Debugging Streaming Audio Dropouts

[nicoff]

In the past few days I noticed dropouts when streaming. This was never the case. At first I assumed that it was due to internet speed. But a speedtest showed that this was not the case. It was not WiFi either since I had Ethernet connection.

After some head scratching I remembered that a technician had added an extra switch to my home network in the past week. Then I realized that he had changed the data flow.

Initially, the flow was:
Street cable->router->switch->component

The technician had changed it to:
Street cable->router->switch->switch->component

Notice that the signal now went through two switches intead of one. The second switch is on another floor. Had I not used an Ethernet cable of different color to connect to the upstairs switch it would have been very difficult to find what the problem was.

Anyway, changing the flow to the original set up fixed the issue.

Having cables of different colors or tagging them is a good idea so you know what each cable connects to.

 

[still-one]

I am glad you were able to identify your issue and correct it. My drop out issue was only resolved by eliminating everything between the switch's and endpoints.

 

[mep]

In the past few days I noticed dropouts when streaming. This was never the case. At first I assumed that it was due to internet speed. But a speedtest showed that this was not the case. It was not WiFi either since I had Ethernet connection.

After some head scratching I remembered that a technician had added an extra switch to my home network in the past week. Then I realized that he had changed the data flow.

Initially, the flow was:
Street cable->router->switch->component

The technician had changed it to:
Street cable->router->switch->switch->component

Notice that the signal now went through two switches intead of one. The second switch is on another floor. Had I not used an Ethernet cable of different color to connect to the upstairs switch it would have been very difficult to find what the problem was.

Anyway, changing the flow to the original set up fixed the issue.

Having cables of different colors or tagging them is a good idea so you know what each cable connects to.

That's what happens when you add too many digital dingleberries in your setup.

 

[nicoff]

That's what happens when you add too many digital dingleberries in your setup.

Yep, totally agree!
The KISS principle applies!

 

[Puma Cat]

I had a number of dropout issues for about a year now, ever since I installed a Ring video doorbell on my network.

I solved this problem by going to a Ethernet and optical fiber configuration. If you guys are interested, let me know as this solution is working VERY well for me, notably superior to using a straight run of Ethernet to my streamer.

 

[jadedavid]

I had a number of dropout issues for about a year now, ever since I installed a Ring video doorbell on my network.

I solved this problem by going to a Ethernet and optical fiber configuration. If you guys are interested, let me know as this solution is working VERY well for me, notably superior to using a straight run of Ethernet to my streamer.

What in particular did you use to solve your problem and improve your feed?

 

[Puma Cat]

What in particular did you use to solve your problem and improve your feed?

Stopped using WiFi to an Airport Express then Ethernet from the Airport Express to my streamer and am now using a hybrid direct connection of from the router that is Ethernet->Fiber->Ethernet->Streamer.

Works great, virtually no dropouts any more.

 

[still-one]

I tried a new switch yesterday preparing for the Optical device I have on order. Dropouts and Roon error messages galore. Back to the non-optical capable device.