Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[onlychild]

Meanwhile a "teaser" preview of the upcoming USB card:

View attachment 75600

Looks amazing!

Will this be beneficial for the Chord DAVE since there is no Taiko USB driver for it?

Also, which USB cable does Taiko use at their shop?

 

[Taiko Audio]

Looks amazing!

Will this be beneficial for the Chord DAVE since there is no Taiko USB driver for it?

Also, which USB cable does Taiko use at their shop?

Absolutely, Amanero might even benefit more then XMOS as it's less well "isolated". The USB card has 6 very low noise discrete regulator stages and a whole range of additional noise suppression circuits.

I personally still use the Intona Ultimate, there are several more popular picks nowadays, often regarded as musically more engaging, but I value neutrality for design purposes and I have not come across anything more neutral. That is obviously not everybody's cup of tea but since you asked..

 

[amolan]

Meanwhile a "teaser" preview of the upcoming USB card:

View attachment 75600

Any idea about cost ?

 

[Taiko Audio]

Any idea about cost ?

We'll know in a few days.

 

[amolan]

We'll know in a few days.

Also I didn't see any DC input, is it available somewhere ?

 

[darkfrank]

Wonder what kind of clock is inside that shelter? ocxo?

 

[Taiko Audio]

Also I didn't see any DC input, is it available somewhere ?

It needs both a 12V and 5V input, both are sourced from a till now unused option connector inside the Extreme.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

She’s condemned me to headphone use only. lol

I know something about it. Happy wife, happy life.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Wonder what kind of clock is inside that shelter? ocxo?

That "shelter" is a panzerholz vibration dampening enclosure containing a discrete clock circuitry using an oscillator cut to our specifications. We passed on adding an oven as that has a significant downside (heat) and adds no positives in this application.

 

[plasmod3]

looks amazing Emile can't wait to get one here in Australia

 

[cat6man]

Ok, don't spend too much time on LMS functionality as that part of TAS is going to be replaced anyway.

It may already be in your plans, but I'm hoping you maintain a web based interface for music playback (as with LMS at ip:9000)
in your replacement. it isn't important to have the full functionality of the TAS app, but it's a big benefit for maintaining playback options.

 

[Tubeman66]

Meanwhile a "teaser" preview of the upcoming USB card:

View attachment 75600

Excellent design !!
Looking forward to test it when available to buy

 

[dminches]

Taiko Team, do you have an estimate as to when the LMS-free version of TAS will roll out?

Also, I will happily be a tester if you need one since I can always use Roon if things aren't working.

 

[Steve Williams]

Taiko Team, do you have an estimate as to when the LMS-free version of TAS will roll out?

Also, I will happily be a tester if you need one since I can always use Roon if things aren't working.

I can't speak for the team but my bet is that it won't be imminent as it involves I am sure the API's of Tidal and Qobuz to build a superior interface .

I am betting that even though the LMS will remain beta the team will continue to make improvements to it until a new user interface can be developed

 

[EuroDriver]

I can't speak for the team but my bet is that it won't be imminent as it involves I am sure the API's of Tidal and Qobuz to build a superior interface .

I am betting that even though the LMS will remain beta the team will continue to make improvements to it until a new user interface can be developed

We are on the waiting list for API and key conversations / discussions with the various streaming providers

 

[cat6man]

We are on the waiting list for API and key conversations / discussions with the various streaming providers

that's cool................more time to optimize the sound with the new USB card!

 

[wil]

For those beta TAS users who have audiophile switches, have you compared listening with No Switch to Straight Ethernet or Fiber? I think so far we've only heard from two users: one reports better with switch and the other no difference with or without.

I'm going to compare two options:
1. Router > Sonore OM > Fiber > eRegen > Lan > Melco S100 > Fiber > EXT
2. Router > Sonore OM > Fiber > EXT

 

[wil]

Opinions about best fiber optic for audio sound quality: glass, plastic or the same?

 

[matthias]

For those beta TAS users who have audiophile switches, have you compared listening with No Switch to Straight Ethernet or Fiber? I think so far we've only heard from two users: one reports better with switch and the other no difference with or without.

I'm going to compare two options:
1. Router > Sonore OM > Fiber > eRegen > Lan > Melco S100 > Fiber > EXT
2. Router > Sonore OM > Fiber > EXT

In 1. you have Copper > Fiber > Copper > Fiber > EXT
In 2. you have Copper > Fiber > EXT

So you have in:
1. TWO switches and TWO conversions from Copper to Fiber
2. NO switch and ONE conversion from Copper to Fiber

Sorry, tbh it is an apples to oranges comparison.

Edit:
From the data points of this thread the Sonore OM seems to be the best FMC.
So it would makes sense to have this device directly before Extreme: Sonore OM > Fiber > EXT
In my understanding to compare the impact of switches they should then be best placed upstream to the Sonore OM:

1. Router > Switch1 > Copper > Switch2 > Copper > Sonore OM > Fiber > EXT

vs

2. Router > Sonore OM > Fiber > EXT

In both 1. and 2. you have now only one conversion from Copper to Fiber.

Matt

 

[wil]

I think in my setup, I'm more simply trying to compare with or without the Melco switch:

1. Router > lan > OM > FO (70') > eRegen > lan > Melco > EXT

2. Router> lan > OM > FO > EXT

The eRegen in option 2 functions only as another FMC so that the Melco can be in the chain.
I could, however, switch up the FMC set up and put the eRegen first and the OM second.