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 was just amazed that this thread which started just over a month ago is now over 57 pages and almost 1200 posts long

Would I love to be a fly on the wall now in Oldenzaal and see all of the Taiko elves at their work benches assembling these units for all of us around the world. IIRC the preorder was open to the first 50 and was sold out almost immediately. Emile then decided to open the presale to the first 100 and from what I heard that too was quickly sold out. As a result there must be some amazing construction line going on now to fill these orders.

@Taiko Audio these must be exciting times for Taiko as the ship date for these units approaches. My guess is that this thread will blossom with comments from users.

Do I sound anxious???

is there a photo someone from Taiko can share of their assembly room

Yep, we are an impressive bunch of speculative wankers, eh? A lot of the page accumulation comes from the, to me, very annoying "wiki" method of documentation for the Taiko products, which results in lots of repeated questions and what not.

 

You sound like the boy waiting for mum to take the ice cream out from the fringe! Haha. Me too!

The ice cream is out of the fridge. It’s just the thought of waiting for this final piece to the puzzle that is so exciting

 

The ice cream is out of the fridge. It’s just the thought of waiting for this final piece to the puzzle that is so exciting

There is no such thing as a final piece to the Taiko digital puzzle

 

There is no such thing as a final piece to the Taiko digital puzzle

You are certainly correct but for me the much awaited Olympus and I/O will be ice on the cake. Switching from XDMS to NSM has been a real eye opener for me and if this is but the 2nd best uptick in SQ behind the Olympus and I/O, I am all ears for this much awaited component

 

There is no such thing as a final piece to the Taiko digital puzzle

I was just going to write that. Everything is “next.”

 

I am sorry if I may have missed it in the 57 pages of discussion but what is the price of Olympus plus I/O if you already own an Extreme?

 

...the process is to email Emile, as price varies depending upon a number of variables:
contact@taikoaudio.com

 

Hello everybody following this thread, from time to time I'm going to try to share some insights of everything involved / surrounding the manufacturing process of the Olympus servers. Today I can share some details on what's involved with laser welding of the connectors which we CNC machine ourselves and which are then laser welded on to the battery cells. What is critical here is to find the right balance between good mechanical connection strength without damaging the battery electrolytes.

The analysis of right amount of power to use / time:











The laser welding machine:



Battery / battery mount view:



And a movie where you can see the actual weld being performed, pay close attention or you'll miss it :


View attachment 1634c379-94d0-4535-afb8-f411bc4f8674.mov

 

And now for sure I feel like aa fly on the wall in Oldezaal

 

You are certainly correct but for me the much awaited Olympus and I/O will be ice on the cake. Switching from XDMS to NSM has been a real eye opener for me and if this is but the 2nd best uptick in SQ behind the Olympus and I/O, I am all ears for this much awaited component

Steve, I get a good chuckle reading your posts of anticipation of the new thing coming from team Taiko… they have the hook set with you—every time they reel you in they just swap out the bait.

To be fair, there are a lot of us fish swimming in the Taiko pond—all hungry for feeding time. And no way disparaging Taiko, the bait is all very, very tasty.

 

Steve, I get a good chuckle reading your posts of anticipation of the new thing coming from team Taiko… they have the hook set with you—every time they reel you in they just swap out the bait.

To be fair, there are a lot of us fish swimming in the Taiko pond—all hungry for feeding time. And no way disparaging Taiko, the bait is all very, very tasty.

Indeed im a believer Bob. I’m all in and can’t wait

 

So Audiodrom gave the Extreme 100 out of 100 in every single category. Calling it "by far the best source (they) have ever auditioned". Which no doubt the Extreme deserves imho. Sounds like they perhaps though were not anticipating the Olympus with their current rating system..... another barrier to be broken. Might have to up it to a 300 pt rating system

TAIKO Extreme | Audiodrom

Recenze - Test TAIKO Extreme

www.audiodrom.net

 

after spending several listening sessions with the Taiko Extreme, there are two beasts fighting inside me. The more peaceful one says Be happy that you do not stream music, there is no need for the Taiko. The other entices me Why don’t you stream? Do you see what you’re missing? For this moment, the first one wins. Yet, I have to admit, the Taiko is by far the best source I have ever auditioned.

great review....I am betting going forward there will be many on the new Olympus/IO

 

So Audiodrom gave the Extreme 100 out of 100 in every single category. Calling it "by far the best source (they) have ever auditioned". Sounds like they were not anticipating the Olympus.....

TAIKO Extreme | Audiodrom

Recenze - Test TAIKO Extreme

www.audiodrom.net

The good thing is the Extreme will continue to be an excellent source — like many components in this hobby, the newest does not render the prior model to the junk heap. There are going to be quite a few new owners of Extremes from either the used market or trade-ins bought from Taiko and they’ll be toe tapping and grooving like we’re all doing now.

 

another barrier to be broken. Might have to up it to a 300 pt rating system

TAIKO Extreme | Audiodrom

Recenze - Test TAIKO Extreme

www.audiodrom.net

Another eXtremely positive review!

There's no doubt that the Olympus XDMI will set a new benchmark.

 

Steve, I get a good chuckle reading your posts of anticipation of the new thing coming from team Taiko… they have the hook set with you—every time they reel you in they just swap out the bait.

To be fair, there are a lot of us fish swimming in the Taiko pond—all hungry for feeding time. And no way disparaging Taiko, the bait is all very, very tasty.

They moved from bait to a net !

 

@Taiko Audio Very cool on the laser welding. (actually, quite hot) Other than the imagining do you use pressure?

 

@Taiko Audio Very cool on the laser welding. (actually, quite hot) Other than the imagining do you use pressure?

Well torque, which I guess creates pressure

 

Well torque, which I guess creates pressure

I was envisioning something different, but I get it...

 

Will Olympus roll out with Roon and NSM?