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".

 

On thunderstorms threats and the O-I/O.

I was going to be out of town for a couple of days in which thunderstorms were predicted in my area.

I normally turn my system completely off in this situation, but was apprehensive about how to deal with it for the O-I/O.

Decided to put it in shipping mode as I believe Steve (Old Mustang) recommended.

I had to put my iPad right next to the O-I/O to make the connection between the Taiko BPS application and the O-I/O, but putting the system in shipping mode was a breeze. I then turned off the entire system. Turning everything back on when I got back and getting music going was another flawless breeze!

Great job Team Taiko on the BPS app!

P.S. A good friend/audio manufacturer had suggested that breaking-in goes faster if you turn the system on and off periodically through the break-in process. I could be lying to myself, but the system did show a nice uptick in SQ to boot after turning it back on!

As it used to be recommended to periodically turn the Extreme off to clear out static charge if I recall?

I’m wondering if this is a good idea with the Olympus as well?

 

As it used to be recommended to periodically turn the Extreme off to clear out static charge if I recall?

I’m wondering if this is a good idea with the Olympus as well?

I'm pretty sure Emile responded with no...

 

As it used to be recommended to periodically turn the Extreme off to clear out static charge if I recall?

I’m wondering if this is a good idea with the Olympus as well?

In my case, ymmv, I find that turning my totaldac off and on every 4 days or so is a prerequisite.

 

Up and running!

​

 

Up and running!

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That looks amazing! taiko, lampi, diesis — glorious sound I’m sure. And I love your special edition diesis wood choice and the leather wrap, just beautiful!

 

It really looks beautiful. Maybe the ventilation on the Olympus is a bit tight?

 

Up and running!

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Gorgeous photo of a stunning system, Simone!

 

Up and running!

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Bellisimo!

Steve Z

 

Magnifique !

 

Up and running!

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Beautiful. Also makes me think of Florence, an entrancing place. The day in September I planned to climb the Brunelleschi Dome it was raining, so I need to go back.

 

Up and running!

View attachment 141128​

Squisto Simone!! Have you considered the Olympus on the top shelf? Perhaps logistics prevent this. Beautiful setup...

 

It really looks beautiful. Maybe the ventilation on the Olympus is a bit tight?

Squisto Simone!! Have you considered the Olympus on the top shelf? Perhaps logistics prevent this. Beautiful setup...

Thank you both for the heads up ;-)

Actually this setup is temporary. I could not use the the top shelf as I need it for some amp reviews I will be doing over the next several months...

On the other hand I wanted the Olympus to be accessible in the short term for opening it as I will try (?) the analog board to compare it with the H360 via XDMI.

In the long run I plan to place the Olympus on the bottom shelf where I have 100mm of clearance between the Olympus top and the next shelf bottom face.

 

I used the thumb drive method to restore my Roon settings from the Extreme to the Olympus. Worked great.
What is the best way to safely remove a thumb drive from the Olympus?

 

I used the thumb drive method to restore my Roon settings from the Extreme to the Olympus. Worked great.
What is the best way to safely remove a thumb drive from the Olympus?

Generally, pulling it straight out works best in my experience.

Steve Z

 

Thanks Steve!

 

That didn't take long -- let the imitations begin!

(From Upscale Audio's daily sales e-mail)



Steve Z

 

But wait, there's more!



Aren't we the busy bees.

Steve Z

 

But wait, there's more!

View attachment 141435

Aren't we the busy bees.

Steve Z

It is perhaps time for @Taiko Audio to showcase the Olympus, the Olympus I/O, and, above all, the groundbreaking new XDMI interface on its website.

Unless, of course, an alternative strategy has been deliberately planned

Cheers,

Thomas

 

Finally installed the XDMI Analog DAC card on the Olympus-I/O on Thursday.

I’ve been in a virtual heaven listening to the Olympus-I/O XDMI digital (AES) break-in over the last three weeks, but especially the last week.

It’s been a delightful progression of musical engagement above any past system configurations I’ve ever heard before in my room.

On Thursday, I felt that the performance of the XDMI digital card had stabilized sufficiently to try the XDMI analog card.

After a number of self-inflicted unforced errors (including blown fuses and incorrect cable connections), I was finally able to get music through the XDMI analog card on Friday evening - due in no short measure to the patient, timely, and expert help of the usual suspects at Taiko.

Thank you kindly Gents!

However, what became immediately and abundantly clear after just a couple of hours of listening was that the XDMI analog card performance exceeded the XDMI digital card in no uncertain terms.

And what’s become clearer now, after just a little over 36 hours of break-in, that rather than being in heaven as I thought when listening to the digital XDMI card, that I was just in the lower basement - about to ascend in the opposite direction of Dante’s nine circles of hell.

Every few hours, the performance leaps forward.

All along, Emile has been modest and downplayed the expectations of the XDMI Analog DAC.

After less than 48 hours, and given previous reports that the XDMI analog card would take weeks to stabilize, I can only imagine where the performance will end up.

Emile and the Taiko team have pulled a lion out of their collective hat!

Bottom line, all that’s need now is a couple of more inputs to the XDMI DAC for flexibility, the potential addition of XLR outputs, and which when combined with I’m sure a couple of additional treats up Emile’s sleeve - and it’s GAME OVER!

Well at least for Steve Z, myself, and a couple of other crazies!

 

Finally installed the XDMI Analog DAC card on the Olympus-I/O on Thursday.

I’ve been in a virtual heaven listening to the Olympus-I/O XDMI digital (AES) break-in over the last three weeks, but especially the last week.

It’s been a delightful progression of musical engagement above any past system configurations I’ve ever heard before in my room.

On Thursday, I felt that the performance of the XDMI digital card had stabilized sufficiently to try the XDMI analog card.

After a number of self-inflicted unforced errors (including blown fuses and incorrect cable connections), I was finally able to get music through the XDMI analog card on Friday evening - due in no short measure to the patient, timely, and expert help of the usual suspects at Taiko.

Thank you kindly Gents!

However, what became immediately and abundantly clear after just a couple of hours of listening was that the XDMI analog card performance exceeded the XDMI digital card in no uncertain terms.

And what’s become clearer now, after just a little over 36 hours of break-in, that rather than being in heaven as I thought when listening to the digital XDMI card, that I was just in the lower basement - about to ascend in the opposite direction of Dante’s nine circles of hell.

Every few hours, the performance leaps forward.

All along, Emile has been modest and downplayed the expectations of the XDMI Analog DAC.

After less than 48 hours, and given previous reports that the XDMI analog card would take weeks to stabilize, I can only imagine where the performance will end up.

Emile and the Taiko team have pulled a lion out of their collective hat!

Bottom line, all that’s need now is a couple of more inputs to the XDMI DAC for flexibility, the potential addition of XLR outputs, and which when combined with I’m sure a couple of additional treats up Emile’s sleeve - and it’s GAME OVER!

Well at least for Steve Z, myself, and a couple of other crazies!

Game over until the full size xdmi analog card...