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".

 

That looks like the standard digital card. Did you order the MSB XDMI card?

Yep..

 

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give you all a quick update before the weekend rolls in! I think it's only fair to keep you in the loop.

We’ve just received a fresh batch from our new anodiser. I haven’t had the chance to inspect everything fully yet, but so far, it looks like a solid batch. We’ll be shipping out some servers to our dangerous goods specialist on Monday (Silver and Black), and then they'll head out for delivery. The Monday after, we’ll also be shipping at least 5 more, or more depending on how the rest of the batch checks out.

The reason I’m posting now is that I previously mentioned we were testing powder-coated versions of the Olympus model. Well, the first test run has come in, and it’s looking really promising! You can see the photos below. So far, we’ve only been able to test black, as we’re waiting for a specific type of coating to arrive for the silver version. That should be in after the weekend, and we’ll test it right away.

Personally (and I know Emile agrees), we’re really happy with how the test turned out. We actually prefer the coated version!

The best part about switching to powder coating is that it significantly boosts our yield, from about 50% to around 95%. I’d really appreciate your thoughts, especially from those of you waiting for a black Olympus. Let me know what you think based on the pictures (and feel free to share your personal preferences).

I totally understand if some of you prefer the anodised look, but if not, we’re open to moving forward with the coated version to speed up the process. This would shorten the wait for anodised versions since we’d have more options available.

I’m testing out different approaches to streamline things, but I’m not an audiophile (yet—Emile keeps teasing me), so I don’t have all the fine-tuned knowledge of what audiophiles might prefer. As a musician, my setup is a bit of a mix-and-match of what sounds best, with a splash of all the colours that exist. So, your input is super valuable, and with it, I can continue working to get everyone’s Olympus out as quickly as possible.

Right now, we’re able to build about 10–15 units a week (if the yield allows it), and we still have about 94 orders to go. So, my goal is to have everything shipped out within the next 10–15 weeks (I tend to be on the cautious side with these predictions).

I don’t usually check the forum (nothing personal, Steve! I’m just focused on the project at the moment), but I’ll make an effort to read your replies this weekend.

Thanks so much, everyone!

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Yes looks great I am #78 when can I get it?

 

First, everything sounds good on the Olympus. Recordings and masterings that have languished for years, even decades, in my library are now yielding delights I had never realized they had. Second, I cannot begin to describe how profoundly liberating it is to have the power of Roon again. With the Extreme, I was so hung up with extracting the last ounce of SQ with XDMS (and PGGB upsampling), that I satisfied myself with my existing music, without too much exploration. I didn't realize how much I had constrained myself until now. Being freed of those constraints, I find myself making new discoveries every night. And there is such delight in knowing that anything I play from Qobuz, even at the spur of the moment, is going to sound absolutely glorious and with no compromises.

These two remarks are truly spot-on.

One audiophile myth is that as long as your system keeps being more sophisticated ('resolving' is the usual adjective), it also becomes less tolerant of subpar recordings. I was a believer of this logic as well until I received the Olympus, and boy how glad I was to hear this myth debunked!

I don't know how Taiko managed to achieve this result, but it has made me able to approach my listening sessions with a relaxed confidence that whatever I will play will allow me to fully focus on absorbing the pleasure of the music, while calming down the rig performance anxiety sometimes bugs the audiophile in me. Of course, when playing excellent recordings, the ridiculousness factor takes enjoyment to hyperuranion level.

​

As for Roon, I was also missing it dearly (the SQ downgrade vs XDMS was too stark to be ignored with the Extreme), especially its power to expand my musical horizons through intelligent suggestions.
Roon has the capability of making music listening an ongoing cultural enrichment experience, which adds up to the sheer emotional / fun factor a great deal.

 

I totally agree and never thought I would say that. Yet having done such I am hoping to see XDMS on the Olympus if for no other reason than to compare the two head to head

 

I totally agree and never thought I would say that. Yet having done such I am hoping to see XDMS on the Olympus if for no other reason than to compare the two head to head

If what everyone said is true about pcm clearly beating flac on Roon on the Olympus I think XDMS is going to smother Roon.

 

If what everyone said is true about pcm clearly beating flac on Roon on the Olympus I think XDMS is going to smother Roon.

Of course that is my hope. XDMS for me on the Extreme bettered Roon but right now Roon is simply killer on the O. Yet with all of the R and D being done by Taiko I just can imagine Emile would bring a product that doesnt rival or better Roon......so

 

I must be from another planet or a very inexperienced listener. System was turned on at 5:15AM and turned off at 7pm. Keep in mind I wasn't just sitting there twiddling or whittling. I was doing several things but the music was constantly playing. Everything from Marcus Foster, Maria Callas, Eric Bibb and everything in between. All the listening was with the lowly considered Roon and the Extreme! I couldn't of had a better day...Now also keep in mind I would have liked to duplicate yesterday with the Olympus!! But for now its out my hands, I'll make do with what I have...

 

If what everyone said is true about pcm clearly beating flac on Roon on the Olympus I think XDMS is going to smother Roon.

FLAC is a compressed package for PCM. Do you meant “wav?”

 

While we are waiting for the queue to clear, does Taiko have any thoughts to share on the developing input and output options around the Olympus?

- Will a dedicated input chassis be offered with internalized router, NIC, or other goodies to take advantage of the BPS modules.
- Will a dedicated output chassis be offered with internal dac and/or preamp modules.
- Will a preamp be in a dedicated chassis only.
- Will the speculated V3 dac be in a dedicated chassis only.
- Will the current I/O chassis be suitable for some or all of these applications.

It seems a natural step to consider these possibilities since an external BPS seems to be off the table due to regulations. Of course most of these possibilities have been brought up previously, but the packaging has not been revealed. The I/O chassis could be an all purpose, configurable platform, but to what extent?

 

Yep..

Bummer...looks like they mixed up your order which I'm sure will be made right with a FedEx package heading your way
BTW I really like the I/O on a separate shelf, not stacked with Olympus