Uber High End Streamer Wars: Taiko vs. Wadax. What are the Design and Subjective Sonic Differences between the 2?

[caesar]

What are the Design and Subjective Sonic Differences between the 2?

Anyone actually willing to audition the competitor? Or just go with their team?

 

[matthias]

You are too early with your questions.
Wait until spring when the Taiko Olympus is released.......

 

[caesar]

You are too early with your questions.
Wait until spring when the Taiko Olympus is released.......

I believe they have started taking orders, but I haven't read their thread.

So guys are spending around 6 figures on something that may not deliver the best sound quality

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...naw, it's not six figs. Multiple options.

 

[wil]

Boy, this Uber War between the Streamers is going nowhere! Why isn’t anything getting “obliterated”?

 

[caesar]

Gentlemen, been a year now. Dcs is in the game now.

Anyone with REAL PASSION to compare?

Or are guys trusting "experts" instead of trusting themselves?

Are guys just buying audio jewelry?

 

[caesar]

Boy, this Uber War between the Streamers is going nowhere! Why isn’t anything getting “obliterated”?

I wonder how many guys actually compared the junior Taiko, the Extreme, to the $3K transport from China.

If they did, and trusted themselves - instead of the herd on the forum, some may be surprised!

 

[Verdier]

I wonder how many guys actually compared the junior Taiko, the Extreme, to the $3K transport from China.

Who? Where to find?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

caesar fishing for a conflict. i guess this officially starts the new 2025 Audiophile Year.

Happy New Year caesar!

 

[caesar]

caesar fishing for a conflict. i guess this officially starts the new 2025 Audiophile Year.

Happy New Year caesar!

Mike,
Happy new year!

Not sure why you are looking at things through this lens.

Another perspective: isn't anyone really interested in comparing products that claim uber performance and find out what works best for them, instead of trusting the audio herd?

Or are they just dropping big dollars because someone else says it's great? You are the only on this site that seems to be interested to find what is best for you - instead of following some misincentivized expert with horrible tastes and preferences. You and I have very different tastes, but I respect your approach.

So maybe you can step up?

 

[Elliot G.]

Mike,
Happy new year!

Not sure why you are looking at things through this lens.

Another perspective: isn't anyone really interested in comparing products that claim uber performance and find out what works best for them, instead of trusting the audio herd?

Or are they just dropping big dollars because someone else says it's great? You are the only on this site that seems to be interested to find what is best for you - instead of following some misincentivized expert with horrible tastes and preferences. You and I have very different tastes, but I respect your approach.

So maybe you can step up?

are you going to step up and buy one? I have the Wadax and I ll be happy to compare them if you send me the one I don't have. I ve spent my money how about you?
FYI the Wadax is great, been reviewed if that matters by everyone. The other is it even available? Not trying to start anything but these threads are IMO just looking for drama.
dCS is brand new I believe just coming out and I personally don't know anyone that is familiar with it AND has listened extensively to its competition. Fan boys dont count and neither do reviews by people that went from a entry level dac to a 300k one.
I assume they are all excellent but who Caesar determines what's best?
These discussions seem really silly to me as its one opinion versus another based on what criteria? If I say its the best does that count? I am an evil member of the dealer universe so I must be corrupt and wrong right?
Whats best speaker?
whats best amp?
Whats best TT?
Whats best cartridge?
Whats best cheeseburger?
Whats best Pizza?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Mike,
Happy new year!

Not sure why you are looking at things through this lens.

Another perspective: isn't anyone really interested in comparing products that claim uber performance and find out what works best for them, instead of trusting the audio herd?

Or are they just dropping big dollars because someone else says it's great? You are the only on this site that seems to be interested to find what is best for you - instead of following some misincentivized expert with horrible tastes and preferences. You and I have very different tastes, but I respect your approach.

So maybe you can step up?

realistically; it is not fair to expect most people to do exotic compares. in other words; comparing tip top choices head to head in their own systems for sources, amps or speakers. especially for newer choices. sure, a few crazies might go to all that trouble, but most people are not adventurist risk takers, and just want to enjoy the music and go to school on some others. that is normal. and ok. not that lots of research does not get done, but it takes all sorts of forms and methods. and some degrees of trust and collective schooling is a part of the hobby. good dealers serve customers in this way. and some special manufacturers too.

this is always how it is, and those who enjoy the ultra bleeding edge, sometimes get injured, other times find some gold.

you can take shots at it if you like. but until you find your own answers that are in conflict with well considered directions, it's just p*ssing into the wind.

tell us what you have found on your own heroic investigations, and we can go from there. lead us to the pot of gold. be specific, name names.

 

[treitz3]

Not gonna happen.

Tom

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Content with what I have, not Uber expensive but it works for me and my system. Chump change for most here. These are real 1st world problems.

 

[microstrip]

realistically; it is not fair to expect most people to do exotic compares. (...)

Fortunately. If they have an open mind they will find that there is no best, each will have its particular positive and negatives and will end like the Buridan's donkey - they will go gardening ...

Being an audiophile is a very enjoyable hobby filled with excellent equipment and music - fortunately there are many facets of it that help our choices. IMO direct A/B compares are not of them. Surely IMMV.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Fortunately. If they have an open mind they will find that there is no best, each will have its particular positive and negatives and will end like the Buridan's donkey - they will go gardening ...

system building and refining does lead us to decision trees and some degree of judgment is involved. whether this results in clear better/best or just preference for the moment is up for debate. many shades of success depending on the methods, diligence, tools and skills applied. many results are possible.

but i observe that most mature systems did achieve good useful results from these efforts. so high expectations are not unreasonable.

finding scientific true objective best is not necessary or even concerning at all......like you say.....go gardening. if the plants don't die then fine.

Being an audiophile is a very enjoyable hobby filled with excellent equipment and music - fortunately there are many facets of it that help our choices. IMO direct A/B compares are not of them. Surely IMMV.

 

[caesar]

Fortunately. If they have an open mind they will find that there is no best, each will have its particular positive and negatives and will end like the Buridan's donkey - they will go gardening ...

Being an audiophile is a very enjoyable hobby filled with excellent equipment and music - fortunately there are many facets of it that help our choices. IMO direct A/B compares are not of them. Surely IMMV.

But Mike was Able to pull it off. If there’s a will, there’s a way

 

[caesar]

are you going to step up and buy one? I have the Wadax and I ll be happy to compare them if you send me the one I don't have. I ve spent my money how about you?
FYI the Wadax is great, been reviewed if that matters by everyone. The other is it even available? Not trying to start anything but these threads are IMO just looking for drama.
dCS is brand new I believe just coming out and I personally don't know anyone that is familiar with it AND has listened extensively to its competition. Fan boys dont count and neither do reviews by people that went from a entry level dac to a 300k one.
I assume they are all excellent but who Caesar determines what's best?
These discussions seem really silly to me as its one opinion versus another based on what criteria? If I say its the best does that count? I am an evil member of the dealer universe so I must be corrupt and wrong right?
Whats best speaker?
whats best amp?
Whats best TT?
Whats best cartridge?
Whats best cheeseburger?
Whats best Pizza?

Elliot, all good points for a different thread.

you qualified Mike and made it happen! He’s better off for it. Happier!

What is your criteria to qualify customers?

Furthermore, I have heard a number of taiko extreme systems, and many septuagenarians were left embarrassed when the Jays Chinese transport destroyed their streaming. $30k piece of computer jewelry …

I’m sure smart dcs dealers will be happy to qualify people and do the compares…

If no compares, people just buying expensive stuff for no reason other than to satisfy them selves. Nothing wrong with that despite Oligarch Audio comments from imbeciles , who don’t appreciate / hate western civilization, like Steven stone and moron herb reichart.

I have a feeling guys who are truly passionate will find a way to be like Mike.

Furthermore, surely you, as an experienced dealer would benefit from more information in the ether - no matter how imperfect it may, rather than less, when wadax is compared to your competitors.
Good Luck!

PS. Any good pizza spots in Florida? Sicilian Oven is not bad , but surely there’s better

 

[Elliot G.]

Elliot, all good points for a different thread.

you qualified Mike and made it happen! He’s better off for it. Happier!

What is your criteria to qualify customers?

Furthermore, I have heard a number of taiko extreme systems, and many septuagenarians were left embarrassed when the Jays Chinese transport destroyed their streaming. $30k piece of computer jewelry …

I’m sure smart dcs dealers will be happy to qualify people and do the compares…

If no compares, people just buying expensive stuff for no reason other than to satisfy them selves. Nothing wrong with that despite Oligarch Audio comments from imbeciles , who don’t appreciate / hate western civilization, like Steven stone and moron herb reichart.

I have a feeling guys who are truly passionate will find a way to be like Mike.

Furthermore, surely you, as an experienced dealer would benefit from more information in the ether - no matter how imperfect it may, rather than less, when wadax is compared to your competitors.
Good Luck!

PS. Any good pizza spots in Florida? Sicilian Oven is not bad , but surely there’s better

Well we have Frank Pepe in Florida and there is a good place called Tucci's in Boca .
Look comparisons are fine but with big items they are few and far between. How would one really compare the Big Gobel/Wilson/Magico/Rockport etc. They will never be in the same conditions, never.
From a business perspective I doubt that anyone can rationalize the expediture to have Wadax/DCS/Taiko/MSB etc under the same roof in the same system. WHY ? you ask becasue it doesnt make money, it doesnt even cover the cost and its not even close. I would do it IF I got paid for the demos . Sounds bad but the way business is conducted the guy doing them demo is very often not making the sale.

By the way I dont see Oligarch Audio. I dont have any one that says give me the most expensive stuff I dont care what it is and what it cost. If you have some please send them by.

As far as information I have listened to the dCS just not the Varese, I have listened to the MSB Select two with the director, I have listened to the espoteric stack, I have heard the previous Taiko Extreme with a few DACS.

My choice is still what I bought and what I use every day. I dont truly think its close and maybe the new stuff from Taiko and dCS are more in the same league or even better I have no idea at this time. Anything is possible but that IMO would be a huge leap as they had a large canyon to jump. ALl of these products are good, none of them are bad they all are listenable and enjoyable.
I feel that way aboout the electronics I chose as well. I have a few clients that have listened with me and changed thier super heavyweight gear for the incredible Riviera's but you know that nothing pleases everyone. In my old age I accpet that people have the right to be wrong LOL haha seriously they have the right to choose and like what hey like. I do think that many people like the changing and the chase more than the end results.

 

[andromedaaudio]

Its all about what you like to listen to ...

UBER .....


All this Uber / whats best BS stems from the US where you re valued according to your bankaccount