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".

 

The two generations of Taiko Audio servers :



Even though this Olympus Server has been in use for <10 hours only , and that there isn't any internal music file yet and the demo at the Hong Kong Hiend AV Show is by Quobus streaming , and that its internal battery is charged up to only 7x%, I visited the Volent Audio room several times and can confidently say that the Olympus Server surpasses the Extreme Server by a large margin already.

The first Olympus Server in Hong Kong.
Very exciting!

 

I'm comparing the Olympus' motherboard usb output vs XDMI dac analog output now.

The latter is NOT bad!
A steal definitely!

 

I heard the Extreme at the HK AV Show this morning, and then heard the Olympus in the afternoon, both playing through USB to a TotalDAC DAC. The Olympus is a very noticeable improvement especially in noise floor, overall clarity and bass compared to the Extreme. They were streaming files through the Taiko Router and Switch and mobile 5G internet. Shame that I had to leave before Volent Audio switched to XDMI Analog!

 

If a TotalDac is being used with Olympus, per Vincent at TotalDac, the AES/EBU input is much preferred. I am curious why the AES/EBU input is not being used to demo the Olympus? I can not tell from the photo's if this Olympus is fitted with AES/EBU output?

 

If a TotalDac is being used with Olympus, per Vincent at TotalDac, the AES/EBU input is much preferred. I am curious why the AES/EBU input is not being used to demo the Olympus? I can not tell from the photo's if this Olympus is fitted with AES/EBU output?

The analog daughter board is installed. Can’t have both at the same time.

 

The analog daughter board is installed. Can’t have both at the same time.

Sure.
But they could swap the analog XDMI exit to AES in minutes and have probably 100% better sounding Totaldac.

Totaldac is known of being subpar in regards to USB implementation,
But is also know to surpass almost all others in AES domain.
It was designed and build with top AES optimizations in mind.
So entering Totaldac with AES signal could offer highest quality.

 

Sure.
But they could swap the analog XDMI exit to AES in minutes and have probably 100% better sounding Totaldac.

Totaldac is known of being subpar in regards to USB implementation,
But is also know to surpass almost all others in AES domain.
It was designed and build with top AES optimizations in mind.
So entering Totaldac with AES signal could offer highest quality.

While AES is better than usb to Totaldac, the question is whether the analog out is better than the AES. If I were a Totaldac owner, this the only thing I’d want to know.

 

The analog daughter board is installed. Can’t have both at the same time.

My Olympus is fitted with XDMI/analog out and AES/EBU. I elected not to install USB at this time.

While AES is better than usb to Totaldac, the question is whether the analog out is better than the AES. If I were a Totaldac owner, this the only thing I’d want to know.

And that is what I want to know...is XDMI/analog out better that AES/EBU to the TotalDac Sublime?

 

It would be ideal if Volent Audio/Ben Lau was sent an Olympus Server one or two weeks prior to the HK Show and that he was given all the varieties of XDMI daughter boards for him to play with and demo to his clients.

However the demand of Olympus greatly exceeds the production capacity of Taiko Audio.
Ben Lau was relieved yesterday afternoon when he received this demo Olympus with only the XDMI dac rca analog output daughter card onboard.

I guess none or not many of the Taiko dealers in N Am and Europe could be more lucky than Ben Lau.
Any such dealers have got all the XDMI cards available?

Emile and Edward's must be reading this thread.
Can the production capacity of Taiko Audio be elevated gradually?

 

My Olympus is fitted with XDMI/analog out and AES/EBU. I elected not to install USB at this time.

And that is what I want to know...is XDMI/analog out better that AES/EBU to the TotalDac Sublime?

Every Olympus has a USB output since it is part of the motherboard. I don't believe it is an option to remove.

 

Every Olympus has a USB output since it is part of the motherboard. I don't believe it is an option to remove.

Yes I believe you are correct David, USB is part of the motherboard...

 

Read post 2144 from Emile on June 4th. USB output comes by default...

 

Book of Emile, post 2144 verse 3

 

Book of Emile, post 2144 verse 3

That is too funny!

 

@nenon, thank you for your time and hospitality today. Needless to say, it was an experience I'm not likely to forget.

Simply put:
The most musical system I've ever heard.
The XDMI analog has the ability to convey all the emotional feels one can handle. Had me crying twice.
The Extreme, as good as it is and it's damn good.. Nope.. Not close.
Yup, I'm going to sell my dac...

Power cord:
It makes a bigger (very obvious) difference than I thought possible.

The O is not analog or digi sounding.
It is a genome I've not experienced before.
The closest relative would be 15ips master - but on steroids...

Nothing tripped it up.
It presents music in an elegant manner with a Dr. Jeckle - Mr. Hyde attitude.
At any moment it will smack you in the face..

Once again...
Vassil, thank you.
Not only are you a pleasure to be with, you always manage to teach me something new..

Marc

 

@nenon, thank you for you time and hospitality today. Needless to say, it was an experience I'm not likely to forget.

Simply put:
The most musical system I've ever heard.
The XDMI analog has the ability to convey all the emotional feels one can handle. Had me crying twice.
The Extreme, as good as it is and it's damn good.. Nope.. Not close.
Yup, I'm going to sell my dac...

Power cord:
It makes a bigger (very obvious) difference than I thought possible.

The O is not analog or digi sounding.
It is a genome I've not experienced before.
The closest relative would be 15ips master - but on steroids...

Nothing tripped it up.
It presents music in an elegant manner with a Dr. Jeckle - Mr. Hyde attitude.
At any moment it will smack you in the face..

Once again...
Vassil, thank you.
Not only are you a pleasure to be with, you always manage to teach me something new..

Marc

Nice write up Marc...Its going to be very interesting how all of this unfolds...

 

Dear Emile,
Do you have an estimated timeframe for the release of the XDMI analog board (DAC) mk2? 2S2024, 1S2025, 2S2025?
For me, I need at least two inputs (AES/EBU, and Spidf/coax for my video sources), volume control, and Balanced outs (if possible).

 

@nenon, thank you for your time and hospitality today. Needless to say, it was an experience I'm not likely to forget.

Simply put:
The most musical system I've ever heard.
The XDMI analog has the ability to convey all the emotional feels one can handle. Had me crying twice.
The Extreme, as good as it is and it's damn good.. Nope.. Not close.
Yup, I'm going to sell my dac...

Power cord:
It makes a bigger (very obvious) difference than I thought possible.

The O is not analog or digi sounding.
It is a genome I've not experienced before.
The closest relative would be 15ips master - but on steroids...

Nothing tripped it up.
It presents music in an elegant manner with a Dr. Jeckle - Mr. Hyde attitude.
At any moment it will smack you in the face..

Once again...
Vassil, thank you.
Not only are you a pleasure to be with, you always manage to teach me something new..

Is there a link to Vassil's system components?

 

Just back from holiday after two weeks in the cool fjords of North-West Iceland (Sea kayaking, horse riding, hiking, etc.)

Reading the last few posts, the Olympus XDMI really seems to be delivering what it promises!

So what should we say about the Olympus + I/O XDMI! It's really going to be something!

I'm #10 (O + I/O Silver). I guess I should be getting it in a few weeks.

@nenon thanks for your detailed feedback.

@RUIN*ish you seem to really enjoy the analogue output of the Olympus XDMI.

Could you describe your system? Which DAC do you have? Do you really plan to sell it?

I'm curious to read your feedback once the Olympus is installed on your system.

Cheers,

Thomas

 

Just back from holiday after two weeks in the cool fjords of North-West Iceland (Sea kayaking, horse riding, hiking, etc.)

Reading the last few posts, the Olympus XDMI really seems to be delivering what it promises!

So what should we say about the Olympus + I/O XDMI! It's really going to be something!

I'm #10 (O + I/O Silver). I guess I should be getting it in a few weeks.

@nenon thanks for your detailed feedback.

@RUIN*ish you seem to really enjoy the analogue output of the Olympus XDMI.

Could you describe your system? Which DAC do you have? Do you really plan to sell it?

I'm curious to read your feedback once the Olympus is installed on your system.

Cheers,

Thomas

What I heard today was the anti dac.

There is no reason to keep my dac other than putting it on my second system...
Imo, I really don't care what dac I or you, or anyone else uses in the context of what I heard today and I can not tell you what YOU would prefer.
Ymmv.....

Absolutely.. I will post as soon as the O seems run in. First impressions if you wish?

I promise you I am not trying to be coy in my comments...
Mn