WiFi adaptors that work

Roon Software Discussion ROCK
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It might be useful to compile a list of USB wireless adaptors or WiFi cards that are known to work or not work with ROCK. Here’s ones I have tried.

Tontec 2ghz N (Realtek RTL8188CU) works
Edimax AC600 EW-7811UAC 2/5ghz AC doesn’t work
Intel Dual Band AC 7260 2x2 AC doesn’t work.

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After 4 years I like to revive this one, because I guess, though strongly not recommended, for many (as for me) it is interesting how to use Roon ROCK with wifi. Here are my findings with ROCK installed on a NUC13ANBi5:

I have ordered another external one that should be identical to the one reported to work here NUC WiFi cards support in ROCK - Audio Gear Talk - Roon Labs Community . I’ll report here whether or not it works (if I get it, I’m not sure the supplier can really fulfill my order).

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Buy a wireless access point that supports client/bridge mode and use a wire to connect it to the Nucleus/ROCK machine, streamer, TV, set-top box, … and what ever is located there in the vicinity / rack. Add a simple switch in-between if the access point doesn’t provide enough Ethernet connectors. Because:

  • An access point as standalone device doesn’t require WiFi drivers on connected network devices.
  • Allows you to choose WiFi (WiFi 5, 6, 7, …) technology that matches your main access point.
  • The WiFi in an access point is usually of better quality than expansion cards for PCs or USB thumb stick adapters.
  • Reducing the number of active WiFi devices may improve the wireless situation overall – more than you might believe.
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Hi BlackJack, thanks. I would do that if ROCK did not longer support the old wifi drivers, but I hope that’s not going to happen. As long as I can avoid an extra device (and the additional power consumption) I’m happy. And with the adapter mentioned above it works flawlessly.
I must say however that I mainly listen to music from an internal SSD in the NUC ROCK server. In the occasions I use Qobuz it works as well however, also for 192 kHz 24 Bit music. (I however have a USB extension cable to place the adapter a bit further away from the server than putting it directly into the server, otherwise connections speed may go down to below 20 Mbit/s, and then I had issues playing 192 kHz music from Qobuz.)

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When I set up my home network it was via ethernet.
I have two unmanaged 2.5 G network switches which I use on two floors,an eight and five port does the trick.
Only ever used wireless with a Slim Devices/Logitech Transporter…my microwave used to stomp all over wireless.
We now have ‘Full Fibre’ @ 500 mbs which is connected to a GL-iNet router with dual 2.5 g ports.
Never had any network problems with ethernet.

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To continue the list:
(Yes, Wifi is not recommended, and yes, a wifi bridge or best direct ethernet would be best. I know and appreciate. However, for anyone trying wifi USB dongles, this list might be helpful.)
Unfortunately I can only report further (2.4 GHz/ 5 GHz) dongles that do not work:

The first one is supposed to have RTL8812AU chipset according to the name of the adaptor. The second one has according to the manual the same chipset RTL8812AU. The third one as well, if I look at the downloaded linus driver from netis-systems.com web page.
I’ve tried different USB sockets at my NUC13ANBi5 (A, C, 2, 3, different current for USB3 on USB A) and rebooted, the wireless does not pop up. For the one working mentioned in my post above it showed up in WebUI even without reboot.