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Ok now I am frustrated with streaming

Help me out here please. I was really enjoying getting into streaming. Just purchased a Node 2i 2 weeks ago and have been enjoying it. Testing Tidal and Qobuz, leaning toward Qobuz. I was testing both wifi and ethernet connection. I seemed to pick up some noise and distortion on what I thought was the ethernet so I have been listening on wifi. I really enjoy finding new music on the streaming service. Tonight I was enjoying Sierra Hull because I listen to a lot of Alison Krauss. I was listening to Sierra Hull's new 25 Trips album and got to track 7 Escape and I heard a bunch of static/distortion, almost like a blown tube, except I have solid state equipment. I switched to Tidal to see if it was a problem with the Qobuz stream and same thing. Hooked up my MacBook pro to rule out a problem with the Node 2i, same thing. Now I am listening to Clapton's Unplugged and I hear the same thing. Is it my internet? I have a brand new modem, a Motorola MB7621, and a brand new Asus AC3100 router. I did a speed test and we are getting 237 mbps. My daughter was watching Netflix on a TV upstairs at the time, when she was finished I did a reboot of the cable modem and reboot of the Node 2i and then it was fine after that. I listened for about an hour after that. Is it my internet speed? Do I need to call Comcast/xfinity and up my speed package? Is it something else? Its getting frustrating and its not supposed to be like that, I am at the point where I may just send the Node back on the return policy and stick with CD's. 
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mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
If any volume controls are in play with any of the sources, would suggest lowering them and see if that helps. If the node device has an explicit setting for line level only (volume control bypassed) use that and set volume with pre-amp only.

Two high a voltage to the input of the pre-amp can result using source devices with volume controls and that WILL produce distortion if too high.

I’ve experienced it connecting a Chord Mojo DAC to pre-amp with volume control in play. That device has an explicit setting to bypass the volume control and output proper line level voltage only.

Probably no option like that using a laptop or other home computer. In that case just lower the volume enough at the source so no distortion is heard.
gmz374
5 posts
 
My background is as a senior VP in high-tech in Silicon Valley in the networking industry, now retired early.  I’d be very surprised if your distortion description was due to your internet feed from Xfinity.  At least not from your description of the way the sound changed.

It literally sounds more like a hardware issue such as a cap, bad cable, or something else that is injecting an analog, not a digital component, causing the distortion.  If it was in the internet stream such as dropped packets, it would be more likely exhibit itself as delays, dropouts, etc.  BTW... your downstream speed in the 200+ mbps is far beyond what you need to stream music and Netflix.  Again, if your audio and TV were competing for bandwidth, it would be more in the way of delays and dropped packets, again not giving the kind of audible distortion you’re describing.

I would try my best to swap out hardware as a test to get the internet out of the equation first.  You’ve got enough “moving parts” in the chain that I feel you should get it down to a simple setup with your CD player, preamp, amp and speakers.  Run that for awhile and see if you hear any distortion.  If you do, then get your gear diagnosed, especially the old amp which may have leaked a capacitor or two in it’s 20 years of loyal service to you.

Best of luck

Gary


gmz374
5 posts
 
Here is a link from QoBuz and chart from Netflix describing the resources needed for streaming various content.  You are well within the range needed to power multiple 4K TV’s and Tidal or QoBuz.  You probably could do 8k content if you wanted to without any ill effects.  

You can spend your money to increase to 400 mbps but it shouldn’t make any difference in your result.

QoBuz
https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/info/hi-fi/bancs-d-essai/will-my-internet-bandwidth-be179216

NETFLIX 

These are the recommended internet connection speeds to stream movies and TV shows on Netflix:

  • 0.5 Mb/s to view standard definition movies on a laptop computer. While you can stream Netflix at speeds of 0.5 Mb/s, the quality is grainy on a large screen, much like watching an old VHS movie. Netflix recommends at least 1.5 Mb/s.
  • 3.0 Mb/s to view standard definition video (480p) on a TV.
  • 4.0 Mb/s to view high definition video (720p, 1080p).
  • 5.0 Mb/s or more for the best 1080p experience.
  • 15 Mb/s to stream 4K (but 25 Mb/s is preferred). Also recommended is a 4K Ultra TV with an HEVC decoder.

gmz374
5 posts
 
Sorry... forgot to add the link

https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/info/hi-fi/bancs-d-essai/will-my-internet-bandwidth-be179216
jimf421
44 posts
 
I have a node 2i...sound is great, but I only stream my library over my household network; none of the subscription services.  My internet speed is 100mpbs and I have no problem streaming video on two larger tvs
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