Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[Alrainbow]

Bob I’m too busy to read the whole thread but here is some good basic practices to follow
1- keep fios router and any WiFi transmitter min 10 feet or more away from anything audio. This means dacs servers preamps and amps.
Next use a lps fed router fed off of your fios one. This gives you an audio only network
Next buy an emo systems network iso. Use it from fios to new audio router.
Next get a giga byte or audio network switch. Never use a router for more then one port it’s too busy and will effect the sound.
Use cat6 shielded Cables copper solid if you can find it. be aware there is mostly fake network cables sold on flea bay and don’t use cables made for audio. While some maybe great most are just not correct in specs
place both fios and new Audio router next to each other
One cable goes to new network SW this is only audio.
Feed all stuff from one source. This means fios too.
Do this and be amazed again.
You can call me anytime and I can stop there too if you wish. Been a long time since I see you.
I’m on essential services list so my company is working 24/7 anyway.
Also use shielded network Cables. only use the shield on one side of connections.
Use a thin pc of wire pushed into the socket to access shield. Ground to one side only so no ground loops.

 

[Rhapsody]

Bob I’m too busy to read the whole thread but here is some good basic practices to follow
1- keep fios router and any WiFi transmitter min 10 feet or more away from anything audio. This means dacs servers preamps and amps.
Next use a lps fed router fed off of your fios one. This gives you an audio only network
Next buy an emo systems network iso. Use it from fios to new audio router.
Next get a giga byte or audio network switch. Never use a router for more then one port it’s too busy and will effect the sound.
Use cat6 shielded Cables copper solid if you can find it. be aware there is mostly fake network cables sold on flea bay and don’t use cables made for audio. While some maybe great most are just not correct in specs
place both fios and new Audio router next to each other
One cable goes to new network SW this is only audio.
Feed all stuff from one source. This means fios too.
Do this and be amazed again.
You can call me anytime and I can stop there too if you wish. Been a long time since I see you.
I’m on essential services list so my company is working 24/7 anyway.
Also use shielded network Cables. only use the shield on one side of connections.
Use a thin pc of wire pushed into the socket to access shield. Ground to one side only so no ground loops.

Thx Al, yes do come by. Thx for the suggestions!!!

I was going to get another router to dedicate to the Extreme. That's an easy upgrade. I already have a good LPS.

I already have the JCAT Gold switch on order with their supplied LAN cables with M12 connectors that connect to the Switch.

Be safe out there!!!

 

[wil]

Yes Matt, you got it. I'm not even sure "I got it"

I think what made the big sonic difference was getting rid of the router having to drive 50' of Startech/FO when the Verizon FO was already in the equation anyway. Now the router is only driving 2" of copper vs that 50' of Startech/FO.

I could come out of my Router now with a 1' copper/lan cable into the Startech and then run a 1' FO cable directly into the Extreme. I sort of did the copper VS the FO cable comparison with going back and forth between the 50' copper lan and the 50' Startech/FO.

They both sounded very good, but I feel the copper to be more dynamic for who knows what exact reason. AND I want to be able to use the JCAT Gold switch in between the router and the Extreme which I could not do if I used the FO input of the Extreme.

Again what I discovered for me in my system is that I preferred the copper to the FO, BUT I believe that it has to do with the distances involved as well as the difference in the sonics of the two set-ups.

I don't think one way or the other is better or correct, they are just different and I happen to prefer the one way at this time.

So, you moved the router from the beginning of the 50' FO to the end of the 50' FO, and eliminated one FMC conversion? I can see how the elimination of the conversion helps.

I recently replaced a 100' lan from my FO modem to my etherRegen with 100' of FO and two fmcs. Another FO goes from the eR to the Extreme. Though I haven't A/B'd the change in eliminating the 100' of copper, I think there's a sq improvement.

As I have an additional FO coming in to the studio, I could try another fmc from it and run copper to the Extreme and see if I hear any improvement.

 

[Rhapsody]

So, you moved the router from the beginning of the 50' FO to the end of the 50' FO, and eliminated one FMC conversion? I can see how the elimination of the conversion helps.

I recently replaced a 100' lan from my FO modem to my etherRegen with 100' of FO and two fmcs. Another FO goes from the eR to the Extreme. Though I haven't A/B'd the change in eliminating the 100' of copper, I think there's a sq improvement.

As I have an additional FO coming in to the studio, I could try another fmc from it and run copper to the Extreme and see if I hear any improvement.

Hi Wil, the great part about this the network stuff is It fairly inexpensive. I just ordered the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X, ER-X-SFP, to use as a dedicated router to the Extreme for $94 It's good to play around with it all and see what you like best with your system/room/ears.

On the flip side you can really connect up any modem/router combination and FO or copper into the Extreme and it still sounds REALLY GOOD. It's just cool that you can tweak the sound to your liking and experiment for very few $$$.

ESPECIALLY WITH A LOT OF EXTRA TIME ON OUR HANDS

 

[nonesup]

thx Matt, Yes I'm a happy camper.

What I realize now is that each component and cable before the Extreme can change the sound just like every component and cable after the Extreme changes the sound.

I was not at that point prior to these experiments. I thought that as long as the network cabling and router/modem-GPON were connected there was not a huge sonic difference other than maybe I thought the FO knocked out noise from the incoming signal.

I WAS always curious if different routers/modems etc would make a difference. I'm sure that I could get a better sounding router, BUT as I said I can't afford to do that and not have Verizon easy no questions or issues asked support, which you run into if you use a non provided Verizon router IF you have any problems with your phone, tv or internet.

This begins to have logic. Accepting that the Extreme is an impressive server that I would love to hear, what did not seem logical to me is that it was implying that it did not matter exactly all the dirt that was upstream of the Extreme, because it removed all of it. I was frankly always skeptical of those hints before.

 

[Darmstadtium]

@oldmustang thank you for sharing.

As far as I've kept track, from e-mail feedback and this thread, I'm counting 7 in favour of Planet Tech and 2 in favour of Startech. Statistically it seems to be a winner!

@dminches Naturally we're not twiddling our thumbs, we are researching some very exciting new technologies on multiple fronts, but this will all take quite some time to come to fruition!

Hi Everyone
I live in Europe. (Dublin) has anyone found a supplier who sells this planet tech SFPs here ?

 

[Calum]

Pretty sure I found them on Amazon in UK.

Planet MGB-TLX network transceiver module - network transceiver modules (SFP, LC, IEEE 802.3z, Single-mode, LX, 1000BASE-LX) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WOWJAIK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_r.GEEbX4S33R9

 

[oldmustang]

Pretty sure I found them on Amazon in UK.

Planet MGB-TLX network transceiver module - network transceiver modules (SFP, LC, IEEE 802.3z, Single-mode, LX, 1000BASE-LX) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WOWJAIK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_r.GEEbX4S33R9

Those appear to be the same as the ones I've been using. They are the expanded temperature range MGB-TLX SFPs.

Steve Z

 

[Mobiusman]

A week ago my Extreme was supposed to arrive, and then customs happened. I finally got it late this afternoon (the absolute wrong time to call The Netherlands)

It is in my house, but to be dealt with tomorrow AM when I am more "Extreme Focused".

Having said that I am truly excited to join this priveledged group, especially since I have never seen or heard one and I have not heard a single owner comment anything short of Amazing.

As I was waiting at Fedex to send my former server to San Diego and pick up the Extreme, I took the following picture of how Emile tapes the box. It remeinded that the interior of the Extreme had a massive impact on me and now I am showing Emile's attention to detail extends to taping his products for transportt.
.

 

[oldmustang]

A week ago my Extreme was supposed to arrive, and then customs happened. I finally got it late this afternoon (the absolute wrong time to call The Netherlands)

Congratulations! I predict you are going to love it.

Steve Z
.

 

[Mobiusman]

I totally expect your prediction will be accurate. Any comments on break-in?

 

[oldmustang]

I totally expect your prediction will be accurate. Any comments on break-in?

My Extreme had a fair number of hours on it before I received it, so other than 24 hours to warm up and settle in I didn't notice any particular break-in. In fact, cold out of the box, with no particular optimizing of my LAN, the Extreme sounded absolutely amazing.

As folks here -- including myself -- have posted, the Extreme really doesn't need anything to sound wonderful, but it does respond well to efforts to clean up and optimize one's LAN and internet feed for best streaming performance. USB cables and power cord are a matter of personal preference, kind of like what frosting a person prefers on their cake. I really like Shunyata Research's Sigma USB cable, but the Sablon USB cable is really, really good too. Likewise, I've found vibration control is a plus as it is for every other electronic component in my experience.

Still, I come back to the first thirty seconds of hearing the Extreme in my system -- it was one of those, "You have got to be kidding me -- this is incredibly good!" moments that don't come around often enough.

Let us know what you think when you have yours up and running.

Steve Z

 

[nonesup]

On Monday I received a Daiza platform. If placing it under the Extreme delivers only 50% of the SQ increase, which has been produced under my Melco, buy one without hesitation.

 

[Kingsrule]

A week ago my Extreme was supposed to arrive, and then customs happened. I finally got it late this afternoon (the absolute wrong time to call The Netherlands)

It is in my house, but to be dealt with tomorrow AM when I am more "Extreme Focused".

Having said that I am truly excited to join this priveledged group, especially since I have never seen or heard one and I have not heard a single owner comment anything short of Amazing.

As I was waiting at Fedex to send my former server to San Diego and pick up the Extreme, I took the following picture of how Emile tapes the box. It remeinded that the interior of the Extreme had a massive impact on me and now I am showing Emile's attention to detail extends to taping his products for transportt.
.View attachment 63116

Beautiful box!...Mine arrived basically falling apart, alas I don't have either an outer or inner box for my Extreme
I'd vote for Emile to change to a flight case or wood crate for shipping and a heavy plastic bag over the Extreme.....

 

[Kingsrule]

I totally expect your prediction will be accurate. Any comments on break-in?

Figure 1000 hours turned on continuously...after break-in if it gets turned off for whatever reason at least a day or two to resettle.....

 

[wil]

This was sent to me by Emile regarding resettling time:

 

[EuroDriver]

Beautiful box!...Mine arrived basically falling apart, alas I don't have either an outer or inner box for my Extreme
I'd vote for Emile to change to a flight case or wood crate for shipping and a heavy plastic bag over the Extreme.....

When it comes to g-forces on gear in flight cases or wooden cases, the deformation of cardboard is actually quite good

Best is to have a box strapped to a wood pallet because then it hardly ever gets thrown around, but the shipping cost is quite a bit higher

 

[Steve williams]

I totally expect your prediction will be accurate. Any comments on break-in?

Emile says you need 1200 hours to break in the capacitors. Leave it on at all times even when not playing music

 

[Mobiusman]

This was sent to me by Emile regarding resettling time:

View attachment 63119

Thanks so much for the break-in chart. Still huffing and puffing a bit from getting it into my rack by myself (70 y/o)

 

[Taiko Audio]

Beautiful box!...Mine arrived basically falling apart, alas I don't have either an outer or inner box for my Extreme
I'd vote for Emile to change to a flight case or wood crate for shipping and a heavy plastic bag over the Extreme.....

When it comes to g-forces on gear in flight cases or wooden cases, the deformation of cardboard is actually quite good

Best is to have a box strapped to a wood pallet because then it hardly ever gets thrown around, but the shipping cost is quite a bit higher

This does indeed pose a challenge. A sturdy enough flight case takes the shipping weight over the limit for regular carrier services. This leaves pallet freight as the only option. This would then need to be completely crated rather then just palleted as pallet freight which cannot be stacked is quite expensive. And then there's what EuroDriver just posted, internal damage is much more likely to occur with flight cases.