They have no effect on HQPlayer, all player specific relevant settings are accessible by pressing and holding the player blue button, settings for each player are defined individually. HQPlayer only has a bitperfect yes or no option.
Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
Emile,
just for clarification:
There must be adaptation of the XMOS TAS driver for every DAC manufacturer who uses XMOS USB interfaces?
Thanks
Matt
We should be able to add support for all XMOS based USB interfaces into one driver. What we primarily need are the USB descriptors of the USB interfaces as those identify the device to the OS and tells it which driver to load for which device. You can add multiple USB descriptors to a single driver.
Can you do this by simply connecting the XMOS DAC of a certain manufacturer to the Extreme or do you need the support of the manufacturer?
Thanks
Matt
You can extract that information from any DAC on any machine. Here’s a link to a Windows utility : https://thesycon.de/eng/usb_descriptordumper.shtml
Does it make sense in this context to gather the info of as much different XMOS DACs as possible?
Thanks
Matt
In theory yes, but there are still firmware differences so we should test each one anyway. Also note this driver is not free, we are picking up the tab for Extreme owners and it’s hardware locked to an Extreme. It will not be available “to the masses”. Therefor it may make less sense to start a mass collection endavour as in reality there are not that many top tier DAC choices which are typically used with an Extreme (below 25).
This makes sense.
Please allow a last question:
If someone wants to go for an Extreme but not for one of the top tier DACs which are typically used with an Extreme will he/she get TAS driver XMOS support for a lesser expensive XMOS DAC or an XMOS based DDC?
Thanks
Matt
Last edited:
Hi Matt,Bob,
this is very significant indeed.
May I ask you:
Do you get this TAS analog perception with all your DACs or with certain DACs only?
and
How do you manage the TAS driver of your Extreme with all the different USB interfaces of your DACs or do you play to
XMOS DACs only?
Thanks
Matt
I have only listened with one set up/dac so far. I'm afraid to touch anything;0)
Btw, I don't say this sound like analog to me, it's that every album I put on I sit and stare at the soundstage and think, this is totally different than digital EVER sounded before.
I am also not saying it is better than analog or even as good. I am only saying that I have a different "sense" of the sound when listening now and it seems like the "sense" I get when I listen to analog. That never happened prior.
I am just using the Xmos driver the Emile set up the other day. It is not even the specific driver for the Pilium Elektra DAC that I am using. That driver hopefully will be coming soon. It's on Emile's list.
I also of course don't have the new usb card. Can't really imagine where this is all going, but I'm glad I'm on the train
Hey Marc,
It will be interesting as more people get to hear the TAS SW and what their thoughts are especially as TAS becomes a final released product. PLUS add the specific usb driver for each dac, which I do not have yet. Then add the new usb card.
I hate the dig vs analog conversation, always have. Just thought they were just different. BUT I always knew that the analog experience provided something that digital never did. I think it has to do with separation of notes/strings, very tiny harmonic details. This is the first time with digital that I am feeling like I do when I listen to analog (tape and vinyl).
I am NOT saying digital is like analog now with Beta, case closed. I am saying that something different is going on now with listening to the Beta TAS that has never occurred for me prior when listening to digital. And this feeling or sensation while listening has only happened when listening to analog (tape and vinyl) nothing more than that.
I actually think we are at the doorstep of things to come....fingers crossed in great anticipation for the future but more curious right now, every time I put on an album now to marvel at the present accomplishments of the Taiko team.
For me, if I can hear fully fleshed out mids tone, room energizing tone density even at moderate volume levels, and a kind of continuousness in the presentation that feels holistic and hefty, I'll know something different to all other digital I've heard is going on.
Very happy here since TAS was installed and only once went back to Roon to compare. No comparison
Like Bob @ Rhapsody I can now hear minute inflections of voice or guitar that bring to life the artist and their intended emotions. Yesterday I listened to Ryan Adams Live at Carnegie Hall and have to say it was sublime, apart from the fraction of a second gap between songs, I know I should have used Batch play.
One weird effect I’ve noticed is that now my tube amps are more microphonic as the room energy is increased dramatically using TAS therefore vibrating the tubes more than using Roon.
Another plus point is not constantly scrolling and searching through Roon to find the latest or linked artist. I just feel more relaxed than before.
I‘m sure Marc will be gobsmacked when he eventually gets to visit but will ultimately prefer his analogue for its unique perspective on music.
Another big thumbs up for the team.
Blue58
Like Bob @ Rhapsody I can now hear minute inflections of voice or guitar that bring to life the artist and their intended emotions. Yesterday I listened to Ryan Adams Live at Carnegie Hall and have to say it was sublime, apart from the fraction of a second gap between songs, I know I should have used Batch play.
One weird effect I’ve noticed is that now my tube amps are more microphonic as the room energy is increased dramatically using TAS therefore vibrating the tubes more than using Roon.
Another plus point is not constantly scrolling and searching through Roon to find the latest or linked artist. I just feel more relaxed than before.
I‘m sure Marc will be gobsmacked when he eventually gets to visit but will ultimately prefer his analogue for its unique perspective on music.
Another big thumbs up for the team.
Blue58
Barry, I'm pretty genre agnostic. I love the Jethro Tull remasters on CD, often superior to my vinyl, but struggle with remastered Miles Davis, Rush, King Crimson. Seeing the positives in both formats, I'm confident I'm open minded enough to admit if TAS is bridging the heft/density divide to vinyl.
by xlr output, are you referring to aes/ebu?
have you compared the two outputs with TAS and your TotalDAC?
