Drop out

Does the buffer start to empty before the music drops out? Unitis often struggle with WiFi performance, and really need a wired Ethernet connection to work reliably.

Also, I believe there was a known issue with Fritzbox routers that caused some problems. I don't recall the details, but maybe worth talking to Naim support about it.

Hi Chris.  It would appear to be the wifi connection in my opinion.  In my previous house, the Uniti was hard wired into the router via Ethernet, and I never had any problems.  Unfortunately this isn't possible where we are now (we moved house three years ago and the router and Uniti are at opposite ends of the room) so a wifi connection is all I have for now.  Once we have a bookcase fitted, it will be easier since we can relocate the system.  It seems to work better without using the app though, I must say.

A cheap easy fix that worked for me for a while is to get an Airport Express (discontinued now, but plenty of cheap ones on ebay) and connect it to the Uniti with an Ethernet cable, as this will perform better than the built in WiFi module. 

Better still is a wired connection, of course, but this it the job well enough. An added bonus of this is that you can add an optical cable as well, and that gives the Uniti an Airplay option as well. 

ursus262 posted:

I keep getting a situation where when playing music on my Uniti over upnp, it keeps on dropping out.  I have a wireless connection between the uniti and the router.  I have tried a variety of servers, including the server within the router itself and the attached NAS drive.

It stops playing, sometimes going back to the beginning of the album or track.  It's very frustrating.  My router is a Fritzbox which seems to be functioning correctly.

Has anyone else had this problem and can anyone shed any light on it?

Hi Dave, Wifi is totally suitable for hidef streaming, but it does need to be done properly... and one standalone access point on an internet router stuck in a corner of a room somewhere is unlikely to cut it.

Best use multiple Ethernet wired co-operating access point in a ‘mesh’ where the Ethernet links go back to your switch.. or the switch points in your router. Companies like Ubiquiti and BT and many more provide such devices. Try and picture the overlaps as overlapping hoops, and and if you can arrange an overlap where your streamer and control points are. The key thing is also to use Ethernet to connect your access points, rather rely on floating wireless access points for your streaming area..

hHavi g multiple access points this way also encourages low rf  power which can help streamer SQ, and also make interference less of an issue with neighbours on similar channels. You can set access point in halls and landings where they look like doorbells or smoke alarms... hardly intrusive... it’s what I do... I can do hidef Wifi near real-time video streaming and audio streaming at the same time.

My cheapskate suggestion is based on the idea that you just want a short term solution until you get your room sorted. If you want to use WiFi as a long term option, Simon’s suggestion makes more sense, although you might still want to put one of these devices close to your streamer and run a wire to it, as the weak link in the chain here is the Uniti built in WiFi. 

Simon - can you clarify, please? The access points you mention (in halls and landings) need to be hard-wired to the router/switch. 

Yes they should ideally be so. Many options can allow also a wireless Wifi mesh, rather Ethernet wiring, but these will be ultimately bandwidth constrained. Max bandwidth and throughput on your Wifi network is therefore achieved with overlapping wired access points.

One thing that is possible in lower end commercial sets up like from Ubiquiti (what I use) is to use power over Ethernet (PoE)... this allows you to power your remote access point via its Ethernet lead by using an appropriate PoE switch or Ethernet in line power injector...again this is what I do to keep cabling and clutter down.

This is all very interesting.  Thank you all for your comments.  It tends to happen on Hi def streaming, although it can happen on ordinary streams as well, only not so often.  I do have an access point (a wifi bridge) that I could use wired into the Uniti and I might give that a go over the weekend.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...76#76892143103124476

ursus262 posted:

This is all very interesting.  Thank you all for your comments.  It tends to happen on Hi def streaming, although it can happen on ordinary streams as well, only not so often.  I do have an access point (a wifi bridge) that I could use wired into the Uniti and I might give that a go over the weekend.

If you want to stream hi res material, i.e. higher than 16/44 CD quality, you are being optimistic using WiFi. I did find, using an AirPort Extreme - Airport Express network that I could stream 24/192 reasonably reliably, but using the built in WiFi on the Superuniti I had at the time, there was no chance of doing this. 

Today, I tried an alternative.  I turned the wifi off and used the ethernet cable from a wifi range extender configured as a client (normally used with the PVR for BBC i-Player) and connected that to the Uniti.

The problem is solved, with no drop-outs at all and even my control point, the Naim app on a tablet works perfectly.  Quite whether or not it's as good as a fully wired connection is open to discussion, but at least I'm heading in the right direction.

Sounds like a good result! Out of curiosity, what range extender did you use? This is the same as my Airport Express suggestion, but as that is now discontinued, it might be useful to know what alternatives are out there. 

Chrissu: I use a TP Link TL-WR710N which is now discontinued, although newer models are available.  It's described as a "Wi-Fi Pocket Router/AP/TV Adapter/Repeater" and, set to client mode, it works perfectly.  It's a little fiddly to set up, but once it's going, it's a great little device.