Taiko Audio Extreme Music Server
- Thread starter Christiaan Punter
- Start date
Shoot a message to support@taikoaudio.com and we can take a look.
We have a custom Taiko USB driver, that is pre-configured to support the Horizon. Might well be that this used machine does not have it (yet).
As you say, Extreme + Horizon is a proven combination.
I would like to share with you my recent experience with the acquisition of an extreme Taiko server. I'm in the process of upgrading my system to what I consider to be my end-game system. I have a pair of Sasha DAW and a CH Precision M1.1 amp that are here to stay. I don't have a preamp. I made the choice not to disperse myself (i.e. my financial resources) and to concentrate on strictly digital listening. I have a DCS Bartok with Quboz, and I use the DCS volume control. I started upgrading my digital sources by acquiring an Extreme Taiko, which has now been installed in my system for two weeks. I bypassed the Bartok's streamer section, taking the Taiko out via USB - I've just acquired a MUON2 USB cable - to the Bartok's USB input. What a shock! I had no idea that the server could have such an influence on sound quality. I realize to what extent the Bartok was/is the bottleneck in my system - I can't say the weakest link, that's not what I think of the Bartok. The music flows more fluidly, the instruments stand out more, the soundstage has opened up in all directions, in short, a real revelation. I'm still doing comparative tests between XDMS and Roon, but what I can say at this stage is that the Extreme is a marvel, and I'm really delighted with this acquisition. I also realize that the M1.1 and the Sasha DAW are great gears.The next step in my upgrade path is the DAC, I'm still hesitating between Lampizator (Poseidon or Horizon) and the MDP-8. I will take the time to listen to both of them in the next months.
“The Extreme is here to stay and will get a lot better, I'm under a gag order by an overwhelmed support team, but once we're through the Olympus launch, you can expect some major updates coming up for the Extreme”
Keeping this thread alive for ‘25.
Emile, are there any crumbs of information you could throw our way without being set upon by the team ?
I understand a new backend for XDMS is due soon but anything else on the hardware or software side in Q1/2 ?
We’re all eager to get close to Olympus levels without adding an I/0.
Cheers
Blue58
Keeping this thread alive for ‘25.
Emile, are there any crumbs of information you could throw our way without being set upon by the team ?
I understand a new backend for XDMS is due soon but anything else on the hardware or software side in Q1/2 ?
We’re all eager to get close to Olympus levels without adding an I/0.
Cheers
Blue58
We
For Extreme, we also have some exciting ideas that will elevate its performance but this is currently still in the concept stage, and we do not yet have a defined timeline for the rollout. For now, we must focus on fulfilling the overwhelming number of Olympus orders. That said, you can be sure that we will continue development for Extreme!
We have various new and exciting developments in the works. Here are some tidbits: XDMS is moving ever closer to Beta status, we are working on balanced outputs for the Olympus XDMI DAC board, and are working on a revolutionary manner of volume control for said board.
For Extreme, we also have some exciting ideas that will elevate its performance but this is currently still in the concept stage, and we do not yet have a defined timeline for the rollout. For now, we must focus on fulfilling the overwhelming number of Olympus orders. That said, you can be sure that we will continue development for Extreme!
I am sure you will have some surprises for the Extreme after you ship all the remaining backlog of Olympus. You should be receiving 150+ Extreme as part of the payment for the Olympus, so you should come with some upgrades to help sell them.
"we are working on balanced outputs for the Olympus XDMI DAC board, and are working on a revolutionary manner of volume control for said board." I hope that you include at least two digital inputs (AES and SPDIF Coax), even if optional, for the XDMI DAC board.
Digital inputs are also a consideration, but volume control and balanced outputs will likely be released first.
Dear Christian, for those who have digital inputs from either video or from a CD/SACD player, it is simply not possible to replace the regular DAC with the XDMI DAC until it has digital inputs. I hope you reconsider and put this feature as a priority, even if optional.
No worries, we understand the use case, and this is most definitely being considered. We just cannot provide timelines on the release of features that, for now, only exist in Emile's head. ;-) My earlier comment that volume control and balanced outputs will likely be released first is also an educated guess, not something already set in stone. Rest assured Emile will be the first to post news about these topics as soon as something materializes.
Out of necessity I'm using an Anthem STR preamp with ARC. It's done a nice job in my difficult room so I plan on keeping it. I used to have an Extreme but a bout of severe tinnitus convinced me to sell it (and almost everything else). Can anyone give me some advice as to whether the DSP the Anthem ARC uses will seriously degrade the SQ of a Taiko Extreme, switch, router and DSD? I'm thinking of diving back in with Taiko. Based on what I've read about the Olympus DSP is a non starter but would that be true for the Extreme combo as well?
There is always the risk of hearing a negative impact from DSP. It's just that the Olympus' inherent noise levels are so low that you will hear these influences much more clearly. With the Extreme, the USB connection is what ultimately limits how low-noise it can be. Therefore, the inflence of external noise will indeed appear relatively much smaller. So, the Extreme will indeed be relatively less affected by DSP than the Olympus.
With that said, the influence of DSP, as well as other programs, will normally be largest when the software is running on the same platform, which is why we do not support running additional software on the Extreme. DSP run externally (as on your Anthem STR) is a different matter. Although it can still be a case of win some (usually precision), lose some (usually naturalness), depending on the room and what is required of it, the net result can be better with DSP in place. It's very much a personal matter.
Now, inserting an Extreme Server into this scenario, the result will still be what you know and love about the server, but proportionally altered by what your DSP does.
Thanks Christiaan. I sold my Extreme before the switch, router and DCD were available and I was running TAS since XDMS hadn't been released. I did have the USB card but otherwise my Extreme was "original". Based on what I've read I'm assuming the Extreme with the new support gear and software is significantly better than what I had so I guess I need to decide if the loss in SQ the DSP will cause will be more than offset by the new hardware and software.
The Router, Switch, and DCD certainly moved the goal posts and I'd wager the result will still be clearly audible even with your STR in place, but there's really only one way to find out for sure, which is an audition.
Ken — we can probably arrange this for you . Give me a call to discuss sometime tomorrow. We will just need to arrange around auditions at the shop
Sounds like a good argument for replacing the USB output on the extreme with something cleaner. Is this somewhere on the roadmap?
That project turned onto the Olympus and xdmi. I do hope for some trickle down tech to the extreme.
exactly, but hopefully the trickle down includes the usb ouput since it is the single noisiest item.
If I recall Emile's words correctly, with the USB card they had reached the maximum they could achieve in noise reduction on that interface. This led them to develop a completely new interface, XDMI, but unfortunately the implementation of XDMI in the Extreme did not produce any great improvements.
Agree, so ditch the USB card!
Iirc he said that xdmi (including battery) was not viable in the extreme. However, that does not imply that a lower noise alternative to USB output (even aes/ebu or spdif) wouldn't still be a big step up. Also, don't forget that the extreme does support xdmi output to an IO. Not Olympus level of course but certainly seems feasible. I'm sure the driving factor will be whether or not a *significant* improvement relative to the noisy USB output can be done in a manner where Taiko can make money as part of their overall strategy and roadmap. As a possibility, how about a non USB output card with an external baby BPS?
With all those used extremes coming on the market, a clearly stated path forward is needed (i.e. details) as the market is clearly starting to catch up. A roadmap (particularly hardware) for the extreme to not become surpassed by the competition would be most appreciated....or even an outline of a roadmap.
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