Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[Marcin_gps]

I've ordered Harting branded ones, available on mouser.com, will look up the part number later on, or maybe @Marcin_gps can chime in.

I'm sourcing the connectors directly from Telegaertner Japan Limited for customers who ordered the switch with my upcoming Optimo3Duo linear PSU.

The M12 T-coded power connector does not have to be from Telegaertner. The same one can be found over the Internet. It costs up to 45EUR.

Regards,
Marcin

 

[oldmustang]

Dear friend, I've been twice
By the way beware of rice with lobster, they commit the "crime" of adding cilantro.

The horror!

Not to high-jack the thread into a gastronomic tour of Lisbon, but we found their paella to be superb. But, paella is like audio -- there are many strong opinions on the best!

Bon apetit, amigo!

Steve

 

[nicoludio]

At the end, I cant help but purchase my own M12 Gold switch. The 2 Plixir LPS power M12 Gold switch and Intona USB isolator 3.0 respectively.

Need some advise about how I can improve on my network chain
RT-AC87U -> Supra Cat8 cable -> Cisco Enterprice switch-> Telegartner Gold LAN-> Telegartner M12 Gold switch-> Telegartner Gold LAN -> SGM Extreme

And have anyone tried to place the switch on proper platform and any benefits of isolation to the performance?

In post #2,688, Emile mentioned that preceding the M12 with FMCs helped increase the clarity and transparency. Somewhere else, he mentioned that placing the M12 on the Daiza platform made a surprising difference.

 

[Blackmorec]

In post #2,688, Emile mentioned that preceding the M12 with FMCs helped increase the clarity and transparency. Somewhere else, he mentioned that placing the M12 on the Daiza platform made a surprising difference.

The better your system gets, the more clearly you’ll hear improvements from things like vibration control of any network component. Given that your system is already ‘Extremely better’ you should hear quite a worthwhile improvement for your money, I would have thought.

 

[OAudio]

Eurodriver, thank you for your reply. There are some very interesting points and I must say the Extreme looks a beautifully designed and constructed server.

There are two factors at play, benefits from improved clock stability on CPU and thread execution performance and RF Emission signature from external clock, its power supply and cabling.

We are on the same page but in addition to CPU processing benifits I think its also worth concidering that on later X and C series Intel motherboard chipsets a single "master" clock is used to time many systems which previously were indiviually clocked. This extends the range of benefit a precise clock can give. Motherboard clock domaims such as memory control, SATA, PCIE, USB (if onboard USB is used for music) are all locked to the single master clock. Improvments in the clock end up helping at many points.

Also Server grade motherboards have significantly better implementation of power supplies and clocking to keep CPU error rates low.

I agree the implementations can be much better in some cases. In particuler the C620 chipset architecture is a gift to audiophiles, almost as if Intel had "high fidelity music replay" on their list of requirements.

The RF emission of a well done OCXO and its sonic signature is definitely SQ adding and this nice signature was enjoyed on the original SGM 2015 and on the EVO. What Emile has discovered is how to replicate the well done OCXO sonics with other components for an even better sound. The harmonic textures which the Extreme delivers are at another level from the Evo

I know the C621 architecture certainly allows for improvement of the standard XTAL's performance, I wonder if Emile and I have come up with the same approach in this respect. I am definitely a believer in the SQ potential of well implemented clocks so I was curious to ask about the thinking behind the Extreme's setup.

Thankyou.

 

[EuroDriver]

Eurodriver, thank you for your reply. There are some very interesting points and I must say the Extreme looks a beautifully designed and constructed server.



We are on the same page but in addition to CPU processing benifits I think its also worth concidering that on later X and C series Intel motherboard chipsets a single "master" clock is used to time many systems which previously were indiviually clocked. This extends the range of benefit a precise clock can give. Motherboard clock domaims such as memory control, SATA, PCIE, USB (if onboard USB is used for music) are all locked to the single master clock. Improvments in the clock end up helping at many points.



I agree the implementations can be much better in some cases. In particuler the C620 chipset architecture is a gift to audiophiles, almost as if Intel had "high fidelity music replay" on their list of requirements.



I know the C621 architecture certainly allows for improvement of the standard XTAL's performance, I wonder if Emile and I have come up with the same approach in this respect. I am definitely a believer in the SQ potential of well implemented clocks so I was curious to ask about the thinking behind the Extreme's setup.

Thankyou.

Hi OAudio,

I am afraid I have to duct tape my mouth and bind my typing fingers

There are more than 100 small tweaks which have been implemented, and I have to resist the temptation to reveal too much of Emile's IP and Emile is holding himself back all the time as well.

4 and a half years ago, during my third meeting and test session with Emile, he showed me his personal crystal clock collection. All the big names were there, and he had sound tested all of them in various applications !

Back then, Emile was very much in to the DIY scene and its sharing culture. As we started to develop the SGM 2015, Emile was saddened with the need to leave the sharing culture behind on certain key topics, and as he put it, having to cross over to the "dark side", a very cinematic description of the commercial necessities of keeping IP under the covers when developing a market viable product.

However being able to deliver sonics and listening enjoyment to high end audiophiles and having happy customers has been the greatest pleasure for us and has mitigated the regret of being on the dark side

 

[OAudio]

Hi OAudio,

I am afraid I have to duct tape my mouth and bind my typing fingers

There are more than 100 small tweaks which have been implemented, and I have to resist the temptation to reveal too much of Emile's IP and Emile is holding himself back all the time as well.

4 and a half years ago, during my third meeting and test session with Emile, he showed me his personal crystal clock collection. All the big names were there, and he had sound tested all of them in various applications !

Back then, Emile was very much in to the DIY scene and its sharing culture. As we started to develop the SGM 2015, Emile was saddened with the need to leave the sharing culture behind on certain key topics, and as he put it, having to cross over to the "dark side", a very cinematic description of the commercial necessities of keeping IP under the covers when developing a market viable product.

However being able to deliver sonics and listening enjoyment to high end audiophiles and having happy customers has been the greatest pleasure for us and has mitigated the regret of being on the dark side

I understand and absolutely no problem, it was nice of you to respond to my questions.

That is funny about the clocks I have a similar museum.

 

[OAudio]

Yes. The Extreme does not use OCXO clock. The SGMS 2015 and EVO both have OCXO clock. So there must be some reason for Emile to decide leaving it out in Extreme. May be Emile can explain a bit more. I have SGMS 2015 which was then upgraded to EVO. Just placed an order for the Extreme. The sonic improvement is not small!

Thanks for the reply.
best if luck with the Extreme when you receive it.

 

[Taiko Audio]

I'm sourcing the connectors directly from Telegaertner Japan Limited for customers who ordered the switch with my upcoming Optimo3Duo linear PSU.

The M12 T-coded power connector does not have to be from Telegaertner. The same one can be found over the Internet. It costs up to 45EUR.

Regards,
Marcin

Thank you Marcin, that would be this one then:

https://nl.mouser.com/datasheet/2/324/ItemDetail_1404644-913687.pdf

 

[rgmd11]

Ultimate Audio will sell Extreme?

Miguel the owner told me he was getting hold of one, as to selling them I do not know the answer to this,

 

[rgmd11]

I just had a conversation on WhatsApp with Miguel Carvalho. If in the end he sells Extreme, it will be great news for me. He is very kind, has great brands (he sold me my previous Lumin and my Rockport) and although from Malaga to Lisbon there are 650 Km, spending a weekend in Lisbon with my wife, it is always a great pleasure

Yes Miguel is a very nice Guy as are his crew there in the shop, Mesquita, Rui and Jorge, I have been buying various products there for the last 3 years or so, and I can not recommend them highly enough, very kind and relaxed atmosphere and great demo rooms.....always a true pleasure walking into their store even though it often leaves a big hole in my pocket...LOl.....

 

[Armsan]

Yes Miguel is a very nice Guy as are his crew there in the shop, Mesquita, Rui and Jorge, I have been buying various products there for the last 3 years or so, and I can not recommend them highly enough, very kind and relaxed atmosphere and great demo rooms.....always a true pleasure walking into their store even though it often leaves a big hole in my pocket...LOl.....

Agreed, Ultimate Audio team rules in Portugal.
And maybe, few of us can attend the “battle“ of the giants featuring Pink Faun 2.16x and Taiko Extreme.
What a show for the love of music!

 

[rgmd11]

Agreed, Ultimate Audio team rules in Portugal.
And maybe, few of us can attend the “battle“ of the giants featuring Pink Faun 2.16x and Taiko Extreme.
What a show for the love of music!

I am away until the first week of April, and I have asked Miguel for a listen......I will ask him what he is proposing to do.....also he has just become the Boulder dealer for Portugal and Spain, so along with Gryphon he now has two amazing brands with amazing Amps

 

[nonesup]

Also, Aries Cerat has begun to import for Portugal. He is "out of control"

 

[Stereophonic]

He is already too new Wadax dealer for Portugal.
This system was showed this past weekend.

 

[austinpop]

I thought Portugal (like Korea) is a very, very poor country. I mean no disrespect - just a silly joke.

In fact, I was in Lisbon and Algarve last month on vacation. Lovely country! I wish I'd known of this place.

 

[nonesup]

It is a smaller country in extension than Spain, but in audio it is about three galaxies away, more advanced.

 

[rgmd11]

He is already too new Wadax dealer for Portugal.
This system was showed this past weekend.

View attachment 62072

I had a little Demo of that last week, whilst good, did not rock my boat so to speak

 

[rgmd11]

It is a smaller country in extension than Spain, but in audio it is about three galaxies away, more advanced.

I had the UK distributor from JL Audio come out recently and set up my two Fathoms with the JL crossover with my ATC’s and then eq my Arcam home cinema setup, and I took him to Ultimate Audio the next day and to say he was impressed is an understatement
There is always a lot of exotic kit in Lisbon between the 4 prominent shops there, but with personal experience of all 4, Ultimate Audio are by far the best imho....

 

[CKKeung]

Romaz's posts on this WBF thread summarized and grouped by monoandstereo.com :
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2020/02/taiko-audio-sgm-extreme-experience.html

However, I am sure Romaz will share more on WBF in future!