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".

 

How lucky you all are with Olympus to listen to! Sounds like a couple weeks difference in inquiring/ordering has made more than 6 month differences in receipt. Still hoping to hear my December 30, 2023 order might be going to danger goods check soon, or at least been built (Olympus and I\O). It sure has been a long wait, but I’m sure it will be worth it. Upgraded Horizon version 1 to Horizon XDMI last Spring in anticipation. Then shortly thereafter to Horizon 360. ordered the top xdmi cable months ago.

I just hope the xlr version isn’t released shortly thereafter at this point, or with volume control. I am also hoping some consideration is being given by Taiko for how long they have had considerable sums of money deposited during these quite extraordinary wait times. I imagine many/some might have thought twice before committing such substantial funds over a year ago when all orders were expected to be fulfilled by august. A couple offerings from competitors in the interim have been enticing, but funds are obviously tied up.

I know this goes against the grain of many of my and other Taiko cheering posts here, but it is getting a bit stretched. at what point is it no longer reasonable… 2 year wait? taking nothing away from all the challenges out of taiko’s control and their incredible non stop work to date. and as always have appreciated the transparency here from taiko. hope my transparency from the consumer side as a five year extreme owner, along with all networking hardware, and almost 4 year xdms only player user (no roon), at least a tiny window. and at this point i definitely am not receiving any direct communication as a long time loyal customer. thus my post here

 

I've heard from a few with the 360/Olympus 100-200 hours. Quite a difference as to Analog Out. As Mark, I'm just attempting to understand why the break-in time varies so much...I've never heard either together so I'm clueless...Just going by what I read and heard...

The break-in period is similar for all output options. There is a declining slope of relative improvement which, to me, is the most likely explanation of the reported differences

 

...yes, but I was also trying to better understand if there was an additional component/receiver within the H360 itself. I recall units being shipped back home for mods. Relative to John T's enquiry, I wondered if an additional component changed the burn-in time. Cheers...

It does require circuitry changes and additional components inside the H360.

 

@ctydwn , you're up soon actually, feel free to reach out / have a chat at any time you desire about a more precise estimate or any other topic.

 

The break-in period is similar for all output options. There is a declining slope of relative improvement which, to me, is the most likely explanation of the reported differences

I think you are referring to a warming burn curve non-linear?? Where the component gets worse twice or a few times before it stabilizes and blossoms?? For Good...Is this what you are referring to?

 

Basically there is a mother card which all Olympus stand alone (no I/O) servers use. There are multiple daughter boards which attach to it including:

1 - digital (S/pdif; AES/EBU)
2 - Analog DAC
3 - Proprietary XDMI cards including Lampi, MSB, etc.

I assume all these are also used in the I/O.

XDMI always works on the basis of the Main XDMI Board, with an XDMI Daughter Board on top. The Main boards are by default in the Olympus and the Olympus I/O. The Daughter Boards can be plugged into the Main Boards either in the Olympus, or the Olympus I/O. When adding the I/O to the Olympus, two QSFP-DD cards are added in the server's XDMI slots to transport music and network data to and from the I/O. The I/O has QSFP-DD interfaces natively, in addition to a single XDMI Main Board, that can fit a single XDMI Daughter Board.

 

XDMI always works on the basis of the Main XDMI Board, with an XDMI Daughter Board on top. The Main boards are by default in the Olympus and the Olympus I/O. The Daughter Boards can be plugged into the Main Boards either in the Olympus, or the Olympus I/O. When adding the I/O to the Olympus, two QSFP-DD cards are added in the server's XDMI slots to transport music and network data to and from the I/O. The I/O has QSFP-DD interfaces natively, in addition to a single XDMI Main Board, that can fit a single XDMI Daughter Board.

Simplification would be appreciated Christiaan. So by adding the two QSFP-DD cards in the servers slots with the addition of the I/O how does this improve performance/SQ? I'm still attempting to understand the merits/improvements the I/O brings to the table...

 

Simplification would be appreciated Christiaan. So by adding the two QSFP-DD cards in the servers slots with the addition of the I/O how does this improve performance/SQ? I'm still attempting to understand the merits/improvements the I/O brings to the table...

Me too.

 

Simplification would be appreciated Christiaan. So by adding the two QSFP-DD cards in the servers slots with the addition of the I/O how does this improve performance/SQ? I'm still attempting to understand the merits/improvements the I/O brings to the table...

Me too.

The improvement is in the second set of BPSes in the I/O and the separation from noise that this configuration brings. The QSFP-DD connection transfers pure music data direct from the CPU with no alteration or degradation. It also carries the network signal so that the network card can be situated in the I/O.

Simply put:

Olympus Server has two BPSes:
- One for the OS
- One for the XDMI output

Olympus + I/O provides four BPSes in total:
- One for the OS
- One for the QSFP-DD music data and network connections
- One for the Network Card
- One for the XDMI music output card

 

The improvement is in the second set of BPSes in the I/O and the separation from noise that this configuration brings.

Simply put:

Olympus Server has two BPSes:
- One for the OS
- One for the XDMI output

Olympus + I/O provides four BPSes in total:
- One for the OS
- One for the QSFP-DD music data and network connections
- One for the Network Card
- One for the XDMI music output card

We're working on a very nice PPT/PDF presentation with clear information and illustrations, that will make all this a lot easier to understand. It's almost ready, we're just fine-tuning it as we speak.

 

Preview of one of the pages in the upcoming PPT/PDF document, illustrating what the I/O addition brings.

 

The improvement is in the second set of BPSes in the I/O and the separation from noise that this configuration brings. The QSFP-DD connection transfers pure music data direct from the CPU with no alteration or degradation. It also carries the network signal so that the network card can be situated in the I/O.

Simply put:

Olympus Server has two BPSes:
- One for the OS
- One for the XDMI output

Olympus + I/O provides four BPSes in total:
- One for the OS
- One for the QSFP-DD music data and network connections
- One for the Network Card
- One for the XDMI music output card

So by means of separation essentially your reducing processing from entering the input/output cards...

 

The improvement is in the second set of BPSes in the I/O and the separation from noise that this configuration brings. The QSFP-DD connection transfers pure music data direct from the CPU with no alteration or degradation. It also carries the network signal so that the network card can be situated in the I/O.

Simply put:

Olympus Server has two BPSes:
- One for the OS
- One for the XDMI output

Olympus + I/O provides four BPSes in total:
- One for the OS
- One for the QSFP-DD music data and network connections
- One for the Network Card
- One for the XDMI music output card

Thanks Cristiaan for the simple explanation on what the I/O brings to the party, that’s what I think we were all looking for.

 

Also more BPS...

 

So by means of separation essentially your reducing processing from entering the input/output cards...

There's a bit more to it that that but, indeed, this arrangement allows the Network Card and the XDMI output cards the most ideal environment.

 

I would imagine by limiting processing your also limiting noise from entering...which makes the situation even more quieter...

 

I’m ready for the cool wave pattern chassis in black with silver undercoat. Maybe Taiko has a few spares lying about the place? Think of it as unique wood grain.

 

Anyone notice that the XDMI charging led (left one) is flashing faster in the last week or so when charging?

Mine definitely is flashing faster....

Also, FYI, my Olympus is playing approx 13hours/day. The XDMI charge starts at midnight and stops in 5.5 hours, almost to the minute. This is with MSB/XDMI card

 

The break-in period is similar for all output options. There is a declining slope of relative improvement which, to me, is the most likely explanation of the reported differences

@Taiko Audio Perhaps you missed my question: Is what you are explaining here a Non-Linear Burn-In curve?? In which the component sounds worse maybe 2-3 times before settling in for good and then stabilizing...