather than USB without any difference.
Questions:
Do I have a corrupt copy of Roon? How would one test for that? Do I uninstall/reinstall Roon?
If so, how is that best done?
Is there some weird interaction between DL/Roon/DAC? If so, why just recently and are there not others experiencing that same issues?
I would welcome assistance from the Roon Support Team.