7.8 sound glitch

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7.8 sound glitch

After the recent firmware update I notice a consistent 'glitch' in the sound via my updated AEX unit. Has anyone else noticed what sounds like less than a second of music just before the desired track plays?

My home system includes one other AEX running 7.6.9 so maybe this could influence things. The issue is the same across all iOS devices, including an iOS 12 beta iPad.

If it does not clear I would say it's distracting enough to require reverting to 7.6.9

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.1), Windows 10, iPad 2

Posted on Sep 1, 2018 1:01 AM

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Answer 1

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Tesserax

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151,827 points

Sep 1, 2018 10:03 AM in response to Walter Brewster

I'm not sure if I made my issue with Airplay 2 clear. There are no dropouts during normal play but once I select a track I hear a tiny clip of something else just before it starts.

Yes, I understood you perfectly. Maybe I should have worded my reply better. The "drops" I mentioned would occur at the point between songs. If you are actually hearing "something else" before the next song starts would indicate to me that the buffer did not properly clear or that there is some type of audio "leakage" during the "quiet" moment between tracks. Regardless, this appears to be an issue with AirPlay 2. I suggest that you submit your findings directly to Apple @ Product Feedback

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Answer 2

Tesserax

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151,827 points

Sep 1, 2018 8:52 AM in response to Walter Brewster

It's interesting that AirPlay 2 was supposed to reduce or eliminate the "drops" as it increased the streaming buffer size over what AirPlay "1" provided. Personally, I have not tried enough audio samples to verify that is true or not. Sounds (no pun intended) like you are experiencing the same buffering issues that the earlier version of AirPlay had.

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Answer 3

Sep 1, 2018 9:45 AM in response to Tesserax

I had no buffering issues with AirPlay once I supplied CAT6 to the AEX and only went wireless in the room itself. We have around 70Mbps there via a very good ISP so if it's going to work anywhere it should in our living room!

I'm not sure if I made my issue with Airplay 2 clear. There are no dropouts during normal play but once I select a track I hear a tiny clip of something else just before it starts. It's one of those things that quickly becomes annoying!

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Answer 4

Sep 26, 2018 9:46 AM in response to Walter Brewster

I have now managed to acquire a new AEX unit and replaced an old v.1 that was in our kitchen. Having updated all AEX units to 7.8 I can confirm that the sound glitch happens on both AEX units in 2 different rooms on all iOS devices. It does not occur when using OS X. I wrote to Apple but getting this to someone who will actually remedy it will probably take years off my life. Frustrating so it's back to 7.6.9 .. again.

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Answer 5

Tesserax

Level 10

151,827 points

Sep 27, 2018 8:32 AM in response to Walter Brewster

I can certainly understand the frustration. I just tried streaming from iTunes on my 2014 Mac mini (running macOS Mojave) to my 2nd gen AirPort Express (running 7.8) and, although I can get the stream to start, it quits about 2-3 seconds later. However, when streaming to the same Express from my iPhone SE (running iOS 12) it streamed perfectly. Go figure!

Looks like I'm going to dust off my old tubed stereo system ...

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Answer 6

Sep 27, 2018 9:25 AM in response to Tesserax

I've now raised a case on this and Apple have asked me to record the effect on both iOS 12 (where I can demonstrate the glitch) and OS X Mojave (where it is absent). It will take a while but I will report their findings here in due course. I also put in a plea for the poor old Airport Express and have also written to Linksys as Apple now support their routers. I am nothing if not persistent.

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Answer 7

Sep 27, 2018 10:02 AM in response to Walter Brewster

......have also written to Linksys as Apple now support their routers.

Not trying to nit pick things here, but Apple does not really support Linksys routers. Apple does sell the Linksys Velop mesh system in their stores and online, but if you check the "fine print", you will see that Apple does not support the product in any way. Apple offers the product for sale. Users must contact Linksys for any kind of technical support, service, feedback, etc.

Here are the specifics:

Warranty

Note: Products sold through this website that do not bear the Apple Brand name are serviced and supported exclusively by their manufacturers in accordance with terms and conditions packaged with the products. Apple’s Limited Warranty does not apply to products that are not Apple-branded, even if packaged or sold with Apple products. Please contact the manufacturer directly for technical support and customer service.

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Answer 8

Sep 27, 2018 11:13 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Sorry - support was the wrong word. I know it's a shot in the dark but as, shall we say, Apple are recommending and selling Linksys then perhaps, a very small perhaps, they might agree to include Airplay in some way or form. Meanwhile I'm at least trying to raise the issue of the sound glitch that I can reproduce on both AEX units in my home.

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Answer 9

Sep 1, 2018 10:04 AM in response to Tesserax

Thank you! That makes complete sense. I will forward my findings to Apple as you suggest.

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7.8 sound glitch

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