Intermittent stuttering with WiiM Ultra

[huyvoxyz]

Since buying the WiiM Ultra two weeks ago, I have experienced occasional stuttering issues. This problem is not constant but occurs periodically, affecting both Tidal Connect/Qobuz Connect and direct Tidal/Qobuz streaming in Wiim app. I adjusted various network and audio settings in the WiiM app with no success. Given that direct streaming of max quality audio to my KEF LSX II speaker is normal, I think the issue is not relating to my home's network.

I have found a temporary fix by limiting the Qobuz stream quality to CD 16 bits/44.1 kHz, which reduces the stutter to some extent. I've submitted a support ticket and will continue to use the CD quality for now (it's still good because I can't distinguish between CD and Hi-Res anyway).

 

[Aquaman]

What‘s the wifi signal strength on your Ultra like? Have a look in the device settings —> Network status.
Do you live a crowded area/house/condo with many other routers around you?
If you connect the Ultra via ethernet, will the stuttering stop?

 

[Wiimer]

Since buying the WiiM Ultra two weeks ago, I have experienced occasional stuttering issues. This problem is not constant but occurs periodically, affecting both Tidal Connect/Qobuz Connect and direct Tidal/Qobuz streaming in Wiim app. I adjusted various network and audio settings in the WiiM app with no success. Given that direct streaming of max quality audio to my KEF LSX II speaker is normal, I think the issue is not relating to my home's network.

I have found a temporary fix by limiting the Qobuz stream quality to CD 16 bits/44.1 kHz, which reduces the stutter to some extent. I've submitted a support ticket and will continue to use the CD quality for now (it's still good because I can't distinguish between CD and Hi-Res anyway).

Additionally, please try turning 5GHz Only option on, and switching on/off DNS (Smart Network Enhancement) setting.
Turning off IPv6 may also prove helpful.

 

[Aquaman]

Additionally, please try turning 5GHz Only option on, and switching on/off DNS (Smart Network Enhancement) setting.
Turning off IPv6 may also prove helpful.
View attachment 29384

This 5GHz thing is something I don't really understand.
No audio player needs this kind of bandwidth. 2.4GHz would provide a multiple of what's required. In addition 2.4GHz has a better range than 5GHz.

 

[SoFluffy]

The thing with “streaming” from these platforms that aren’t live online radio stations is that it will prefetch the entire song before playing. It’s not literally streaming small chunks and buffering - it buffers the entire file up front. (You can witness this with some network monitoring tools if you have the know-how.) That said, your issue is very unlikely a network/wifi issue.

I just posted a new issue with my Ultra (https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/constant-play-pause.8542/) where it’s pausing and unpausing constantly. I wonder if that is what is actually happening for you as well, but maybe not as extreme.

 

[Wiimer]

This 5GHz thing is something I don't really understand.
No audio player needs this kind of bandwidth. 2.4GHz would provide a multiple of what's required. In addition 2.4GHz has a better range than 5GHz.

Regardless of your opinion, is there any reason why you shouldn't try both?

When the cause of a problem is unknown, I believe the fundamental approach to troubleshooting is to try everything possible to isolate the cause. There have been instances in the past where problems were resolved due to unexpected reasons.

 

[Aquaman]

Regardless of your opinion, is there any reason why you shouldn't try both?

Certainly not. I will give 2.4GHz only a try and switch off 5GHz both on the WiiM and the router and see what happens. Just trying to understand the motivation for '5GHz only' for a device like the WiiM.

 

[Wiimer]

Certainly not. I will give 2.4GHz only a try and switch off 5GHz both on the WiiM and the router and see what happens. Just trying to understand the motivation for '5GHz only' for a device like the WiiM.

I think this function disables automatic frequency switching and locks the connection to the 5GHz band when a Wi-Fi router assigns the same SSID to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Sorry from what I can gather from this FAQ, that doesn't seem to be the case.
It instructs you to enable 5GHz Only after separating the SSID.

How to Solve Weak Wi-Fi Signal Issues with Your WiiM Device

TABLE OF CONTENTS How to Improve Signal Strength 1. Consider Your Router’s Location 2. Place WiiM Device Closer to Router 3. Reduce Sources of Wireless Interference 4. Use the 5GHz Network 5. Restart Your Router and WiiM Device 6. Disable...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[Aquaman]

I think this function disables automatic frequency switching and locks the connection to the 5GHz band when a Wi-Fi router assigns the same SSID to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Sorry from what I can gather from this FAQ, that doesn't seem to be the case.
It instructs you to enable 5GHz Only after separating the SSID.

How to Solve Weak Wi-Fi Signal Issues with Your WiiM Device

TABLE OF CONTENTS How to Improve Signal Strength 1. Consider Your Router’s Location 2. Place WiiM Device Closer to Router 3. Reduce Sources of Wireless Interference 4. Use the 5GHz Network 5. Restart Your Router and WiiM Device 6. Disable...

faq.wiimhome.com

Haha, I couldn't be arsed to do this:


Anyway I did the test. 5GHz only disabled on the WiiM and switched off 5GHz on the router.
It works flawlessly.

 

[Wiimer]

Haha, I couldn't be arsed to do this:

View attachment 29389
Anyway I did the test. 5GHz only disabled on the WiiM and switched off 5GHz on the router.
It works flawlessly.

What happens if you turn on '5GHz Only'? Will the 2.4GHz connection be lost and communication become impossible?

Or does this toggle simply enable the WiiM device to select only the 5GHz SSID during setup mode?

 

[Aquaman]

What happens if you turn on '5GHz Only'? Will the 2.4GHz connection be lost and communication become impossible?

Or does this toggle simply enable the WiiM device to select only the 5GHz SSID during setup mode?

Just gave it a try.
Starting out with the WiiM on 2.4GHz. Then toggled 5GHz only to on. It said it would restart, but it didn't. It simply stay in 2.4GHz.
So I manually rebooted it and it went on 5GHz.
Then I switched off 5GHz on the router and, as expected, the connection with the WiiM is lost.

 

[Ethan.SS]

Since buying the WiiM Ultra two weeks ago, I have experienced occasional stuttering issues. This problem is not constant but occurs periodically, affecting both Tidal Connect/Qobuz Connect and direct Tidal/Qobuz streaming in Wiim app. I adjusted various network and audio settings in the WiiM app with no success. Given that direct streaming of max quality audio to my KEF LSX II speaker is normal, I think the issue is not relating to my home's network.

I have found a temporary fix by limiting the Qobuz stream quality to CD 16 bits/44.1 kHz, which reduces the stutter to some extent. I've submitted a support ticket and will continue to use the CD quality for now (it's still good because I can't distinguish between CD and Hi-Res anyway).

Hi, could you please provide the ticket ID? I'll check the current status.

 

[huyvoxyz]

What‘s the wifi signal strength on your Ultra like? Have a look in the device settings —> Network status.
Do you live a crowded area/house/condo with many other routers around you?
If you connect the Ultra via ethernet, will the stuttering stop?

I've been using ethernet and still have stutter music. With wifi (5 GHz), the signal is "very good". Originally I used wifi but thought it is the reason that causing stuttering so I switched to ethernet, and I've tested every setting available in the WiiM app. I would say my area is quite crowded, though.

 

[huyvoxyz]

Hi, could you please provide the ticket ID? I'll check the current status.

It's 546403

 

[bub42]

I have exactly the same problem with a pro Amp. It`s now wired via ethernet. With Tidal connect it plays one, two and sometimes more songs and then the player stops. I don't think it has ever played a complete playing list. I have tried the tips with a long "time out" time, the dns tweak but noting works.
Best regards /Bub

 

[Aquaman]

I have exactly the same problem with a pro Amp. It`s now wired via ethernet. With Tidal connect it plays one, two and sometimes more songs and then the player stops. I don't think it has ever played a complete playing list. I have tried the tips with a long "time out" time, the dns tweak but noting works.
Best regards /Bub

If you read across this and other forums, it is ALWAYS Tidal, that‘s creating problems in all colours shapes and sizes. I really wonder how they manage to stay in business.

 

[Mr Ee]

Indeed, been having a lot of Tidal Connect stopping playing across multiple wiims in the last few days.
The queue is still there, in the tidal app, and pressing play makes it play just the one next song then it stops again.
Very annoying!

 

[Wiimer]

Indeed, been having a lot of Tidal Connect stopping playing across multiple wiims in the last few days.
The queue is still there, in the tidal app, and pressing play makes it play just the one next song then it stops again.
Very annoying!

Spotify is experiencing a similar issue. Rebooting the device allows it to function normally for a few days. The team is working on a fix, so perhaps Tidal will be resolved at the same time (in the next update)..

 

[AngryofM]

This 5GHz thing is something I don't really understand.
No audio player needs this kind of bandwidth. 2.4GHz would provide a multiple of what's required. In addition 2.4GHz has a better range than 5GHz.

You misunderstand, It’s nothing to do with bandwidth as such, 5Ghz & 2.4Ghz refers to 2 different frequency bands of the radio spectrum, nothing to do with the bandwidth a device requires to operate.
The 2.4Ghz band can get very congested as most home devices (lights/cameras/etc) will pick this band first. The idea of switching the WiiM to the 5Ghz band is to try and avoid the congestion…
The disadvantage of doing this is that the 5Ghz spectrum does not cover as large an area as the 2.4Ghz band does from the router…

 

[Aquaman]

You misunderstand, It’s nothing to do with bandwidth as such, 5Ghz & 2.4Ghz refers to 2 different frequency bands of the radio spectrum, nothing to do with the bandwidth a device requires to operate.
The 2.4Ghz band can get very congested as most home devices (lights/cameras/etc) will pick this band first. The idea of switching the WiiM to the 5Ghz band is to try and avoid the congestion…
The disadvantage of doing this is that the 5Ghz spectrum does not cover as large an area as the 2.4Ghz band does from the router…

Ha,ha, if I look at my home network 5GHz is more crowded than 2.4GHz. My apple devices, my PC, the WiiM and BluOS box, all of them think that they are something special and only deserve the best.