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".

 

But you are listening to a tube DAC via XDMI, not the XDMI DAC, correct?

I have not heard the analogue board.

 

The one thing that I am hoping someone can point me in the correct direction is regarding the power cord IEC. My huge Masterbuilt Ultra PC's are like an elephant trunk and the sheer weight of them and gravity is preventing a solid lasting connection as I found a few times I lost power due to the power cord coming slightly loose from the IEC. I know there are some supporting after market things that are built to offer the weight and to help support heavy cable. Can anyone give me a link as to where I can buy a pair of these. Presently I am using a pair of Chin Cheng PC's

 

The one thing that I am hoping someone can point me in the correct direction is regarding the power cord IEC. My huge Masterbuilt Ultra PC's are like an elephant trunk and the sheer weight of them and gravity is preventing a solid lasting connection as I found a few times I lost power due to the power cord coming slightly loose from the IEC. I know there are some supporting after market things that are built to offer the weight and to help support heavy cable. Can anyone give me a link as to where I can buy a pair of these. Presently I am using a pair of Chin Cheng PC's

Steve take a tongue depressor or a wooded strip such as a ruler. Cut it to length and allow for cutting a half circle for the cable and use it as a support...

 

Here is an interesting finding unrelated to the Olympus but to Roon

The XDMS scanner that I have been using through all its development stages have also shown around 55.000 files. Yesterday I was able to successfully find my NAS on my home network with port forwarding. I did my very first Roon library scan which took about 5 hours and it showed 71.000 files

 

Something like this Steve...A crotch/support

 

I will echo @nenon System burn in and brain burn in are real with Olympus. Be patient and give yourself time. What XDMI does is different than other digital levers and optimizations I've heard before. Those others levers are still there, but the XDMI impact is so outsized and impactful that it dwarfs the others.

I've had to reset many (most?) of my mental models over the last week. Lots more critical listening this week before coming to any sort of conclusions, but I am starting to get a good sense for it

As I mentioned to some folks privately, Emile and team are living a couple years into the future of digital audio, and over the last month, the rest of us are just starting to get a taste for what that means. Olympus isn't just more/better of what has come before, it is a different way of doing digital. Looking back, you can see the hints of this approach in the Extreme, but the intentionality to lean into that approach with Olympus is extremely clear.

Embrace Beginners Mind, and enjoy this ride. This is the beginning of a new wave of digital, not an improvement on what has come before. Hope to have more cogent thoughts over the next several weeks.

The idea that the Olympus/xdmi is so different that it requires "brain burn-in" is curious to me.

On the one hand it strikes me as an odd and un-easy concept. Are we required to warp our music sensibilities in order to accept a new sound paradigm in order to enjoy/understand the music? It seems to me music reproduction as it advances to the goal of realism should be a natural, effortless process to fall into and not require a mental re-calibration.

But on the other hand, listening to music, and all perception, is a learned mental activity. As we listen to music through our systems our brains are constantly adapting, filling in, and compensating for deficiencies in order to make it all work. We get used to how our system reproduces music and learn how to internally optimize it. I suppose this next step with the Olympus/xdmi is the same process but with an end point being a more natural, realistic portrayal of the recording that ultimately will require less mental compensation. At least, I'm hoping!

 

The one thing that I am hoping someone can point me in the correct direction is regarding the power cord IEC. My huge Masterbuilt Ultra PC's are like an elephant trunk and the sheer weight of them and gravity is preventing a solid lasting connection as I found a few times I lost power due to the power cord coming slightly loose from the IEC. I know there are some supporting after market things that are built to offer the weight and to help support heavy cable. Can anyone give me a link as to where I can buy a pair of these. Presently I am using a pair of Chin Cheng PC's

Would this work?

NCF Booster | FURUTECH

Multi-material hybrid construction: an original Furutech design<br /> For superior connector and cable damping<br />

www.furutech.com

 

Would this work?

NCF Booster | FURUTECH

Multi-material hybrid construction: an original Furutech design<br /> For superior connector and cable damping<br />

www.furutech.com

View attachment 135825

They work GREAT! For the interim my suggestion suffices...

 

The one thing that I am hoping someone can point me in the correct direction is regarding the power cord IEC. My huge Masterbuilt Ultra PC's are like an elephant trunk and the sheer weight of them and gravity is preventing a solid lasting connection as I found a few times I lost power due to the power cord coming slightly loose from the IEC. I know there are some supporting after market things that are built to offer the weight and to help support heavy cable. Can anyone give me a link as to where I can buy a pair of these. Presently I am using a pair of Chin Cheng PC's

ok, here is what you do. attach a clamp ($11 at Home Depot) to the edge of your shelf, and take zip ties and some velcro and unweight the power cords by suspending them from the clamp end. this will (1) insure your power cord, however heavy. will remain firmly attached, and also (2) allow your decoupling footers below your gear to be functional. otherwise the heavy cables will render your footers mostly non relevant.

i use three of these clamps with my heavy LFD phono cables using my active platforms for my turntable to eliminate the pull down (unweight) on the DIN connectors. pictures on my system page link. yes, it's not pretty, but works like a champ and cheap.

 

ok, here is what you do. attach a clamp ($11 at Home Depot) to the edge of your shelf, and take zip ties and some velcro and unweight the power cords by suspending them from the clamp end. this will (1) insure your power cord, however heavy. will remain firmly attached, and also (2) allow your decoupling footers below your gear to be functional. otherwise the heavy cables will render your footers mostly non relevant.

i use three of these clamps with my heavy LFD phono cables using my active platforms for my turntable to eliminate the pull down (unweight) on the DIN connectors. pictures on my system page link. yes, it's not pretty, but works like a champ and cheap.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-4-5-in-35-lb-Trigger-Clamps-2-Pack-with-1-5-in-Throat-Depth-DWHT83148/204390864?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25H-025_002_FASTEN_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-PLA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-FasteningTools_PLALIA&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25H-025_002_FASTEN_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-PLA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-FasteningTools_PLALIA-71700000117978834-58700008688451229-92700079758189634&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw59q2BhBOEi

This works great too, a sling. A much better secure way than my suggestion...

 

This works great too, a sling. A much better secure way than my suggestion...

Why not address both power cord support and loose IECs?

I use these in locations where IECs aren't gripping power cords well enough to prevent them loosening. My dCS equipment seem to have slightly larger IEC receptacles than most of my other equipment. They also work well in non-audio applications where a more secure power cord fit is desirable. They are made of thin, flexible and tough plastic material:



They are pennies a piece and can be ordered from:

Buy Secure Sleeve Online | SF Cable

Shop our Best Selling Secure Sleeve from SF Cable. Get wide varieties of Secure Sleeve at very competitive prices. Order Online!

www.sfcable.com

As far a supporting a portion of the weight of the power cord, Mike and John's suggestions are excellent and I'm sure your ingenuity can come up with a solution. There are a variety of cable fasteners, zip ties, velco hook and loop tapes at the same vendor:

Search results for: 'cable ties'

Since 2002, SF Cable provide the highest quality computer cables, components, and accessories (including custom products like fiber optic and copper networking cables and modular adaptors) at the lowest prices on the internet delivered with complete customer satisfaction.

www.sfcable.com

I support the very heavy IEC plug and cable weight of the Sablon Prince power cord to my Extreme with dense foam blocks salvaged from packing blocks used to ship electronics equipment. They cut easily to size with a sharp knife, have minimal dielectric effect, and they are basically free.

Good luck.

Steve Z

 

I have one other caveat that I would like to pass along for this who will be using IO/Olympus. Emile recommends the IO be seated UNDER the Olympus . For hose who plan on using external footers under the IO, I caution you when placing there rear 2 footers under the IO as there is a removal plate that is meant to be removed when changing from the digital to the analogue cards. This plate is not made of heavy steel and should you place the rear footers under this plate the immense weight of the Olympus/IO could cause some torque in this plate which potentially could cause some harm to the inner structure of the IO. I placed my rear footers quite later and anterior to the stock IO footers where the IO chassis is very heavy and very solid so that the risk I mentioned is obviated

 

I have one other caveat that I would like to pass along for this who will be using IO/Olympus. Emile recommends the IO be seated UNDER the Olympus . For hose who plan on using external footers under the IO, I caution you when placing there rear 2 footers under the IO as there is a removal plate that is meant to be removed when changing from the digital to the analogue cards. This plate is not made of heavy steel and should you place the rear footers under this plate the immense weight of the Olympus/IO could cause some torque in this plate which potentially could cause some harm to the inner structure of the IO. I placed my rear footers quite later and anterior to the stock IO footers where the IO chassis is very heavy and very solid so that the risk I mentioned is obviated

I haven't discussed this with Emile, but if I would put footers under my Olympus (or my I/O), I would put them where the current footers are. This seems to be the place that's reinforced to handle the necessary weight (i.e. the safest place for footers given the weight of these components).

To avoid the effect of different materials, the current Taiko footer can be removed:


@steve williams - perhaps you can influence CMS to design footers for the Olympus that can be screwed in place of the stock footers.

 

Why not address both power cord support and loose IECs?

I use these in locations where IECs aren't gripping power cords well enough to prevent them loosening. My dCS equipment seem to have slightly larger IEC receptacles than most of my other equipment. They also work well in non-audio applications where a more secure power cord fit is desirable. They are made of thin, flexible and tough plastic material:

View attachment 135826View attachment 135827

They are pennies a piece and can be ordered from:

Buy Secure Sleeve Online | SF Cable

Shop our Best Selling Secure Sleeve from SF Cable. Get wide varieties of Secure Sleeve at very competitive prices. Order Online!

www.sfcable.com

As far a supporting a portion of the weight of the power cord, Mike and John's suggestions are excellent and I'm sure your ingenuity can come up with a solution. There are a variety of cable fasteners, zip ties, velco hook and loop tapes at the same vendor:

Search results for: 'cable ties'

Since 2002, SF Cable provide the highest quality computer cables, components, and accessories (including custom products like fiber optic and copper networking cables and modular adaptors) at the lowest prices on the internet delivered with complete customer satisfaction.

www.sfcable.com

I support the very heavy IEC plug and cable weight of the Sablon Prince power cord to my Extreme with dense foam blocks salvaged from packing blocks used to ship electronics equipment. They cut easily to size with a sharp knife, have minimal dielectric effect, and they are basically free.

Good luck.

Steve Z

You showed me these before Steve and I totally forgot about them. Very effective...And not expensive...

 

I haven't discussed this with Emile, but if I would put footers under my Olympus (or my I/O), I would put them where the current footers are. This seems to be the place that's reinforced to handle the necessary weight (i.e. the safest place for footers given the weight of these components).

To avoid the effect of different materials, the current Taiko footer can be removed:
View attachment 135828

@steve williams - perhaps you can influence CMS to design footers for the Olympus that can be screwed in place of the stock footers.

Center stage footer never go under existing footer but under the chassis

 

I haven't discussed this with Emile, but if I would put footers under my Olympus (or my I/O), I would put them where the current footers are. This seems to be the place that's reinforced to handle the necessary weight (i.e. the safest place for footers given the weight of these components).

To avoid the effect of different materials, the current Taiko footer can be removed:
View attachment 135828

@steve williams - perhaps you can influence CMS to design footers for the Olympus that can be screwed in place of the stock footers.

You can get CS with adapters

 

 

Back of the head of my special guest. Stay tuned for big reveal shortly

 

I haven't discussed this with Emile, but if I would put footers under my Olympus (or my I/O), I would put them where the current footers are. This seems to be the place that's reinforced to handle the necessary weight (i.e. the safest place for footers given the weight of these components).

To avoid the effect of different materials, the current Taiko footer can be removed:
View attachment 135828

@steve williams - perhaps you can influence CMS to design footers for the Olympus that can be screwed in place of the stock footers.

We have indeed designed the machined recesses in the corner pillars such that they can comfortably support the weight, even when the server is stacked on top of the I/O. When using aftermarket footers, we recommend using them in these locations, either under the existing acrylic footers, or instead of the standard footers. The acrylic footers are very easily removable using a hex key. When removed, the M6 (6mm) thread provides compatibility with M6-equipped aftermarket footers.

 

We have indeed designed the machined recesses in the corner pillars such that they can comfortably support the weight, even when the server is stacked on top of the I/O. When using aftermarket footers, we recommend using them in these locations, either under the existing acrylic footers, or instead of the standard footers. The acrylic footers are very easily removable using a hex key. When removed, the M6 (6mm) thread provides compatibility with M6-equipped aftermarket footers.

It makes a lot of sense to put the footers in a place that they were intended to be.