Ethernet streaming and occasional white noise on Windows

[AlexS]

I have a similar issue. I use both iTunes (either direct or with Windows audio session enabled) and Jriver with WASAPI. All via a very new Windows 8 PC, hard wired Ethernet / Devialet AIR. Everthing works fine and sounds excellent. I can run upto 24bit 192khz using Jriver WASAPI, everthing sounds excellent and is 100% stable. However ....... It can run for hours "100% stable" but then just switches to white noise, which can be a bit alarming, especially if the volume is cranked up a bit. If I then disable the AIR app and then immediately re-enable AIR, it will again work fine for ages. Most times, this is a direct switch from lovely high quality sound, then to pure white noise. I have one time only had the case as you describe, in that you get white noise with the music quiet in the background. Next month I am hoping to attend a dealer event, where a designer from Devialet will be visiting to answer any questions (and, I guess to persuade me I really should upgrade to an 800). I'll stick this one on my question list and report back in a couple of weeks.

I think the key point from the above is that I get this issue with both Jriver and iTunes, and with different iTunes settings. So using the power of incredible logic, the issue is not related to the music software. Also, if running the Devialet off a digital radio, CD player / SPDIF etc. this issue never happens, so it is not the Devialet itself. That still leaves Windows itself, the AIR software or maybe something really obscure. An interesting one this, because our issues are similar, but not quire the same.

Yes, I think you're experiencing the very same problem. Not sure why you describe it as "not quite the same".
Please do report this to Devialet. The more reports they get, the higher the chances of their looking into this residual issue with AIR <--> Windows WASAPI. I've exchanged several emails with Thierry. They seem to think the problem may be specific to WASAPI on Windows per se. However, while my Internet searches for "WASAPI white noise" did yield some results, those problems appeared to be related to configurations and specific devices' drivers - in other words, they were not sporadic, like in our case.
I'm "experimenting", at the moment. For instance, making sure I restart AIR each time prior to listening, especially, if the PC was just woken up from sleep. (I recall that when I got those bursts of white noise, I was constantly keeping AIR running, never quitting it).
Please let me know two more things, which may or may not be significant:
a) the length of your AIR buffer (also, your MAX_RECALL ratio - I did not see an option to change it in the AIR GUI, but found a way to modify it directly in Window's registry, under "Devialet Air" - that was back in the WIFI days: when I attempted to fix the dropouts, I increased MAX_RECALL to 1000ms, and left it like that ever since)
b) if you're using a direct Ethernet connection with Devialet, or connect via the router.