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".

 

It was posted by Lukasz on Facebook, not Goran (he copied it)

Understood. But Goran did cite the source correctly and it is he who posted it on WBF, so I thanked him. A very exciting post indeed!

 

Now that we have more clarity on what the Olympus and associated equipment will and won't do with respect to powering the DCD/router/switch I am curious what people are, or plan on, using for powering these devices.

Right now I am using a DIY Sean Jacobs DC3.5 with a 12V output. The only options I may explore are battery power supplies.

Others?

 

Using a Farad Super 3 Supercap supply. Never A/B'd against anything else so no idea how it performs, but may have some advantages akin to batteries.

 

Using a JCAT 3 Optimo Duo to power the DCD.

 

...using a Farad3 powering the Uptone LPS1.2 on the DCD (powering the switch). I did buy a nice battery, but have not yet rotated it in for testing.

 

...using a Farad3 powering the Uptone LPS1.2 on the DCD (powering the switch). I did buy a nice battery, but have not yet rotated it in for testing.

Be sure to post some comparisons once you do. Which battery did you buy?

 

...using a Farad3 powering the Uptone LPS1.2 on the DCD (powering the switch). I did buy a nice battery, but have not yet rotated it in for testing.

Would love to know if you have directly connected the Farad3 to the DCD in lieu of the Uptone in series to see if there's a difference..

 

Feeding the DCD is a problem I also wonder about.

I'm looking for something that does justice to the switch/router, but as small as possible.

I've been thinking about Plixir Elite BDC.

In terms of size, it matches what I'm looking for (230 x 160 x 70, in mm).

Is there anything better with similar dimensions?

The Plixir Statement BDC, could be an option but it's taler...

 

Which battery did you buy?

Amazon.com

IIRC a couple of folks have run MScalers and other audio devices from this piglet. I will rotate it in eventually.

 

Check EdisonCreation Firebird LPS

 

Would love to know if you have directly connected the Farad3 to the DCD in lieu of the Uptone in series to see if there's a difference..

...I have not run that comparison. I had both of these devices powering network gear, so I just moved it to the DCD.

 

Check EdisonCreation Firebird LPS

The LPS is way too big for my needs 278mm x 302mm x 90mm

 

Check EdisonCreation Firebird LPS

Looks like a really nice LPS but probably overkill at 12V and 10A!

 

...yeah, but for that price? I can always use it for its intended purpose too!

 

...yeah, but for that price? I can always use it for its intended purpose too!

if you are responding to my comment, I wasn’t responding to yours.

 

Paul Hynes SR7

 

Amazon.com

IIRC a couple of folks have run MScalers and other audio devices from this piglet. I will rotate it in eventually.

i'm using the same battery charger, one for the distributor and another for a sonore usb/aes-ebu converter reclocker.
great recommendation sir!

 

I've gone from the SMPS supplied with the Switch to a Chinese knock off "Studer 900" LPS and lastly to the Plixir Statement LPS. The first jump was clearly an improvement. The second was a far bigger improvement. And then I went to feeding that LPS with an Elrod Master Gold power cord, which made also a very big improvement. Sure makes me think a well-sorted battery approach could do wonders.

 

Paul Hynes SR7

I used to have 3 PH SR7s each had 3 separate rails, so 9 rails in total.
it use to be the finest LPS that time.
Sold them all as Sean Jackobs regular DC4 Was far better.
Than upgrates with ARC6 boards were introduced to create endgame LP supply.
With 9 rails of SJ DC4 ARC6 I am done for good.

 

I’m using a Plixir Elite BDC which is very good, but have nothing to directly compare against.