Comparing different solutions/brands

[grandsoir]

Hello

So I´m in need of a music server that will fit into my new hometheatre/music setup. I know that Taiko Extreme is very popular, the buildquality and their own app "Taiko Audio XDMS" for playing music. I heard good things and bad (is it still in beta?)

I really like the look of Taiko but these are the ones I am considering


* https://www.lucasaudiolab.com/
* https://taikoaudio.com/
* https://www.pinkfaun.com/

For those of you that have compared; what is there to say? Have anyone had one streamer and then changed it to another and for what reason.

For me, I have all my music on harddrives, I´ve compared to streaming music and I dont like the streaming.

Thanks for all the input.

And I have over 20TB of DSD512, SACD, FLAC so I collect a lot. I might get a LP-player later just for nostalgic reason, but digital will be nr.1

I am all ears if I missed something or have not considered something.

My setup will consist of

28b3 – Bryston
CINEMA 40 - Reference 9.4 Channel AV Receiver with 125W, 8K and 7 HDMI Inputs | Marantz - US

 

[Manxman]

I compared all three of those brands.

The Taiko offered probably the liveliest sound. The Pink Faun was more analytical and excelled on acoustic music. The Lucas Audio was the best all-rounder and was a third of the price of the other two, so that's the one I bought.

 

[grandsoir]

Thanks for the answer, I sent you an PM

 

[7ryder]

I have heard the Extreme w/the Taiko switch in my own system and preferred the Antipodes K50 G3 to it. The OLADRA G4 is even better than the K50. I know that you didn't mention Antipodes, but you may want to check them out if you haven't already.

 

[kimurastanley]

My dealer offered me a deal for a brand new antipodes Oladra but there is no available unit for demo.
I am using Grimm MU1. Anyone has experience with the comparison? Not sure if this will be an upgrade of SQ.

 

[LeBlanc]

My dealer offered me a deal for a brand new antipodes Oladra but there is no available unit for demo.
I am using Grimm MU1. Anyone has experience with the comparison? Not sure if this will be an upgrade of SQ.

No personal experience, but Christiaan Punters review website has comparisons between the original Oladra and the MU1. The follow-up review of the Oladra G4 has no direct comparison to the MU1, but does include a comparison to the original Oladra.

 

[Di-fi]

I have heard the Extreme w/the Taiko switch in my own system and preferred the Antipodes K50 G3 to it. The OLADRA G4 is even better than the K50. I know that you didn't mention Antipodes, but you may want to check them out if you haven't already.

Older, but still valid for sound comparison between brands:

HFA Review - Music Servers: Antipodes K50 and Grimm Audio MU1

Also according to Punter :

Grimm MU2 offers a more "refined and precise" sound, with a cleaner and leaner presentation, arguably providing greater transparency. In contrast, the Antipodes K50 is described as sounding "bigger, richer, fuller, lusher, and more relaxed." He also observes that the Grimm provides a "tightly controlled and precise yet calm and composed delivery," while the Antipodes duo offers a "fulsome sound" that is "meaty, full-bodied, and rich in tonality

 

[JamesD]

Not sure this will help, here's a new review of the K50 from Audiophile Style

Antipodes K50 Music Server Review

Audio: Listen to this article. This story should really start many years ago, but for some reason it doesn’t. I’ve known about Antipodes and its music servers forever. I even have emails with company founder Mark Jenkins dating back nearly a decade. However, until recently, I’d never had an Antip...

audiophilestyle.com

 

[LeBlanc]

Not sure this will help, here's a new review of the K50 from Audiophile Style

Antipodes K50 Music Server Review

Audio: Listen to this article. This story should really start many years ago, but for some reason it doesn’t. I’ve known about Antipodes and its music servers forever. I even have emails with company founder Mark Jenkins dating back nearly a decade. However, until recently, I’d never had an Antip...

audiophilestyle.com

New? Maybe you overlooked this was published February 2024 not 2025?

 

[JamesD]

New? Maybe you overlooked this was published February 2024 not 2025?

My bad, I missed that. It was new to me.

 

[gerihifi]

My dealer offered me a deal for a brand new antipodes Oladra but there is no available unit for demo.
I am using Grimm MU1. Anyone has experience with the comparison? Not sure if this will be an upgrade of SQ.

Hi,

I do own since 1.2y+ the Grimm Audio MU2 and the Antipodes K22 G4 (5 weeks). My conclusion:

- K22 player is for me more or less a "sleeper" in the <€10k streaming-game (using K22 as roon-bridge only and MU2 as roon core)
- I thought initially not going down the "Antipodes-road", but K22 does everything right for me (including various digital outputs for my DAC- collections); very surprised, very well implemented and damn good sound quality (equal to MU2, of course depending DAC match!)
- MU2 roon core streaming engine is one of the best (not sure if they have actually changed anything compared to MU1, doubt it) and of course well aligned with their propr. FPGA-DAC
- K22 player properly matched with DAC: very, very high league!
- MU2 on the other side: extremely smooth, but not laid-back - long-listening guaranteed !

UPDATE:
- K22 I feel they add a bit more to the sound compared to MU2, therefore people prefering that will say broader soundstage/more details...All about flavor and speakers you are using! It's all about matching gear!!!

My latest digital setup's here: Link to external YouTube(pure private channel, not an reviewer ). Using currently the K22with my beloved Abbas Audio HERMES Signature DAC and AN Meishu Tonmeister 300b Silver Sig Amp.

Rgds
Gerald