Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[dminches]

If Roon isn’t running and they are just files on the hard drive I can’t see how it would matter. If someone can explain why it would matter I am all ears.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I do not know, but @EuroDriver mentioned with high end systems, everything matters.

Matt

Too bad end user humans have to be involved...best to just leave it to the machines Lol.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Seriously, if we're saying that Roon on the Extreme, but not in use, could compromise ultimate SQ of TAS, that is quite the concept. Especially ironic, since Emile seems to be suggesting TAS goodness extends to less need for fussy setups like fibre over CAT, switches, multiple LPSs.

So the network is less fussy for TAS, but Roon on the machine IS fussy for TAS.

 

[Rhapsody]

I agree with Edward
Extreme with TAS is much less sensitive to the network
but top audio swiches still make a significant difference that is must to have once heard .

I do understand Bob who invested 10s of thausends to his network swiches and power supplys.
I got also addictive with many moded Buffalo swiches with pinkfaun ultra clocks.

It is never ending story with improving all pieces in the chain
but with TAS on extreme I was able to get to the levels I never expected to be possible.
Thanks to Taiko Team we can get there .

Kris, It's interesting to me regarding the effect of the network now with TAS. I have not been able to bring myself YET, to plug directly in to the Extreme from the router. I am afraid I won't hear a difference, but then I will have a BUNCH of network gear to sell.

I will eventually try the Waversa W router into the Extreme directly. I have bypassed the JCAT switches/LPSs in the past and there was a substantial positive difference adding the JCAT switches into the equation. But that was with Roon.

I will try it now with Waversa>>>Extreme and I also have another Verizon Fios $50 Router on another Fios line, I will try that as well.

Will let you know when I can bring myself to do so. I have to be in the right mood Right now the mood is listening and enjoying music and not thinking about the system

 

[kennyb123]

However, this again puts us in a Roon-like situation, where we are dependent on a 3rd party tool and a developer who doesn't share our priorities with regard to sound quality.

“Marooned”

 

[cat6man]

Tamarind the cat, celebrating the warmth generated by the the successful transfer of 7TB of music from the NAS to his new favorite winter hangout.

 

[wil]

Too bad end user humans have to be involved...best to just leave it to the machines Lol.

Indeed. I often feel I'm the limiting piece of gear in my audio system.

 

[wil]

Kris, It's interesting to me regarding the effect of the network now with TAS. I have not been able to bring myself YET, to plug directly in to the Extreme from the router. I am afraid I won't hear a difference, but then I will have a BUNCH of network gear to sell.

I will eventually try the Waversa W router into the Extreme directly. I have bypassed the JCAT switches/LPSs in the past and there was a substantial positive difference adding the JCAT switches into the equation. But that was with Roon.

I will try it now with Waversa>>>Extreme and I also have another Verizon Fios $50 Router on another Fios line, I will try that as well.

Will let you know when I can bring myself to do so. I have to be in the right mood Right now the mood is listening and enjoying music and not thinking about the system

Now, that's a test I'm really looking forward to hearing the results of!

 

[Johnny Moondog]

I cannot take credit for this personally, the idea was concocted by @EuroDriver during a morning shower...

I was thinking about exactly this in the shower this morning ;-)

Perhaps we should create a Kickstarter project to remodel an Extreme shower for @EuroDriver ?

 

[cat6man]

Seriously, if we're saying that Roon on the Extreme, but not in use, could compromise ultimate SQ of TAS, that is quite the concept. Especially ironic, since Emile seems to be suggesting TAS goodness extends to less need for fussy setups like fibre over CAT, switches, multiple LPSs.

So the network is less fussy for TAS, but Roon on the machine IS fussy for TAS.

I can see at least two potential ways.
1. If installed and running under windows, it can be using resources even if TAS is chosen
2. If installed and not running, it's possible that other low level processes, installed as part of roon installation, could still be running and utilizing resources/cycles.
Since everything matters....who knows if it is audible, but it could be.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Perhaps we should create a Kickstarter project to remodel an Extreme shower for @EuroDriver ?

how can you 'un-read' something? is there an ointment for that?

 

[Taiko Audio]

I can see at least two potential ways.
1. If installed and running under windows, it can be using resources even if TAS is chosen
2. If installed and not running, it's possible that other low level processes, installed as part of roon installation, could still be running and utilizing resources/cycles.
Since everything matters....who knows if it is audible, but it could be.

Roon is completely shutdown when you switch to TAS, the only resource it uses at that point is physical disk space.

 

[austinpop]

Just thinking of Roon during playback can degrade the listening experience. Try it, you'll see.

 

[oldmustang]

Just thinking of Roon during playback can degrade the listening experience. Try it, you'll see.

I thought about Roon last night. Switching from xD to Roon lasted all of one song, then back to xD.

Steve Z

 

[Taiko Audio]

Perhaps there’s a bit level quantum entanglement equivalent

Edit: added mood indicator

 

[Johnny Moondog]

Am really enjoying the TAS Beta!

Would like to beta test a connected NAS. Is this currently possible? I tried entering the path under Basic Settings > Media Folders, but with no success. On the Extreme, the Synology NAS is listed under Network.

Gerry

 

[wil]

Do you prefer Adaptive-1 over 1024? Do try different buffersizes.

So far, I haven't been able to hear any difference between buffer sizes, so I'm sticking with Adaptive 1.

 

[wil]

Hi Wil,

It's the 45 ft room that to me, which on one hand is glorious, but on the other hand, sometimes subtle details, which is what I am referring to and a 3D holographic soundstage, for me anyway, as I have worked with large spaces, is a different type of experience. Not that one is better than the other, certainly not. Just different, and possibly making the TAS attributes that I am hearing and I think a lot of others as well, possibly more noticeable. Maybe, maybe not, who knows, just guessing.

I always get a BIG SOUND, with the right speakers in a large space, a more intimate sound, in a smaller space. If I was listening in a large space the incisiveness and subtleties which I am referring to with TAS I believe would be less noticeable.

There really is no way of knowing, heck I can change one power cord and tilt the sound of the system one way.

Plus we are listening to completely different DACs and systems. Not that it should matter as I've been hearing from "the boys" but I have a fairly complex network in front of the Extreme (Waversa W-Router, Two JCAT switches with two JCAT LPS for the Switches and router, with $10K worth of JCAT Gold signature cables connecting all of the network pieces) Along with a dedicated Fios fibre line just for this system.

While my room is large, I think the room reflections are within a good range for audio and the noise floor is pretty low (29-30 db-a). I do think I'm hearing subtle details in both TAS and Roon.

The difference between Roon and TAS is very easy to hear and consistent across all recordings. The closest analogy I can think to make might be the difference between tube and solid state. TAS has more bloom, a smoother tonality and a larger and deeper sound stage. Roon is more incisive with more apparent space between instruments. All things considered, I prefer TAS.

But, still it's noticeable that my experience is not remotely close to "night and day" or that Roon sounds relatively like a "transistor radio." So, if, that's what I should be expecting (even accounting for some users possible over-excited hyperbole ) I'm still left wondering why my experience is so much less dramatic.

I wonder if it might be the interaction with the Aqua Dac? Are there any other Aqua users beta listening?

Finally, what I'm saying is not meant as a complaint. Hopefully understanding every experience leads to more knowledge and better sound!

 

[Taiko Audio]

Hi wil, several Aqua Formula owners posted their Beta feedback in this thread.

 

[Taiko Audio]

So far, I haven't been able to hear any difference between buffer sizes, so I'm sticking with Adaptive 1.

That is odd, not even between extremities like 64 and 8192?