Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[steve williams]

@Malcng:I'm at day 10 or 11, with approx.100 hours on the Extreme. Also sounding great. Did you observe a settling in period? I did, it seemed to have awoken at about 50-60 hours. With my limitations I couldn't have set it up without Taiko's assistance. (Christiaan) Are you connected ethernet directly to the Extreme? If so I would recommend a inexpensive switch I'm using a Netgear GS 105. Simple little tweak that can work well in certain networks.

IIRC way back when first released Emile stated 1000 hours are required to charge the capacitors. The good news is that it only continues to get better. There is no downside

as for file transfer I also use USB direct into a usb Input to Extreme. I recently transferred almost 10 TB’s in well under 10 hours. Leave front button always on. My issue now is that I’m almost out of internal memory and have discussed options with EmIle

 

[pleroma]

@pleroma: I sent him a PM suggesting the same converting to PCM. Strange why some will play and some won't, which as you indicate suggests something with the file. Converting to PCM should indicate if its the file or not. I think??

I believe it's better to run a test conversion with dBpoweramp or the like and see if the MD5s match.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Thanks for asking. Edward responded to an email, but no progress yet.

I am running Roon. Folders and DIF/DSD files show up on the Taiko using my PC’s file explorer. I don’t see them on Roon. Some DSD files do show up, but don’t play correctly, others are fine.

One other question: what is the fastest/best way to transfer music from my Aurender?

Roon does not support SACD ISO files / rips, those won‘t show nor play.

 

[ACHiPo]

Roon does not support SACD ISO files / rips, those won‘t show nor play.

Thanks. Mystery solved. Does TAS or will XDMS? I have a bunch of SACD albums.

 

[ACHiPo]

Use VNC viewer and get the Extreme to drag the files in to internal memory that way. You will find it far faster than trying to do it through your network. The Extreme is a beast and extremely quick.

I have had my Extreme for 24 days now and it is sounding great. If anybody is perusing this thread contemplating whether to buy an Extreme or not, the first point I would make - as a new user myself - is don’t be put off by some of the very lengthy and complex reviews and feedback that you may come across. This is my fourth music server and I have not found it any harder to set up and get running than any that preceded it.

Other than the general plaudits that are prevalent on here about sound quality, some other points that may be of interest:

i) As mentioned already, the Extreme is quick - very quick. It will plough through data transfers far faster than using a computer and doing it that way through the network. In addition, if you use Roon, you will be delighted to see it operate at near instantaneous speed.

ii) Check your volume! Because of the sound quality and lack of digital ‘noise’, you may find yourself listening at much higher volume than you realise. A side benefit of this is that enjoyable sound quality can be achieved at lower volume than you may be used to using. I am finding very satisfactory sound at 10-15 dB lower than I have traditionally had to use and everything is still there in the music.

iii) Streaming - I use Qobuz - is now so good that it is perfectly acceptable for proper listening, not just exploration.

iv) The combined effect of these previous 3 points make music exploration using Roon a real delight and I have discovered more new albums in the last month than perhaps in the last year or two. The speed of response, sound quality and ability to listen at lower volumes together with the complete absence of digital fatigue makes trying new music a real pleasure.

There are two slight complications compared to previous music servers. The first is the need to use VNC viewer to control Extreme but, in practice, it is very easy and not really much different than using your network and a webpage in actual use. The second slight complication is around the USB options in Roon which does take a bit of thought to get your head around. The unit starts up in Roon with a WASAPI driver for your DAC as well as a Taikio ASIO driver which you can edit in Roon, select your DAC and it will configure itself and you can then fine tune in the usual way. This ASIO driver sounds better. Then, finally, there are 4 USB profiles which are DAC dependent and you can run them from the Extreme desktop using VNC viewer. I suspect that these are routines that somehow tweak the Taiko ASIO driver to best match with your DAC and you should definitely do this because it does significantly improve the sound. I’ve just discovered this - I’ve no idea how it works, but it is definitely not something you should leave out.

Thanks. I need to figure out VNC. I have it loaded, but relied on Ed using it to get me going yesterday.

 

[oldmustang]

Thanks. Mystery solved. Does TAS or will XDMS? I have a bunch of SACD albums.

If you have a bunch of ISO file from SACDs there are a variety of free-ware solutions to extract the stereo .dsf or .dff files from the ISO. Sonore's utility program is one of several out there:

Sonore - ISO2DSD - converts ISO files to DSD

I'd suggest outputting to .dsf files since that format supports metadata tags.

Steve Z

 

[oldmustang]

Thanks. I need to figure out VNC. I have it loaded, but relied on Ed using it to get me going yesterday.

VNC is pretty easy. You'll need to use the your Extreme's IP address and the Extreme's log-in and password.

Steve Z

 

[ACHiPo]

Yes, definitely sound quality improved over the first couple of weeks when I had mine running 24/7. Hard to say beyond that because I was mucking around with other things. I did initially disregard the USB profiles because the ASIO driver found my DAC in Roon and allowed me to configure it, so I thought that was that. I’m certainly glad that I went back and tried it. I have two DAC’s in my system and, luckily, they both work with the same ASIO driver configuration and USB profile 4.

I currently use an 8Switch and will watch for any further developments in this area.

I need to figure this out it seems. I suspect the USB profile is what is causing my problems playing DSD 128 and 256 files. What’s really weird is that one of the DSD256 files played yesterday but I can’t get it to play again.

 

[ACHiPo]

If you have a bunch of ISO file from SACDs there are a variety of free-ware solutions to extract the stereo .dsf or .dff files from the ISO. Sonore's utility program is one of several out there:

Sonore - ISO2DSD - converts ISO files to DSD

I'd suggest outputting to .dsf files since that format supports metadata tags.

Steve Z

Thanks. I will tackle that tomorrow,

 

[ACHiPo]

Seems like more than one thing is happening here. When you said some DSD256/128 files played and other, new ones didn't, I was going to ask where you got them, and suggest re-downloading them again. Then you could send them to me on GoogleDrive/OneDrive/YourCloudDriveOfChoice and I could test them. Another test would be to convert them to PCM and see if they play. So I was thinking to focus on the files themselves, since others played. But after your last post, the only time I experienced something like this was when my NAS started to fail, and things didn't import properly into Roon.

I'm not going to be much help with the Aurender question, but generally speaking, the simplest migrations are using Windows shares, which the Extreme exposes, and I can only assume Aurender does. But then comes the tag hell with Roon (disregard that last sentence, I couldn't resist, but it's not relevant to your problem )

Easy to disregard—it’s Greek to me. I will try DoP on my DAC tomorrow. I think I tried different modes on my DAC today without luck, but I was kinda shotgunning so don’t remember exactly what I did with which file. My Holo Audio May DAC has OS, DoP, and some other options I can try. I just use NOS for all listening as it sounds best to me so haven’t spent much time listening to other modes.

 

[ACHiPo]

@pleroma: I sent him a PM suggesting the same converting to PCM. Strange why some will play and some won't, which as you indicate suggests something with the file. Converting to PCM should indicate if its the file or not. I think??

Will try that tomorrow.

 

[ACHiPo]

I believe it's better to run a test conversion with dBpoweramp or the like and see if the MD5s match.

More Greek I’m afraid

 

[Malcng]

I need to figure this out it seems. I suspect the USB profile is what is causing my problems playing DSD 128 and 256 files. What’s really weird is that one of the DSD256 files played yesterday but I can’t get it to play again.

It does seem that you may have some problematic files but I would also try a different USB and Ethernet cable just to rule those out. If you suspect that your issue lies somewhere in the ASIO driver settings, you could try this:

In Roon/Settings/Audio - select the settings cog wheel for the Taiko ASIO driver. Select Device Setup and under Audio Device select Not your device? Then choose a completely different DAC under Find Your Device - maybe even try a different manufacturer. Let Roon apply your choice, then go back and do the same again but, this time, choose your own DAC. This should reset the Taiko ASIO driver to the standard configuration for your DAC. Then try playing your problem files and see what happens. If that doesn’t work, go back into Device Setup and select Advance Settings and check that the DSD playback strategy and sample rates are appropriate for your DAC and see what happens. If any of that works, you can then access Extreme’s desktop using VNC viewer and apply the appropriate USB profile for your DAC and see what happens.

That should highlight if there are any issues caused by the ASIO driver settings and where they are. If not, then at least you know it’s probably not the driver.

Final point - make sure you are playing the problem files from the Extreme’s internal memory just to rule out any network and external storage issue that may possibly be having an impact. Doubtful, but it’s a process of elimination.

Of course, if you don’t fancy tinkering around, call for proper help!

 

[Taiko Audio]

I need to figure this out it seems. I suspect the USB profile is what is causing my problems playing DSD 128 and 256 files. What’s really weird is that one of the DSD256 files played yesterday but I can’t get it to play again.

The USB profiles will not cause those problems. There may be something non standard Holo Springs implemented in their driver to get DSD1024 playback to work. Best liaise with support@taikoaudio.com to get to the bottom of this.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Easy to disregard—it’s Greek to me. I will try DoP on my DAC tomorrow. I think I tried different modes on my DAC today without luck, but I was kinda shotgunning so don’t remember exactly what I did with which file. My Holo Audio May DAC has OS, DoP, and some other options I can try. I just use NOS for all listening as it sounds best to me so haven’t spent much time listening to other modes.

That should just be native.

 

[Taiko Audio]

If you have a bunch of ISO file from SACDs there are a variety of free-ware solutions to extract the stereo .dsf or .dff files from the ISO. Sonore's utility program is one of several out there:

Sonore - ISO2DSD - converts ISO files to DSD

I'd suggest outputting to .dsf files since that format supports metadata tags.

Steve Z

That would be the best way to go about it, we are not planning to include ISO playback support in XDMS because of the unfortunately unacceptable degradation in sound quality.

 

[rando]

If you have a bunch of ISO file from SACDs there are a variety of free-ware solutions to extract the stereo .dsf or .dff files from the ISO. Sonore's utility program is one of several out there:

Sonore - ISO2DSD - converts ISO files to DSD

I'd suggest outputting to .dsf files since that format supports metadata tags.

Steve Z

It would be great if it didn't rely on Java.

Sonically (IMO of course) XRECODE3 is worthy of mention. Or of course the command line ISO2DSD is a GUI for.

If ISO2DSD ever failed to unpack an ISO. Odds are this program won't have any issues with it. Utility goes far beyond handling ISO or implementing metadata into a DFF to DSF conversion.

 

[steve williams]

Time for another shout out to the Taiko support team for yet another above and beyond performance that remains unique to Taiko. I have had family visiting for the past 2 weeks and we have been busy most every day with our grandkids . The forum has had some busy days as well as we figured a way to make hyperlinks visible in posts and we needed to send out this month's News Letter. Suffice it to say my system has not been on in that time until yesterday. I had the afternoon free and decided I wanted to listen to some new downloaded music as I recently received 12 TB's of new music. Everything powered up fine. I opened the TAS app and I got the message stated SGM controller unavailable. I went through what I knew to fix it including restarting the Extreme which double beeped on restart so I felt all was well but still no luck. Last week during a severe heat wave in Southern California there was a brief power outage. I was clearly on the internet but could not connect to the Extreme.I remember this happened once before and there was an auto change to the IP address of my Extreme. This is usually easy to fix by opening TAS and clicking the arrow at the top right as this detects the IP address of the Extreme. The problem was that I was unable to get TAS app to open. It was already 3:00PM and I meekly texted Edward to see if he was awake. He replied immediately even though it was midnight. Edward Team Viewer into my Extreme and very quickly we discovered that indeed there was a new IP address assigned to my Extreme. Problem solved in a few minutes and I had a wonderful listening session. Customer service at Taiko remains a shining light and for Edward to reply at midnight his time and without hesitation take over and fix the problem deserves a huge shout out IMHO. Taiko Audio........"you rock" I was so happy that I forgot to ask Edward how XDMS was progressing. In retrospect that was perhaps a good thing

 

[ACHiPo]

VNC is pretty easy. You'll need to use the your Extreme's IP address and the Extreme's log-in and password.

Steve Z

It would be great if it didn't rely on Java.

Sonically (IMO of course) XRECODE3 is worthy of mention. Or of course the command line ISO2DSD is a GUI for.

If ISO2DSD ever failed to unpack an ISO. Odds are this program won't have any issues with it. Utility goes far beyond handling ISO or implementing metadata into a DFF to DSF conversion.

@rando thanks. Will check it out. I am really trying to avoid the Windows/PC rabbit hole (what I referred to as purgatory when I built PCs back in the day), but it’s clear I need to learn a bit if I’m going to use my SACD ISOs on the Taiko.

@Taiko Audio I have to echo others’ praise for you and your team. The level of support at odd hours I’m getting blows me away. Not to mention the MUSIC out of the box. Hard to imagine the improvements in the coming days and weeks from burn in (and XDMS)!

 

[ACHiPo]

It does seem that you may have some problematic files but I would also try a different USB and Ethernet cable just to rule those out. If you suspect that your issue lies somewhere in the ASIO driver settings, you could try this:

In Roon/Settings/Audio - select the settings cog wheel for the Taiko ASIO driver. Select Device Setup and under Audio Device select Not your device? Then choose a completely different DAC under Find Your Device - maybe even try a different manufacturer. Let Roon apply your choice, then go back and do the same again but, this time, choose your own DAC. This should reset the Taiko ASIO driver to the standard configuration for your DAC. Then try playing your problem files and see what happens. If that doesn’t work, go back into Device Setup and select Advance Settings and check that the DSD playback strategy and sample rates are appropriate for your DAC and see what happens. If any of that works, you can then access Extreme’s desktop using VNC viewer and apply the appropriate USB profile for your DAC and see what happens.

That should highlight if there are any issues caused by the ASIO driver settings and where they are. If not, then at least you know it’s probably not the driver.

Final point - make sure you are playing the problem files from the Extreme’s internal memory just to rule out any network and external storage issue that may possibly be having an impact. Doubtful, but it’s a process of elimination.

Of course, if you don’t fancy tinkering around, call for proper help!

Switched to “Convert to PCM” from DoP in Roon per @John T recommendation (thanks!) and “The Great Reunion” Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington 256DSD is playing. Tried DSD256 of ”Ella Fitzgerald in France 1957” and it plays as well! Mystery solved. The DAC is showing 352.8k NOS. It sounds ok. Hell it SOUNDS! I‘m guessing when it played the other day Roon may have had a different setting? It does seem a drag to have to convert to PCM. Hopefully XDMS will allow DSD