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".

 

Absolutely not. It number is in the high 40s the one in my system is high20s new still on skid

I waited 11 months,

 

WTF?!? Sounds like you are encouraging queue jumping, or is this already a "used" one?

My pique comes from having waited over 14 months for silver and finally reluctantly changing to black so I could at least get one.

WTF?!? Sounds like you are encouraging queue jumping, or is this already a "used" one?

My pique comes from having waited over 14 months for silver and finally reluctantly changing to black so I could at least get one.

No line jumping.It’s number is the late 40s and new on skid, my other one is in the high 20s. Waiited 11 months

 

Ah. Well, you see, as "Rhapsody" you're a dealer for Taiko Audio, as I understand it. Which means you're dealing a silver unit while folks are salivating in the queue. I must be missing something here, right?

 

someone should have ordered the first 10. sounds like they could have sold them at twice the price at this point. it does burn that at least two olympus (prior one from Rhapsody Sausalito) are going to go to new owners completely bypassing the queue through the used market - at a discount likely no less (i understand there can be unique circumstances etc). while many of us now hit the 15th month wait mark with large deposits over a year ago. and of course the concern i mentioned in a previous post, can’t be much longer (relatively) until balanced xlr and/or volume control introduced at this point.

 

Jerry ( @J117 ) is going through some rough times and is selling his personal Olympus.

 

very sorry to hear that. and understand there are always circumstances out of our control

just would like an explanation of what happened to all the units that were stated under construction here in this thread on January 29th from Taiko. no update since, nor an explanation as we all just to try and anticipate finances, deliveries etc. numerous people in this batch including myself have raised this and asked about this in the interim. we all feel bad to even raise the question. like petulant fools, despite month after month after month of lack of reliable delivery timeframes

i also think that taiko should have a policy in place to offer such units entering used market to those in the queue at appropriate discount

 

Manufacturing update:

Shipped (to dangerous goods specialist) : 31, 44.1, 48, 53, 54

Under construction: 66, 67, 69, 74, 75, 76, 77, 82, 84, 85, 86, 87

under construction as of january 29

 

just speaking for myself, as a long time ardent supporter of taiko (5 years), purchaser of all their products to date, and getting zero communication of true order status at this point after weeks of inquiries… and over a year of deposits, (in contrast to other audio manufacturers I am currently working with) I am pretty tapped out. if anything, taiko needs to stop pointing the finger, sending long narratives about manufacturing troubles and email every individual owner/order (it’s not that many) with an explanation and keep them apprised of their specific timeline and provide options and compensation for anyone looking to off-ramp and not be financially handcuffed indefinitely. it no longer feels like that euphoric ride we were all on entrusting taiko above all else.

 

I see the issue on both sides. On one hand, a premium product, as promised.

On the other hand, money laid down for said product, not yet delivered...

I also see, "the real world", where chit happens. Good things come to those who wait. This thread is not the only example given, over the years. If you have an issue with the timelines? Contact them privately. No harm in that, no?

Tom