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".

 

as Julian points out, we cannot do this globally as it can open the flood gates so for now we have elected to reduce this wait on PM's and posts.

@Taiko Audio .....we call this " GAPLESS"

This was one of your better one's Steve! Very clever...

 

@Taiko Audio Please excuse me if you have answered this question before: If I buy the Olympus first (with the analog and digital XDMI cards installed in the server), can I easily move the cards myself to I/O later when I opt to buy it later?

 

@Taiko Audio Please excuse me if you have answered this question before: If I buy the Olympus first (with the analog and digital XDMI cards installed in the server), can I easily move the cards myself to I/O later when I opt to buy it later?

The question has surely been answered already.

Here's part of the answer. It doesn't answer your question directly, but the idea is there.

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...

www.whatsbestforum.com

You can indeed buy the Olympus Server XDMI first, then add the Olympus I/O later.

I'm sure Emile (@Taiko Audio ) will confirm this later... in 2024.

He's probably out celebrating New Year's Eve.

A well-deserved New Year's Eve!!

 

FYI.....His QFSP arrow goes both ways....

Yes I did see that, but it takes two of those cables yes? Diagramatically, a single cable will not handle in and out?

 

QSFP (quad SFP and not QFSP btw unless this is a new Taiko acronym) is duplex/bidirectional. I have a couple in my basement connecting my server to the 40Gbe switch. Only 1 cable needed to the server.

Happy new year everyone!

 

 

QSFP (quad SFP and not QFSP btw unless this is a new Taiko acronym) is duplex/bidirectional. I have a couple in my basement connecting my server to the 40Gbe switch. Only 1 cable needed to the server.

Happy new year everyone!

View attachment 122655
View attachment 122656

Got it. 2 x QSFP cables, 4 QSFP cards.
@kevn you were right on the ball.

 

An attempt to sum things up.
Hope it helps.

@Taiko Audio : Emile, correct me if something wrong and I'll update the diagram

View attachment 122565

This is great.
I would add a second QSFP as ther are 2 connecting the Olympus and IO.

 

Another attempt at summarising.

I'm adding a list of helpful posts which I believe should answer most questions.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Thomas

 

Doesn’t the USB card also reside in the I/O?

 

...yes, I believe it does. In my case of IO only, remove NIC and USB cards from Extreme (traded in) and utilize new versions in the IO. I believe I have that correct, and would be true for Olympus too, but with XDMI card, if added, as most seem to be doing.
PS: Happy New Year to all.

 

Doesn’t the USB card also reside in the I/O?

I understand that the Olympus I/O can hold only two cards (in addition to the two QSFP): one network card, and either a XDMI or a USB card.

The Olympus server (without the Olympus I/O) can have simultaneously the network card, usb card, and xdmi card.

 

...that is my understanding too, @VPN USB lives in the I/O too, but it's an either/or...not USB and XDMI simultaneously. Sorry @dminches if my comment lacked clarity.

I am retaining the USB output from I/O for now, contrary to most, until such time as there is a solution for ISL direct to MSB. That seems to be a more extended timeline, so I decided I would cross or jump-off that bridge when I come to it.

 

First and foremost, I send you all my best wishes for 2024!

I compiled an all-encompassing "Introduction & FAQ document" for everything relating to XDMI and Olympus. It contains all the info shared in this thread so far, and I will keep adding to it as questions are asked and answered or new information is received. Also included is SwissTom's helpful diagram (Thanks, Tom!)

Alas, the file is too large to post here. It can be found in the Downloads section on the Taiko Audio Website:
https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/taiko-audio-downloads

 

Another attempt at summarising.

I'm adding a list of helpful posts which I believe should answer most questions.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Thomas

View attachment 122689

Perfect
Can you make a similar description for the Olympus XDMS ?
That will avoid many returning questions .
One picture is usually Worth more than thausends words.

 

First and foremost, I send you all my best wishes for 2024!

I compiled an all-encompassing "Introduction & FAQ document" for everything relating to XDMI and Olympus. It contains all the info shared in this thread so far, and I will keep adding to it as questions are asked and answered or new information is received. Also included is SwissTom's helpful diagram (Thanks, Tom!)

Alas, the file is too large to post here. It can be found in the Downloads section on the Taiko Audio Website:
https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/taiko-audio-downloads

You forgot the waffle card.

 

First and foremost, I send you all my best wishes for 2024!

I compiled an all-encompassing "Introduction & FAQ document" for everything relating to XDMI and Olympus. It contains all the info shared in this thread so far, and I will keep adding to it as questions are asked and answered or new information is received. Also included is SwissTom's helpful diagram (Thanks, Tom!)

Alas, the file is too large to post here. It can be found in the Downloads section on the Taiko Audio Website:
https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/taiko-audio-downloads

Hi Christiaan, thank you for the useful information. One question. If I use XDMI with DIGITAL AES output, can I still use XDMS-NSM? If so, do you mean All digital output interface now can be played by XDMS-NSM? Also for Network?

I remember XDMS was USB only.

thanks.

 

You forgot the waffle card.

Based on some of the posts here - a waffle card is definitely not needed...

 

I have one last question that also needs answering. In light of the trade up pathway, I did ask about the redundancy of the Taiko USB card but so also is there a redundancy with the DCD which no longer will be needed . Is there a trade back pathway for those two items as well

Thankyou for asking this question. I just recently purchased network card, router and switch.

 

You can trade in your network card, but the router,and switch and distributor are still much needed ; )

Thankyou for asking this question. I just recently purchased network card, router and switch.