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".

 

Olympus without T router:
Too little...
Olympus with T router:
Too much.
Olympus with T router and switch:
Perfect..

Ymmv

 

Olympus without T router:
Too little...
Olympus with T router:
Too much.
Olympus with T router and switch:
Perfect..

Ymmv

In our experience the DAC cable length is more critical when using the router w/o the switch with an optimal length of 2 meters, if you care about “timing” that is.

 

For those attending the Florida International Audio Expo in Tampa, FL this month, we will have both the Olympus and Olympus I/O on display in the "Brandon 2" room, playing XDMI analog.

If you're planning to attend, please stop by and say hello!

We are also confirmed for the SouthWest Audio Fest in Dallas in March and Axpona in Chicago in April. More shows where we'll present the Taiko Olympus server with XDMI analog to come. I am hoping to personally meet many of the folks here as we tour around the US.

 

Olympus without T router:
Too little...
Olympus with T router:
Too much.
Olympus with T router and switch:
Perfect..

Ymmv

Same experience here (and don't skimp on power to the network stack!!)

 

@tomas329 , @Kingsrule , @MarkusBarkus , thank you on reporting on the necessity of accumulating some burnin time on the XDMI / MSB Pro ISL module. I’m beyond pleased all the time and effort we put into making this interface happen is starting to pay dividends!

While on the subject, we do not recommend using DAC cables to replace the fiber cable for the MSB Pro ISL link.

The recommendation for using DAC cables strictly applies to our own router/switch/networkcard as those have been designed for that specifically where the MSB Pro ISL interface has been designed to work with the supplied SFP fiber modules.

 

Anyone try different footers on the Olympus?

 

Anyone try different footers on the Olympus?

I plan to, as soon as I get my Olympus-I/O . Among many options I've got at home, I'm especially curious to try a set of LessLoss Giant Steps that I recently purchased. Just seemed to--perhaps--be a good matchup.

 

We are also confirmed for the SouthWest Audio Fest in Dallas in March and Axpona in Chicago in April. More shows where we'll present the Taiko Olympus server with XDMI analog to come. I am hoping to personally meet many of the folks here as we tour around the US.

I wish you could confirm the Elon North Carolina Show. Its a rather small secluded venue without much notoriety. However, exceptional wine and food always on hand!

 

Same experience here (and don't skimp on power to the network stack!!)

I totally agree.
Until a few days ago my Paul Hynes, which powers the DCD Taiko and therefore the Taiko Switch and Taiko Router, had a Shunyata Alfa V1 cable. I tried changing it for a Shunyata Sigma V2 and I couldn't believe the improvement I experienced.

 

... I’m beyond pleased all the time and effort we put into making this interface happen is starting to pay dividends! ...

Thanks for doing this for MSB owners Emile!

 

We are also confirmed for the SouthWest Audio Fest in Dallas in March and Axpona in Chicago in April. More shows where we'll present the Taiko Olympus server with XDMI analog to come. I am hoping to personally meet many of the folks here as we tour around the US.

Hopefully that will include the Costa Mesa show.

 

Hopefully that will include the Costa Mesa show.

Yes, that's the plan!

 

A while back I suggested my goal is to be in the venue where the it was recorded and not have the sense the performance was in my room.
Someone asked, "is this possible?"
Yes. The O brings me a whole lot closer to that goal. I look forward to the addition of the IO.
O/v1a

Ymmv

 

@tomas329 , @Kingsrule , @MarkusBarkus , thank you on reporting on the necessity of accumulating some burnin time on the XDMI / MSB Pro ISL module. I’m beyond pleased all the time and effort we put into making this interface happen is starting to pay dividends!

While on the subject, we do not recommend using DAC cables to replace the fiber cable for the MSB Pro ISL link.

The recommendation for using DAC cables strictly applies to our own router/switch/networkcard as those have been designed for that specifically where the MSB Pro ISL interface has been designed to work with the supplied SFP fiber modules.

Hi. Could you give an update on Olympus shipments?