Network Dropouts

[Mike48]

I'm experiencing highly intermittent dropouts in streaming audio. Setup is Windows i7 PC with MinimServer, wired Ethernet, Simaudio MiND, Auralic Vega DAC. This usually works great up to 192/24, but every few days, there are episodes of brief dropouts (heard as clicks) in playback. This happens at any data rate, even though I've switched the Clock setting on the Vega to "Auto".

Also complicating troubleshooting is that the system is in a new room and the Vega is a new acquisition. Seems to me it could be (1) a defective DAC or MiND, (2) bad network cabling or switch, or (3) increased network latency because the PC is downloading updates or doing some other thing I don't want it to do.

Does anyone have suggestions for tracking this down? It is frustrating, because so highly intermittent. I've made several "fixes" that seemed to work, but didn't. I've thought of moving the music library to an NAS to eliminate (3), but I hate to throw money at the problem without firmer evidence.

I may have a window to return the DAC for a refund, but it's closing fast. AND it sounds wonderful when it works.

Thoughts appreciated!

Mike