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 don't think so Marty, too few out into the wild...Mark @MarkusBarkus was going for that approach but changed the order to an Olympus...Unless someone in Europe took that route?

i expect the value of the trade in for the extreme makes the extreme+IO+xdmi option less desirable than just going the olympus route. if i was playing in that neighborhood, that is what i would do as well. eliminating the external DAC then makes it almost a no brainer choice between the two.

as for me, i enjoy reading about the summit of sound, listening to demos and waiting for trickle down

 

I still have my Extreme, so on my list to try this when my I/O arrives (tbd, if practical)

 

#49.... A good weekend coming up.
Thank you Team Taiko and Chicago Hifi...

 

#49.... A good weekend coming up.
Thank you Team Taiko and Chicago Hifi...
View attachment 141536

deserves the 20 !

 

Pappy >> XDMI (sorry, not sorry)

 

Any update on the batch of 45 chassis received last week from the anodizer? curious if i / others have been naughty or nice this holiday season…

 

Yes, please. I feel like I've been held in "silver suspense" for quite some time now!

 

Indeed, the MSB modules have arrived, we’re testing all of them now, we do need to make some minor modifications to the mounting brackets.

They’re performing really well. The improvement over USB is very similar to the XDMI Lampizator link, which is an interesting datapoint as MSB PRO ISL connects over fiber and Lampizator over copper. I still have to try a copper DAC cable in stead of fiber, but I suspect others may get around to that before me

any progress/update report available on the MSB modules?

 

Yes, please. I feel like I've been held in "silver suspense" for quite some time now!

Unfortunately we’re being kept in suspense thus far as well.

 

any progress/update report available on the MSB modules?

Those are about to ship!

 

Those are about to ship!

Emile, could you share how many MSB modules did you get in total, and how many are about to ship?

 

A huge thank you to @nenon(Vassil) for his help and expertise setting up my O at my house today. As usual, an absolute pleasure being with him.

 

A huge thank you to @nenon(Vassil) for his help and expertise setting up my O at my house today. As usual, an absolute pleasure being with you..View attachment 141714

Cool to see Vassil in his "natural habitat" namely, improving the SQ of a music lover's audio system!

 

Out of the box impression...
I'm using the XDMI digital to my dac as training wheels.
I'll install the XDMI analog in a few days.
Emile and team hit a grand slam on this one.. Worth the wait as excruciating it is..

Team Taiko... Thank you for your support...

 

Yes, the wait is hard, especially when the numbers sent are not published. I am beginning to think that the queue numbers are not being respected and priority is being given to shipments to the USA, given the probable increase in import tariffs.

 

Yes, the wait is hard, especially when the numbers sent are not published. I am beginning to think that the queue numbers are not being respected and priority is being given to shipments to the USA, given the probable increase in import tariffs.

The Olympus I installed was order #49 (black), which was reported ready some time ago but the dangerous goods certification took time.

It arrived earlier this week.

I believe Taiko and the community here has been very transparent.

 

Last completed server = #65

There are a few gaps due to missing I/Os (which we did actually finally receive this morning).

The anodising queue has grown to around 50 chassis divided over 2 anodisers, but they’re closing today so those won’t arrive this year.

There’s no “cheating” going on.

 

Roon on O is better than XDMS on E..
Ymmv

 

Day 3ish update:
XDMI digi
Shit aes to dac
Impression: All else sounds like a Kenner Close and Play.
Seriously considering the, I Owe...
Analog install today or tomorrow?

 

Day 3ish update:
XDMI digi
Shit aes to dac
Impression: All else sounds like a Kenner Close and Play.
Seriously considering the, I Owe...
Analog install today or tomorrow?

Kenner? I had to dig deep for that one, lol.
I Owe is apt, and under consideration.
Nenon posted a YT video of his current room with the Owe & I Owe. It's obvious to me how much it has improved since he installed.
Taiko Olympus I/O Added