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".

 

I don't know which Lumins you listened to but I have 2 in smaller systems and both sound very nice. On one I put a power supply which cost almost as much as the streamer itself and that made a huge difference. I do think the power supply is one of the weak links in many lower-priced streamers.

Agreed, I was asked to help a friend on a budget upgrade from a Bluesound Node. Found a U2 mini for him that was modified to use an extremal PS. We were both mightily impressed.

 

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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If only I had waited! I could have had my purple powder-coated Olympus. . . but no, I had to be an early adopter. That's what I get for straddling the bleeding edge of technology!

(funny, I remember someone mentioning powder-coating some months ago)

Steve Z

 

not my experience as i've traipsed around with a buddy. small improvements, maybe, but an auralic server a month ago was the first to give me an instantaneous conclusion in 5-10 seconds, as with the extreme it's a no brainer.......kind of like wav versus flac

i may get to hear the PF vs. macbook in the next week or two.

Ages ago now (at least five years or more), but my very modified Mac mini run off an Uptone JS-2 LPS and with the full Uptone Mac mini modification kit I installed, booting a stripped down OS and Roon from an industrial SLC card was absolutely crushed by a nothing-special Innous Zenith.

Maybe you guys need to get out more?

Steve Z

 

Well, I was going to comment on your post, but I'd rather keep quiet.
But if he was told (and I don't doubt it) it has arrived and we are working on it,
I can imagine how you must feel after having your holidays and your professional activity messed ar

---

And from: Hello, we already have your chassis and we are working on it.
To: Sorry, you have to wait for the next delivery of chassis.
Have they given you any explanation?

Not yet. But to be fair, I received the update on Friday night after working hour. Still pending email reply from Julien

 

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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@Julien,
Based on this update, you were shipping some servers to the dangerous goods specialist and expected to ship 5 or more the Monday after, I hope it is just a mixed up in your production line and my units are part of the coming batch.

 

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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Hello,

I am part of the HK customers who didn't get any concrete information about the delivery of the units ordered.
I wanted to make a long message but I will keep it short so sorry in advance if my question is blunt.
Is this deadline of 10-15 weeks ( 10 days have elapsed already ) to have ALL orders shipped a FIRM commitment or (another ) estimation subject to anodizing,power coating, shipping etc...
Sorry again for the direct question but I am way beyond frustration ...

 

Hello,

I am part of the HK customers who didn't get any concrete information about the delivery of the units ordered.
I wanted to make a long message but I will keep it short so sorry in advance if my question is blunt.
Is this deadline of 10-15 weeks ( 10 days have elapsed already ) to have ALL orders shipped a FIRM commitment or (another ) estimation subject to anodizing,power coating, shipping etc...
Sorry again for the direct question but I am way beyond frustration ...

I might have written on the wrong chain yesterday as I saw no response. I am also a HK customer who has waited for 14 months and have had zero updates on delivery. Please do at least give us an ETA and please assure us you are delivering strictly and absolutely according to our order number. (Otherwise we would suspect you sent your units elsewhere first for tariffs concerns). We love the brand but this is way beyond frustration

 

Ages ago now (at least five years or more), but my very modified Mac mini run off an Uptone JS-2 LPS and with the full Uptone Mac mini modification kit I installed, booting a stripped down OS and Roon from an industrial SLC card was absolutely crushed by a nothing-special Innous Zenith.

Maybe you guys need to get out more?

Steve Z

Yeah, my carefully built and configured CAPS 2 server was easily bested by a used Antipodes DX II that I took a chance on back in 2018, and it set me down the path of letting the professionals do it.

The Extreme went WAY beyond that and kept getting importantly better with each development (TAS, XDMS, Switch, Router, DCD, backend updates, etc.). My Olympus + I/O is wending its way to me now, only three states away......

 

Ages ago now (at least five years or more), but my very modified Mac mini run off an Uptone JS-2 LPS and with the full Uptone Mac mini modification kit I installed, booting a stripped down OS and Roon from an industrial SLC card was absolutely crushed by a nothing-special Innous Zenith.

Maybe you guys need to get out more?

Steve Z

MacBook and JRiver SQ is much improved over the last 5-10 years

 

MacBook and JRiver SQ is much improved over the last 5-10 years

Out of curiosity did you try MacBook/Audirvana?

 

Out of curiosity did you try MacBook/Audirvana?

my buddy has jriver and audirvana on his macbook. sometimes he prefers one,
sometimes the other. neither holds a candle to my extreme (and he agrees)