WiFi 2.4 vs 5.0 and Realtek USB dongle

My two Allo Signatures have been rock solid up until about one to two months ago. Now, they cut out, go missing and now static on high resolution files.

Two questions - is 2.4 or 5.0 preferred or detrimental? I know 5.0 can be less ‘reaching’ so maybe I should try 2.4 wifi again.

Would a dongle help get a stronger connection? How do I know it’s a Realtek USB dongle, the descriptions don’t seem to say.

This was spurred by high resolution files playing with static. I’ve found connecting with ethernet doesn’t help. Rebooting my DAC (Benchmark DAC3) doesn’t help. The only thing that seems to work is adding the songs and not playing them immediately but having them the next song up and they play fine. Odd.

Anyone have this issue?