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can't stream in hi-res on Roon HELP

Dear A-goners

I am having trouble streaming hi resolution files on Roon.  96k 24bit will sometimes work but anything higher, I get a message that Qobuz is loading slowly and it won't play.  My internet is 56 Mps download which I assume would be enough for these files?  My main system is connected directly to the router and my upstairs system is connected via Wi-Fi.  Downstairs system is a little better, it will usually load 96K 24bit but the upstairs system can only manage CD quality.  I'm wondering what my issue is?  Do I need better internet or a dedicated NUC for Roon?  I'm currently running it on my iMac

thanks for any help
adam8179
adam8179 OP
68 posts
 
@erik_squires The core is on WiFi.  My downstairs system (endpoint) is connected directly to the router.  The upstairs system (endpoint) is also on WiFi.  I don't have a WiFi mesh node in my office by the computer.  Perhaps that is why hi res works fine through the bluesound app but isn't working well on Roon?  I know ideally I should have everything connected directly through ethernet but it's just not practical in my house.  Maybe putting a mesh node in my office will help?  It would be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a new computer to be my core.  The argument against this is that I'm running the speed test from my office computer (Roon Core) that is connecting via WiFi and I'm getting 56 Mbps which seems ample for hi res streaming
erik_squires
15,928 posts
 
Did you use a wifi analyzer? Get one for your phone and make sure your router channel(s) are not contested.
tuberist's avatar
tuberist
951 posts
 
Possibly your core does not have enough processing power. I had this issue with a MacMini and then went dedicated server
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,668 posts
 
I was told wifi was limited to 24/96 and to get higher had to be usb. Maybe that info is outdated idk, but a place to start.
erik_squires
15,928 posts
 
I can do higher than that with Wifi, but then, I am kind of a PC tech and have great signal quality. In my modest 1,200 SQ feet, 2 floor home I get 5 bars and no competition, and I'm using 5GHz, which has a lot more bandwidth. I could do anything, but my main system will be hard wired.

Roon only needs a lot of CPU if you have it set to  upsample or convert to DSD. You can check on the core if you can view the CPU usage.  Normally playing music for me, even with a few EQ bands, runs about 15% CPU unless I do DSD upsampling, then it jumps to around 80% CPU or higher.

As I mentioned though, the core uses up a lot of Wifi bandwidth.  It needs to receive the signal from your streaming source (unless on local disk) and it needs to send it out. And it has to compete with any other Wifi traffic. If Roon is broadcasting to more than one target, each of these uses up your Wifi bandwidth as well.  So, 2 endpoints, you have 4 competing Wifi signals eating up your bandwidth.

Get a signal analyzer. Especially look for competing routers. Put your router above all your other devices.


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