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 if this topic has already been discussed, but I can't find it. I'm wondering if I could fit my Center Stage feet into the gap left in the Olympus when I remove the factory feet. Can anyone tell me the inner diameter left after removing the Olympus feet?

~3.5 inches

 

No problem, my Center Stage2 1.5 has a diameter of 38 mm and if I were to upgrade to the Ultra TT in the future, These have a diameter of 2", approximately 51 mm.
Thx Vassil

 

No problem, my Center Stage2 1.5 has a diameter of 38 mm and if I were to upgrade to the Ultra TT in the future, These have a diameter of 2", approximately 51 mm.
Thx Vassil

I use Center Stage Ultra LS 2.25 and there are no issues

 

 

I see. However, what I'm trying to do is have my Center Stages replace the factory feet, since according to Emile, it's the only way to ensure no damage is caused to the Olympus, which is very heavy.

 

I see. However, what I'm trying to do is have my Center Stages replace the factory feet, since according to Emile, it's the only way to ensure no damage is caused to the Olympus, which is very heavy.

I agree. Mine are situated in safe spots as determined by Christoph (tsaett) when he visited shortly after I received my O/IO (you can see where mine are placed if you enlarge the photo above) BTW I use Ultra TT under all other components....I had Ultra TT under my Extreme but with the weight of the O/IO combination I went with the Ultra LS 2.25. The sonic improvement was quite dramatic

 

Steve, what was your reason for looking for an alternative location, perhaps Joe from Critical Mass told you that it was better there than the factory feet?

 

Steve, what was your reason for looking for an alternative location, perhaps Joe from Critical Mass told you that it was better there than the factory feet?

I wasn’t anxious to remove the stock feet. Initially I did have one rear foot in the wrong location which did interfere with the XDMI board. Plus Emile hadn’t posted his admonitions yet so I guess some trial and error on my part. Plus the great weight of the two components when stacked prompted me to use the much sturdier LS Ultra 2.25 foot which I had switched to previously under my Extreme showed a better sonic gain than did the Ultra TT. If I had to do it again I would take Emile’s advice

 

Thx

 

Dear Emile and Steve and nonesup and all other users of O+I/O,

A follow-up question of the discussion above for your advice :
If stacking the Olympus on top of the Olympus I/O, the feet of Olympus may injure the surface coating of the Olympus I/O?

I guess this may happen no matter it's anodized or powder-coated because the Olympus is so heavy.

Are there any thin materials that can be placed between the feet of Olympus and the top surface of Olympus I/O for protection yet with minimal sonic side-effects?

Many thanks!

 

I have had no issues that I can see with the O stacked on the IO. That was the way recommended by Taiko and shown in all of their pictures. Mine are anodized silver

 

I have had no issues that I can see with the O stacked on the IO. That was the way recommended by Taiko and shown in all of their pictures. Mine are anodized silver

I quite worry about after some time, there may be marks left on the top surface of the Olypmus I/O.

 

I quite worry about after some time, there may be marks left on the top surface of the Olypmus I/O.

You could also decide not to stack them if you have the shelf space to do that.

 

You could also decide not to stack them if you have the shelf space to do that.

Ideally they should be placed separated.
But with O, O I/O, router, switch and the associated LPS... etc, rack space is now becoming insufficient.

 

Ideally they should be placed separated.
But with O, O I/O, router, switch and the associated LPS... etc, rack space is now becoming insufficient.

Very true. Someone needs to offer a mini rack for the smaller items like the router, switch and LPS so they can all be on one shelf.

 

I quite worry about after some time, there may be marks left on the top surface of the Olypmus I/O.

Like you, space for me was the mitigating factor. I had no choice but to stack. I suppose that with time marks might be left but right now if that is the case, I cannot see the marks. I took the advice of Taiko which was to stack the O on top of the IO. That's the way things will stay for me so I dont have any heart burn until some Taiko product replaces the O/IO and hopefully there will be a trade up program at which time the O and IO will got back to Taiko. IOW there is no issue. Stop worrying

 

...I am still considering final landing positions and isolation bits for the various pieces, but I made this stand, and I don't think it would be too difficult to find something similar commercially. Or have one made. This is just red-oak, maybe 100 bucks in materials? Posted to stimulate ideas for others. 10x15 inches.

 

Very true. Someone needs to offer a mini rack for the smaller items like the router, switch and LPS so they can all be on one shelf.

Core Audio Designs

Core Audio Designs is a manufacturer of high-end intelligent audiophile furniture and accessories.

coreaudiodesigns.com

SHILL ALLERT: Arnold Marr is a gem! Lots of experience in high-end audio and rack building. He is that unique blend of artist and craftsmen. Does custom design and build at a reasonable price. SHILL ALERT ENDING...

 

...I have been considering building something much lower, but wider. I would like to reduce the visual "footprint" a bit more. Initially, I thought the NAS would be too noisy, even with SSDs, in the audio bunker, but it's A-OK. That changed the amount of linear shelf space I forecasted. Also, having the connections facing rear-ward is visually better, but man-o-man when you want to try a cable or different DCD filter, it's a suicide mission.

 

...I have been considering building something much lower, but wider. I would like to reduce the visual "footprint" a bit more. Initially, I thought the NAS would be too noisy, even with SSDs, in the audio bunker, but it's A-OK. That changed the amount of linear shelf space I forecasted. Also, having the connections facing rear-ward is visually better, but man-o-man when you want to try a cable or different DCD filter, it's a suicide mission.

This is one of the single biggest reasons why I never liked vertical stacking in a condensed space. When designing shelving/racks if possible, the ability to have access to maneuver is paramount for me...