Sound quality problems with BBC 6 Music using iRadio

I'm hearing some horrendous popping on BBCR2 this morning. It's the same on the Revo so I'm guessing it's an issue at BBC's end.

I have also been getting the popping sound on the radio 2 stream for the last few days. Reading this thread im glad its not my kit at fault, and probably just a broadcaster issue.

Same here, it definitely sounds like a scratchy record. 

Unfortunately, it's the streamer/DAC which causes this. It doesn't do it when the stream goes from iPad to Apple TV (which converts everything to 48khz) to optical input. THE NDS copes with this but fails to sync properly with the signal straight into the ethernet port.

Ideally, Naim would be fixing this in their next software update, but they blaimed the internet when I raised it with them.

Keith

Just contacted the bbc. They say that they have had a few complaints about this issue and they are looking into it.

It would probably push things on a bit if everyone else thats having the issue also phoned them. The number is 03700 100 123, as mentioned in Kevin Wilsons post above.

Word Origin and History for posh

My problem with blaiming the BBC is that their broadcasts sound better via the Tunein App. - Airplay - Apple TV - Optical input on the NDS. 

The only thing these Apps bring to the party is a user interface. Phil at Naim told me that when I contacted them. The audio feed that reaches the router is the same for iRadio on the NDS and the iPad. Therefore, it seems to me that the NDS is mangling the sound quality. It may well be poor quality, but it's ok after a £90 Apple TV Has converted it to 48khs.

I'm now getting issues with 5 Live. Will the NDS have to go back to Salisbury?

Keith

I doubt it. If its not a bbc issue then im sure it will be a firmware upgrade. My friend is using an ndx and that also has the problem on radio 2. The argument of blame cuts both ways as the bbc could say it works fine on other devices but naim can say other radio streams are working fine on naim kit. A bit of a nightmare scenario for us, the end users.

Naim really need to speak to the bbc direct to get to the bottom of the compatibility issue.

I would argue that the onus is on Naim to make a DAC that for iRadio that can sync with the BBC, particularly if inexpensive products can do it at a fraction of the cost. Buy an NDS and if it sounds rubbish compared to cheap products it's the BBC's fault?

Keith

Well as I said in a previous post, the bbc said they are looking into it. If ultimatley they dont feel the problem is their end then I would again say that naim need to contact them to sort out what the compatibility issue is. I very much doubt that the dac in the nds is at fault, as my friends ndx is having the same issue, and im sure they have a different dac. If its a naim issue then im sure it will just be firmware as I said previously.

This is a bit worrying though as ive just bought my nds and I cant listen to my favourite radio station at the moment!

Maybe someone from naim could comment, as we know you read these posts.

I suspect you are right, it's s firmware issue. If you have an iPad you can use a radio app such as Tunein and connect via USB or Airplay + Apple TV. Not what I signed up for, though. 

To be fair to Naim, the Beeb deliberately makes its internet broadcasts sound sh*te because they think it will make us listen on their beloved DAB :-(

Keith

Rather than use the pre-listed iRadio WMA feeds (which I have also noted popping), I have added some of the BBC AAC feeds manually e.g. for BBC6 Music :- 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/listen/live/r6_aaclca.pls

This streams @ 128 kb/s, and naturally sounds better than any 48 kb/s WMA feed.

Hope this helps,

Dave.

This sounds a great idea but how do you add it to your device or to the app formerly known as N-Stream?

On a related note, I have not been able to access the following stations:

BBC1

BBC2

BBC3

BBC4

BBC5

BBC6

Does anyone has similar problems or could it be due to geographic restriction that I am unable to access? (I am located in Singapore).

One more thing. I have noted that the number of stations listed on vtuner website is bigger than what I am seeing on my streamer. Does anyone knows if this is expected or should our list be updated as well ? If not, how do we get our radio station list updated?

5.2 Adding iRadio Stations 

The Naim Radio Guide web site enables iRadio stations not included in the standard NDS list to be added for download to your NDS. To access the web site and add stations follow the steps below. 

• With a computer connected to the same network as the NDS, browse to http://naim.vtuner.com 

• Enter the identification (ID) of your NDS where requested on the web page. The ID is the unit’s MAC address. This can be found via the following NDS menus: Setup > Factory Settings > System Status > MAC. 

Note: You can register a username and password so that the MAC address is not required on any subsequent visit. 

• To add stations follow the My Added Stations link and provide the information required. Click on the arrow to complete the procedure. 

• The added station will then be visible on the Naim Radio Guide home page. 

• To access the stations from the NDS, select the iRadio input then select Added Stations

Many thanks Guys, I have added radio 2 and 6 to my stations as guided and they sound much better!

I guess these are test versions of the feeds, perhaps they will eventually be added to iRadio.

It certainly sounds much better!

That's funny - I use Radio 6, which I simply added from iRadio and it's already 128k. I've just added the bog standard Radio 2 from the iRadio list (it comes up as Listen Live) and that's 128k as well. There was no need to fiddle with vtuner at all. Does my superuniti have magical powers? Is it just because I'm in the UK, and those needing to add via vTuner are not?

6 Music sounds ok tonight for the first time in months :-o Sadly, 5 Live is now popping :-(

I've added Open Live streams of both, as suggested above. 6 Music sounds much the same, but 5 Live is a big improvement - no popping and much better SQ - not surprising given the measly bit rate of the stream which vTuner defaults to. I would recommend it, even if you're not having problems.

I've reported my findings to Naim.

Keith

Hi Nigel,

I get 6 Music at 128khz from vTuner too, but 5 Live is only 48khz. The Open Live stream is 128khz for both.

Does anyone know what/who Open Live is?

Keith

BBC 6 Music is now sounding ok on iRadio. The improvement coincided with Paul's sticky, but I don't know if this is coincidence.

I'm now having the problem with BBC Radio 5 Live, really bad. However, as others have pointed out, it is possible to add stations manually. The vTuner defaults to WMA at 48kHz for 5 Live (when you search in the app it is described as 32kHz!!!), but it's available at AAC 128kHz If you go looking. The difference in sound quality is night and day. Check out Radiofeeds.co.uk.

The moral of the story is that you can't assume that your Naim streamer will default to the best quality stream. Hopefully, Paul's investigations will resolve this situation.

Keith