WHY NETWORKS MATTER
A high-performance DAS is not just a file server or internet streamer, it’s the most electronically active component in your audio chain. It needs to communicate with your DAC, your control app (on your phone or tablet), and possibly with other devices like Roon Cores, remote endpoints, or NAS drives, all in real time.
Poor network conditions don’t just cause dropouts or stuttering. They can inject timing errors (jitter), increase electronic noise, and prevent system components from working together seamlessly.
The Common Pitfalls:
Mesh WiFi
Many users buy mesh Wi-Fi systems for whole-home coverage but leave them in the default (DHCP on) mode. In this mode, each mesh unit creates a separate subnet, meaning your DAS and your control device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop) might end up on different networks.
Result: Your control app cannot “see” the DAS, even though both appear to be online.
Fix: Configure your mesh system in bridge mode or access point mode, so the entire network operates on a single subnet.
Cheap Internet Services
Some internet providers offer “unlimited” or very fast plans at low prices by throttling large downloads or overloading user connections at peak times. This can corrupt operating system or software updates, especially on Linux-based devices like a DAS, where software comes from multiple online repositories.
Result: Your DAS may crash, behave unpredictably, or fail to update properly.
Fix: Choose a reputable internet service provider with good user feedback for reliability. For DAS firmware updates, use a wired connection when possible and avoid peak usage times.
Corporate VPNs and Employer-Supplied Internet
Some users receive internet service via their employer, or use VPN services like Cisco AnyConnect or enterprise firewalls to work from home. These configurations are often designed to block or isolate local devices from each other.
Result: Your remote app cannot control the DAS, and even local audio endpoints may disappear.
Fix: If possible, isolate your audio system from the corporate network. Use a separate router or guest VLAN that is not behind the corporate VPN.
Other VPN and Privacy Tools
Even on consumer networks, tools like Apple’s iCloud Private Relay or mobile VPN apps can interfere with local network visibility and prevent your device from connecting to your DAS.
Fix: Disable iCloud Private Relay and VPNs on devices used to control the DAS. You can always re-enable them later for general browsing.
Cheap Routers
Most ISPs provide a modem-router combo that prioritises internet access, not local networking. These units often mishandle protocols like multicast or UPnP, making discovery and communication between devices unreliable.
Result: Application control becomes flaky, streaming breaks, or file access is blocked.
Fix: Use a separate, high-quality router designed for robust LAN performance, plugged into your ISP modem/router and, if possible, disable the router function on the ISP modem. Reboot router, wifi access points, switches, DAS and DAC monthly.
STATIC IP ADDRESS
Some users seek to stabilise their network by setting a static IP address directly on the DAS. This can work, but it often leads to problems when the router is changed, the device is moved to another home, or the DAS is sold to another audiophile.
Best practice: Assign a DHCP reservation in your router instead. This ensures the DAS always gets the same IP address, but it’s managed centrally, and won’t create conflicts.
AUDIOPHILE SWITCHES
There is a strong market in so-called audiophile Ethernet switches. These may offer benefits such as reduced electrical noise, better clocking, or filtered power supplies. But these switches cannot fix noise or timing problems coming from upstream devices, like a noisy router or poorly configured network.
Advice: If you are considering a premium switch, first ensure that upstream devices, including your router and any unmanaged switches, are clean, quiet, and properly grounded. The best results come when the entire network path is well-considered.
BEST practice
These tips are simple, effective, and require no technical expertise:
- Use wired Ethernet for your DAS, DAC, and router where possible.
- Ensure all devices are on the same subnet, especially your control device and DAS (e.g. 192.168.3.x, 192.168.3.y).
- Avoid cheap or congested ISPs, and schedule major updates for off-peak times.
- Disable VPNs or relay services on control devices during playback or setup.
- Choose a LAN-capable router and avoid relying on ISP-provided combos.
- If using mesh, configure it in bridge or AP mode.
- Let your router assign IP addresses, using DHCP reservations if needed.
OLADRA'S PERSPECTIVE
Our OLADRA PLAY system is built to be robust, responsive, and user-friendly across a wide range of network setups. But no software can overcome a network that blocks communication or injects instability.
We support users in diagnosing and resolving network issues, but we can only analyse so much from a distance, so we encourage users to proactively attend to network setup. It saves time, avoids frustration, and allows you to experience the full potential of your audio system.
CONCLUSION
A well-designed network is part of your audio system. It is not something you can ignore and expect to fix using a fancy switch, DAS or DAC. You just need to follow a few clear principles, to ensure the signal path and communications paths are stable, quiet, and uninterrupted.
OLADRA is a division and a registered trademark of Antipodes Audio Limited (New Zealand)