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".

 

I have a relatively simple network setup but this “just worked” for me (configure roon on Olympus with the ip address and share on your NAS, and Bob’s your uncle)

Thank you ray-dude. I'm one of those who is going to need more guidance based on the level of my home networking skills.

 

Happy to help when the time comes!

 

Happy to help when the time comes!

Thank you!

 

I haven’t heard the Olympus as a stand alone and reading early posts it is sensational. I have however heard the O/IO with both USB as well as with Native XDMI to my Horizon. Mine is completely burned in and there isn’t a track from any source or any format that I listen to that doesn’t sound spectacular. Emile has stated the IO gives a boost in SQ over the O by an additional 30% I have no comparison other than to say that what I’m hearing using Roon via XDMI is beyond a doubt the best digital I have ever heard. I have also compared a Chin Cheng PC vs my MasterBuilt Ultra PC when tsaett from Taiko visited. Both of us turned and looked at each other as it was a WTF just happened moment. If you look at my prior posts I had stated that this combination brought things earth shattering close to vinyl. In fact as much as I love vinyl I honestly feel that XDMI is such a different beast that those who don’t have vinyl won’t ever miss it. To be fair I have not heard the XDMI analogue card as my Olympus sits on top of my IO as recommended by Emile. Everyone however will hear the analogue board when Emile visits which will still become a reality once he has ramped up his production rate to catch up with orders. This will be a great comparison especially for those considering using the analogue board in lieu of an outboard DAC.

Finally my new Horizon 360 arrives today so even more fun awaits As well Lukasz and Fred will be here to help launch the Horizon 360 so it will be all hands on deck.

I will have an announcement very soon

Would you please play some recorded all-analog vinyl (“Dream With Dean” comes to mind) after your analog is warmed up and do the $1 to Olympus comparison again?

 

I will need. Todaybhiwever will have more to do with burningnin the new Horizon 360

 

As some of us await for our Olympii, a moment of levity, in case u had not seen….resonates just a bit

 

For those with Olympus and are using XDMI digital board to Lampi. I initially was using the KBL XDMI cable that sells for $3K. I received my Horizon 360 yesterday and it’s undergoing some burn in so I’m not going to comment just yet on the 360 but Lukasz sent me the newer deluxe version of the KBL XDMI cable that lists for $4K. I just want to say to those Hirizin users who will use native XDMI my preliminary impression is to push the envelope and buy the deluxe version. It’s also not settled in but right out of the box it easily betters the $3K KBL XDMI cable

 

Here’s a side by side of a 1.2 meter length in both versions.

 

Happy to help when the time comes!

How is the new Olympus settling in? I gather you travel a lot and please forgive my anticipation/forwardness. Many are very curious even with initial observations. Other than Vassill and SW not very much information coming in....

 

Here’s a side by side of a 1.2 meter length in both versions.

View attachment 136387

So size does matter...What's another grand among friends...

 

So, a grand can buy you bigger size, huh?

 

So size does matter...What's another grand among friends...

I thought it wuz the mocean of the electronz!

 

I thought it wuz the mocean of the electronz!

Michael, it depends on who is doing the operating!!!

 

So size does matter...What's another grand among friends...

Whoever told you that it does not matter was lying

 

Whoever told you that it does not matter was lying

I've led a sheltered life, late bloomer. Learning all this new social interaction stuff on the fly!!

 

To put the two KBL XDMI cables in perspective to my ears the uptick in SQ with the better KBL XDMI cable was as much as changing the Olympus power cord from a Chin Cheng to my Masterbuilt Ultra.

 

Are you comparing the cable with the original Horizon or the new Horizon?

 

Both

 

To put the two KBL XDMI cables in perspective to my ears the uptick in SQ with the better KBL XDMI cable was as much as changing the Olympus power cord from a Chin Cheng to my Masterbuilt Ultra.

It sounds like a very big change with those cables.
Can't wait to try different scenarios myself.

 

It sounds like a very big change with those cables.
Can't wait to try different scenarios myself.

I just don't know how many XDMI options there are in today's market