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 am unfamiliar with the speaker in this room but it sounded amazing. One of the few rooms here where they was no sign of digital smear. The music sounded great, absent of any notion of what source, analog or digital, was being played. And, the analog card was not broken in. Tomorrow we will hear one that is fully broken in.

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did you have the name of the speakers ?

 

hatten Sie die Namen der Sprecher?

Stenheim Alumine Five

Alumine Five — Stenheim Deutschland

www.stenheim.de

 

Stenheim Alumine Five

Alumine Five — Stenheim Deutschland

www.stenheim.de

Sorry, I made a mistake, it is the Alumine Five SX

Alumine Five SX — Stenheim Deutschland

www.stenheim.de

 

Black coated Olympus + I/O displayed by Ultimate Audio Elite in Portugal the past weekend.

Black coated Olympus + I/O displayed by Ultimate Audio Elite in Portugal the past weekend.

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Based on Ultimate Audio's presentation of the Olympus +I/O + internal DAC, this is the review of "Audio Cinema em Casa”
https://www.audiopt.com/equipamentos/noticias/879/ultimate-sessions-extreme-no-palace-hotel

 

Based on Ultimate Audio's presentation of the Olympus +I/O + internal DAC, this is the review of "Audio Cinema em Casa”
https://www.audiopt.com/equipamentos/noticias/879/ultimate-sessions-extreme-no-palace-hotel

Very interesting impressions, I am also familiar with the Stenheim and the reviewer nails down some of their peculiar features quite accurately. As for what might be the Olympus 'contribution' to the sound, a comment that resonates especially well to what I am hearing here is when he mentions the capability of that system to be very transparent without sounding cold or overly analytical.

This is a major asset of the Olympus (and of the Horizon 360), and in my opinion it strongly relies - among several things - on the body it conveys to sound, across the whole frequency spectrum. Acoustic instruments or the human voice, for example, sound full, weighty, palpable, compact, without being sluggish or overly warm / foggy.

This character gives even to inferior recordings a direct, visceral channel to emotional and physical engagement, evoking listening enjoyment despite conditions not being technically ideal.

Example:

​

 

@Taiko Audio Important to declare O and IO as "computers" or "computer servers" with 8471 code. It was reported hours ago, details still unclear, that the US Customs and Border Protection agency listed last night 20 product categories in its list of exempted products, including the very broad 8471 code for all computers, laptops and disc drives and automatic data processing. Smartphones, laptops, computers, servers, memory chips, flat-panel displays, solar cells and hard drives are exempt from the additional 125% tariff on Chinese goods and 10% baseline levy on imports from other countries. The exclusions are effective retroactively to 12:01 a.m. on April 5. https://www.investors.com/news/tech...-iphone-nvidia-super-micro-tech-gear-tariffs/. Still not quite clear whether 8471 category products (including PCs and servers) are exempt from the 10% baseline tariffs (there are contrary reports). See https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3db9e55?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2.

 

@Taiko Audio (I disclaim any substantive knowledge in the US tariffs area). This is how I read the US CSMS # 64724565 - UPDATED GUIDANCE. In reference to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), for products (including computers and servers) classified under the 8471 code, "importers should report the secondary classification under heading 9903.01.32 to declare the exception from the reciprocal tariff provided in heading 9903.01.25 [which imposes 10% tariffs]" (quoted from the CSMS Guidelines). See HTSUS classification: https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9903.01.63. It seems that computers and servers are exempt from the 10% baseline tariffs, as reported by https://www.yahoo.com/news/smartphones-computers-including-china-exempt-165911377.html. The primary classification is 8471 (product category exemption); the secondary classification is 9903.01.32 (exemption from baseline universal 10% tariffs)

 

@Taiko Audio (I disclaim any substantive knowledge in the US tariffs area). This is how I read the US CSMS # 64724565 - UPDATED GUIDANCE. In reference to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), for products (including computers and servers) classified under the 8471 code, "importers should report the secondary classification under heading 9903.01.32 to declare the exception from the reciprocal tariff provided in heading 9903.01.25 [which imposes 10% tariffs]". See HTSUS classification: https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9903.01.63. It seems that computers and servers are exempt from the 10% baseline tariffs, as reported by https://www.yahoo.com/news/smartphones-computers-including-china-exempt-165911377.html.

Good input: They are in fact computers/computer servers. That's a good thing. Getting the initial correct classifications/secondary classification would seem paramount. I would make my website or any future description crystal clear noting COMPUTER SERVER...

 

The tariffs exemption for semiconductors and computers mentioned above is unfortunately temporary. The US Commerce Secretary stated today that a new set of specific "semiconductor tariffs" is being contemplated and may be implemented in a month or two. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/13/lutnick-tariffs-exemptions-electronics-00287974. Taiko (@Taiko Audio) please manufacture and ship the items to US customers ASAP.

 

This is just red-oak, maybe 100 bucks in materials? Posted to stimulate ideas for others. 10x15 inches.

...updated: I prefer the shorter version seen below. I cut-off the legs of something I had built from previous gear arrangements. Ideally, this would be about a foot narrower for a tidier look. If I get inspired, I may build something.

Adding the Taiko router, which benefits from close proximity to the Olympus, brings the previously hidden network gear into the main room, which for me, insists upon visual and technical management.

Just sharing basic ideas. Cheers.

 

...updated: I prefer the shorter version seen below. I cut-off the legs of something I had built from previous gear arrangements. Ideally, this would be about a foot narrower for a tidier look. If I get inspired, I may build something.

Adding the Taiko router, which benefits from close proximity to the Olympus, brings the previously hidden network gear into the main room, which for me, insists upon visual and technical management.

Just sharing basic ideas. Cheers.
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It all looks great Mark! Its also very helpful looking at others ideas/work for inspiration. I agree, I like the network rack closer to the floor...Well Done! I've been experimenting with isolation platforms. Everything from Panzerholz, to 4 different species of maple, oak, hickory. I've tried carbon fiber core, aluminum, closed cell foam, sandwhiched between MDF. Now I'm using Cork as the core, might be the best yet...Thanks for sharing this...

 

Have you ever tried IKEA bamboo cutting boards?

 

...I think I have tried everything you noted @John T except hickory. In principle, I think some kind of vibration management is a "best practice" so I always have something in place.

For the Taiko network gear, I have Herbies Audio Lab "Tenderfoot" footers under the DCD and the router. I have a four-inch EVP "pad" under the switch. Things I had around, so I added them. Things sound great, so I keep them in.

Under the Farad3 power supply I have a piece of dense closed-cell foam. Experimenting with that. Also used a piece under the Synology NAS, with some unused footers on top as weights. I have SSDs inside, but in my worldview, I assume everything is vibrating and resonating, so I add something.

To wit: I was moving things around and a buddy asked me a question; when I replied, I heard a slight ring in the WestminsterLab Rei amps, as my head was close to them. Whaat?!

So, I added a Herbies "Sonic Stabilizer" I had around to each carbon-fiber lid. Perfect. I assume everything is vibrating, but not always audibly (to me), but we may be able to positively intervene as a "best practice."

 

Have you ever tried IKEA bamboo cutting boards?

Not extensively. I did borrow some bamboo platforms that a friend modified. The density of the different species of bamboo can widely vary...

 

...I think I have tried everything you noted @John T except hickory. In principle, I think some kind of vibration management is a "best practice" so I always have something in place.

For the Taiko network gear, I have Herbies Audio Lab "Tenderfoot" footers under the DCD and the router. I have a four-inch EVP "pad" under the switch. Things I had around, so I added them. Things sound great, so I keep them in.

Under the Farad3 power supply I have a piece of dense closed-cell foam. Experimenting with that. Also used a piece under the Synology NAS, with some unused footers on top as weights. I have SSDs inside, but in my worldview, I assume everything is vibrating and resonating, so I add something.

To wit: I was moving things around and a buddy asked me a question; when I replied, I heard a slight ring in the WestminsterLab Rei amps, as my head was close to them. Whaat?!

So, I added a Herbies "Sonic Stabilizer" I had around to each carbon-fiber lid. Perfect. I assume everything is vibrating, but not always audibly (to me), but we may be able to positively intervene as a "best practice."

I've been on a mission! If you were a fly on a wall and saw some crazy dude with a magnetic stir plate and a stethoscope, you might want to fly away! LOL!! The magnetic stir plate's speed can be increased or decreased. The erlenmeyer flask with the magnet works as a perfect mechanism for sound transmission. Especially with the glass of the erlenmeyer flask.

I have made several prototypes. Nothing really earth shattering about platforms. However it gets very interesting when you start using different center cores. As mentioned I have tried several materials, carbon fiber, aluminum (which is good) closed cell foam, panzerholz with and without center core, sorbothane, and a few others. The only purpose of the platform is to isolate without doing anything else. It's insanely interesting when you actually listen to the bottom of the platform (and what it is sitting on) with the different center cores. Mind blowing!

My final idea (as of now) is the platform will have footers, each component will have additional isolation footers under each component, on top of each platform. I'm using MDF, Cork Center, than wrap each in whatever veneer I choose. I already have very good isolation as I suspend everything from the log wall. With the exception of my amp. I just want to see if I can actually gain any sonic benefit with this insanity! My plan is to have a platform under each of the major components. As I am literally laughing aloud at myself...I'll post some pics once I put something together...

 

It was the Olympus/I/O that prompted all of this madness...

 

It was the Olympus/I/O that prompted all of this madness...