Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Personally I’d do nothing until TAS is available and I’d follow that path
There is no SQ loss involved with this build beyond the an initial decrease during the database update that comes with it. @isquirrel is now satisfied with Jplay disabled, and the ASIO buffersize set to 2048 (default). (2048 for 44.1/48K rates, this scales automatically for higher rates, 16384 for PCM352.8/384 and DSD256 for example).
I'll disclose it has over 200 parts and is big for a PCIe card at about 3x10", I'd say worthy of the Extreme moniker
Functionally it allows a more direct USB connection the the CPU bypassing the motherboard chipset as it plugs into a PCIe slot, which connects directly to the CPU. You can also decide which of the 2 CPUs to connect to which gives us more options with process allocations as the onboard USB controller always connects to CPU0 (through the motherboard chipset).
It is also a lower noise design translating into higher transparency levels and blacker backgrounds.
To be completely honest it does not alter the overall sound balance, engagement levels nor immersive features which really makes it an optional upgrade rather then a must have. It also does not change the sound signature influence of USB cables.
It has been a challenge to turn it into something providing an even handed enhancement over the entire frequency range, it's relatively easy to gain just more transparent highs, or a stronger bass section, unbalancing the Extreme's very even performance over the whole frequency range. It was again quite an exercise in the difficulties of creating a balanced performance with a strong reminder of why it took 7 months of tweaking of the same hardware to voice the Extreme.
I have faith in you Emile.Even extremer then what's out there already?
I'll disclose it has over 200 parts and is big for a PCIe card at about 3x10", I'd say worthy of the Extreme moniker
It looks like fantastic solution for extreme owners .
Cant wait to install it in my system, but it sounds like it will take few more weeks to be ready.
I understand you tested it against the Jcat XE ?
Also 1 or 2 usb exits from the card ?
External power from reserved Extreme rails are planned or separate power supply will do better job ?
Next project a Taiko DAC to fully control digital including it’s conversion to analog?Nearly total control.
Can we call that a Taiko Audio Network Music Habitat?
Big congratulations!
i’ve been suggesting that to Emile for some years now
Knowing Emile, he is going to replace the MSB Femto 33 Clock with something that sounds a lot better like he did on the Extreme after using fancy OCXO clocks in his previous servers. A $1 chip that just sounds a lot better!
Just kidding - no offense to MSB Select owners - I am sure the MSB stuff is the best available.
I did not do a direct A/B comparison. However I can say the Jcat XE card is very good, though does not work optimally with the Extreme in stock form. It did provide a noticeable improvement in transparency after a modification to work from the Extreme's internal power supply. We did discuss with Marcin to have a modified version for our use but the economics did not work out what made us decide to embark on this project. In hindsight I'm happy we did as it was again a very valuable learning experience and there's absolutely merit to being "in control" ourselves.
1 USB port.
Internally powered does a better job, but of course it's designed to work best that way (not a fan of external power supplies with separated ground planes btw). It needs both 5V and 12V.
No current plans, we're just getting started with what we're doing now with multiple intriguing research projects on the menu, but never say never.
It will be available for non Taiko customers too ? any idea how much will be ? Thanks.
Very unlikely, it has too many boutique parts which are simply not available in sufficient quantities.
