I can unreservedly answer, "Yes" to all of your questions except this last. Perhaps I've been fortunate, my last couple of amplifier and speaker upgrades I can also answer, "Yes" to all you've asked.
Steve Z
Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
Steve Z
Couldn't agree more, but you bring up two interesting questions.
First, whether the Extreme is producing an effect greater than say an amplifier? And second, that the reason for it is because the reproduction is now more emotional and defies description as opposed to conventional audiophile terms.
Form my limited perspective, describing music reproduction in audiophile terms is a left-brain analytical approach. It focuses on how "well" the reproduced sound approximates "real" music through proxy descriptors such as the dimensions of the soundstage, the depth of the bass, clarity of the upper end, PRAT etc.
On the other hand, a right-brain approach to listening to music is more visceral and focuses on the degree of emotional engagement in the music. The latter approach is not always within reach, however.
My personal preference is for the latter. When I go to a live musical event especially classical, I don't think about soundstage or how well the bass sounds. So for me, the quality of my system is all about the emotional response and level of engagement in the music.
Without a doubt, the Extreme provides a non-diminishing increase in the emotional engagement in unprecedented ways.
But to me, this is not due to the Extreme alone, but rather because Taiko has relentlessly addressed the historically limiting factor in the digital playback reproduction chain - the high noise floor present in the digital source. And in doing so, the other instruments (e.g., an amplifier), which until now have been held back, are now free to operate farther along their performance curves to create a synergistic, non-diminishing increase in engagement.
And it is the system as a whole, in concert, which now produces the ear to ear grinning/goosebump enjoyment of music- almost like being at the live event itself; where the music just shuts off your left brain and you melt into the musical experience.
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Very well said -- the Extreme experience for me is marked first and foremost by emotional involvement in the music being played. The Taiko switch and new network card further that goal.
Steve Z
And that is exactly the aspect that was reduced (not lost!) when I had to revert to the old network card due to the bracket-issue.
Especially local DSD playback of well-known tracks gave me a new (hitherto absent) feeling of being emotionally connected that was just awesome.
Eagerly waiting to re-connect!
It's interesting and one thing to keep in mind is that each listener's experience is going to be different. Different systems in different rooms are going to produce varying results.And that is exactly the aspect that was reduced (not lost!) when I had to revert to the old network card due to the bracket-issue.
Especially local DSD playback of well-known tracks gave me a new (hitherto absent) feeling of being emotionally connected that was just awesome.
Eagerly waiting to re-connect!
I can confidently say that after listening for around 8 hours each for the last 4-5 days, which I would NEVER do, if the experience was not emotional involving, that I am getting that total emotional connection to the music WITH the old card and switch.
In the last 4-5 days I have not once skipped around from track to track. I have put albums in the queue and listened to all albums straight through.
I did this same thing when the new card/Switch were active and sure it was amazing. BUT for me it has been hyper emotionally involving and I have NOT lost the emotional involvement aspect.
As a matter of fact I have prior not listened to Fink. In the last few days, I've loaded 10 Fink albums and let them all play all the way through and been amazed at the learning/listening experience.
To each their own.
This is an example how two people are different. Where you can have a reduction but not lose the emotional connection, I am either emotionally connected or I am not. I can usually tell whether I will be enthralled/emotionally involved in the first 10 seconds.
Once I become emotionally involved then the experience is just about listening and enjoying the music. I forget about the system and how good the system sounds.
The system might sound better with system adjustment(s) or enhancements that are noticeable but the emotional involvement is either there or it's not. This is my situation, it doesn't apply to other's experiences.
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Christiaan Punter
Well-Known Member
Dear Taiko friends,
Amidst the excitement that the Extreme Network Card and Extreme Switch are causing, I thought I'd post the latest incarnations of the Product Summaries for some other eagerly-awaited other Taiko components as these are by now buried many many pages back
- Taiko Audio Extreme Network Card and Extreme Switch (I know, old news now;-)
- Taiko Audio TACDA/TACDD
- Taiko Audio Router
- Taiko Audio BPS
Amidst the excitement that the Extreme Network Card and Extreme Switch are causing, I thought I'd post the latest incarnations of the Product Summaries for some other eagerly-awaited other Taiko components as these are by now buried many many pages back
- Taiko Audio Extreme Network Card and Extreme Switch (I know, old news now;-)
- Taiko Audio TACDA/TACDD
- Taiko Audio Router
- Taiko Audio BPS
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I totally agree about the emotional involvement when using the new card and switch. What I also find fascinating is that emotional involvement for me is present regardless of format. I get just as involved listening to 16/44.1 as I do listening to DSD512 or PCM 352.?8. It matters not. Everything I listen to is as good as the next. I used to always verify what format I’m listening to. Now however I could care less as everything sounds as good as the next song
as for playing Fink, I too did that several days ago. when I too played several of his albums start to finish. I just don’t play snippets of a track anymore but rather find myself listening to all formats and no longer caring Many of Fink’ s songs that I use as demo tracks are the best I’ve ever heard them
as for playing Fink, I too did that several days ago. when I too played several of his albums start to finish. I just don’t play snippets of a track anymore but rather find myself listening to all formats and no longer caring Many of Fink’ s songs that I use as demo tracks are the best I’ve ever heard them
I am really enthralled with the Fink albums. Now I just queue them all up and let them play even when not critically listening. Great vibe in the house.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I use Sort of Revolution from his live album. The drum kit in that song is about the best Ive ever heard it
I must admit I was never familiar with Fink until now. WOW!
I can't believe that I didn't know about him prior. I feel like I had my head in the sand. Not only are the recordings really great, but even more I LOVE the music.
I know! I have a huge repertoire of music Koko Taylor to Maria Callas and obscure, eclectic, music in between. Hard to believe I never came across Fink...Its a great change up...
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
My favorite of his as I stated is Wheels Turn Beneath My Feet. second to last song, "Sort of Revolution, recorded live at La Cigale in France
I did as well, BUT I've now loaded at least 10 albums in my queue and I don't have a favorite album or track at this point. No matter what is playing Wooooooooosssssss me
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Th snap and speed of the drums and deep bass in this song should be listened to with and without the switch and card
I kept thinking that Fink reminded me of someone else. It finally came to me, both Beck and Coldplay. Although I find that from track to track and album to album I never feel an absence of the great vibe that Fink has. Where with both Beck and Coldplay there are certain tracks on certain albums that excel but not necessarily every track on every album, which is what is mesmerizing me with Fink.
What does this have to do with the Taiko thread? The Extreme/Switch has brought all of this to light for me
I will shut up now about Fink
What does this have to do with the Taiko thread? The Extreme/Switch has brought all of this to light for me
I will shut up now about Fink
I kept thinking that Fink reminded me of someone else. It finally came to me, both Beck and Coldplay. Although I find that from track to track and album to album I never feel an absence of the great vibe that Fink has. Where with both Beck and Coldplay there are certain tracks on certain albums that excel but not necessarily every track on every album, which is what is mesmerizing me with Fink.
What does this have to do with the Taiko thread? The Extreme/Switch has brought all of this to light for me
I will shut up
Every recording should be recorded with this level of care and competence...
Mn
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