2. pc-audio
  3. 132250-388

RE: Suggestions for Tidal Streaming problems caused by Internet Connection Problems

During the last several months, my Tidal Streaming service sometimes stopped playing for a few seconds and then started again.  In addition, sometimes, my Internet connection completed stopped working while listening to a Tidal album.  I re-booted my modem and router and everything worked but the Internet connection continued to sometimes drop.  It was driving me crazy.

On Saturday, I completely LOST my Internet connection on my MAC Computer.  I re-booted everything (twice) and still no Internet connection.  I called my Internet Service Provider (ISP) and they said the cable signal strength coming into my modem was incorrect (out of range) and scheduled a Maintenance Tech (Senior level, outside person) Service Call.  This is not the ISP normal service call.

The ISP Maintenance Tech arrived on Sunday and adjusted the signal strength for all their switching components carrying the cable signal to my home.  He then replaced the outside cable junction box (underground) for my neighborhood (3 homes including mine) since it was old and corroded.   He then replaced all the coaxial connector plugs on the cable from my wall plug to my modem and also replaced all the coaxial connector plugs in my outside cable box.   He noticed some of the wires were not straight so he rearranged the wires in my configuration both inside and outside.  Some additional adjustments were required on the outside cable junction box (fine tuning to get the require signal strength).  He was excellent and answered my questions on my configuration.  

When all of the above was done, he tested both the outside cable junction box and the inside signal strength to ensure all cable signals were in the required range (they were).   He then ran a speed test to confirm my upload and download speeds were correct (they were).  He made some additional minor cable and tuning adjustments and now everything is working fine.  He said if the cable signal strength is too high, or low, it will cause the Internet connection to drop its signal.  It has to be in its assigned required range.  

If you are experiencing Internet connection problems, the FIRST step to turn the power off your router, modem (take out the battery, if present) and remove the cable connection from the wall for 3 minutes.  To re-start, plug the coaxial cable back into the wall FIRST and turn on the power for all your devices.  This should solve most problems, but, if not, repeat these steps. You should also ensure the software in your router is current.  

If you are still experiencing Internet connectivity issues, you might need to call your ISP for assistance.  If needed, you might ask the Customer Support person to check the cable signal strength coming into your modem to help troubleshoot the issue. 

I probably should have called my ISP sooner but my Internet connectivity problems happened infrequently.   I was very lucky to have a very experienced ISP Technical person who knew exactly what was needed both inside and outside.   I hope this helps.
hgeifman
Post removed 
hgeifman OP
2,187 posts
 

My Apple Airport Extreme Router stopped working again.   This is the third broken unit and so I give up (one unit was DOA direct from the box).  My daughter also had to replace her Apple Airport Extreme Router since it stopped working (random signal drops, no Wi-Fi, etc).

I replaced my Apple Airport Extreme Router with the Luxul Wireless Router Kit – EPIC 3 AC3100 Wireless Router  & Controller W/ Domotz, Router Limit AND XAP-1510 AC1900 Access Point.  This wireless router kit combines high output power and simple deployment. The Luxul WS-250 offers the Epic 3 dual-band wireless AC3100 gigabit router, and the high-power AC1900 XAP-1510 access point (Extender).   This unit was highly recommended, and installed, by Magnolia Audio Video.  

"A WORD OF CAUTION HERE".  When you replace an existing router, you need to ALSO CHANGE your ID and password.  These changes will enable your existing devices to easily connect to the new device and not cause any IP addressing issues.  Magnolia also recommended I minimize the number of Ethernet cables coming into the router for improved overall system performance (both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections).  I use the Luxul XGS-1008 switch box for my 4 Ethernet connections.  My Aurender N10 is wired direct to the Luxul router. 

https://www.luxul.com/kits/ws-250.aspx

The AC1900 XAP-1510 Access Point (extender) device is in my family room (far away from my Luxul router) and REQUIRES an Ethernet connection to the Internet.  This greatly improves the Wi-Fi signal through out my entire house.  

I also upgraded my ISP cable speed from 100Mbps to 250Mbps and have had no problems with Tidal Streaming.  I cannot prove this but I wonder if the Apple Airport Extreme Router had issues handling the streaming speed used by Tidal.  I also believe that the faster cable speed helped.  And, of course, my Netflix movies load much faster now.  Are most routers capable of handling the streaming speeds used by Tidal (is yours)?   I do not know. 

As everyone stated above, successful Tidal Streaming REQUIRES all your devices that connect to the Internet to be working perfectly.  This include the router, switch boxes, modems and the ISP connection (junction boxes, amplifiers, etc).   It seems, unfortunately, I have had issues with most everything down stream.  

If you are having issues using Tidal Streaming, I suggest you review these many components to ensure they are working okay.  And, yes, most likely, you will need to contact your ISP to ensure the cable speed is okay, the cable signal strength is within its required range, etc.  My ISP, Wave Broadband, was very helpful ensuring the service was working for me.  




daddog
3 posts
 
I am probably a little late joining this conversation but here is a data point regarding the Tidal buffering/dropout problem or whatever it is:  I recently started the Tidal service and have both an Aurender N10 and an OPPO BDP-105 setup to stream Tidal and output to different stereo systems.

Both the N10 and BDP-105 are served by the same - and my one and only - internet service in my home.  I am using a new Linksys Velop Wifi mesh router system with both players connected to a different Velop node unit with an Ethernet cable (not wirelessly).  The latest firmware/software is loaded on both the Aurender N10 and OPPO BDP-105, but the N10 almost always buffers and has annoying dropouts after a few minutes of streaming Tidal HiFi or MQA files.  The OPPO BDP-105 hangs in there and can play Tidal HiFi or MQA for hours.  

So it does not appear that Tidal or my ISP is the culprit.  I assume there is something amiss with the N10 software but I don't know how to reload it or what to try next.  If anyone has any clues for me I would surely appreciate it.
hgeifman OP
2,187 posts
 
@daddog, Please update your Aurender software as noted below: 

Changes from 2.9.4
* Bug fix
- Fixed connection issue when changes aurender.

http://www.aurender.com/blog/new-software-release-note-4


And, if problems continues, contact Aurender Customer Support at the link below. Several options are available. I suggest an email to the support email address below. 

http://www.aurender.com/page/contactus
keithjacksontucson
46 posts
 
My N-10 software is updated.
I’ve been having the tidal buffering problem intermittently for a long time now.
Today 04/18/18, almost nothing will play.
My N-10 freezes up for several minutes and has to reboot.
More to discover