Thank you all for coming back. I have a feeling it is a network issue, possibly made worse by an overstretched Mac mini.
My network is a patchwork of wired and wireless, partially because I needed more plugs and partially because the main hub/wifi (from the ISP company) sits at one end of the apt, in a kitchen cupboard and doesn’t reach other parts of the apt. So:
Fiber optic cable from ISP comes into a Livebox unit which also has a wifi network attached to it (call it Network A for ease). Plugged/connected into its ports at the back are the Mac mini, the living room ethernet socket (on a patch bay) to which the Nova is connected, a Netgear Nighthawk Wifi unit (Network B and Network B-5G) and an 8-port hub/switch.
Connected to the 8-port hub/switch are a. inch of ethernet plugs on the ethernet patch bay: the Orange TV/cable box, a couple of ethernet plugs in rooms and another wifi unit, a Zyxel (Network C) to which a wifi printer is connected.
I know this is far less than ideal as I have a couple of different wifi systems running. I can control the music system (Mini/Nova) via an iPad/laptop using Network B. If I want to print anything, I’ll have to switch to network C for that (and lose access to the Mini/Roon).
The other thing I have is that I have a significant drop in speed the further out I go from the kitchen. I cannot connect to Network B 5G from the living / dining / study.
Doing speetests from the Dining location (in between living and study area) and the kitchen I get as follows:
From dining:
Network B download 1.61 mbps , Upload 3.56
Network B 5G: can’t connect
Network C (hub located in Study) Down 35.82, Up 18.63
Livebox Down 0.17, Up 5.85
From Kitchen:
Network B Down 90.77, Up 91.41
Network B 5G Down 459, Up 342
Network C: Can’t connect
Livebox Down 401, Up 290
Interesting that from the kitchen the Netgear (Network B 5G) is even faster than the Livebox, but that is probably variations between tests. The drop in speed is massive.
I would be very grateful if you can help me to sort this mess out and give me suggestions. Ideally, I would have one powerful network all over the house and not this patchwork of mess with significantly decreasing throughput throughout the house. It’s a 130sqm apt, not a mansion, but I think thick stone walls as the building dates from 1905.
Thank you in advance.
I attach a pic of the ethernet patch bay.