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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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kairosman's avatar
kairosman
280 posts
 
Been streaming for 5+ years (still have CDs but don't use much now) and zero issues - but, I have been obsessive/compulsive over my setup top to bottom. I even invested in a custom ethernet switch with internal clock and separate power supply. IMHO all the components in the digital string must be regularly optimized. So the convenience of streaming comes at a cost in O/C behavior, but then that's no different really than the analog-only folks who do the same thing with their rigs.

Except I have MILLIONS of high rez files at my fingertips - and thus never a day passes that I don't stumble on some hidden auditory diamonds.
richtruss
163 posts
 
I’ve been streaming with several streamers since 2008. I’ve never experienced distortion or dropouts. I’ve always found wired Ethernet sounds better than WiFi, by some distance. I’ve been researching improving sound quality for wired Ethernet and eliminating RFI and unwanted noise picked up in the cables. This works really well and in my opinion an essential bit of gear to put between your streamer and Ethernet wire. Www.networkacoustics.com
lordrootman's avatar
lordrootman
377 posts
 
Is not the speed is Comcast 
whenever you’re signing up they ask you how many Devices are you going to use for example if you say 2  then they’re going to prioritize Those two that’s it Or if you say 5 then they’re going to recommend different speed 
kind of bs but it’s what it’s 
my speed is 200mb i can stream MQA and wife watching  movies Son watching tv shows on Apple TV 4K Whiteout any issues 
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,665 posts
 
Another +vote for physical media.

Happy Listening!
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cleeds
5,950 posts
 
bobby1945
I get distortion on specific streams also when streaming from TIDAL via ROON. I have come to the conclusion it is embedded distortion as a result of DRC.
What is DRC?
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