Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[totaldac]

SGM extreme server and Totaldac Amp-1 amplifier are new reference products in Mono&stereo super room!

https://www.monoandstereo.com/p/reference-system.html#more

 

[matthias]

Congratulations,
but the reviews are not yet online.

Matt

 

[Kris]

Dear Emile
Could you please tell us how ths D1=driver changed the sound in your system ?
Is it mainly more of dynamic range ?
Please be so kind to share your feedback with us.

 

[Esotar]

SGM Extreme made Korean HI FI historical sales record~!!!!

For 11 months, over 30 SGM Extremes were sold.

In addition, SGM Extreme is expensive, and Korean audiophiles almost didn't know about SGM.

This record will be not broken.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Dear Emile
Could you please tell us how ths D1=driver changed the sound in your system ?
Is it mainly more of dynamic range ?
Please be so kind to share your feedback with us.

Hello Kris,

This can be quite significant. Insufficient gain / drive capability in a system is more common then you would expect. A "bad" match results in not only reduced dynamic swing and a general lack of excitement (low PRAT) but also reduced colour intensity, timbre and vibrancy.

I have to admit I never paid much attention to this. Only after chatting with Matej Isak the penny dropped. This is actually a big thing.

This is why a product as the D1-Driver is a big deal, it is more then just an extension/upgrade to a Totaldac DAC. It will probably help a lot of DAC matching issues. I would go as far as suggesting to try it with any dac and/or any pre-amplifier, regardless of price.

 

[Taiko Audio]

A review on the Totaldac D1 Driver (amongst others) which describes the phenomenon a bit better, a highly recommended read, even if you do not own a Totaldac DAC:

Totaldac d1-direct d1-seven d1-driver review

 

[Kris]

Hello Kris,

This can be quite significant. Insufficient gain / drive capability in a system is more common then you would expect. A "bad" match results in not only reduced dynamic swing and a general lack of excitement (low PRAT) but also reduced colour intensity, timbre and vibrancy.

I have to admit I never paid much attention to this. Only after chatting with Matej Isak the penny dropped. This is actually a big thing.

This is why a product as the D1-Driver is a big deal, it is more then just an extension/upgrade to a Totaldac DAC. It will probably help a lot of DAC matching issues. I would go as far as suggesting to try it with any dac and/or any pre-amplifier, regardless of price.

Thank you Emile !
Sounds like very important step up.
My problem is a balanced chain that requires TWO D1 Driver boxes for my totaldac 24.
So double the costs.
I saw from pictures you had D1 driver during last show in Netherlands and I think it was Also on the back of your system in Taiko new room. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Lastly . If Matej is using it it means it has to be very good. He had many top devices in his room already, so his positive opinion and your great feedback gives us clear view.

 

[totaldac]

Hi, if this is too much out of topic you can continue on a Totaldac thread. Up to you all.
Just a note that the d1-driver has been upgraded. The first version was used for the mono&stereo direct/seven/driver review.
Now mono&stereo has the latest d1-driver version, and this is what Emile heard at mono&stereo a few days ago.
Emile had also the latest version for Xfi hifi show.
Of course all new d1-driver shipped are the latest version, and many d1-driver in the filed have already been upgraded.

 

[matthias]

We are going to investigate several options. I would like to have these in a digital format. If interested do try a few of the cuts on https://www.highdeftapetransfers.com/
You can even hear the difference on your iphone just playing the samples.

I tried yesterday some samples of HDTT in a set-up with 99dB sensitivity cinema speakers.
Although lossy compressed the virtues of tape recordings shone through.
Very impressive

Matt

 

[microstrip]

Emile just finished setting up the SGM Extreme. I can only say it sounds great, fuller and more musical sounding that my previous server attempts. Qobuz sounded extremely decent from immediate startup, the optimization and file migration was only carried today. He did it remotely from his office, it was great seeing him on my PC display working on the set-up while I was listening to his efforts!

I am currently using an intona reference USB cable, so there is still something to upgrade in the server system.

 

[Kingsrule]

You are at least 1200 hours from knowing what u have so relax

 

[Steve williams]

You are at least 1200 hours from knowing what u have so relax

Agreed but darn, it sure sounds good right out of the box

 

[Kris]

You are at least 1200 hours from knowing what u have so relax

Is the change In SQ with extreme from day one so big in comparison to the 6 months later ( 8h a day means at least 150 days) ?
This has to be one of the longest burn in periods based on what you say.
Also is it quickly improving first or it is linnear improving over this 6 months ?
I am patiently waiting now for my extreme to come

 

[Sablon Audio]

Just leave it churning 24/7 Kris, the time will pass much quicker.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Is the change In SQ with extreme from day one so big in comparison to the 6 months later ( 8h a day means at least 150 days) ?
This has to be one of the longest burn in periods based on what you say.
Also is it quickly improving first or it is linnear improving over this 6 months ?
I am patiently waiting now for my extreme to come

Hi Kris,

It sounds good out of the box, the biggest delta is in the first week (mechanical settling), then it will keep improving for 2-3 months which is mainly capacitor burn in. It does not need to play music 24/7 for this.

 

[nonesup]

Emile just finished setting up the SGM Extreme. I can only say it sounds great, fuller and more musical sounding that my previous server attempts. Qobuz sounded extremely decent from immediate startup, the optimization and file migration was only carried today. He did it remotely from his office, it was great seeing him on my PC display working on the set-up while I was listening to his efforts!


I am currently using an intona reference USB cable, so there is still something to upgrade in the server system.

Did you have a chance to try the Innuos Statement on your system? . If the answer is affirmative, it could indicate the differences that you found between them.

 

[microstrip]

Did you have a chance to try the Innuos Statement on your system? . If the answer is affirmative, it could indicate the differences that you found between them.

Yes, but unfortunately a couple of months ago. My memories are that it sounded very nice, but still a large difference to my reference - the Vivaldi CD/SACD player. The subjective energy of the Extreme seems greater - but I need a few days to analyze it. I am still in the "wow" phase ... However there is one aspect where I am almost sure - in my system Qobuz going through the Extreme sounds really better than through the Statement.

 

[nonesup]

Thank you.
We will wait for a more complete report later.

 

[Kris]

Yes, but unfortunately a couple of months ago. My memories are that it sounded very nice, but still a large difference to my reference - the Vivaldi CD/SACD player. The subjective energy of the Extreme seems greater - but I need a few days to analyze it. I am still in the "wow" phase ... However there is one aspect where I am almost sure - in my system Qobuz going through the Extreme sounds really better than through the Statement.

It sounds like you might have soon the answers for the questions I asked many months ago.
I was looking for my final Destination server .
Also I was looking for being able to upgrade easy when available with trusted company / person.
Decided to get extreme. And it looks like this will become my heven.
Will probably report impressions if there is still interest .
Please keep us informed

 

[howiebrou]

Yes, but unfortunately a couple of months ago. My memories are that it sounded very nice, but still a large difference to my reference - the Vivaldi CD/SACD player. The subjective energy of the Extreme seems greater - but I need a few days to analyze it. I am still in the "wow" phase ... However there is one aspect where I am almost sure - in my system Qobuz going through the Extreme sounds really better than through the Statement.

I would certainly hope so. Isn't the extreme twice the price of the statement? Is there a Taiko model similar in price to the Innuous Statement that can be recommended?