Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
Thanks for sharing Franscisco......interesting!
It's amazing to me that these small changes that we never would have paid attention to in years gone by, can make such a noticeable sonic difference.
In many cases it might take nothing more than some "reorganizing".
I have not yet experimented as I don't have all of my final pieces (JCAT, another LPS) in place that I will be installing but it seems from others that are further down the road that vibration control of the modems/routers/switches also can make a very noticeable sonic difference. Just like with the server/dac on throughout the system.
Good stuff and doesn't cost many $$$, which is even better yet.
It's amazing to me that these small changes that we never would have paid attention to in years gone by, can make such a noticeable sonic difference.
In many cases it might take nothing more than some "reorganizing".
I have not yet experimented as I don't have all of my final pieces (JCAT, another LPS) in place that I will be installing but it seems from others that are further down the road that vibration control of the modems/routers/switches also can make a very noticeable sonic difference. Just like with the server/dac on throughout the system.
Good stuff and doesn't cost many $$$, which is even better yet.
Yes, Bob I agree we're in an experimental realm and that results will vary from one environment to another. I'm just curious why Nuway chose to use a Sonore Optical module (fmc) at one end of his FO and the Edge Router at the other end? Maybe just because he had one of each? Or is there a theoretical reason why not to use another Optical Module, as they are are specifically designed to reduce noise from fmc's.
And have any of the experimenters here compared the Sonore Opticalmodule fmc's to Startech fmc's?
Yes, Will. 100 % agreed with Rhapsody. All depends on your components with their sound signatures and your liking. For example: my Magicos M2 are neutral and benefits more with the use of the planet techs modules. On the other Room I used B&W 802, and replacing the planet tech by the Emile recommended startech modules produce a more blacker background without losing resolution and details, taming the sometimes brighter sound with some recordings on the B&W's. All is a matter of tastes that matches with your components.
I took the idea of the use of the Optical Isolation between the Modem and Router from Emile where I could verified It works better on the Modem - Router than on the Extreme using optical.
In my case and with my Components, Using copper (except optical via Modem - Router) all over the path give me the sound I like the most when compared to my analog rig.
Be safe,
In my experience I don‘t think it works quite like that...at least I wouldn’t call the differences between network components sonic signatures. In my experience a component either offers less noise, heard as greater detail, structure and information, or less, so a component is either better, or not. Sonic signature is taste driven but in my experience, t I think most audiophiles would agree on which component is ’better’, regardless of taste
We agree to disagree
My experience has been for instance with the copper vs the FO. They sounded different to me in my systems. Both sounded good, but I preferred the sound of one to the other.I'm fine if you and all audiophiles think that way, I only think my way.
Keep safe.
Ive never compared copper with FO but in this particular example i can imagine it working exactly as you state....both work well but sound different so in this case taste does play a role.We agree to disagree
I'm fine if you and all audiophiles think that way, I only think my way.
Keep safe.
I do agree that the actual routers, modems or switches can be quantified as good/better/best but besides the fiber to copper example different lan cables can sound different but to me different vs. better.
All good.....great stuff.
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Unfortunately we can't be sure that "less noise" results in "greater detail, structure and information" . I would easily accept that some types of noise result "greater detail, structure and information" and others seem to be particularly nasty.
But IMHO, in general, disagreement is the essence of high-end and the motor that pushes WBF. There is no "better" !
A demo M12 Gold switch has arrived at the HK Telegartner distributor.
It's being burned-in and I shall go for an audition next week.
Shall I open a new thread on it?
It's being burned-in and I shall go for an audition next week.
Shall I open a new thread on it?
A demo M12 Gold switch has arrived at the HK Telegartner distributor.
It's being burned-in and I shall go for an audition next week.
Shall I open a new thread on it?
Looking forward to your impressions!
A demo M12 Gold switch has arrived at the HK Telegartner distributor.
View attachment 63832
View attachment 63833
It's being burned-in and I shall go for an audition next week.
Shall I open a new thread on it?
There is already a topic here: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/m12-gold-switch.29842/
Let us know how it goes!
Regards,
Marcin
Hi, thought I’d post my results of testing the SR Orange fuse in the Extreme compared to the stock fuse. Of course this is just one data point to throw into the mix as I know others have done this comparison as well.
My comparison was a/b/a/b. This is a bit challenging as it takes 3-5 days for the Extreme to resettle after each full power down, even with the power only off for that short minute to change the fuse. So it took a bit over two weeks. The rest of my system stayed the exact same and is fully broken-in. I used the J-Play Driver in the Extreme throughout. The orange fuse had 400 hours on it before I started making the observations. My findings are below:
Once the Extreme was resettled, with the Orange fuse, playing at moderate volumes for me (75 db-C average) I felt that perhaps there was a little more resolution/detail. This was a close call compared to the stock fuse. But, as I turned the volume up into the low 80 db-c avg, I felt the Orange added a bit of etchiness and tended to be a touch shouty at the mid-high to higher volumes. On the louder side of the spectrum, my peaks top out in the low 90s db-C.
In comparison, using Emile’s stock fuse, man, to my ears, all the liquidity, richness and tonal balance came back across the volume spectrum. It is hypnotic. I was careful to use the same tracks at the same volumes etc. and took copious notes. Perhaps, for my taste, my system is resolving enough and does not need the extra uber detail in the moderate volume range at the expense of the natural, rich, liquid sound I am getting. But that's just a theory. So, for me at least, I definitely prefer the stock fuse. And if that is the sound that Emile wanted me to hear, that is good enough for me and my fuse experiments are over
Relatedly, during this comparison, I tried to pay attention to the sound improvement each day during the resettling process (after power switch on the back of the Extreme turned off). By day 3, I was really enjoying the sound, but there was still clearly noticeable improvement between day 3 and 4. To my ears, I really couldn’t tell a difference between day 4 and 5.
Finally, I do use an SR orange fuse in my amp and love it there. Take good care everyone.
My comparison was a/b/a/b. This is a bit challenging as it takes 3-5 days for the Extreme to resettle after each full power down, even with the power only off for that short minute to change the fuse. So it took a bit over two weeks. The rest of my system stayed the exact same and is fully broken-in. I used the J-Play Driver in the Extreme throughout. The orange fuse had 400 hours on it before I started making the observations. My findings are below:
Once the Extreme was resettled, with the Orange fuse, playing at moderate volumes for me (75 db-C average) I felt that perhaps there was a little more resolution/detail. This was a close call compared to the stock fuse. But, as I turned the volume up into the low 80 db-c avg, I felt the Orange added a bit of etchiness and tended to be a touch shouty at the mid-high to higher volumes. On the louder side of the spectrum, my peaks top out in the low 90s db-C.
In comparison, using Emile’s stock fuse, man, to my ears, all the liquidity, richness and tonal balance came back across the volume spectrum. It is hypnotic. I was careful to use the same tracks at the same volumes etc. and took copious notes. Perhaps, for my taste, my system is resolving enough and does not need the extra uber detail in the moderate volume range at the expense of the natural, rich, liquid sound I am getting. But that's just a theory. So, for me at least, I definitely prefer the stock fuse. And if that is the sound that Emile wanted me to hear, that is good enough for me and my fuse experiments are over
Relatedly, during this comparison, I tried to pay attention to the sound improvement each day during the resettling process (after power switch on the back of the Extreme turned off). By day 3, I was really enjoying the sound, but there was still clearly noticeable improvement between day 3 and 4. To my ears, I really couldn’t tell a difference between day 4 and 5.
Finally, I do use an SR orange fuse in my amp and love it there. Take good care everyone.
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Thanks for going to the considerable effort to do this test. It sounds like it was a pronounced difference. If it were subtle, I'd be reluctant to trust my senses particularly with a 3 day lapse between changes. For subtle differences, I trust my audio memory for about 7 seconds! Ideally, I think this kind of test should be done un-sighted but that can add a whole other layer of work.
Btw, what is the stock fuse in the Extreme?
Btw, what is the stock fuse in the Extreme?
I don't own a CD player, but of the Extreme owners here, who do, how would you compare the sound quality of streaming Qobuz/Tidal through the Extreme to your CD player of the same music? And also, how would you compare the CD player to download files through the Extreme?
