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".

 

From left to right:

Ed @EuroDriver , Christoph @tsaett , Me, Enrico/Vyda cables, Daniele & Paula / Alsyvox, Bob @Rhapsody , Mirko of Audiomass

good to finally meet Christoph (tsaett) who has been an enormous help to me

 

Looks like the Olympus XDMI is not getting the best use in the Aries Cerat room...



Perhaps because Aries Cerat is also showing their new turntable?

 

Does the Aries Cerat have an XDMI interface?

 

Does the Aries Cerat have an XDMI interface?

Not ready yet, so they are using XDMI AES/EBU output:

F111 - A4.1
Aries Cerat, Contendo II loudspeakers and more
XDMI AES/EBU to the Homerus DAC

 

XDMI AES/EBU output:

Ahh. So the input being used is the legacy USB.

 

Ahh. So the input being used is the legacy USB.

No, no... To avoid confusion - they were playing their turntable at the time Jason recorded the Aries Cerat video (which is where I took that screenshot from).
It looked like the Olympus was turned off as I did not see the LED lights on the front. But because of the angle and lighting that could have been misleading. Maybe that was early in the morning when they were starting... I have no idea.
But if/when they play the Olympus I would expect to see the DAC on AES/EBU and the lights on the Olympus ON.

Perhaps people in Munich will report soon. We are eagerly awaiting more feedback...

 

Biergarten time!



From left to right:

Ton, Eelco, Christoph, Johannes, Jeroen, Me, Masha, Ed, Ted, Jordy, Dani

 

You guys look like you are having too much fun!

 

Does the Aries Cerat have an XDMI interface?

No not yet.

 

No, no... To avoid confusion - they were playing their turntable at the time Jason recorded the Aries Cerat video (which is where I took that screenshot from).
It looked like the Olympus was turned off as I did not see the LED lights on the front. But because of the angle and lighting that could have been misleading. Maybe that was early in the morning when they were starting... I have no idea.
But if/when they play the Olympus I would expect to see the DAC on AES/EBU and the lights on the Olympus ON.

Perhaps people in Munich will report soon. We are eagerly awaiting more feedback...

They actually prefer to use USB over AES/EBU, I guess implementation plays a role too.. All good, sounds great in that room aswell, like a supercharged Extreme I guess, nothing wrong with that!

 

Biergarten time!

View attachment 130470

From left to right:

Ton, Eelco, Christoph, Johannes, Jeroen, Me, Masha, Ed, Ted, Jordy, Dani

So going to the show is not really about the audio after all, is it?

Steve Z

 

So going to the show is not really about the audio after all, is it?

Steve Z

It’s mainly about Schnitzels and Weizen Beer.

 

I'll shamelessly steal @austinpop's observation that you guys are busy Muenchen on Wurst!

Steve Z

 

It’s mainly about Schnitzels and Weizen Beer.

View attachment 130471

View attachment 130472

 

They actually prefer to use USB over AES/EBU, I guess implementation plays a role too.. All good, sounds great in that room aswell, like a supercharged Extreme I guess, nothing wrong with that!

Strange. I remember the claim that AES XDMI was far superior to USB.

 

Strange. I remember the claim that AES XDMI was far superior to USB.

Surprising.

 

What if?
AC heard xdmi and thought that's as good or better than our new 286k tt?
Ummmm, let's go with usb...

 

What if?
AC heard xdmi and thought that's as good or better than our new 286k tt?
Ummmm, let's go with usb...

Is it 286k? Is that USD or Euro. A bit miffed it isn't 300k if that close.

 

Emile, now with the Olympus running 100% of battery, has the power cord still an audible influence when not recharging?

 

Emile, now with the Olympus running 100% of battery, has the power cord still an audible influence when not recharging?

Here is Emile's answer to that specific question :

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/introducing-olympus-olympus-i-o-a-new-perspective-on-modern-music-playback.37939/post-963707

More usefull info here :

https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Olympus-and-Olympus-IO-Introduction-FAQ_v026.x80569.pdf

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Thomas