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's the million dollar question I think we all want to know. Whether XDMI analogue out makes our Dacs redundant and the trade up price more palatable!

I will be sure to report what I hear when my Olympus arrives -- but that won't be until March 2024, barring any delays in production.

I'd love to be able make decisions without uncertainties or unknowns. However, my life just hasn't played out that way. Like many here I am relying on Emile's past track record which so far, has been 100%.

But howiebrou, I promise you'll be the first to know what I think!

Steve

 

I will be sure to report what I hear when my Olympus arrives -- but that won't be until March 2024, barring any delays in production.

I'd love to be able make decisions without uncertainties or unknowns. However, my life just hasn't played out that way. Like many here I am relying on Emile's past track record which so far, has been 100%.

But howiebrou, I promise you'll be the first to know what I think!

Steve

Appreciate that! It is a big jump getting into the Olympus but that option seems to make more sense than adding a I/O XDMI to the Extreme given the generous trade in of the Extreme.

So Olympus or new Mercedes or kids' school fees.....decisions decisions.

 

Appreciate that! It is a big jump getting into the Olympus but that option seems to make more sense than adding a I/O XDMI to the Extreme given the generous trade in of the Extreme.

So Olympus or new Mercedes or kids' school fees.....decisions decisions.

I know what you mean. I already have my nicely equipped Porsche Cayenne parked in the living room. Now I'm trying to see about adding a Lexus to the fleet.

Steve Z

 

That's the million dollar question I think we all want to know. Whether XDMI analogue out makes our Dacs redundant and the trade up price more palatable!

Precisely why my last several posts.To me this is a brand new paradigm that none of us have heard of or used. Taiko has spent years of time and man hours to develop this and get it licensed so to me this is not only for we mere Taiko users but rather for all users and could become the next industry standard.

Im excited for Taiko but what a sobering experience this could be for me and so many users who love their DACs. Again it's a shift in paradigm]m that only listening will convince one way or another

 

Appreciate that! It is a big jump getting into the Olympus but that option seems to make more sense than adding a I/O XDMI to the Extreme given the generous trade in of the Extreme.

So Olympus or new Mercedes or kids' school fees.....decisions decisions.

It might also be well possible that the final percent gains brought by adding the I/O to an Olympus is what takes the SQ past what we get with our DACs in the signal path, in using XDMI rca direct to our preamps.

 

It might also be well possible that the final percent gains brought by adding the I/O to an Olympus is what takes the SQ past what we get with our DACs in the signal path, in using XDMI rca direct to our preamps.

True. The good thing is the I/O can be added to the Olympus at a later stage without making the original purchase redundant.

 

The DAC-in-a-server is not new but what Emile and his team have come up with is.

 

A few years in R and D with countless man hours. This is a serious project rather than a pipe dream

 

Yes. This is quite unique and a major undertaking.

 

True. The good thing is the I/O can be added to the Olympus at a later stage without making the original purchase redundant.

Agree! On this, a question on pricing for Emile

So the Olympus and I/O XDMI bundle costs €81,200 with the intro discounts. Assuming you just buy Olympus XDMI upfront for €60,400 (with the discount) and add the I/O at a later time, what would be the price for the I/O (XDMI)?

I thought it would be €20,800 given you’ve already got the USB / network cards in the Olympus which would also mean whether you buy as a bundle today, or buy separately in 2 stages, it ends up being the same overall price.

Also I think you mentioned somewhere that adding the I/O later is a simple change of cards that can be done by the user at home?

 

A question on pricing for Emile

So the Olympus and I/O XDMI bundle costs €81,200 with the intro discounts. Assuming you just buy Olympus XDMI upfront for €60,400 (with the discount) and add the I/O at a later time, you presumably lose the introductory discount of €5,000 when adding the I/O.

What is the price to add Olympus I/O (XDMI) later, assuming you‘ve already purchased Olympus XDMI?

37,400 Euros

 

37,400 Euros

My understanding was that the XDMI card is already purchased with the Olympus, so upon purchasing the I/O you wouldn’t purchase the card again, simply move it from the Olympus to the I/O. In the Olympus instead you would plug in the connection board to the I/O.

 

So that would be €20,800 to add the I/O to the Olympus XDMI? Would that be introductory pricing? Still some holes in the pricing structure.

 

So that would be €20,800 to add the I/O to the Olympus XDMI? Would that be introductory pricing? Still some holes in the pricing structure.

Solving the equations, I find 22,400€

 

Put more directly, and please anyone correct me if I am wrong, reading between the lines, Taiko Olympus XDMI analogue competes with, if not surpasses DACs in the DCS, MSB, Lampizator best offering realm.

Of course, until comparisons are done, we won’t know. But the hint has not been subtle. And a clear question is what will the value of those hi end dacs be once Taiko olympus releases? Will XDMI compatability on the DAC end reincrease their performance?

Obviously sensitive topics but I do think the first out of the gate re: dac hi end specialists to come forward will instill confidence and help provide some clarity.

I am grappling w this newly created tech (which no doubt is incredible) with no response yet from hi end DAC manufacturers that we all own, so far, as to how to leverage and/or how their product will compete. Obviously a huge factor in any future purchasing decisions. and the future of server/DAC compatability/performance.

Appreciating what Taiko has already delivered w upgraded network and usb cards, switch, router, power distributor, nsm, it’s INCREDIBLE. perhaps that is best for me. and , of course, Taiko pushing the envelope benefits all in the digital space in the mid to longer term. Hats off as always

 

Put more directly, and please anyone correct me if I am wrong, reading between the lines, Taiko Olympus analogue competes with, if not surpasses DACs in the DCS, MSB Lampizator best offering realm.

Of course, until comparisons are done, we won’t know. But the hint has not been subtle. And a clear question is what will the value of those hi end dacs be once Taiko olympus releases? Will XDMI compatability reincrease their performance?

Obviously sensitive topics but I do think the first out of the gate re: dac hi end specialists to come forward will instill confidence and help provide some clarity.

I am grappling w this newly created tech (which no doubt is incredible) with zero response from hi end DAC manufacturers that we all own, so far, as to how to leverage and/or how their product will compete. Obviously a huge factor in any future purchasing decisions.

Your read between the lines seems correct.

 

Solving the equations, I find 22,400€

So that would be €20,800 to add the I/O to the Olympus XDMI? Would that be introductory pricing? Still some holes in the pricing structure.

My logic is you’ve already paid for the XDMI interface so it would be the price of the “Olympus I/O USB” price that has been provided by Emile which is €20,800 (but I could be wrong).

Then the overall price whether you pay as a bundle now or separately is the same at €81,200(although one would think there could be an incentive to get the bundle so maybe it’s different)

 

I’ve been reading, following along, and I see this...

First, i’ve learned adding the Extreme to any rig makes your DAC that much better. So much better! They (Taiko) make a software (firmware) change and viola, major upgrade. When dCS did this it was a big deal, my Rossini got better. Here, Taiko makes a change to the damn server player software and its like a component upgrade. (how great is that!)

So you can tinker with the server/player software and make all connected DACs sound better. This really should have you believe whatever DAC solution Taiko offers will, at the very least, be competitive and sound amazing. How much more evidence do we need the way the bits are delivered to the DAC chip itself are of monumental importance? And clearly, team Taiko is 1000% vested in getting that part right. I imagine any Taiko XDMI analog outs are going to be impressive. Let the comparisons and reviews pour forth, but my money will be with Taiko to offer something that’ll knock us all back in our seats.

Really, just think how much y’all love your Extremes and NSM now that you have a taste? If you have deeply invested in a serious DAC the Olympus is only further going to make you deliriously joyful. If, like me your DAC is a step below the top tier, I completely expect the XDMI analog outs to be mighty impressive.

Go team Taiko! Y’all are clearly having fun exploring the boundaries to all of our benefit. Good on you!

 

I get the sense that I am becoming an unpopular poster here despite 4 year support for the Extreme thru every one of its iterations. and owner of its incredible components to date. the taiko thread can sometimes feel like only a very positive self enforcing circle with no doubt full truth to it. but can alienate others from joining the conversation as a result as i hear from a number of non participants that watch this thread.
and referencing my post above for any insights from taiko, msb, dcs or lampizator

 

I can already tell I am becoming an unpopular poster here despite 4 year support for the Extreme thru every one of its iterations. and owner of its incredible components to date. the taiko thread can sometimes feel like only a very positive self enforcing circle with no doubt full truth to it. but can alienate others from joining the conversation as a result as i hear from a number of non participants that watch this thread.

We wouldn't want this thread to only be for fanboys. We need to display warts and all imo.