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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. 
128x128jmphotography
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,210 posts
 
Network bandwidth issues usually result in delays while playing. Never heard it cause distortion. Been streaming happily for years now. WiFi can be obstructed by objects in the signal path and of course weak signal can cause issues. Laptop should tell you how strong WiFi signal is at a particular location. Try moving things a bit if possible and see if signal strength changes. In any case never heard of weak WiFi resulting in distortion. Should be all or nothing.  Always possible lights, microwave oven, etc impacts WiFi signal but again never experienced distortion as a result. 
Make sure source devices are delivering proper line levels.  Any volume control on play?  Try a different non streaming source device as a test maybe or try a different input on preamp if available. 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,604 posts
 
Qobuz will let you download (import) whatever you want. Try that.
bailyhill's avatar
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bailyhill
53 posts
 
Most of the hi end sites avoid wi fi for the best results, but offer it as a feature.  Suggest going hard wire.  If it still distorts, there is something else wrong.
jcder
28 posts
 
I agree with Mapman. Wifi problems shouldn’t be causing distortion.
When I experience internet/wifi problems, the signal simply cuts out.
I hope you held on to your old router and modem. Swap in each of the older components, one at a time, so see if the problem can be isolated to either your new router or your new modem.
Then, if possible, swap out each of the other components in the signal path, one at a time. ( I realize that swapping out the DAC might be tough, as most people don’t have more than one DAC lying around. If necessary, you could pipe an analogue signal directly from your streamer / computer to your pre-amp. )

If your problem isn’t caused by a bad signal coming in from the ISP, you’ll find the problem this way. Stick to streaming. It’s definitely worthy it ! 
rabbottmke
22 posts
 
Fixed or Variable volume selected on your Node2i?  (be sure it's Fixed).  I know it sounds dumb to check... but just check.  jcder and Mapman are on point.  SQ won't really vary if things are working.  They will just stutter and cut.  (been there, done that, swapped my DNS pointers to Google's DNS direct (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).  

You sound like you've got a signal path issue.  Would almost wager on your low voltage side...
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