MSB and Taiko, let's go!

I think many of us MSB owners were hoping it was closer to a firm implementation...
Please keep us updated Emile!
 
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Thank you for the announcement Daniel! At Taiko we’re beyond excited that after our initial contact, over 2 years ago already (!), we’ve finally arrived at the stage where a dream has become reality.

Also many thanks for lending us a Reference DAC for testing/verification purposes.

I’ve just finished unpacking it and am now installing it into our system!
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Emile, I don't follow this thread so just noticed the Zanden Chukoh preamp in your system above. I've been trying to hear this unit for several years but as far as I know, there are none in the US. It seems you've been playing with your system voicing (I recall you were using CJ a short while ago) recently. Can you share anything about the sonic merits of the Chukoh, a very rare, highly regarded 300B-based preamp?
 
...I think it would be meant to skip the converter module, which is currently USB in and I2S out via fiber, into dac or Digital Director.

I think the new version will be a DAC (Direct Attach Cable) cable from the Olympus to the dac or DD. The DAC works in the SFP input port.

That is my understanding, but I don't think we have seen a specific diagram for this. That said, the boards Daniel (MSB) showed look like they go into the converter module, to be connected with Taiko output.

Perhaps @Taiko Audio can guide us here at some point, when time allows.
 
I guess the Pro ISL connector now used on the DAC/DD end will fit the Taiko output port, like if it was a ISL module mounted on the server. I mean the current MSB fiber wire will be attached, as it is, on both ends: DAC or DD on one side and Server on the other side.
 
...I think it would be meant to skip the converter module, which is currently USB in and I2S out via fiber, into dac or Digital Director.

I think the new version will be a DAC (Direct Attach Cable) cable from the Olympus to the dac or DD. The DAC works in the SFP input port.

That is my understanding, but I don't think we have seen a specific diagram for this. That said, the boards Daniel (MSB) showed look like they go into the converter module, to be connected with Taiko output.

Perhaps @Taiko Audio can guide us here at some point, when time allows.

Yes, using a DAC cable in stead of fiber is optional, you can already do that with the existing USB Pro module.
 
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I guess the Pro ISL connector now used on the DAC/DD end will fit the Taiko output port, like if it was a ISL module mounted on the server. I mean the current MSB fiber wire will be attached, as it is, on both ends: DAC or DD on one side and Server on the other side.

100% correct.
 
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Emile, I don't follow this thread so just noticed the Zanden Chukoh preamp in your system above. I've been trying to hear this unit for several years but as far as I know, there are none in the US. It seems you've been playing with your system voicing (I recall you were using CJ a short while ago) recently. Can you share anything about the sonic merits of the Chukoh, a very rare, highly regarded 300B-based preamp?

I think I have the only unit outside of Asia. I did take a quick peek inside when exchanging tubes and noticed it’s partially battery powered. Knowing first hand now which challenges are involved with shipping battery powered devices internationally, perhaps that’s why?

Anyway it does not sound like what you’d typically associate with “300B sound”. It’s fast, liquid, very holographic, has infinite decay, acoustic instruments sound closer to real then any other preamp I’ve heard.

But it has no remote control, somewhat limited gain, barely sufficient with the rather insensitive Trafomatic Elysiums and is very picky on tubes.
 
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I think many of us MSB owners were hoping it was closer to a firm implementation...
Please keep us updated Emile!

The team’s latest estimate is an end of August release, but keep in mind it’s an estimate, and it’s software..
 
I think I have the only unit outside of Asia. I did take a quick peek inside when exchanging tubes and noticed it’s partially battery powered. Knowing first hand now which challenges are involved with shipping battery powered devices internationally, perhaps that’s why?

Anyway it does not sound like what you’d typically associate with “300B sound”. It’s fast, liquid, very holographic, has infinite decay, acoustic instruments sound closer to real then any other preamp I’ve heard.

But it has no remote control, somewhat limited gain, barely sufficient with the rather insensitive Trafomatic Elysiums and is very picky on tubes.
Thanks Emile.
But no remote? I'm out.....
And of course those graphics are, well, let's just be kind and say, it's an acquired taste that will not appeal to everyone.
 
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Hi Emile @Taiko Audio, is the team still tracking towards end August?

Hi,

Yes for completing development, but it will also need to be tested / verified, not just by us but also by MSB, it would for example need to work applying MSB firmware, have bit-perfect playback, display correct sample rates / bit-depths, switch smoothly between formats etc. So don't expect it to actually ship end of next week please!
 
Excellent, thank you for the update - totally understood it needs verification and wider integration test and potentially further iteration, but its great to hear that the code foundation is almost there!
 
Yes for completing development, but it will also need to be tested / verified, not just by us but also by MSB, it would for example need to work applying MSB firmware, have bit-perfect playback, display correct sample rates / bit-depths, switch smoothly between formats etc. So don't expect it to actually ship end of next week please!
Keep us posted!
 

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