Taiko Audio Extreme Music Server

[Zeotrope]

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.

Somewhat related perhaps: for years I have noticed an audible background hiss at the listening position. I have made made updates over time, most recently with the Nagra Reference Pre and Monoblocs, and connecting all of my Shunyata Altaira grounding hubs together. The remaining noise was eliminated when I restarted the Extreme! What could be causing this noise, is it a process running in the background or is it the AC transformer (which does make an audible buzzing when my ear is against the Extreme chassis)?

Components in the system:
• Taiko Extreme -> Shunyata Omega USB -> Nagra HD DAC X
• Taiko Switch
• Taiko Router

All components are grounded with Shunyata Omega Ground cables to the ALTAIRA Signal Hub. All hubs are connected and all components are on one AC circuit.

Again, restarting XDMS kills the audible noise. It's a low level "hash" type buzzing and a higher frequency "white noise". It's not loud, but it is audible, especially since I am using horns.

I noticed that Remote Desktop is always running and relaunches automatically. Shouldn't that be killed and only launched when necessary?

Should I get in the habit of restarting the Extreme before every session? How long does it take for it to stabilize and sound best after a restart?

 

[Taiko Audio]

Somewhat related perhaps: for years I have noticed an audible background hiss at the listening position. I have made made updates over time, most recently with the Nagra Reference Pre and Monoblocs, and connecting all of my Shunyata Altaira grounding hubs together. The remaining noise was eliminated when I restarted the Extreme! What could be causing this noise, is it a process running in the background or is it the AC transformer (which does make an audible buzzing when my ear is against the Extreme chassis)?

Components in the system:
• Taiko Extreme -> Shunyata Omega USB -> Nagra HD DAC X
• Taiko Switch
• Taiko Router

All components are grounded with Shunyata Omega Ground cables to the ALTAIRA Signal Hub. All hubs are connected and all components are on one AC circuit.

Again, restarting XDMS kills the audible noise. It's a low level "hash" type buzzing and a higher frequency "white noise". It's not loud, but it is audible, especially since I am using horns.

I noticed that Remote Desktop is always running and relaunches automatically. Shouldn't that be killed and only launched when necessary?

Should I get in the habit of restarting the Extreme before every session? How long does it take for it to stabilize and sound best after a restart?

This is new to me. Can you report this to support@taikoaudio.com , the support team can assist you in figuring out what’s going on.

 

[Zeotrope]

Thanks, yes, submitted.

Can you remind us how long it takes to achieve optimal sound quality after a (1) restart or (2) shut down from Windows or via the front button. Is it 20 - 30 minutes?

 

[Taiko Audio]

Thanks, yes, submitted.

Can you remind us how long it takes to achieve optimal sound quality after a (1) restart or (2) shut down from Windows or via the front button. Is it 20 - 30 minutes?

That is a very safe figure.

 

[engadin]

I would like to add a couple of SACD files to the storage of my Taiko Extreme.
A friend has the dsd files on storage a few 100km away, He has much more IT knowledge, I am a complete dork in these things.

Option 1: adding a Synology DS723+ to my network, something I ought to do anyway.

I would have to send it to my friend to upload the SACDs unto the Synology, I assume.
Would it be simple to get these SACD derived files from Synology into the Taiko Extreme storage?

Not all SSDs or HDDs are created equal, don’t sound equal and not all are compatible with Synology.
Which to choose?

WD Red Plus
safe bet, used by Taikonauts with Synology.
Files would go from Synology over LAN from Fritzbox or Taiko router into Taiko Extreme. Plug and play?

Alternative HDD or SSD? Better sounding ones? Better SSD, as these have no moving parts?

Option 2:
Send him a decent SSD, say a Samsung PM893 and a case with usb port, say Inateck NVMe M.2
Less complicated with mail.
PM893 is said to sound good, maybe better than WD Red plus, easily available.
Download by usb to Taiko Extreme by usb port of Taiko router, as described in T router manual.

Which option would most probably sound better? Another option? Your recommendation?

 

[dminches]

Where is your current library stored? If you are using local storage why not just add it to that? It should sound better than a NAS although the difference may not be significant if you have the router and switch.

You friend could upload the files to google drive and Dropbox and you could grab them and then add them to your extreme.

 

[cat6man]

Where is your current library stored? If you are using local storage why not just add it to that? It should sound better than a NAS although the difference may not be significant if you have the router and switch.

You friend could upload the files to google drive and Dropbox and you could grab them and then add them to your extreme.

NAS is not an option for extreme, right?

 

[oldmustang]

NAS is not an option for extreme, right?

It is if you are using Roon. Not so if you use XDMS.

Steve Z

 

[dminches]

NAS is not an option for extreme, right?

I use a NAS with my Extreme and Roon.

 

[cat6man]

I use a NAS with my Extreme and Roon.

Ahhh.....room supports nas but not xdms. Got it. I never consider room so my thinking is xdms-centric!

 

[engadin]

I use XDMI.

So I cannot plug a SSD per usb in the Taiko to load files into the T Extreme storage? Going per usb into the usb port of the Taiko router?

Would a download from a google drive from cloud sound better?

Thx for your advice!

 

[dminches]

I use XDMI.

So I cannot plug a SSD per usb in the Taiko to load files into the T Extreme storage? Going per usb into the usb port of the Taiko router?

Would a download from a google drive from cloud sound better?

Thx for your advice!

Are you remoting into the Extreme via RVNC in order to copy the files? How are you trying to do it?

 

[engadin]

Are you remoting into the Extreme via RVNC in order to copy the files? How are you trying to do it?

I have not the slightest idea how to do that.
I had hoped for Taiko support to give advice and maybe help that I would not screw it up.

 

[dminches]

Contact support. You need to control your Extreme so you can copy files onto it. One of the advantages of using a NAS is that you can keep it on your home network and not have to control your Extreme.

 

[engadin]

@dminches: I did ask right now for Taiko support to babysit me with that in a few days.
I suppose to download these files from a googledrive link directly into my Extreme is the most elegant and least sound degrading approach.
This will save Taiko a lot of time, as I will not have a chance to screw up my Extreme completely

This is something I didn’t know before purchase of my Taiko Extreme:
There is a stellar support which keeps new and wonderful music flowing into my life despite my utter cluelessness in things IT.
I can’t praise that enough.

Cheers, Ulrich

 

[audio42]

Hello Ulrich,

I think everyone at Taiko is super busy these days so it may take a bit longer than usual but they are very, very helpful and will help you as soon as possible.

There are a lot of us on WBF who would be happy to help. You can send me a message and I'm more than willing to answer some questions and guide you through some options. It's hard to explain via text.

Sincerely,
Arun

 

[Armsan]

@dminches: I did ask right now for Taiko support to babysit me with that in a few days.
I suppose to download these files from a googledrive link directly into my Extreme is the most elegant and least sound degrading approach.
This will save Taiko a lot of time, as I will not have a chance to screw up my Extreme completely

This is something I didn’t know before purchase of my Taiko Extreme:
There is a stellar support which keeps new and wonderful music flowing into my life despite my utter cluelessness in things IT.
I can’t praise that enough.

Cheers, Ulrich

1) plug in a mouse at a usb port on the rear of your extreme ;
2) plug in a monitor on the hdmi socket on the rear of your extreme;
3) plug in the usb disk with the files you want to copy to ssd internal disk, on a usb port on the rear of your extreme;

Now you have the image of windows 10 on the monitor.

4) open file explorer;
5) locate the usb disk and open it and find the files you want to copy. Select them;
6) locate the internal storage ssd disk;
7) drag and drop the selected files into the ssd internal storage disk or copy and paste them.

That will do the job.

8) unplug safely the usb disk , the mouse and monitor.

 

[engadin]

Thx for the offers to help!

Unless Taiko Support volunteers to help I will give it a try.
To my understanding ….

- download of a file on a google drive is superior to download from an usb connected SSD/HDD?
- files should be .iso?
- any zip stuff might deteriorate sound quality?

Thank you for your input!

 

[dminches]

Thx for the offers to help!

Unless Taiko Support volunteers to help I will give it a try.
To my understanding ….

- download of a file on a google drive is superior to download from an usb connected SSD/HDD?
- files should be .iso?
- any zip stuff might deteriorate sound quality?

Thank you for your input!

It doesn’t matter where the file comes from. No difference.

The file needs to be a format which Roon can play, like wav or FLAC or alac.

Unzipping a file does not degrade it.

 

[engadin]

No ROON!

.iso I have been told.