Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[cat6man]

Since the latest major update to the OS/Extreme I switched over to Roon. I even disabled TAS. Because of the comments from several users saying they were still preferring TAS, my curiosity got to me yesterday and re-loaded TAS.

For the last month since the OS update and using Roon I kept switching tracks seeing how different tracks sounded. NOW, using TAS AGAIN, I can't bear to change a track because the track I am listening to sounds SO AMAZING. I'm talking NIGHT AND DAY difference, not a slight difference.

I don't go into describing the sonic attributes (bass, soundstaging, dynamics, naturalness etc) as I feel that these attributes are all system/user dependent.

TAS (even though I love the Roon interface) and then XDMS is my path.....

i didn't want to, but i have to agree. the SQ advantage of TAS is undeniable, so much so that after hearing it, I have no option but to go back to TAS and living with the mood-killing gaps for now...........I can't un-hear the difference

 

[dminches]

I went back to look because your and my memory of "everybody" is quite a bit different. There were a couple of guys who were on record then of going from TAS to Roon and declaring Roon much, much better than TAS. But most of the positive Roon comments were that Roon sound quality had improved with the Taiko enhancements enough to be listenable or better.

However the bulk of the comments from early February that could be ascribed to "everybody" were more about how much Taiko's OS settings and USB drivers improved overall sound quality, as well as comments about copper ethernet being better than fiber optic for most (though not all) users.

Steve Z

Even after the OS changes I did not think Roon sounded great (compared to TAS) and went back to TAS quickly. I believe I posted about it too.

 

[EuroDriver]

i didn't want to, but i have to agree. the SQ advantage of TAS is undeniable, so much so that after hearing it, I have no option but to go back to TAS and living with the mood-killing gaps for now...........I can't un-hear the difference

XDMS has two playback modes

Concert Mode which is truly Gapless, but you are restricted to playing the queue ( with a very large track limit) and not jumping around

Discovery Mode, where you can jump around as much as you like, but there are gaps

 

[M27HF]

XDMS has two playback modes

Concert Mode which is truly Gapless, but you are restricted to playing the queue ( with a very large track limit) and not jumping around

Discovery Mode, where you can jump around as much as you like, but there are gaps

is there a developmental path for unrestrictive gapless playback mode in XDMS ?

 

[EuroDriver]

is there a developmental path for unrestrictive gapless playback mode in XDMS ?

It is something we are working on, but our focus is to get XDMS out of the door with a great and consistent SQ

 

[Christiaan Punter]

is there a developmental path for unrestrictive gapless playback mode in XDMS ?

I would like to add that this decision (as all other decisions at Taiko Audio) is made with the highest sound quality in mind. That is why, at least for launch, it will be a matter of choosing either for the best sound quality (Concert) or for more convenience (Discovery).

 

[MarkusBarkus]

@Christiaan Punter your post suggests a qualitative difference in SQ between the two modes, while Ed's post seems to refer only to the "gap" between tracks.

Perhaps I am misinterpreting that, so when possible, perhaps some clarification of this point?

Looking forward to XDMS! Any chance to "roll away the stone" for sonic rebirth by Easter? Now wouldn't that be miraculous!

 

[EuroDriver]

@Christiaan Punter your post suggests a qualitative difference in SQ between the two modes, while Ed's post seems to refer only to the "gap" between tracks.

Perhaps I am misinterpreting that, so when possible, perhaps some clarification of this point?

Looking forward to XDMS! Any chance to "roll away the stone" for sonic rebirth by Easter? Now wouldn't that be miraculous!

There should be no noticeable sound quality difference between Concert and Discovery modes

 

[John T]

Good One Markus!!

 

[nonesup]

Ed, how about some screenshots of the new XDMS 2.0, to "warm up engines"

 

[Christiaan Punter]

There should be no noticeable sound quality difference between Concert and Discovery modes

Ok, thanks for confirming, Edward.

 

[EuroDriver]

Ed, how about some screenshots of the new XDMS 2.0, to "warm up engines"

Post #9227 has some screen shots

 

[cat6man]

XDMS has two playback modes

Concert Mode which is truly Gapless, but you are restricted to playing the queue ( with a very large track limit) and not jumping around

Discovery Mode, where you can jump around as much as you like, but there are gaps

that works for me.


what exactly does 'jumping around' mean?
anyway, i usually stay seated in the sweet spot and don't jump around that much at all

 

[Christiaan Punter]

that works for me.


what exactly does 'jumping around' mean?
anyway, i usually stay seated in the sweet spot and don't jump around that much at all

Hahaha, well, jumping around, in this case, means making changes in the playback queue, changing order, for instance. Concert Mode means that the tracks will play in consecutive order. As if you were attending a concert.

 

[cat6man]

Hahaha, well, jumping around, in this case, means making changes in the playback queue, changing order, for instance. Concert Mode means that the tracks will play in consecutive order. As if you were attending a concert.

perfect.

i was concerned that it might mean you couldn't jump around inside a track that's playing, or pause/resume

 

[Christiaan Punter]

perfect.

i was concerned that it might mean you couldn't jump around inside a track that's playing, or pause/resume

No worries, you will still be able to pause and resume, and use the track progress bar.

 

[John T]

Sounds Good to me! Concert mode it is! My music collection is put together as to not want to "Jump Around"

 

[cat6man]

No worries, you will still be able to pause and resume, and use the scrubbing bar.

super, i'll take one!
when can i have it?

 

[Steve williams]

super, i'll take one!
when can i have it?

This is a daunting task by the Taiko team.Talking to Ed yesterday, I was told that there are 5 full time people writing the code for the much awaited XDMS and Wilson is checking their data many times during the day.

We all can't wait but we all want a finished product free of bugs and I gather this is where they are now. Have patience little grasshopper

 

[John T]

Wow! I cannot imagine the fastidious nature of this task, daunting sums it up...