I’ve been having an issue with my Uniti Atom. It’s been happening for months. It happens playing digital music (whether it’s streamed from Qobuz or ALAC format files from a connected Samsung SSD). About once per track there is a momentary stutter where the music drops out for about half a second (sometimes it’s shorter than this). Occasionally it happens in the same part of a track if I rewind, but not always. It’s rarely more than once in a track (whether it’s a 2 mins song or 25 min orchestral movement)
Playing from an analogue source (like a turntable) there are no dropouts.
Firmware is up to date
Connection is ethernet (gigabit )
USB disk is a Samsung T5 SSD
I’ve tried a factory reset.
I’ve swapped the power cable.
I’ve tried it connected to wifi instead of ethernet.
Nothing has worked so far. Any ideas??? thanks in advance
The only thing I can suggest is unplugging the Atom from the power and leaving it for a long time such as overnight.
This might make sure all capacitors etc are discharged, then try it again.
Kind of a hard re-boot rather than a reset.
I have the same issue, affecting Spotify Connect which I use most of the time. Also followed the same troubleshooting with no resolution.
I have had the Atom for a few years, and it started 6-12 months ago, so I assume it’s a software update which has caused it, rather than a hardware fault.
HDMI is unaffected so must be a streaming issue. I’m hoping that a future software update will fix it.
It’s very annoying and I would consider selling it, but wouldn’t feel that good knowing there is this bug/fault…plus I would think twice before buying a Nova as it might have the same issue.
It happens from a Samsung SSD connected via USB? That more or less rules out network issues, I guess.
Is there any pattern as to „when“ in the tracks the issue happens?
Randomly within the tracks? Towards the beginning, mid, or end of a track? Mixed?
(I’m checking for an issue I’ve heard about, but want to ask open-ended.)
PS: my Novas don’t do that, via Qobuz or from NAS. Haven’t tried USB in a while.
If the problem is that frequent as you describe, checking with support is a good idea.
@vys70 few thoughts, best though to be specific about the firmware version number of your Atom.
Worth adding your control point and version(s) just to have a complete picture.
Does the Qobuz stuttering occur when the SSD is removed?
How full is the SSD drive?
Does the suttering from the SSD drive occur, if you switch off wifi and disconnect ethernet? (I’m not in front of my Nova, but iirc the remote will give you basic functionality to play - however that may be limited to a memory stick). The aim is to switch off anything not required.
A full power down of Atom, left off overnight as suggested, plus also do a power down of your router for as long as you can, more than just off and back on.
If you have another usb store like a usb stick, worth taking the time to load say a couple of albums in flac format. If this shows up the issue, then you would be able to send the stick with the unit if it requires a return.
Ultimately you are trying to isolate whether each source is causing two different issues - perhaps unlikely - or any streaming has the same issue, which is where a new usb stick and a few albums would be useful. This is all intended to see if you can avoid returning the unit to the factory. You will know if the unit is still within warranty and any return would mean you are without the unit for some time.
The more detailed your diagnosis, if it has to go back, the likely quicker it will return.
The SSD is less than half full. (the issue happened with a previous SSD plugged in, too).
I have tried different file formats and this did not fix the issue.
The unit has been powered down intermittently when we go away, but I can try that again.
Have NOT tried disabling wifi /disconnecting ethernet - so I will.
current firmware is 3.10.1 (5617). it has not only happened on this firmware, though because I know that there have been a number of updates and the issue has persisted across them.
Thanks for the additional info.
Something else to try. iRadio is also streaming, as you know.
Does the same stuttering issue arise on a feed from the likes of Naim, BBC HD or RP (Radio Paradise)?
If it is within warranty, it might be worth involving your dealer, if this has been going on for some time. As you likely know, any unit for return to the factory, has to be arranged via a Naim dealer, unless an email to support offers some other explanation.
I’m not sure it’s quite that simple. The USB input goes to the streaming board (unlike SPDIF).
If you use the Server input/Local Music (as I assume most people would) play from a USB drive will stop if the network connection is lost (after the buffer empties) and resume if you’re lucky if the connection returns.
I’m not sure if that is of any use to the OP. It might be worth comparing music on the USB stick played through the Server input with the same music files played using the USB input.