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  1. ray-dude

    Introducing Olympus & Olympus I/O - A new perspective on modern music playback

    Remember that the I/O box is an extension of the computer it is attached to (there is no computer inside the I/O box, the input side and the output side are connected to the PCIe bus on the server via the QSFP links) The I/O box has support for two modules, usually a single input side...
  2. ray-dude

    Introducing Olympus & Olympus I/O - A new perspective on modern music playback

    Our grand cat is visiting and still loves our Extreme. TBD how he reacts to the Olympus and all the BPS's (I will have them side by side, so we'll be able to a proper A/B when my Olympus arrives!) Merry Christmas everyone!
  3. ray-dude

    Introducing Olympus & Olympus I/O - A new perspective on modern music playback

    I volunteer my dining room table as a staging venue in San Diego for all us SoCal types ;)
  4. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio Extreme Music Server

    Very sad there are no posts here with the core server. A quick "I still love my Extreme" to fill the void ;)
  5. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Finally installed my new switch and NIC today. Expected a lot but this is well beyond what I expected. I had no idea network could be doing that much damage to SQ. Mind bending (and blowing). Bravo to Team Taiko for relentlessly chasing (and taming) fundamentals
  6. ray-dude

    QSA : My take on their expensive products

    I currently have 5 power cords in my system: 3x Gamma Infinity 1x Sablon King that I upgraded to a Spectra Infinity 1x Sablon King (original) previously I have auditioned revelation PCs as well. For me infinity >> revelation, but much wilder ride during burn in once burned in each has been a...
  7. ray-dude

    QSA : My take on their expensive products

    For QSA power cords that I have, consistent experience has been pretty good (with hints of roughness) out of the box, then downhill, then a roller coast ride, finally settling out after a couple weeks. From there, a nice mellow improvement until things settle nicely. Quite a surreal experience...
  8. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Safety first with LiFe batteries. Astonishing current delivery
  9. ray-dude

    QSA LANEDRI Series

    Looking forward to conversations here, and hearing the power and speaker cables!
  10. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Back in the day, we stole milk crates to store all our records... https://www.lowes.com/pd/AutoExec-Milk-Crate/5001558477 Damn, they've gotten expensive! XDMS first impressions - very impressive lift in openness and air. Sound stage and that sitting in a sound hologram has taken a big step...
  11. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Remember that a lot of dimmers (whether on components or room lights, etc) work by pulsing, which can be problematic (noise, etc). I prefer covering with physical filters as well
  12. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    One bag is plenty (I suspect one bag could lift 2 or even 3 Extremes). Amazing how often I used these things, now that I have them
  13. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    One more back saver that I’ve used more than I thought I would with my Extreme: The Original Rhino Strong Commercial Grade Air Wedge Bag Pump Professional Leveling Kit & Alignment Tool Inflatable Shim Bag 3 Piece (Small, Medium, Large). 3 sizes for all of your individual needs...
  14. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-61405.html My other vice is pinball machines, so I picked up one of these. I would have never have dreamed I’d need to use it on a music server As an aside, when you can buy a whole pinball machine for what we pay for power...
  15. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    For practical reasons I had to move my Extreme from the corner of the room to the top of my media console. Thankfully I had a 500lb hydraulic lift to help ;) For home tranquility reasons, I’m now researching racks to replace the media console ;)
  16. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    This was a surprisingly big step up in SQ for me. Glad to hear it is going well for you as well. If you have a chance to hear a Sablon King or Prince PC with the Extreme and a dedicated circuit, jump at it. The synergy is fantastic. That being said, don't listen to the Sound Application TT7...
  17. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    I have my Extreme on optical network with low power SFP module, on a dedicated subnet (it doesn't see broadcast traffic from elsewhere in my house). That made a huge difference. With that, streaming vs local content is virtually identical, which is amazing.
  18. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    I had a lot of trouble one time. I ended up opening the top and removing the card so I could get to it more easily (just could not get leverage on the lever)
  19. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Wouldn't it be wonderful to spend a day in that studio, talking about why it was built the way it was, and listening first hand! Emile, have you heard any of his recordings? I'm not seeing them on streaming services
  20. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    In the back of my mind, I am wondering if original digital masters will one day become as interesting to some as original pressings. The analog to digital conversion was definitely primitive, but mixing was more traditional, with less "damage" from digital processing. I'm listening to very...
  21. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    The other wrinkle here is whether the Extreme is isolated on a subnet. I have not yet revisited this with the new USB card, but will try this weekend. Previously, I heard a huge impact with the Extreme on its own subnet (not exposed to traffic from the rest of the network). With TAS...
  22. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    I concur. 6 days in and it is really coming into it's own (my ups and downs settled out after 2-3 days or so). If we're lucky, this trend will continue!
  23. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    The ups and downs with the USB card as it settles in are quite something. Overall trend is up, with some dips and valleys along the way. At this level of refinement, it takes so little to disrupt the magic, that paradoxically it is actually much easier to hear system changes and their...
  24. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    For reference (I come back to this diagram often)
  25. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Since a couple folks have asked in PM, the later 2 links are to some samplers from Todd Garfinkle at MA Recordings: https://www.marecordings.com/main/index.php I think I own about 40 albums from Todd's catalog, and eventually I'm sure to own them all. Minimal recording technique, stereo mic...
  26. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    ...and since folks are sharing albums that blossom with this type of holographic reproduction: https://open.qobuz.com/album/ueka9shfm8yqb https://wetransfer.com/downloads/5d43e79c3ae375833e0de64b2b02de9520200820042908/340295...
  27. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    After crawling under a 100 year Steinway and damaging neither my Extreme nor my daughter's piano (non trivial with the heavy metal plate!), up and running with the new USB card. Outstanding! I'm hearing things I haven't heard since my review Sean Jacobs DC4 made a trip across the pond. The...
  28. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Pretty amazing launch pace, esp. given Covid and the severe global supply chain challenges right now. Bravo Emile and team!
  29. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Families everywhere are befuddled...after years of being admonished to not bump or move the "God Server", it has been moved and (gasp!) the cover removed!
  30. ray-dude

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    All over America, folks are rousing and hitting refresh on their phones, seeing where the FedEx Bunny is...

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