New ISP, Network Problems With Audio Device, Help needed

[esmit]

And if WiFi does not work: sell it. You have given it enough attention. Or consider an external solution for the network problem. I would not touch the chromecast without a Remedy Reclocker, but a raspberry pi or microRendu with Chord Mojo, who knows...

[Cebolla]

I wouldn't touch the Chromecast Audio at all, if it was so incompatible with the attached DAC as to require the Remedy Reclocker - just wouldn't be worth it. Fortunately, I have no such problems with the CCA connected to my Pioneer N-50's DAC. Mind you, I do power the CCA with the N-50's unused USB power supply only port (intended for its optional WiFi module), so perhaps that makes a difference.

[Cebolla]

Latest plaudit for the Chromecast Audio - attached to a Wyred4Sound DAC2, no less (plus no mention of requiring a reclocker!):

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f22-networking-networked-audio-and-streaming/tidal-now-has-chromecast-support-29113/index3.html#post615612

[Yorkie]

Latest plaudit for the Chromecast Audio - attached to a Wyred4Sound DAC2, no less (plus no mention of requiring a reclocker!):

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f22-networking-networked-audio-and-streaming/tidal-now-has-chromecast-support-29113/index3.html#post615612

 

So, I'm lost, is CCA good or bad? It's hard to comprehend the price difference between the microRendu and the CCA if they're doing the same job.

 

And if WiFi does not work: sell it. You have given it enough attention. Or consider an external solution for the network problem. I would not touch the chromecast without a Remedy Reclocker, but a raspberry pi or microRendu with Chord Mojo, who knows...

 

I would, I'm fed up with it, but there's a considerable budget gap between sale proceeds of the Marantz and the purchase of something better

 

ps Marantz still working this morning on wi-fi.

[esmit]

Still working?

 

The reclocker was just to better the signal that is coming from the CCA, you can try it first without (it is quite cheap).

[Yorkie]

Still working?

 

The reclocker was just to better the signal that is coming from the CCA, you can try it first without (it is quite cheap).

 

I've been away several days and when I came back yesterday found the Marantz was still working on wi-fi, ie, AirPlay. So, very excited, I resubscribed to Tidal and got full-fat FLAC going again. So far, there have been a few drop-outs but essentially, it is working

[Yorkie]

I've been away several days and when I came back yesterday found the Marantz was still working on wi-fi, ie, AirPlay. So, very excited, I resubscribed to Tidal and got full-fat FLAC going again. So far, there have been a few drop-outs but essentially, it is working

 

Lots of drop outs on wi-fi. And before anyone asks about how far the router is from the AVR, it's about 300mm!

 

So, why should wi-fi be stable, albeit incapable of handling the stream data volume, when a cabled connection is unstable? I don't understand.

 

I just wonder if the protocol is different because the wi-fi is described as AirPlay rather than as wi-fi. Is it doing something other than just bringing the data stream in to the renderer?

[esmit]

Is this still with the router your ISP provided? Or did you follow the advice to buy a new one?

 

Airplay is something else altogether.

 

Sent from my D6633 using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[Cebolla]

Not sure what a new router would have done to correct a likely problem with the Marantz's wired network interface hardware, considering it was the only device having basic network connectivity issues and especially with it not being able to access the network again after being powered up, without a factory reset!

 

Looks like the Marantz's wireless network interface is not suffering from the same problems as its wired one is.

[Cebolla]

I've been away several days and when I came back yesterday found the Marantz was still working on wi-fi, ie, AirPlay.

I just wonder if the protocol is different because the wi-fi is described as AirPlay rather than as wi-fi. Is it doing something other than just bringing the data stream in to the renderer?

AirPlay is definitely not synonimous with WiFi.

 

It is a network media streaming protocol devised by Apple, intended to be used by Apple or Apple supported media playing software (eg iTunes, etc) and/or devices (eg Macs, iPads, etc) to stream the media playback over the network to an AirPlay supporting receiver device, such as your Marantz. AirPlay is similar to the industry standard UPnP/DLNA network file streaming protocol, but uses its own proprietary mechanism, so the two are incompatible. It can be used by both wired & wireless network devices, just as UPnP/DLNA can.

 

Your underlying connection to the network, both wired & wireless, has absolutely nothing to do with AirPlay, just like it doesn't have anything to do with UPnP/DLNA.

 

Incidentally, since the Marantz is now reporting that its in AirPlay mode, how come you stopped using your original BubbleUPnP Server plus Linn Kazoo (& therefore ultimately UPnP/DLNA) method for streaming FLAC files from Tidal?

 

Also, what software are you using to stream Tidal HiFi via the AirPlay method and what device are you using this software on?

 

AirPlay won't be streaming the original FLAC files, BTW, as AirPlay can only stream audio using the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC), so not FLAC. This shouldn't cause any quality issues, but does require the Tidal FLAC file to be decoded & played, by the AirPlay sending software, so that the resulting audio signal can be buffered & converted to ALAC before being sent over network to the Marantz as the AirPlay receiver.

[Yorkie]

Incidentally, since the Marantz is now reporting that its in AirPlay mode, how come you stopped using your original BubbleUPnP Server plus Linn Kazoo (& therefore ultimately UPnP/DLNA) method for streaming FLAC files from Tidal?

 

Also, what software are you using to stream Tidal HiFi via the AirPlay method and what device are you using this software on?

 

AirPlay won't be streaming the original FLAC files, BTW, as AirPlay can only stream audio using the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC), so not FLAC. This shouldn't cause any quality issues, but does require the Tidal FLAC file to be decoded & played, by the AirPlay sending software, so that the resulting audio signal can be buffered & converted to ALAC before being sent over network to the Marantz as the AirPlay receiver.

 

Still using Tidal FLAC via Linn Kazoo (PC) or Tidal FLAC via Bubble UPnP (phone and tablet) therefore it would appear that this is wi-fi NOT Airplay. My confusion is because the Marantz manual only mentions Airplay in connection with wireless comms and the Airplay symbol is present when streaming via wireless.

[Cebolla]

Ah, good - thought something was a bit odd.

 

I would send the Marantz back just for that crappy oversight

[esmit]

Not sure what a new router would have done to correct a likely problem with the Marantz's wired network interface hardware, considering it was the only device having basic network connectivity issues and especially with it not being able to access the network again after being powered up, without a factory reset!

 

Looks like the Marantz's wireless network interface is not suffering from the same problems as its wired one is.

The problems started when TS switched ISP, so the only component that changed was the router. If it now gives wifi dropouts, besides those wired problems, I really would try another router.

[Yorkie]

The problems started when TS switched ISP, so the only component that changed was the router. If it now gives wifi dropouts, besides those wired problems, I really would try another router.

 

If it's a router problem, the assumption, I believe, would have to be that wired connections are less trusted than wi-fi, as wi-fi sits safely behind protected access. The new router would have to be connected by cable to the ISP's router so surely it would look just the same to the ISP's router.

[Yorkie]

Just casting around (no pun intended), I see the router is set to IGD 1 and has the option of IGD 2. Might this have any impact on the issue?

[esmit]

If it's a router problem, the assumption, I believe, would have to be that wired connections are less trusted than wi-fi, as wi-fi sits safely behind protected access. The new router would have to be connected by cable to the ISP's router so surely it would look just the same to the ISP's router.

With a new router, of a trusted brand, you could use the ISP router for only providing Internet access. The new router would do DHCP, wireless and wired access. Maybe this is fueled by my personal experience, I did this and my network has been very stable since.

 

Normally, I would prefer a wired connection above wireless, as far as stability is concerned.

 

So far my suggestions for the network problems between your ISP router and your Marantz have been either replacing part of the ISP router, or replacing the functionality you need from your Marantz by adding another device like the chromecast audio, as you would like to keep your Marantz. I think that's about it if there are no firmware changes or settings from your Marantz to try out.

 

Sent from my D6633 using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[esmit]

Just casting around (no pun intended), I see the router is set to IGD 1 and has the option of IGD 2. Might this have any impact on the issue?

When I Google IGD I find that IGD 1 is deprecated and IGD 2 is newer, so what are you waiting for :-)

 

Sent from my D6633 using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[Yorkie]

With a new router, of a trusted brand, you could use the ISP router for only providing Internet access. The new router would do DHCP, wireless and wired access. Maybe this is fueled by my personal experience, I did this and my network has been very stable since.

 

Normally, I would prefer a wired connection above wireless, as far as stability is concerned.

 

So far my suggestions for the network problems between your ISP router and your Marantz have been either replacing part of the ISP router, or replacing the functionality you need from your Marantz by adding another device like the chromecast audio, as you would like to keep your Marantz. I think that's about it if there are no firmware changes or settings from your Marantz to try out.

 

Sent from my D6633 using Computer Audiophile mobile app

 

Will the new router simply be a switch, and transparent to the ISP router, or will the new router work as a DCHP server and control access? Where lies the firewall? How does the new router work with the ISP TV service?

 

I think there is no doubt that the CCA does not serve as a high quality renderer.

[esmit]

Will the new router simply be a switch, and transparent to the ISP router, or will the new router work as a DCHP server and control access? Where lies the firewall? How does the new router work with the ISP TV service?

 

I think there is no doubt that the CCA does not serve as a high quality renderer.

I used the extra router as DHCP server. It also has a firewall. I have cable TV, the dvb-c TV signal is splitted off from the Internet connection.

 

Sent from my D6633 using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[Yorkie]

Over the past few days I have set up the wired network connection, which lasts for a day, and compared music listened to on wire and on wi-fi. Without doubt there is a difference: on wire, there is less listening stress. I presume, therefore, that the wi-fi connection does at some point create an apple crumble, a re-sampling from FLAC to ALAC, where the wire connection doesn't. I can't see why it should, but there's something going on.

 

Marantz have been singularly unhelpful so far, merely telling me to refer to my ISP to solve the problem. Today I asked them if I pay an ISP technician to make a visit to my house, will they, (Marantz) give me a phone number for him to call when he's on site. Waiting for a reply.

 

Meanwhile it's time for me to start looking at the other plan proposed, which is to replace the ISP's router. For this, as it may be of general interest, I've started a new thread, http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f22-networking-networked-audio-and-streaming/choosing-and-using-router-replace-isps-router-streaming-31112/#post618515

[mansr]

Over the past few days I have set up the wired network connection, which lasts for a day, and compared music listened to on wire and on wi-fi. Without doubt there is a difference: on wire, there is less listening stress. I presume, therefore, that the wi-fi connection does at some point create an apple crumble, a re-sampling from FLAC to ALAC, where the wire connection doesn't. I can't see why it should, but there's something going on.

 

One of the settings screens should display the audio format currently being played.

[Yorkie]

One of the settings screens should display the audio format currently being played.

 

It tells me it's FLAC. I don't believe it.

[mansr]

It tells me it's FLAC. I don't believe it.

Why would it lie?

[Yorkie]

Why would it lie?

 

Well, I don't suppose it's being dishonest so much as not telling the full story. There must be plenty of ways a FLAC stream could be degraded while being processed and still be a FLAC stream. More a matter of still structured the right way rather than contain all the original information.

[mansr]

Well, I don't suppose it's being dishonest so much as not telling the full story. There must be plenty of ways a FLAC stream could be degraded while being processed and still be a FLAC stream. More a matter of still structured the right way rather than contain all the original information.

Something would have to decode it to PCM, do whatever processing, and then re-compress it to FLAC. Any direct alteration of the FLAC data would almost certainly end up sounding terrible, not just a slight degradation.