WiFi System Upgrades


What should I upgrade (if anything) in the following playback chain?

I use iTunes on a Mac Mini to play ripped CDs (Apple Lossless) via WiFi to an Apple TV3.

A Cambridge DacMagic does the D to A and it then goes into my regular analog system (Sonic Frontiers Line One pre-amp; Sunfire Cinema grand bi-amping the Maggie 1.5QR speakers - which are likely to become 1.7i soon).

I hear a lot about other players besides iTunes.
The DacMagic seems pretty good even today.
Or I could eliminate WiFi by buying another computer and moving this one into the room where the stereo system is, using some sort of cable to go directly into the DacMagic.

What would you change and why?
randy-11
@williewonka

I had something similar happen last week; I updated to the latest firmware (2.8.3) and latest BluOS (2.8.0) and lost my library. I tried reindex and rebuild but couldn’t get it back. I won’t begin to speculate about what happened but I sent a support request to Bluesound; which is easy to do from your tablet and when you send it a diagnostic report also goes to Bluesound.

Within a few hours I had corresponded with Bluesound and discussed the situation. When I couldn’t resolve the issue quickly they immediately set up a remote access appointment. I got a call from Canada and within a few minutes the Bluesound rep had me up and running. Fantastic customer service.

Ultimately it was found that a parameter in file sharing on my iMac had been disabled; I have know idea how. It could have been an auto update on the Mac, just don’t know.

If I were you I’d confirm your using the latest firmware and BluOS update (I’m sure you are since you just hooked up everything yesterday) then do a rebuild. If that doesn’t work send a support request Bluesound and they will have you up and running in no time. I really can’t overstate how responsive and great their support is.

If you have any other questions holler.

Cheers,

Scott
@williewonka 

"So my questions
- do I have to re-index each time i start a listening session?"

Forgot to answer your question; no, you do not have to re-index each time you start a listening session.

One feature among many that I love about the Node 2 is when I retire for the evening I cue up what I want to listen to on my iPad and in the morning I just have to touch play on the Nodes control panel and begin listening; don't even need to use the ap. Nice.

Cheers,

Scott
@williewonka .. I've had my Node 2 since April and have experienced similar. My library is located on a USB hard drive attached to my AirPort Extreme router and on occasion the router needs to be restarted to fix this issue. Sometimes the Node 2 needs to be unplugged from the wall (to restart) as well. Once, I only needed to rebuild the index (which doesn't hurt to try 1st). In general, this only needs to be done after an update from Bluesound. It's kind of a PITA but it has happened infrequently and I love the platform. It's getting better with each update btw.
I find that with about every other Bluesound OS update, I have to reboot the whole system, which involve unplugging the Ethernet source from the router, unplugging my Vault 2, Node, and Pulse Mini and re starting them, occasionally more than once.  One time I had to reindex collection.  I cringe with every update
Guys - Thanks for the input - I’m getting there :-)

What I did find is that the Bluesound seems to be sensitive to routers used in the "network" pathways

For example my router/device path is was as follows
1. is a Wireless Router/Modem that connects to the internet - also has 4 ethernet ports and is the DCHP server fro my LAN
2. is an 8 port ethernet router switch connect to #1
3. is a 5 port ethernet router switch connects to #2
4. my NAS Drive connects to #3 via ethernet
5. my Bluesound connects to #3 via ethernet

A bit complex, but #3 is located with the TV and #1 and #2 are in the basement - I had needed more that the 4 ethernet ports provided on #1, hence the need for #2

I have tried many different configurations, but the above worked te best - until now.

I’ve since removed #2 from the network
#3 now connects directly to #1 and I can now at least see the PowerNode 2

Getting the PowerNode to see the drive can be trying at times and I have not figured out why - yet :-)

I did have issues with re-indexing - the process appeared to see only one song - I have 4000+++ in my library - but that seems to have resolved itself as of this morning
.
I hasten to add - this is not unique to the Bluesound - my existing setup suffers similar issues.

If anyone else has experienced similar issues please tell us how you resolved them - e.g. if a particular ethernet router switch caused the issues - which brand was it and which brand resolved it

Having said that - I just turned on my phone and the library was visible and active - go figure :-)

I am still very impressed by this little box and the comments from my wife - she likes the manual controls on the top of the unit - "it's so simple" - only time will tell :-)

Thanks again