Apple TV Set Up

I agree with everyone who says the ATV shouldn’t be in the chain at all, but if you wish to keep it there, try downloading the “Home” Apple App and see if that allows you to designate the ATV without having to change it with each usage 

Do you have an HDMI connection available to connect a Google Chromecast?


https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/18/22287905/apple-tv-app-now-available-chromecast-google-tv

First, why stream Tidal from your laptop? They have an app for your Apple (but now I see that it's an older model so maybe not). 

So, OK second instead of changing your laptop audio out use Airplay for the output choice in Tidal prefs and your Apple should show up.

Now third, if you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod, iPatch, whatever, after starting the music playing, leave you MacBook closer to the router and use your iOS device to control playback. 

...and crap I can't try this out now because for the first time in 6 years I don't have Tidal (dropped it last month). 

Here's another thought. If this is your only way to play Tidal, drop it and use the Apple Music service, easier to use, control and cheaper. No matter how you use the Apple it's output is 16/44 or 16/48, so no MQA or any other Hi-res and Apple now plays (almost) as high quality as Tidal (at least up to 16/44) 

HOWEVER if you switch to Bluesound Node (I have a nice pair of Nads so....ok, that sounds like I'm bragging but Nad uses the same software) stick with Tidal for the higher quality sound (if you can tell the difference...and can stand Tidal's library preferences which I finally got sick of). 

Good luck!!

There are quite a few Bluesound Node 2i listed on various sites. A newly listed Node 2i on USAudioMart today. Not sure why so many are for sale, but trying one seems worth investigating. It would likely be an upgrade from the AppleTV in your system...particularly considering your use of Tidal.

Moving up in price:
Cambridge Audio CXN V2 - $1099
Innuos Zen Mini - $1399
Bricasti M5 - $2400

Hi Op, 

I believe it's admirable you are looking achieve the casting life. I have opinions on your streamer, device, and music subscription, and I have some thoughts about your WiFi. 

It sounds like you are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. One quirk of the Apple casting protocol is the fact that rather than use your laptop/phone as remote for the music, Apple is placing your laptop in the signal chain--the music stream goes from your router to your laptop via wifi, then from for laptop back to the router via wifi, then to the Apple TV--think screen mirroring, but for sound only. (I wrote a little article on it here if you'd like to read more: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-tale-of-two-streaming-protocols-the-coming-duopoly). 

The downside to this audio mirroring is that if your laptop disconnects from your wifi, or otherwise looses connection to your Apple TV, the music stops. If you were using Google casting instead, the music would continue, although reconnecting your device would still be annoying. A couple possibilities for your issue may be that you have a poor wifi connection, or that your laptop and Apple TV box are having handshake issues. I don't have a solution for the latter, and a fix may not be coming if one or both of your devices are no longer receiving software updates from Apple due to their age. If your issue is poor wifi, however, I recommend a mesh wifi system. My understanding is that the Google/Nest systems are still the best ones on the market because, last I checked, Google was the only consumer system offering smart router steering. The whole point of having a mesh system is for your wifi devices to automatically connect to the strongest router signal as you move around your house.  Amazon's mesh system doesn't do this and the other boutique router companies can't keep up with Google's software prowess.

With regards to your Music service, for you I strongly recommend trying Apple Music. Try this before spending any money on a new streamer or wifi setup. The main reason is because Apple may only allow you to AirPlay out of your laptop with ease. At least on phone, Tidal is set to Google Cast, but your Apple TV isn't compatible with Google Cast. Apple TV should be compatible with Apple's AirPlay Casting (I haven't checked your specific device to verify). In Apple's walled garden, you will be punished for deviating. Apple is often simple, but not when your mixing and matching. I currently have subs to Apple Music, Qobuz, and Spotify. I'm going to ditch Qobuz for sure, and once Spotify gets a CD quality tier later this year, I'll end up either on AM or Spotify myself.

Like others here, I believe you should upgrade your streamer. If you have your stereo connected to a TV, you could use a video streamer for your music too. For video streamers, I recommend the "Chromecast with Google TV"--it's the one that comes with a remote. My family is full of Apple people, and yet Chromecast is changing their life. Chromecast is the best video streamer on the market hands down. Start with this video streamer upgrade for ~$50 and run optical from the TV to your DAC. I believe you can cast Tidal from your laptop/phone with ease. Done. The downside to this recommendation is that if you use an Apple phone and go with Apple Music, you won't be able to cast to the Chromecast--Apple will force you to find an AirPlay compatible streamer only. I still recommend the Chromecast for video content since it's the best, but you should consider the latest Bluesound Node. The latest Bluesound Node has compatibility with basically all the music streaming protocols and streaming services to make music streaming about as simple as its going to get. The Node also has eARC if you'd like to run audio out of the TV via HDMI rather than optical. 

If you like casting from your laptop, keep doing it. (Presumably you do laptop things while listening.) But if you haven't tried casting from a phone, you should give that a shot. The casting may be easier depending on the streamer and music service you use. One of the benefits to Spotify is the ability to control the stream from all your devices. And Spotify is like Google cast in that the signal path goes directly from your router to the streamer.