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".

 

20% tariff announced on imports to the US from the EU.

 

For clarity, we’ve been considering manufacturing servers in the US for years, which just became much more attractive with @nenon onboard. This would not be a (temporary) move to (temporary) circumvent (temporary) tariffs

And that's the stated purpose of the tariff, so Taiko's ahead of the game. The press release today showed 20% for EU goods.

 

And that's the stated purpose of the tariff, so Taiko's ahead of the game. The press release today showed 20% for EU goods.

That assumes all the parts can be sourced in the US. If not, there will still be a tariff effect.

 

That assumes all the parts can be sourced in the US. If not, there will still be a tariff effect.

Hopefully much less so.

 

And that's the stated purpose of the tariff, so Taiko's ahead of the game. The press release today showed 20% for EU goods.

Agreed, an excellent approach regarding the future. Now we just have to figure out the matter at hand...

 

As far as I can tell, it appears that the EU tariffs of 20% on products exported to the United States will apply to all upcoming Taiko shipments to the US because tariff liability is generally determined by the date of importation, not the date of purchase order or payment. If that is not correct, I would love to hear about it. I am not clear on what value would be assigned to an Olympus server, for purposes of levying the 20% tariff. In any event, this is all very unfortunate for those of us, like me, who ordered an Olympus (and/or I/O) in December 2023 or very early 2024 and are projected to receive the gear later this year. When my Olympus is ready to be assembled, I will be in touch with Taiko to explore these issues.

 

Just got my Olympus I/O . The I/O section is flashing can I get help? surhttps://share.icloud.com/photos/0b4x3-_ZfOHDlGacJOTZMie7g

 

Taiko should consider transfering the final assembly of Olympus to the USA ASAP (for those units sold to USA clients). Transfer cost of parts could save a lot on taxes.

 

As far as I can tell, it appears that the EU tariffs of 20% on products exported to the United States will apply to all upcoming Taiko shipments to the US because tariff liability is generally determined by the date of importation, not the date of purchase order or payment. If that is not correct, I would love to hear about it. I am not clear on what value would be assigned to an Olympus server, for purposes of levying the 20% tariff. In any event, this is all very unfortunate for those of us, like me, who ordered an Olympus (and/or I/O) in December 2023 or very early 2024 and are projected to receive the gear later this year. When my Olympus is ready to be assembled, I will be in touch with Taiko to explore these issues.

Import duties are applied based on date of entry

 

Got it going

 

Got it up and running

 

Would any of these work through a dedicated, hand-held remote control? Or all through a remote controller such as an iPad?

Half can be made to work that way yes, and it is high on my personal want to have list (meaning high priority).

 

As far as I can tell, it appears that the EU tariffs of 20% on products exported to the United States will apply to all upcoming Taiko shipments to the US because tariff liability is generally determined by the date of importation, not the date of purchase order or payment. If that is not correct, I would love to hear about it. I am not clear on what value would be assigned to an Olympus server, for purposes of levying the 20% tariff. In any event, this is all very unfortunate for those of us, like me, who ordered an Olympus (and/or I/O) in December 2023 or very early 2024 and are projected to receive the gear later this year. When my Olympus is ready to be assembled, I will be in touch with Taiko to explore these issues.

Kindly give us a few days to find an appropriate and fair solution.

 

That assumes all the parts can be sourced in the US. If not, there will still be a tariff effect.

I think the idea is you receive a tax break that should help partially counterbalance the impact of the tariffs. But I think we're getting danger close to discussing politics which is not allowed on WBF

Regardless of tariffs, we are committed to manufacturing and servicing our products in the US.

 

"Regardless of tariffs, we are committed to manufacturing and servicing our products in the US."

Respect...

 

I think the idea is you receive a tax break that should help partially counterbalance the impact of the tariffs. But I think we're getting danger close to discussing politics which is not allowed on WBF

Regardless of tariffs, we are committed to manufacturing and servicing our products in the US.

Politics aside, keep in mind (this is only meant for you to have a clearer understanding) many of us are retired. For some we don't have to file taxes so we wouldn't be able to get a tax break. Same thing when I looked into a solar system, no tax advantage as I don't have to file taxes. The advantages of being poor and destitute. We understand you are attempting to come up with a fair solution...

 

Politics aside, keep in mind (this is only meant for you to have a clearer understanding) many of us are retired. For some we don't have to file taxes so we wouldn't be able to get a tax break. Same thing when I looked into a solar system, no tax advantage as I don't have to file taxes. The advantages of being poor and destitute. We understand you are attempting to come up with a fair solution...

I suspect what Emile means is a tax break to Taiko, not to end users., which would make more sense since Taiko is the one importing in that situation (parts imported). who knows....

 

Politics aside, keep in mind (this is only meant for you to have a clearer understanding) many of us are retired. For some we don't have to file taxes so we wouldn't be able to get a tax break. Same thing when I looked into a solar system, no tax advantage as I don't have to file taxes. The advantages of being poor and destitute. We understand you are attempting to come up with a fair solution...

Sorry for being unclear, I was replying to @dminches remark that manufacturing in the US does not negate the effect of tariffs on parts purchases, which indeed would be unavoidable as a significant percentage of parts used in the Olympus are not manufactured in the US, and there aren’t US manufactured alternatives to these parts. Hence these are still subject to tariffs. However, if I understood correctly, there is, or there’s going to be, a tax break for companies moving manufacturing to the US, which may offset some of that.

 

Sorry for being unclear, I was replying to @dminches remark that manufacturing in the US does not negate the effect of tariffs on parts purchases, which indeed would be unavoidable as a significant percentage of parts used in the Olympus are not manufactured in the US, and there aren’t US manufactured alternatives to these parts. Hence these are still subject to tariffs. However, if I understood correctly, there is, or there’s going to be, a tax break for companies moving manufacturing to the US, which may offset some of that.

Corporate tax could be 15%(if passed) and if you manufacture your product in the usa, there's no usa reciprocal tariff...
Though, the floor is 10% right now for all without having been designated an exception..
I know... New math.

 

If I had read the entire thread I would/should have caught on! dah on my part!