buffering problems

[litmus]

first post, so i'll try to lay it out as clearly as possible!

the problem: my stream is suddenly causing major buffering issues (regardless of listening app: winamp, iTunes, etc.). it will take upwards of 30 seconds just to get to 25%... if and when it finally does connect, it immediately starts the buffering cycle again.

the background: i've been running the server for 2+ years without incident.. originally with 1.8.2, recently upgraded to 1.9.0.

the stream is 96kbps stereo, max users=6, i have pretty standard upload speed via SBC business plan (384, but it's never quite that)...

the stream isn't public; it's basically so i can listen to my collection here at the office (over the LAN) and tap into it from home and on business trips (via a dedicated IP i've assigned to it).

what i've done to date: i've gone through the forums pretty extensively and have tried numerous suggestions on both the server side and the listening side (e.g. changing some of the .ini parameters, reducing max users, changing buffer settings in winamp, etc.). nothing has made any difference at all in the buffering behavior.

i recently installed a new Cisco PIX firewall device, but have opened port 8000 on it. plus, that shouldn't be a factor on the LAN.

i'm sure i have left out valuable information that the brilliant minds around here would need to help me troubleshoot the problem; am happy to provide more details if there is anyone out there who can help me.

thanks in advance. am anxious to get my stream back up and running normally.