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

For those who just started reading up on Olympus, Olympus I/O, and XDMI, please note that all information in this thread has been summarized in a single PDF document that can be downloaded from the Taiko Website.

https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/taiko-audio-downloads

The document is frequently updated.

Scroll down to the 'XDMI, Olympus Music Server, Olympus I/O' section and click 'XDMI, Olympus, Olympus I/O Product Introduction & FAQ' to download the latest version.

Good morning WBF!​

We are introducing the culmination of close to 4 years of research and development. As a bona fide IT/tech nerd with a passion for music, I have always been intrigued by the potential of leveraging the most modern of technologies in order to create a better music playback experience. This, amongst others, led to the creation of our popular, perhaps even revolutionary, Extreme music server 5 years ago, which we have been steadily improving and updating with new technologies throughout its life cycle. Today I feel we can safely claim it's holding its ground against the onslaught of new server releases from other companies, and we are committed to keep improving it for years to come.

We are introducing a new server model called the Olympus. Hierarchically, it positions itself above the Extreme. It does provide quite a different music experience than the Extreme, or any other server I've heard, for that matter. Conventional audiophile descriptions such as sound staging, dynamics, color palette, etc, fall short to describe this difference. It does not sound digital or analog, I would be inclined to describe it as coming closer to the intended (or unintended) performance of the recording engineer.

Committed to keeping the Extreme as current as possible, we are introducing a second product called the Olympus I/O. This is an external upgrade to the Extreme containing a significant part of the Olympus technology, allowing it to come near, though not entirely at, Olympus performance levels. The Olympus I/O can even be added to the Olympus itself to elevate its performance even further, though not as dramatic an uplift as adding it to the Extreme. Consider it the proverbial "cherry on top".

 

For me its files from my NAS, I don't use/do anything else

 

It seemed to me that it was occurring on Qobuz tracks but I never actually caught it in the act and had play stop when I was in the room listening, so I had to go back to History in Roon and see if I could determine what was going on.

It's been some time now since it's happened to me, perhaps because I haven't been trying to play 24/7 to break something in. That has changed now though because I have a new pair of mono-blocks that arrived today.

I'll post here and send in a trouble-report to Taiko Support if it happens to me again.

Steve Z

Steve, which amps did you get?

You know it’s pretty bad I can’t even pull myself away from this thread while vacationing in the Dolomites.

 

Hi Darryl,

Atma-Sphere Class D. Very impressive right out of the box. Extremely low noise floor and lots of clarity and detail without giving up any of the color and tonal density I've gotten used to with my SET amps. Scary dynamics -- I was startled and jumped more than once last night while listening. Playing Tool was insane.

They might give up just a hint of that almost psychedelic 3D spatiality the SETs do so well, but it sure isn't much. Still lots of depth and height and side-to-side soundstage when the recording has it. Plenty of body and weight and very articulate deep bass.

BTW -- I left Roon radio playing a mixed stream of Qobuz, Tidal and NAS overnight and it's still playing without interruption so far this morning. . .

Steve

 

Hi Darryl,

Atma-Sphere Class D. Very impressive right out of the box. Extremely low noise floor and lots of clarity and detail without giving up any of the color and tonal density I've gotten used to with my SET amps. Scary dynamics -- I was startled and jumped more than once last night while listening. Playing Tool was insane.

They might give up just a hint of that almost psychedelic 3D spatiality the SETs do so well, but it sure isn't much. Still lots of depth and height and side-to-side soundstage when the recording has it. Plenty of body and weight and very articulate deep bass.

BTW -- I left Roon radio playing a mixed stream of Qobuz, Tidal and NAS overnight and it's still playing without interruption so far this morning. . .

Steve

Hi Steve,

I bet a lot of people would be interested in your impressions of Ralph's Class D amps.

Maybe start a separate thread to chronicle your thoughts?

 

Hi Steve,

I bet a lot of people would be interested in your impressions of Ralph's Class D amps.

Maybe start a separate thread to chronicle your thoughts?

Good idea, Ron. I'll start a thread a little later today.

Thanks,

Steve Z

 

@tima posted a link to his very professional review of the Atma-Sphere Class D amps published just a few days ago:

Review: Atma-Sphere Class D Amplifiers

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/atma-sphere-class-d-amplifiers/ Comments welcome.

www.whatsbestforum.com

I'll just tag along and post my impression over there.

Steve Z

 

@tima posted a link to his very professional review of the Atma-Sphere Class D amps published just a few days ago:

Review: Atma-Sphere Class D Amplifiers

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/atma-sphere-class-d-amplifiers/ Comments welcome.

www.whatsbestforum.com

I'll just tag along and post my impression over there.

Steve Z

You are certainly welcome to do so.

 

I believe this is still an issue. It stops while listening once in awhile, too. It's annoying.

Same here. It will play through a complete charging cycle so it’s not that.

Mine stops every day after a few hours on repeat or playing Roon radio. Makes break in really tedious

When my player stops it is whole playing a file on my NAS.

Are you saying the issue occurs by just having Qobuz files in the queue?

To everyone experiencing non-Qobuz-related Roon stopping issues, if you have not yet done so, please send in a ticket via support@taikoaudio.com, and we will be in touch to address the issue.

 

I don't know if this is helpful or not. With the Extreme no stoppages whatsoever...With my unit heading to dangerous goods I will soon have a different perspective...

 

Folks, @Superdad was kind enough to include me in beta testing for the new Uptone Audio JS-4 dual channel power supply.

Full discussion is here: https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...s-photos-tech-highlights-and-production-info/

I'm copy/pasting my impressions below for its potential interest to Olympus owners with the Taiko network stack


First impressions. When powering my Taiko network stack (see my current reference system below, see my Taiko Olympus review for more system details) the JS4 is a clear significant step up from the JS2, and improves on my (he who is not to be named) SR4B-12

Qualitatively, my SR4 is maybe 70% of the way between the JS2 and JS4? Well done Alex and John.





My first goal was to determine how impacted the JS-4 is by upstream power quality. To do so, I compared the JS-4 energizing the full Taiko network stack (DCD, switch, router) when plugged into a standard shared home electrical circuit, into my dedicated 30A/6awg audio circuit, and my Sound Application TT7 power conditioner plugged into my dedicated audio circuit.

The JS-4 plugged into my dedicated audio circuit was a clear step up from a shared home electrical outlet. More speed/attack, better/richer bass resolution, and improved imaging (detail/positioning and depth), all attributes I've come to expect with better power to my Taiko network stack.

With my TT7 in the chain, there was another step up in these usual attributes, but also a very noticeable improvement in what I'm now calling "relaxedness" (an attribute that I've become very attentive to since moving to the Taiko Olympus).

Alas, try as I may to find otherwise, the TT7 remains essential in my audio setup


Next, I evaluated the JS-4 powering my Taiko switch and Taiko router directly vs via the Taiko DC distributor. For this, I switched the JS-4 to dual channel 12V output, and I needed to use a generic 2.1->2.5mm DC barrel adapter for the Taiko switch (not optimal, but both require 2.5mm DC connectors)

In this configuration, JS-4 direct (no DCD) had excellent speed/resolution, but gave up some of the "relaxedness" that I've come to cherish (and admittedly, I likely keying off this attribute more than most) I think folks with the Taiko network stack would be very happy energizing the Taiko switch and router direct from the JS-4. If I had to choose between a Taiko DCD and better energizing DC supply, I would definitely go for the better DC supply. Alas, the Taiko DCD still brings goodness to the party, even with the TT7 and JS-4 upstream.


Finally, for fun I gave a quick listen to the JS-4 in single channel mode vs the JS-4 in dual channel mode, energizing the full Taiko network stack (including the DCD). Switching back and forth, I would give maybe the *slightest* edge on speed/dynamics to the single mode on the JS-4, but honestly, a slightly different espresso pull on my afternoon latte could have caused me to hear things differently.


Note for all of my listening tests that the current beta JS-4 units do not have the over current protection/reset circuits that the production units will have. Folks' experience with the production units may be different. For reference, the Taiko Switch draws 0.1A at 12V, and the Taiko Router 0.5A at 12V, so both operate comfortably at the 2.1A that the JS-4 can supply in dual channel mode.

TL;DR

* Uptone JS-4 is a significant step up from the Uptone JS-2 when energizing the full Taiko network stack in my setup
* The JS-4 is a clear step up from my reference ***** SR4B-12
* JS-4 is sensitive to quality of upstream power, and alas, my TT7 isn't going anywhere
* JS-4 does a very admirable job energizing my Taiko router and Taiko switch directly (bypassing the Taiko DCD), but the Taiko DCD still brings more much appreciated "relaxedness" to the party


I am hoping to have access to a mini Sean Jacobs DC-4 soon(ish). If I'm able to secure the loaner in the time I have with the JS-4, I'll post an update here. Even before that, JS-4 is a fantastic upgrade from the JS-2

Many thanks to Alex and John for including me in the beta!

 

...I was eagerly awaiting your review @ray-dude so thank you.

I guess I see myself running between two single outputs: DCD powering router and switch, with second output powering my Synology NAS vs. the "bridged/dual output" powering the DCD ...powering router, switch and NAS. I think both use-cases are viable, so the test must be run!

 

I wouldn't have normally included something like single vs dual channel comparisons with a minuscule difference between them, but I figured a bunch of folks might be interested for the same reason.

Not sure how much isolation there is between the channels. It will be interesting to hear if dual channel JS-4 with and without NAS connected makes a difference

 

with second output powering my Synology NAS

I’m not too confident in you being able to power a full NAS from one 2.1A output of a JS-4 in Dual-Mode. 4A Single-Mode maybe…

BTW, a bunch of people are already trying to sign up for two JS-4s—to pair for 8A (or 6A + 2.1A combo) output using the special SpeakON ‘Y’ cable and coax/SMA link cable we are offering. I stacked a pair and ran 8A continuous overnight and they didn’t get more than mildly warm.
[But don’t think we can fill those wishes from the first 30 units in June; we need to be fair to everyone.]

 

...thanks Alex. I look forward to finding out how it will all work with the new JS-4.

 

First impressions. When powering my Taiko network stack (see my current reference system below, see my Taiko Olympus review for more system details) the JS4 is a clear significant step up from the JS2, and improves on my (he who is not to be named) SR4B-12

Thank you for your impressions, Ray. You've given us a quantitative ranking of JS-2, JS-4 and SR4B-12 but other than mentioning "relaxedness" I missed the qualitative description -- could you tell us in what sonically relevant ways the JS-4 is better?

Thanks,

Steve Z

 

Steve, in my long form Olympus review, I did outline how improved power to the Taiko network stack impacted what I was hearing. With the JS-4, it was more of that same goodness (bass resolution, speed/attack, imaging detail and depth, etc) "Relaxedness" seemed to be more of a function of the quality of upstream power or power conditioning (TT7, DCD, etc)

That being said, I have not tried the various DCD outputs with the JS-4. I view these as tuning the DCD to your energizing supply, and mine is optimized for my SR4. There may be more balance to extract with the JS-4 through using different DCD outputs

With my I/O (hopefully) getting closer, I suspect all these network power optimizations will be shifting around again.

 

Steve, in my long form Olympus review, I did outline how improved power to the Taiko network stack impacted what I was hearing. With the JS-4, it was more of that same goodness (bass resolution, speed/attack, imaging detail and depth, etc) "Relaxedness" seemed to be more of a function of the quality of upstream power or power conditioning (TT7, DCD, etc)

That being said, I have not tried the various DCD outputs with the JS-4. I view these as tuning the DCD to your energizing supply, and mine is optimized for my SR4. There may be more balance to extract with the JS-4 through using different DCD outputs

With my I/O (hopefully) getting closer, I suspect all these network power optimizations will be shifting around again.

Thank you, Ray.

Steve Z