MB50 ..... how are owners dealing without the Ethernet Port

[all2ears]

EMJ welcome to the Forum – Here’s my experience with the MB50

I have the same Synology NAS and had the same issues - After four weeks of Play Fi torture I finally returned my MB50 - After multiple calls between McIntosh & Play Fi the bottom line is Play Fi is not Plex compatible through the MB50 - Play Fi will find your library if you use Synology's basic file folder system but is not compatible with "mid-ware" like Plex or Synology's Audio Station – I found online reviews where the reviewer used Plex but Play Fi maintained they would not guarantee Plex compatibility based on current updates - Play Fi explained the media server module wasn’t currently fully operational but would be as a future enhancement -– That was confirmed by McIntosh

The final deal breaker for me was PLay Fi when used with the MB50 is not gapless - That means when you listen to a live performance Play Fi inserts a 4 second pause between each track - That pretty much negates enjoying any live recorded performance - There are a host of other Play Fi problems with play lists, wi fi connectivity to speakers, chopping off the first two seconds of a track etc etc

In the end Play Fi actually sent me an email and suggested I return my MB50 – Their position was Play Fi is intended to deliver audio from Pandora or Tidal not from a NAS drive – I forwarded the email to McIntosh and put the MB50 back in the box

The MB50 sounded great for Tidal but was useless with a NAS drive so in the end the Play Fi app was a deal breaker for me

[wikksmith]

Just purchased MB-50 and am trying to make wired connection to ASUS router via Monoprice usb-ethernet adapter. The manual is not helpful for this (nor is Mcintosh support, which simply told me to use wireless because "it works better.") For several reasons I prefer a wired connection.
Can someone please provide advice on this?
Thanks very much, wikksmith

[Masterlu]

wikksmith... Welcome to AA!

[all2ears]

wikksmith I also had issues with my MB50 -Eventually I considered it a "Radio Streamer" - It wasn't gapless so play a live recording and you'll get an artificial gap between each track - That was a deal breaker for me - This is the only McIntosh component I ever returned but I couldn't justify the price for the performance

When I demo'd an Auralic Streamer I discovered the remote control IR codes were identical for both streamrers ... made me go hmmmmm - Could McIntosh be rebranding someone else product again and upcharging ?

Long story short even if you work through this issue you'll still have to deal with the MB50 interface and at the time I had the McIntosh it was awful - I ended up going with the Auralic Streamer and have never looked back- Their interface is terrific and performance is flawless ...... especially on high def recordings

Good luck and welcome

[wikksmith]

all2ears:
Thanks for your comments. I can't actually say that I've had any issues because I'm still looking for recommendations on how best to connect it to the internet. I have no problems streaming Spotify with WiFi (via Chromecast audio), but would prefer a wired connection, if only because the antennas clash with my 50-year-old inherited Mcintosh receiver!
wikksmith

[jayvis]

Originally Posted by wikksmith

all2ears:
Thanks for your comments. I can't actually say that I've had any issues because I'm still looking for recommendations on how best to connect it to the internet. I have no problems streaming Spotify with WiFi (via Chromecast audio), but would prefer a wired connection, if only because the antennas clash with my 50-year-old inherited Mcintosh receiver!
wikksmith

Using the recommended Monoprice adapter, a wired internet connection should be seamless. Just plug it in and play. The WiFi antennas can then be removed as the device defaults to the wired connection.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by all2ears

When I tried Tidal HD that was a terrific surprise for a few hours …..then problems started with the signal – Seems going wireless on Tidal at peak demand is better run through a hard connection – Now I’m guessing everyone here knows the MB50 doesn’t have an Ethernet connection so the work around is use an adapter and go through the USB port - If I do that I lose the access for my incoming NAS drive

I demoed an aurender N10 (wired) which is a well regarded streamer. It also didn't do so well during peak hours. I prefer wired connection to a wireless as well, but it didn't matter.

[ps7256]

Originally Posted by wikksmith

all2ears:
Thanks for your comments. I can't actually say that I've had any issues because I'm still looking for recommendations on how best to connect it to the internet. I have no problems streaming Spotify with WiFi (via Chromecast audio), but would prefer a wired connection, if only because the antennas clash with my 50-year-old inherited Mcintosh receiver!
wikksmith

Am so sorry to hear about your expereince with MB50. I to experienced issues with it when I borrowed from my dealer. I did manage to get the Wifi working, but not the Ethernet and that was after the dealer walked me through a reset of the unit. This a quote from my comment on an earlier thread MB50, ‘clunky’, does not play all Files (DXD) is prohibited, issues with Apple, Tidal and Spotify. Limitations with DTS Play-Fi App. If you do not have a full Spotify account will not play music files. Tidal worked, but ‘hit and miss’. Disconnects from system every time there is turn off, standby inconsistent. I hope you find a resolution or consider other options.

[jayvis]

My experience has shown that I've yet to find a digital music streamer that isn't "clunky". They all seem to have intermittent issues depending on how you actually use them. Sound quality within my system is number one when choosing a streamer since it's mainly used with Tidal and Spotify. My own digital music collection is tiny and not worth worrying about.

[ps7256]

I ended up placing an i-fi i-purifier SPDIF between my Airport Express and Monarchy Audio DIP then to PS Audio DL3 and have no more jitter, pauses or Lag. Although it sounds like a lot in the chain, music is smooth and seamless.