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".

 

Anodising update:

Unfortunately still no shipment of the various anodising companies. I've booked additional much needed anger management sessions but seriously *********** ******* ***** !!!! ****.

This is (their) backlog, aka what we are waiting for:

Anodiser 1: 33 chassis
Anodiser 2: 39 chassis
Anodiser 3: 30 chassis

Anodiser 1 now promises a Friday shipment
Anodiser 2 now promises a Friday status update
Anodiser 3 is a new anodiser we recently acquired, promises 10 a week starting from next week

As eager as we are to start building, we have no other choice but to try to exercise a little more patience.

Thanks for the information. It makes the wait easier.

 

And last but not least, with an upcoming review:

View attachment 143691

Well deserved IMHO Emile Listening for me has become so much more fun.

 

Anodising update:

Unfortunately still no shipment of the various anodising companies. I've booked additional much needed anger management sessions but seriously *********** ******* ***** !!!! ****.

This is (their) backlog, aka what we are waiting for:

Anodiser 1: 33 chassis
Anodiser 2: 39 chassis
Anodiser 3: 30 chassis

Anodiser 1 now promises a Friday shipment
Anodiser 2 now promises a Friday status update
Anodiser 3 is a new anodiser we recently acquired, promises 10 a week starting from next week

As eager as we are to start building, we have no other choice but to try to exercise a little more patience.

Maybe you seriously need to think to move away from anodizing in the future order of Olympus.

 

Have always been a fan of audiodrom. Great summary, gorgeous pics and interesting comparisons (Extreme vs Olympus, comp with Horizon XDMI) at:
https://www.audiodrom.net/en/specia...-taiko-olympus-server-olympus-i-o-xdmi-system

One pullout quote per the previous discussion sure to stir:

On the contrary, if integrated properly, there is nothing that can possibly outperform the Taiko Olympus. Don´t even dare to say a good turntable can. It cannot. More magical? Certainly. More fidelity? Never. Try it, you´ll hear what I mean and what you´re missing.

"The Lampizator Horizon served as a benchmark for it, was better (and it should be) yet there is an interesting financial implication. If I was hard-pressed, I would choose the Olympus with the built-in Taiko DAC over the Extreme with the Horizon, and get better sound and save 50K that can be invested into loudspeakers, for instance"

Nothing earth shattering about this. I think we already knew this without even doing an A/B. A bit convoluted to say the least...If you have the Horizon why do you NOT compare the H to Analog Out more clearly/definitive? I wish they would have focused more on the listening notes between the two... I think it will come down to system, room, ears, to determine preference...

 

agree @John T
really looking forward to more listening notes comparing the two. might reach out to that reviewer. hm

 

agree @John T
really looking forward to more listening notes comparing the two. might reach out to that reviewer. hm

So many limited comments regarding this. I think we all would like to at least hear a comprehensive/substantiate review with them both. Its not going to influence me one way or the other. I think well all are jonesing to at least hear a good review regarding this. I think they both will be outstanding. In that review they did comment in regards to the Horizon adding a warmer tube influence, but that was it...

 

"The Lampizator Horizon served as a benchmark for it, was better (and it should be) yet there is an interesting financial implication. If I was hard-pressed, I would choose the Olympus with the built-in Taiko DAC over the Extreme with the Horizon, and get better sound and save 50K that can be invested into loudspeakers, for instance"

Nothing earth shattering about this. I think we already knew this without even doing an A/B. A bit convoluted to say the least...If you have the Horizon why do you NOT compare the H to Analog Out more clearly/definitive? I wish they would have focused more on the listening notes between the two... I think it will come down to system, room, ears, to determine preference...

The take away for me was a few paragraphs down in the review as it says what I have said here when it comes to comparing the Olympus whether it be with the analogue board (done in this review) or the digital board (done by me and my ears).......I love my analogue rig but listening to the digital experience via Olympus +/- IO there is such an ease of presentation and such a sense of realism that I find myself rarely using my turntable any more........

"thinking that money will buy you the best sound is only partially correct. As any other device, the Olympus requires thoughtful implementation. If not integrated properly and up to its full potential, you may get better sound from carefully matched devices of much lesser calibre. On the contrary, if integrated properly, there is nothing that can possibly outperform the Taiko Olympus. Don´t even dare to say a good turntable can. It cannot. More magical? Certainly. More fidelity? Never. Try it, you´ll hear what I mean and what you´re missing."

 

When asked, most CEOs say their biggest mistake is over commitment. Given the current large, unsatisfied demand, and an overwhelmed support staff, I wonder about the value of submitting Olympus units for review now. Sounds like the very finite number of new, interested buyers might feel as if they're being told to "hurry up and wait" and potentially lose interest

 

The take away for me was a few paragraphs down in the review as it says what I have said here when it comes to comparing the Olympus whether it be with the analogue board (done in this review) or the digital board (done by me and my ears).......I love my analogue rig but listening to the digital experience via Olympus +/- IO there is such an ease of presentation and such a sense of realism that I find myself rarely using my turntable any more........

"thinking that money will buy you the best sound is only partially correct. As any other device, the Olympus requires thoughtful implementation. If not integrated properly and up to its full potential, you may get better sound from carefully matched devices of much lesser calibre. On the contrary, if integrated properly, there is nothing that can possibly outperform the Taiko Olympus. Don´t even dare to say a good turntable can. It cannot. More magical? Certainly. More fidelity? Never. Try it, you´ll hear what I mean and what you´re missing."

I enjoyed this paragraph too. For now for those of us without the Olympus/IO we have to wet our beaks through conjecture...

 

When asked, most CEOs say their biggest mistake is over commitment. Given the current large, unsatisfied demand, and an overwhelmed support staff, I wonder about the value of submitting Olympus units for review now. Sounds like the very finite number of new, interested buyers might feel as if they're being told to "hurry up and wait" and potentially lose interest

We have not submitted anything for review.

 

"The Lampizator Horizon served as a benchmark for it, was better (and it should be) yet there is an interesting financial implication. If I was hard-pressed, I would choose the Olympus with the built-in Taiko DAC over the Extreme with the Horizon, and get better sound and save 50K that can be invested into loudspeakers, for instance"

Nothing earth shattering about this. I think we already knew this without even doing an A/B. A bit convoluted to say the least...If you have the Horizon why do you NOT compare the H to Analog Out more clearly/definitive? I wish they would have focused more on the listening notes between the two... I think it will come down to system, room, ears, to determine preference...

@John T , as the owner of a good selection of fine wines, you must appreciate the pleasure of a good tube rolling tasting experience. I have spend many magical nights doing just that myself

 

The take away for me was a few paragraphs down in the review as it says what I have said here when it comes to comparing the Olympus whether it be with the analogue board (done in this review) or the digital board (done by me and my ears).......I love my analogue rig but listening to the digital experience via Olympus +/- IO there is such an ease of presentation and such a sense of realism that I find myself rarely using my turntable any more........

"thinking that money will buy you the best sound is only partially correct. As any other device, the Olympus requires thoughtful implementation. If not integrated properly and up to its full potential, you may get better sound from carefully matched devices of much lesser calibre. On the contrary, if integrated properly, there is nothing that can possibly outperform the Taiko Olympus. Don´t even dare to say a good turntable can. It cannot. More magical? Certainly. More fidelity? Never. Try it, you´ll hear what I mean and what you´re missing."

So many limited comments regarding this. I think we all would like to at least hear a comprehensive/substantiate review with them both. Its not going to influence me one way or the other. I think well all are jonesing to at least hear a good review regarding this. I think they both will be outstanding. In that review they did comment in regards to the Horizon adding a warmer tube influence, but that was it...

The other interesting caveat to many people who read this or any other review is not whether you want to save $50K or higher on an external DAC but whether you might want do just the opposite and keep your DAC and fund your Olympus purchase with your analogue rig. . I do still use mine and really enjoy it but the Olympus has brought me so much closer to analogue and it affords such an ease to listening as well as queuing up a play list and sitting back for several hours and be so mesmerized by the music that you never are getting up to flip sides on a record or to change records.....food for thought

 

@John T , as the owner of a good selection of fine wines, you must appreciate the pleasure of a good tube rolling tasting experience. I have spend many magical nights doing just that myself

Absolutely! At times a little too much...

 

We have not submitted anything for review.

Ah. It's a real testament to Taiko that they purchased the units.

 

The other interesting caveat to many people who read this or any other review is not whether you want to save $50K or higher on an external DAC but whether you might want do just the opposite and keep your DAC and fund your Olympus purchase with your analogue rig. . I do still use mine and really enjoy it but the Olympus has brought me so much closer to analogue and it affords such an ease to listening as well as queuing up a play list and sitting back for several hours and be so mesmerized by the music that you never are getting up to flip sides on a record or to change records.....food for thought

I would never do that. There are so many great LPs (and reels) that do not have great digital counterparts. It isn’t just about the equipment, it is also about the music and mastering and many digital recordings flat out stink because the demand isn’t’ there to do a proper remastering in the digital domain.

 

I would never do that. There are so many great LPs (and reels) that do not have great digital counterparts. It isn’t just about the equipment, it is also about the music and mastering and many digital recordings flat out stink because the demand isn’t’ there to do a proper remastering in the digital domain.

I hear you loud and clear but truth be told I am hearing tracks now in my library that I would never give a second listen to, yet what I'm hearing now is always a breath of fresh air . And finally for my ears the sound is so good that I honestly have stopped looking to see what format I am listening to as they all sound so damn good . Redbook is every bit as good as hires PCM and DSD 64 is every bit as good as DSD512

 

I would never do that. There are so many great LPs (and reels) that do not have great digital counterparts. It isn’t just about the equipment, it is also about the music and mastering and many digital recordings flat out stink because the demand isn’t’ there to do a proper remastering in the digital domain.

Amen to that. I have 5-6 DACs in my house and 4 turntables. While I love the convenience of digital and streaming, every time I play a mono vinyl album of classic jazz, say Coltrane, it blows away every digital source I’ve heard over the past 40 years.

Digital and streaming is undeniably our future. But analog vinyl mono is our musical past and the greatest artists in jazz, rock and roll, popular, blues, and many other genres were recorded from 1920s-1960s in mono to be heard on vinyl. To my ears that’s still the best way to enjoy the greatest artists of this period, from The Beatles to Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald and Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash and countless others. One of the greatest surprises to me has been the resurgence of vinyl. I’d never have guessed that vinyl would survive the transition to digital and streaming. But it has and shows a vitality that’s unbelievable.

But streaming is going to be the dominant format into the future and that’s not going to change. Pity it doesn’t sound as good to my ears as vinyl. But that’s just silly old me.

 

But streaming is going to be the dominant format into the future and that’s not going to change. Pity it doesn’t sound as good to my ears as vinyl. But that’s just silly old me.

have you heard the Olympus yet? Truthfully I cant disagree as I wont be selling mine either but what Emile has done in the Olympus/IO brings the listener to the threshold of analogue IMHO

 

My$0.02. I am not here to debate personal preferences or the merits of digital vs analog (LP, reel-to-reel, which I don't and will never own) reproduction of sound. There are 2 kinds of recordings now: (1) those made in analog before the arrival of the digital recording technology; and (2) those only made digitally. There may be a valid argument that analog recordings sound best via analog reproduction means because something will inevitably get lost in translation or AtD conversion. There is an ongoing market for devotees of LPs from analog golden years (I noticed that DG has released a series of "Original Sources" LPs). Digital servers (including Taiko's) are meant for the digital age, for digitized music. Emile has made it clear that he did not like the sound of LPs (from one of his early postings after announcing the Olympus) and his goal was not to use the sound of LP or R2R as the benchmark. The comparison for him, as I read his postings, is not whether Olympus is better than the best LP/R2R rig (but Emile can speak for himself better). I take Taiko's goal is to eliminate digital jitters as much as possible so that what is captured by the microphone(s) in a recording is played back as transparently and linearly as possible. The benchmark, for me at least, is always whether the reproduced sound sounds like the sound of live music experienced at close range (where the microphone(s) is/are placed), the immediacy, the sharp attack, the leading edge, the natural timbre and so on. There are still many people who believe that analog recording technology should be continued and it is intrinsically better than digital recording technology (I guess because live music is analog in nature, a different sense of the word). No right or wrong answer in this debate because we have different tastes in sound production and also because of convenience reasons. If someone wants to listen to recordings made in row 30, in the middle of a hall, or heavily, big-bottle, say 300B-tubed sound, that's all personal preferences, but all the commercially released recordings I have (only classical music) were recorded with microphone(s) very closely placed to the players. My personal preference is to have such recorded sound reproduced as transparently and linearly as possible, warts and all.

 

Digital servers (including Taiko's) are meant for the digital age, especially for digitally recorded albums.

I don't believe that to be true at all. Digitally recorded music only started in the last 80s, well past the era of rock and jazz that many of us prefer. Given the average age of likely purchasers of expensive servers like the Extreme or Olympus, I have a feeling that the majority listen to music made in the 50s-80s which was almost 100% analog. I am generalizing here but my perspective is based on what music I see people talking about.