Gaps during playback of samplerates over 24bit/96kHz on audiolab 6000n

Just a suggestion, because in my case it helped.

I restarted the router and accespoints at a certain point when I encountered problems. It made Audirvãna work like a charm again. So now I do this every 3-4 weeks, and I have no issues any longer. I tried this because I remembered that in the past there was a similar problem with Google casting and some routers that caused the network to kind of overflow with data. Old data wasn’t cleared soon enough.

The most ignored aspect of Audirvana wireless streaming success (and for that matter any wireless music streaming app) is quality of the wireless network. A router is just another computer, it has RAM and and an OS that is targeted at moving packets of data around a network. Just like any computer left on for weeks on end performance can degrade, normally as a function of bad packets locking out RAM over time causing slowdowns. All people if relying on wireless due to inability to cable a connection between the playback computer and the network should optimise their network (assign priority to the playback computer, reboot the network and internet modem every week or so. Check that their channels are not congested with other nearby networks etc etc etc).

However in the case of the OP I have seen issues with an old DAC and a DAC in some high end wireless headphones that would produce pop’s/crackles/dropouts when playing 24/96 and above that never occurred at lower sample rates so it could be an issue of DAC incompatibility with Audirvana. Unfortunately the manufacturer of my equipment that had issues never detailed the DAC chips in their equipment so I was never able to pin it down to specific DAC chip(s). In these cases my network was tested (I don’t rely on specifications, they are meaningless crap based on testing in ideal isolation conditions rather than the real world) to be performing well above what is required for hi-resolution streaming so it was confirmed not to be a network issue. Maybe Antoine can detect something in the logs.

There is no error-correction on digital-audio file code transmission via Ethernet UPnP or USB protocols… Power/grounding/earthing management is imperative for the most reliable QoS of a network configuration that the digital-audio signal (analog voltage pulses) is being transmitted across and at the destination DAC. The same lack of error-correction applies to wireless transmission as well…

:notes: :eye: :headphones: :eye: :notes:

Read this maybe …

OK, I just reconfigured the network. Now I have a clean cable connection between the 1Gb/s router and the Audiolab. Internet speed is 600 Mbps for downloading and 120 Mbps for uploading. the router has a fiber optic cable to the Internet provider.
There are still interruptions in playback of 192 kHz/24-bit audio files.
96 kHz/24-bit plays well.
I know there’s not much to add in terms of sound quality, but I can’t get over it. It’s like a scratch on a new Ferrari. It just pisses me off and it affects my listening experience. Maybe I should buy psychotherapy instead of new cable?

Your issue sounds to me similar to the issues I have had with previous DAC’s (sound distortion/interruption at higher bit rates but not at lower rates). If it is this will need to wait for Antoine to get back and hope he sees something in your log file. Suggest you post your debug info and the community can look at your config and suggest possible changes which may help.

Do you have the latest firmware on the 6000n? If you look at the following post there were issues with the DLNA implementation which resulted in playback at 24/96 and above stuttering. Check the last post in the thread. Sounds identical to your issue. Supposedly was about to be fixed by a Audiolab firmware update at the time.

To confirm network is ok….Does your streamer have a control app? If so it may have a network speed test (my KEF LS50/60 do). In the case of the KEF’s I can check the data speed in. You will need 10Mbps for 24/192 however streamer manufacturers normally state double this is required to provide a faultless experience during playback (Tidal recommended is 20Mbps for Max, remember this is mega bits per second not bytes so is actually a pretty low throughput) if your streamer app has this capability you can at least rule out the network (or not as the case may be).

And finally no, anyone suffering your sound issues would get pretty upset. No need to see a shrink!

Ok, I’m computer scientist, Software Architect - i understand the aspects of technical details. The Audiolab 6000n network streamer is on the cable and ethernet card is 100Mbps. Internet is fiber cable 1Gbps.
I just upgraded audiolab firmware from ver020 to ver033 which is the latest on manufacturer website.
Still have problems with 192kHz/24-bit

Maybe an email to Audiolab support would be a good idea detailing your issue?

yeah, may be. i feel like an early linux user :slight_smile: I’ll let you know whether they ask me to recompile the audiolab kernel :slight_smile:

Heavily into DT Play-Fi, I think UPnP/DLNA was an afterthought on Audiolabs part.

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I don’t know why folks have not asked you to paste your debug info here yet, but please paste it here so we can see your system configuration…
Settings → My Account → Help → Debug info

  • Have you contacted Audiolab about this behavior?
  • Do you have another DAC to test with, to troubleshoot?
  • Does the 6000N analog output have the same behavior?
  • Are you using a 75 Ohm S/PDIF coaxial cable or just a plain RCA interconnect?
  • Are the 6000N and 6000A sharing a common power/ground circuit from a single outlet on your wall that is free of other non-audio components?
  • What type of Ethernet cable are you using?

:notes: :eye: :headphones: :eye: :notes:

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Bingo, most likely another device that does not play nicely with Audirvāna unfortunately. Certainly not the first one. @Agoldnear has some good troubleshooting ideas whilst awaiting @Antoine to hopefully save the day.

@wkwasniewski post the debug please. Your YouTube video is very much like my experience with my Oppo205 24/192 couldn’t make the cut.

This where I get the same idea.

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Jumping the shark much? :wink: I’m waiting for you to tell us what the usb port is for on this thing, label says control?

My KEFs have a “control” USB port. In their case it is used for diagnostic testing by KEF, not for end user use.

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Right O, aren’t these usually a “A” socket? This thing has a “B” but you are probably right unfortunately.

Adding:


As you thought, of no help with this matter.

DT Play-Fi clearly indicates all audio files downsampled to 44.1kHz and 16 Bits despite critical listening mode which is suggested for Hi Resolution experience by Audiolab manufacturer

On Audiolab 6000A, USB port is to connect to Audiolab 6000N Play to controll it, and if you disconnet them, the port on 6000a is the firmware update port for memory stick (which I used today for upgrade firmware purpose successfully)

1 Like
  • Not yet
  • the same one in 6000a and 6000n (based on ES9018K2M Sabre Reference DAC - which should be able to work on 32-bits 384kHz files) here is official chip reference document: https://www.esstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ES9018K2M-Datasheet-v3.7.pdf
  • Both: RCA and Optical output have the same behaviour.
  • I’m using hi quality RCA and Ugreen optical cables
  • I’m using the same single outlet
  • I’m using nice RJ45 cable category 7 connected directly to fiber optical router, however Audiolab ethernet adapter is 100mbps.
  • debug below:

Audirvana Studio 2.7.0 (20700)

macOS 14.2.1 with 16GB physical RAM

Connected account of : Wojciech Kwasniewski

NETWORK
Status: available

SIGNAL PROCESSING:

Polarity Inversion:
	Globally: OFF
	Per track: ON
Effects plugins ACTIVE in offline mode with new macOS API
	No plugin active

UPSAMPLING:
r8brain custom frequencies
96000Hz → 88200Hz
176400Hz → 88200Hz
192000Hz → 88200Hz
352800Hz → 88200Hz
384000Hz → 88200Hz
r8brain filter parameters
Bandwidth = 99.5%
Stop band attenuation 218dB
Phase linear

AUDIO VOLUME:
Max allowed volume: 100
Replay Gain: None
SW volume control: OFF

LIBRARY SETTINGS:
Sync list: 0 folders
iTunes/Music library synchronization: not synchronized
Library database path: /Users/wojciechkwasniewski/Library/Application Support/Audirvana/AudirvanaDatabase.sqlite

Local audio files fingerprinting
Tracks with no MBID: 247

Remote Control server:
Listening on 127.0.0.1 on port 53854

ACTIVE STREAMING SERVICES
TIDAL: Connected as HiFi Plus

=================== AUDIO DEVICE ========================

Active method: UPnP

Preferred device: [UPnP] Audiolab Model UID:Phorus Phorus-Renderer UID:uuid:3d62cbc4-32f8-4fbc-8618-60b606080295

Selected device:Audiolab
Manufacturer: Phorus
Model name: Phorus-Renderer
Model UID: Phorus Phorus-Renderer
UID: uuid:3d62cbc4-32f8-4fbc-8618-60b606080295
UPnP device at http://192.168.31.7:49152/description.xml
ID 0x0

6 available sample rates up to 192000Hz
44100
48000
88200
96000
176400
192000

Volume control: Yes
Max volume alert: Enabled

MQA capability
Auto-detect MQA devices: Yes
Not a MQA device, user set to not MQA

DSD capability
Unhandled (PCM conversion) with boost gain of 6dB

Device audio channels
Preferred stereo channels L:0 R:1
Channel bitmap: Ox3, layout:
Channel 0 mapped to 0
Channel 1 mapped to 1

UPnP set capabilities
Maximum PCM frequency set: 192000Hz
Maximum PCM bitdepth set: 24
Not native DSD capable
Avoid RAW PCM streams: No
Unwanted playback stop workaround: No

UPnP / DLNA supported protocols :
http-get::audio/wav:
http-get::audio/x-wav:
http-get::audio/mpeg:
http-get::audio/mp3:
http-get::audio/aac:
http-get::audio/ac3:
http-get::audio/x-flac:
http-get::audio/flac:
http-get::audio/vnd.dlna.adts:
http-get::audio/x-hx-aac-adts:
http-get::audio/3gpp:
http-get::audio/mp4:
DLNA 1.5: Yes
Native Gapless playback: Yes
Universal Gapless playback active: No
Missing events workaround: No
Can play native DSD: No
Volume Control: scalar
Number of channels: 2
Use as stereo device only: No

1 output streams:
Number of active channels: 2, in 1 stream(s)
Channel #0 :Stream 0 channel 0
Channel #1 :Stream 0 channel 1

Stream ID 0x0 0 channels starting at 0
12 virtual formats:
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 44.1kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 88.2kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 176.4kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 48kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 96kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 16 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz finite length
2 ch Non-mixable linear PCM Interleaved 24 little endian Signed Integer 192kHz finite length

0 physical formats

Current device transportInfo:
CurrentTransportState: STOPPED
CurrentTransportStatus: OK
CurrentSpeed: 1

Current device MediaInfo:
NrTracks: 1
MediaDuration: 00:00:00
CurrentURI: http://192.168.31.115:49152/audirvana/gaplessAudio_f_3.wav
CurrentURIMetadata:

dc:titleAudirvana gapless playback</dc:title>
upnp:classobject.item.audioItem.musicTrack</upnp:class>
http://192.168.31.115:49152/audirvana/gaplessAudio_f_3.wav

nextURI: 
nextURIMetadata: 
PlayMedium: THIRD-DLNA
RecordMedium: NOT_IMPLEMENTED
WriteStatus: NOT_IMPLEMENTED

Current transport actions:
Play,Seek,X_DLNA_SeekTime,Next,Previous

Current device AVT service description:

<?xml version="1.0"?> 1 0 urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:1 QPlay:2 uuid:3d62cbc4-32f8-4fbc-8618-60b606080295 Audiolab 192.168.31.7 49152 Phorus www.phorus.com Phorus-Renderer Phorus-Renderer 1.0 www.phorus.com DMR-1.50 000000000001 000000000001 image/png 72 72 32 /upnpmplayer.png urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:AVTransport:1 urn:upnp-org:serviceId:AVTransport /upnp/control/AVTransport1 /upnp/event/AVTransport1 AVTransport.xml urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:RenderingControl:1 urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RenderingControl /upnp/control/RenderingControl1 /upnp/event/RenderingControl1 RendererControl.xml urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:ConnectionManager:1 urn:upnp-org:serviceId:ConnectionManager /upnp/control/ConnectionManager1 /upnp/event/ConnectionManager1 ConnectionManager.xml urn:schemas-tencent-com:service:QPlay:2 urn:tencent-com:serviceId:QPlay /upnp/control/QPlay1 /upnp/event/QPlay1 QPlayQueueService.xml http://192.168.31.7:49152/

Current device RootDevice description:

<?xml version="1.0"?> 1 0 urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:1 QPlay:2 uuid:3d62cbc4-32f8-4fbc-8618-60b606080295 Audiolab 192.168.31.7 49152 Phorus www.phorus.com Phorus-Renderer Phorus-Renderer 1.0 www.phorus.com DMR-1.50 000000000001 000000000001 image/png 72 72 32 /upnpmplayer.png urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:AVTransport:1 urn:upnp-org:serviceId:AVTransport /upnp/control/AVTransport1 /upnp/event/AVTransport1 AVTransport.xml urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:RenderingControl:1 urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RenderingControl /upnp/control/RenderingControl1 /upnp/event/RenderingControl1 RendererControl.xml urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:ConnectionManager:1 urn:upnp-org:serviceId:ConnectionManager /upnp/control/ConnectionManager1 /upnp/event/ConnectionManager1 ConnectionManager.xml urn:schemas-tencent-com:service:QPlay:2 urn:tencent-com:serviceId:QPlay /upnp/control/QPlay1 /upnp/event/QPlay1 QPlayQueueService.xml http://192.168.31.7:49152/

UPnP devices found : 1
Device #0: ID 0x0 : Audiolab
UID: uuid:3d62cbc4-32f8-4fbc-8618-60b606080295
Location: http://192.168.31.7:49152/description.xml
Manufacturer: Phorus
Model name: Phorus-Renderer

Local

Max. memory for audio buffers: 4052MB

Local Audio Engine: CoreAudio
Actual I/O buffer frame size: 0

Local devices found : 1
Device #0: ID 0x4a Głośniki (MacBook Pro)
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Model UID: Speaker
UID: BuiltInSpeakerDevice
Model name: Apple Inc. Głośniki (MacBook Pro)

Chromecast

Chromecast devices found : 0