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".

 

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

 

Has anyone here with O and or O/IO and using either MSB DAC or Lamp DAC with digital board and XDMI chosen to abandon their digital board and use the analogue board?

Im not aware of anyone . I do know several users who have tried both boards and..........I cannot comment as I have only used the digital board and simply find no reason to consider a change . The other mitigating factor is the task involved to do the switch as the board resides in the IO which is sitting under the Olympus. Im still of the feeling that at some point Emile will find his head above water and will be able to dedicate a visit to my house for an open house event where we can do that comparison. Im hoping the best way to do that A-B test is if he brings a 2nd IO with the analog card and the A=B test can be don by merely switching inputs on the QSFP cable from my IO to his

 

...MSB solution has not yet shipped, so far as I am aware.

 

Has anyone here with O and or O/IO and using either MSB DAC or Lamp DAC with digital board and XDMI chosen to abandon their digital board and use the analogue board?

Im not aware of anyone . I do know several users who have tried both boards and..........I cannot comment as I have only used the digital board and simply find no reason to consider a change . The other mitigating factor is the task involved to do the switch as the board resides in the IO which is sitting under the Olympus. Im still of the feeling that at some point Emile will find his head above water and will be able to dedicate a visit to my house for an open house event where we can do that comparison. Im hoping the best way to do that A-B test is if he brings a 2nd IO with the analog card and the A=B test can be don by merely switching inputs on the QSFP cable from my IO to his

Steve, you need to hire the same people who helped you before to swap out the card. You are a critical data point.

 

I totally understand.

I think the corollary to my question also begs asking....Is there any O/IO user who uses an external DAC with the digital board connecting via AES/EBU and prefers it over the analogue board. I Don't think I have read one who does

 

Is there any O/IO user who uses an external DAC with the digital board connecting via AES/EBU and prefers it over the analogue board.

I believe @oldmustang tried both options, the DAC and the digital interface.
Unless I’m mistaken, he preferred the Taiko DAC over his dCS Vivaldi DAC.

cheers,

Thomas

 

I believe @oldmustang tried both options, the DAC and the digital interface.
Unless I’m mistaken, he preferred the Taiko DAC over his dCS Vivaldi DAC.

cheers,

Thomas

He did and is selling or sold his dCS.

 

I believe @oldmustang tried both options, the DAC and the digital interface.
Unless I’m mistaken, he preferred the Taiko DAC over his dCS Vivaldi DAC.

cheers,

Thomas

Precisely my point....doesnt the dCS Vivaldi connect digital board via aes/ebu

 

I totally understand.

I think the corollary to my question also begs asking....Is there any O/IO user who uses an external DAC with the digital board connecting via AES/EBU and prefers it over the analogue board. I Don't think I have read one who does

I have O.. no IO.. I plan to a/b both today. May need some time to run in.

 

I have O.. no IO.. I plan to a/b both today. May need some time to run in.

From other reports it does sound like the analog board needs a while to burn in.

 

Precisely my point....doesnt the dCS Vivaldi connect digital board via aes/ebu

When I mentioned the digital interface, I was indeed referring to AES/EBU.

@oldmustang has indeed sold his dCS Vivaldi Stack, and uses the Taiko DAC daughterboard.

That says a lot about having the DAC integrated into the I/O.

Since the XDMI interface is modular, it’s easy to switch DACs.

All it will take is for @Taiko Audio to offer an even better DAC daughterboard, and if it’s not already the case, the Olympus will clearly position itself as a Giant Killer.

 

From other reports it does sound like the analog board needs a while to burn in.

It needs at least 2-3 weeks to fully open (@Taiko Audio please correct me if I'm mistaken).

 

When I mentioned the digital interface, I was indeed referring to AES/EBU.

@oldmustang has indeed sold his dCS Vivaldi Stack, and uses the Taiko DAC daughterboard.

That says a lot about having the DAC integrated into the I/O.

Since the XDMI interface is modular, it’s easy to switch DACs.

All it will take is for @Taiko Audio to offer an even better DAC daughterboard, and if it’s not already the case, the Olympus will clearly position itself as a Giant Killer.

Actually it might say how crappy the Vivaldi stack actually is..I owned one and I couldn't wait to get out of it.