Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[Esotar]

Nic


Nice setup Esotar, the speakers are too close to the wall maybe?

My space is too small.

I have no choice.

And Divin Noblesse never make booming at back and side of speakers.

 

[Esotar]

Korean Extreme customer Chi-Woo Kim is making movies about sound quality comparison

of Roon and TAS with Divin Marquis.

He said he is finding the music can show big difference.

Stay tuned~!!

 

[Blue58]

Thanks for posting this, Blue. I know it's YouTube via computer speakers, but my first impression is that this illustrates the difference I'm hearing between Roon and TAS. TAS is more mellifluous, warm, smooth, deeper soundstage.... but I still hear more bite -- more of a live, immediate feel -- in the Roon version. The drums, for instance. seem to have more transient attack.

All that being said, I'd still rather live with TAS.

Exactly what I’m Im hearing though with much more harmonic content.
I should say that this track is a DSD track so it’s converted to PCM by the Aqua and I’m using the 4096 buffer. I will listen with the smaller buffer which is apparently more incisive and then maybe upload another video of a Qobuz track I recorded with Roon against TAS Version.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Gosh Barry, and I remember when you mocked vinylistas for worring about VTF, VTA etc.
I would say Lol...but it looks like refining the ultimate digital transport is no laughing matter.

 

[EuroDriver]

The influence of buffer size on sonic presentation

We have been doing a lot of wondering about the mechanism by which buffer size can have an audible impact.

It goes something like this.
- refilling a buffer results in CPU activity which is proportional to buffer size
- the size of the buffer determines how often it happens

So its like ringing a bell, there is a choice of a larger bells which are rung less often or a small bells which are rung more often

 

[plasmod3]

Amazing chat Ed ! Many thanks and can't wait for our next catchup

 

[plasmod3]

My space is too small.

I have no choice.

And Divin Noblesse never make booming at back and side of speakers.

those are nice speakers and heavy too!

 

[Esotar]

those are nice speakers and heavy too!

Source : Taiko Audio [SGM Extreme with TAS]

DAC : Light Harmonic [Da Vinci Sire DIGITUS Labs Edition]

Pre : DENAFRIPS [Athena]

Power : Sound Forum [Sarajida SE]

LPS : Nayuta Audio [Flagship LPS 5 Rails]

Speakers : Goebel High End [Divin Noblesse] (Each : 260Kg)

Cables : All Entreq Olympus Cables and Olympus Eartha Cables with Olympus Grounding Boxes

My Pre and Power amps are not good.

But SGM Extreme with TAS, Da Vinci Sire DE DAC, Divin Noblesse combination is

very awesome. Especially TAS made my system quality be much better~!!!

 

[Rhapsody]

Now, that's a test I'm really looking forward to hearing the results of!

Just for you Wil, I started at 6am yesterday and finished as the Super Bowl was starting.....

I have been using Dedicated Fios line>>>Waversa W router>>>two JCAT switches with all Gold Sig JCAT cables and two each Optimo LPSs powering the JCAT switches.

With Roon/Extreme each time I added one of the above mentioned items there was a noticeable positive difference. If there wasn't I would not have kept each item in the set up.

With TAS which was loaded about two weeks ago on my Extreme, still using the heavy network I was gobsmacked at the difference vs. Roon.

This is me in my system(s), not sure what others are hearing in their systems with their ears. I know what I am hearing. If anyone doubts my experience that is their prerogative, nothing to do with what I am hearing and my understanding of the situation.

So with TAS/Extreme, Instead of the above heavy network set up which was located within 1M of the Extreme, I connected a 50' run of Cheap Lan cable from a NON-dedicated Fios Fiber line which also has an Aurender N20, TV, internet and phone running off the CHEAP Verizon router.

If someone else was listening to the back and forth I do NOT think they would be able to tell the difference between the new CHEAP set up and the heavy network set up. For me I feel that the new CHEAP set up sounds a bit more open and unbridled as if the heavy network was somehow holding things back a bit, but the heavy network sounded excellent with TAS.

I connected the heavy network to the Aurender N20 and that's where it will stay as it makes a positive and noticeable sonic difference., although I will not use the dedicated FIOS line.

I will split the signal and send the switches/LPS conditioned signal to the N20 and a direct lan cable from the splitter to the Extreme. I tried a direct connect to the Extreme from the Fios router vs through a splitter and could not tell a sonic difference, which btw amazes me.

For the TAS/Extreme I will be running it off the inexpensive lan cable. It's so much easier and SO MUCH less hassle. When I was running two separate networks when I disconnected anything I always had IP address issues. Now everything is plug/play with zero conflicts.

Onward and upward, this is so easy, all you have to do is follow Emile/team's path and you are in for a GREAT RIDE!!!

 

[cat6man]

The influence of buffer size on sonic presentation

We have been doing a lot of wondering about the mechanism by which buffer size can have an audible impact.

It goes something like this.
- refilling a buffer results in CPU activity which is proportional to buffer size
- the size of the buffer determines how often it happens

So its like ringing a bell, there is a choice of a larger bells which are rung less often or a small bells which are rung more often

is there any interaction between buffer size and batch/gapless, where multiple tracks (vs. single tracks) are read into the buffer?
i.e. does the buffer size impact SQ differently between single track and batch track settings?

 

[cat6man]

i've installed the Taiko TAS android app on my pixel4 phone (android 11) with no problem, but i was unable to install it on my FireHD10 tablet. as i expected, and edward confirmed, the castrated version of android 9 that amazon provides is the likely problem. i can use the Taiko app on my cellphone to do all necessary setup and configurations but my eyes are not up to using such a small screen for day to day music enjoyment.

a GREAT workaround for the FireHD10 tablet is to simply use the web based interface, available from any web browser, at [ipaddress]:9000 where i can browse my music collection as well as use qobuz..........no roon here so i don't know if that is also functional.

the FireHD10 was less than $100 on sale last year and is a great inexpensive tablet with a screen large enough to be useful.

the web access also means i can manage/browse/select my music on my linux PC and linux laptop when i'm in the next room.

 

[EuroDriver]

is there any interaction between buffer size and batch/gapless, where multiple tracks (vs. single tracks) are read into the buffer?
i.e. does the buffer size impact SQ differently between single track and batch track settings?

The buffer size settings for serial play and batch play are the same. The settings come into effect when the next track is played

 

[wil]

The influence of buffer size on sonic presentation

We have been doing a lot of wondering about the mechanism by which buffer size can have an audible impact.

It goes something like this.
- refilling a buffer results in CPU activity which is proportional to buffer size
- the size of the buffer determines how often it happens

So its like ringing a bell, there is a choice of a larger bells which are rung less often or a small bells which are rung more often

Thanks for this explanation Edward.

So, is there less detrimental cpu activity with the larger buffer sizes, because they go through their "buffer up" less often (but in bigger chunks)?

How does this translate into the general characteristics that have been described relating to the buffer sizes: that is, more incisive/bright at the small end and more enveloping/warm at the large end?

And, can you elaborate on what the "Adaptive" buffers are doing and their purpose? Are they adapting different buffer sizes to changing sample rates?

 

[Esotar]

About Taiko Audio Brand Value


Emile has said to me that XXXXX is much higher echelon brand than Taiko Audio.

I trust Emile and Edward very strongly.

But I never agreed Emile's upper words.

Now, which music servers can be rivals against SGM Extreme???

No music servers can't be SGM Extreme's rivals.

SGM Extreme is world no. 1 music server.

As I anticipate, SGM series will be King of music servers in the world for 20 years.

Why 20 years???

Two heroes' ages.....

They are very modest and kind.

They never think their brand is top brand of digital in the world.

I'm sure Taiko Audio is invincible digital brand and they are having the throne of digitals.

Unless they stop their works, Taiko Audio will be top digital brand in the world.

They always fail and challenge again.

They always think about customers.

They always keep their faiths.

We just trust two heroes and follow their digital source way.

Agree, guys?????

 

[wil]

Just for you Wil, I started at 6am yesterday and finished as the Super Bowl was starting.....

I have been using Dedicated Fios line>>>Waversa W router>>>two JCAT switches with all Gold Sig JCAT cables and two each Optimo LPSs powering the JCAT switches.

With Roon/Extreme each time I added one of the above mentioned items there was a noticeable positive difference. If there wasn't I would not have kept each item in the set up.

With TAS which was loaded about two weeks ago on my Extreme, still using the heavy network I was gobsmacked at the difference vs. Roon.

This is me in my system(s), not sure what others are hearing in their systems with their ears. I know what I am hearing. If anyone doubts my experience that is their prerogative, nothing to do with what I am hearing and my understanding of the situation.

So with TAS/Extreme, Instead of the above heavy network set up which was located within 1M of the Extreme, I connected a 50' run of Cheap Lan cable from a NON-dedicated Fios Fiber line which also has an Aurender N20, TV, internet and phone running off the CHEAP Verizon router.

If someone else was listening to the back and forth I do NOT think they would be able to tell the difference between the new CHEAP set up and the heavy network set up. For me I feel that the new CHEAP set up sounds a bit more open and unbridled as if the heavy network was somehow holding things back a bit, but the heavy network sounded excellent with TAS.

I connected the heavy network to the Aurender N20 and that's where it will stay as it makes a positive and noticeable sonic difference., although I will not use the dedicated FIOS line.

I will split the signal and send the switches/LPS conditioned signal to the N20 and a direct lan cable from the splitter to the Extreme. I tried a direct connect to the Extreme from the Fios router vs through a splitter and could not tell a sonic difference, which btw amazes me.

For the TAS/Extreme I will be running it off the inexpensive lan cable. It's so much easier and SO MUCH less hassle. When I was running two separate networks when I disconnected anything I always had IP address issues. Now everything is plug/play with zero conflicts.

Onward and upward, this is so easy, all you have to do is follow Emile/team's path and you are in for a GREAT RIDE!!!

Wow, thanks Bob, for checking this out! That appears to be a Genuine Gobsmacker if I've ever seen one -- particularly considering how much activity you have on your line and the profound differences you heard with your network enhancements, all the way back to the simple isolation with the Edgerouter.

If this holds equally true for other TAS users, expect to see some nice pre-owned audiophile switches on the market!

 

[marmota]

SGM Extreme with TAS & Divin Noblesse

That sounds beautiful, congratulations!
The last song, specifically, has a lucid dream type effect which I find gorgeous compared to the song's Youtube videoclip.

 

[Kris]

I disagree Mike. I did the same as you. He told me what network to use and I did. No switches or froufrou.No fiber. Only ethernet



Really!!!! Good for you Mike. It is here where you and I disagree. Have you tried removing all of your switches and listening to the beta version with the TAS driver ? You might be shocked. Sometimes with too much fruit on those low lying branches the branch just gets too heavy and breaks. And now you are reading that Emile is suggesting a switch(or switches) , even his own proprietary might just not be necessary

I did remove the swiches and it is all ok but not as good as it was . Big step down.
I wish I could just take it out and have both
better music and money back from the switches ....

 

[oldmustang]

Wow, thanks Bob, for checking this out! That appears to be a Genuine Gobsmacker if I've ever seen one -- particularly considering how much activity you have on your line and the profound differences you heard with your network enhancements, all the way back to the simple isolation with the Edgerouter.

If this holds equally true for other TAS users, expect to see some nice pre-owned audiophile switches on the market!

I was very curious about what Bob's experiments would reveal -- and gratified with the results. I've delayed jumping into the world of network tweaks with both feet because Emile's advice for my rather simple home network has been to go directly from my cheap CenturyLink-provided ActionTec 1900C DSL modem/router to the Extreme, which I've been doing from the beginning.

Actually, I started even before purchasing an Extreme. I tried the original StarTech FMC/StarTech SFP > optical > StarTech SFP/StarTech FMC > copper ethernet configuration into my Zenith MK 2 streamer after reading about it in this WBF thread, replacing a run of decent but not "audiophile" CAT6 copper ethernet, and became a believer -- in a lot of things including the credibility of Emile's advice , long before I made the plunge into Extreme ownership.

The only things I've done to enhance my network since then have been providing a decent LPS to the DSL modem router, just because I had one available and it probably couldn't hurt, and substituting a Sonore OpticalModule with a Finisar SFP for the StarTech FMC/StarTech SFP to go optical fiber right to the Extreme. I now use the pair of StarTech FMCs/SFPs to isolate the rest of my home LAN from the DSL modem/router.

Each of those tweaks after going fiber direct to the Extreme made positive but rather small incremental improvements in overall sound quality, pre-TAS. Now that I've been using TAS almost exclusively I'll try copper ethernet again from modem/router to Extreme maybe later today or tomorrow just to hear for myself.

If I end up selling some unneeded network tweaks as a result, so much the better for the audio fund!

Steve Z

 

[Rhapsody]

Wow, thanks Bob, for checking this out! That appears to be a Genuine Gobsmacker if I've ever seen one -- particularly considering how much activity you have on your line and the profound differences you heard with your network enhancements, all the way back to the simple isolation with the Edgerouter.

If this holds equally true for other TAS users, expect to see some nice pre-owned audiophile switches on the market!

Thx Wil. At first blush I was ready to sell all of my networks gear, BUT I found it makes a difference for Aurender and will also work for non Extreme TAS users. I have Aurender as well as there are customers who can handle the Aurender user interface and not anything more. The latest Aurenders also sound very nice. And the network switches/routers/cables do help the sound just as they did with the Extreme/Roon, for me, prior to TAS, (the game changer).

 

[Rhapsody]

I was very curious about what Bob's experiments would reveal -- and gratified with the results. I've delayed jumping into the world of network tweaks with both feet because Emile's advice for my rather simple home network has been to go directly from my cheap CenturyLink-provided ActionTec 1900C DSL modem/router to the Extreme, which I've been doing from the beginning.

Actually, I started even before purchasing an Extreme. I tried the original StarTech FMC/StarTech SFP > optical > StarTech SFP/StarTech FMC > copper ethernet configuration into my Zenith MK 2 streamer after reading about it in this WBF thread, replacing a run of decent but not "audiophile" CAT6 copper ethernet, and became a believer -- in a lot of things including the credibility of Emile's advice , long before I made the plunge into Extreme ownership.

The only things I've done to enhance my network since then have been providing a decent LPS to the DSL modem router, just because I had one available and it probably couldn't hurt, and substituting a Sonore OpticalModule with a Finisar SFP for the StarTech FMC/StarTech SFP to go optical fiber right to the Extreme. I now use the pair of StarTech FMCs/SFPs to isolate the rest of my home LAN from the DSL modem/router.

Each of those tweaks after going fiber direct to the Extreme made positive but rather small incremental improvements in overall sound quality, pre-TAS. Now that I've been using TAS almost exclusively I'll try copper ethernet again from modem/router to Extreme maybe later today or tomorrow just to hear for myself.

If I end up selling some unneeded network tweaks as a result, so much the better for the audio fund!

Steve Z

Hi Steve, would be really interested when you try it and let us know the results. I was quite shocked with sticking in the cheap copper lan cables and not noticing a drop off in SQ.