Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[SwissTom]

I‘m sure we can spend years cooking up all sorts of iterations & improvements, hence the decision to go modular now. This would also protect the value of the investment into the interface/controller technology which is by far the costliest part of the design.

Hi Emile,

At some point it will be interesting to see a diagram of the Taiko ecosystem.

It would be ideal to have some schematics illustrating the different possible combinations with Taiko products (Such as those illustrating the use of the switch)

Given what I have read on other forums, both English and non-English, I think this could be worthwhile.

It would be a pity if there were misunderstandings, especially regarding the new interface/protocol between the server and the DAC (the TACDD) which is intended to outperform the current (USB) or older interfaces.

This interface, if widely adopted by manufacturers, could be a real game changer !

In terms of communication, nothing is more efficient than a good old-fashioned schematic


Can't wait to receive my new switch + network card !


Cheers from Switzerland!!

Thomas

EDIT :

This is the first time my wife has been curious about receiving a hifi component. I'm not sure she really understands what it does, but she finds it to be a beautiful piece. A sheer simple beauty, like a pebble on a Lofoten beach.

 

[Taiko Audio]

We finished a sample of the „small“ switch but interest so far appears to be low. This has the DC input on one side and the SFP ports on the other. It’s „cute“ though!

 

[SwissTom]

We finished a sample of the „small“ switch but interest so far appears to be low. This has the DC input on one side and the SFP ports on the other. It’s „cute“ though!


View attachment 103950

View attachment 103951

View attachment 103952

Superb!

Wouldn't it be possible to arrange the connectors as below?

This would allow to keep the very nice "pebble" look.

or

 

[Taiko Audio]

Superb!

Wouldn't it be possible to arrange the connectors as below?

This would allow to keep the very nice "pebble" look.

View attachment 103954 or View attachment 103955

That would significantly increase retail.

 

[Christiaan Punter]

No Taiko Audio New Product summary PDF document for XDMS? Preferably with a release date!

Actually, there is an extensive doc for XDMS as well which I upload frequently to Discord (where all the XDMS Alpha testers hang out. See the latest one below.

 

[John T]

Actually, there is an extensive doc for XDMS as well which I upload frequently to Discord (where all the XDMS Alpha testers hang out. See the latest one below.

There is so much information/stuff/potential directions/ and I can go on. Overwhelming. Half this shit I don't even comprehend. Impressive the layers of knowledge/understanding that some of you have. For people like me I guess we just sit back and be like sheep. Wait until implementation and then understand application...

 

[Di-fi]

- As mentioned, I am worried about the riser cable aspect, and it seems that I have reason to. If you, or anyone else, happen to later on stumble across an “ok” cable-solution to this specific card I am all ears, to put it mildly. If not, perhaps a Taiko DAC in my server is not ment to be in my specific case.

ADT-Link PCI-E extension cable manufacturer

Founded in 2018, ADT-Link stands for “High-Speed I/O Cable”. We provides high-speed and cost-effective Cable solutions. Link the PCI Express, SFF-8643, SFF-8639, U.2, M.2 NGFF, NVMe, ThunderboltTM 3, mini-PCI-E, UHS-II SD, Micro SD, Nano SIM, USB Type-C, HDMI, Displayport and any PCI express...

www.adt.link

@RGB. “ok” cable-solution ; maybe this is worth a look? Cables have EMI shielding and can be ordered to size in increments of 5 cm. You also choose the angle of the connector. So you can purchase the shortest feasible lenght. Any type of connectors and cable widths available. I ordered through eBay (only some types available) to save a little but at ADT WebSHOP all seems reasonably priced.

 

[kennyb123]

At some point it will be interesting to see a diagram of the Taiko ecosystem.

It would be ideal to have some schematics illustrating the different possible combinations with Taiko products (Such as those illustrating the use of the switch)

This is great suggestion. I thought I was tracking the announcements but then they lost me with “modular”. Illustrations would help.

 

[Taiko Audio]

This is great suggestion. I thought I was tracking the announcements but then they lost me with “modular”. Illustrations would help.

It would be a main carrier PCB with the controller/interface technology and power circuitry with a connector to which you can connect a daughter board.

The daughter board can then provide a variety of functions like:
-A DAC with analogue outputs
-AES/EBU, SPDIF, I2S outputs
-Custom interfaces like MSB Pro ISL
-Whatever else we can think off

 

[Ackcheng]

Can easily add Revanna module with Zman

Merging Technologies | ZMAN Versatile Audio Network OEM Module for RAVENNA / AES67 Ecosystems

The ZMAN family of modules is first and foremost designed to provide a high performance media transport that is tightly synchronized (ultra-low jitter and wander), deterministic, and low latency for Networked I/O end-points. What sets them apart from other offerings is the additional processing...

www.merging.com

 

[matthias]

It would be a main carrier PCB with the controller/interface technology and power circuitry with a connector to which you can connect a daughter board.

The daughter board can then provide a variety of functions like:
-A DAC with analogue outputs
-AES/EBU, SPDIF, I2S outputs
-Custom interfaces like MSB Pro ISL
-Whatever else we can think off

Will the non modular TACDA board be discontinued when the modular one is released or do both run parallel?
Thx

Matt

 

[Taiko Audio]

Will the non modular TACDA board be discontinued when the modular one is released or do both run parallel?
Thx

Matt

We will not release that but split it into a modular design. That actually has a minimal impact as we need to change a few other things anyway. The final design won’t have dip switches and other testing fixtures.

 

[kennyb123]

It would be a main carrier PCB with the controller/interface technology and power circuitry with a connector to which you can connect a daughter board.

Sorry to make you repeat that, but thanks, that was helpful. Smart approach.

 

[oldmustang]

I have no idea what translates audibly from that beautiful piece, but my sense is that Taiko's ingenuity and products equate to the historically relatively little known artist working out of their small studio that has the promise to be remembered well into the arc of the future during this rapidly developing moment to define what is achievable by digital playback. really can’t wait to hear it.

I'd love to be working out of Emile's "small studio"! Can I crash on your couch, Emile? Just for a while?

Steve Z

 

[Taiko Audio]

I'd love to be working out of Emile's "small studio"! Can I crash on your couch, Emile? Just for a while?

Steve Z

Anytime

 

[John T]

I'd love to be working out of Emile's "small studio"! Can I crash on your couch, Emile? Just for a while?

Steve Z

Tell me that wouldn't be a trip! Lots of INCOMING!! A little mouse sitting on one the the Extremes taking it all in...

 

[oldmustang]

We will not release that but split it into a modular design. That actually has a minimal impact as we need to change a few other things anyway. The final design won’t have dip switches and other testing fixtures.

I am more than willing to wait a while longer for a "single-purpose" or optimized DAC-only card with analog outputs. I know I and many other Extreme owners don't necessarily meet the profile or target audience for a DAC meant to compete with DACs in the $10-$20K range, but I am cautiously optimistic about the potential to replace what I currently have.

I like the modular concept and the Extreme already has many of the features that take expensive DACs out of the $20K range -- no-compromise chassis, vibration control, advanced software and operating system, obsessive attention to noise of all kinds, EMI/RFI control, and a killer power supply that will only get better with the Taiko BPS option.

Steve Z

 

[Steve Williams]

I am more than willing to wait a while longer for a "single-purpose" or optimized DAC-only card with analog outputs. I know I and many other Extreme owners don't necessarily meet the profile or target audience for a DAC meant to compete with DACs in the $10-$20K range, but I am cautiously about the potential to replace what I currently have.

I like the modular concept and the Extreme already has many of the features that take expensive DACs out of the $20K range -- no-compromise chassis, vibration control, advanced software and operating system, obsessive attention to noise of all kinds, EMI/RFI control, and a killer power supply that will only get better with the Taiko BPS option.

Steve Z

Let me understand....are you saying you will part with your Dcs stack for the PCIe on board DAC? My Horizon ain't going anywhere? Im in long for everything Taiko. I just can't buy into the on board DAC unless as I said before Emile can work his magic and have one with tubes

 

[matthias]

Can easily add Revanna module with Zman

Merging Technologies | ZMAN Versatile Audio Network OEM Module for RAVENNA / AES67 Ecosystems

The ZMAN family of modules is first and foremost designed to provide a high performance media transport that is tightly synchronized (ultra-low jitter and wander), deterministic, and low latency for Networked I/O end-points. What sets them apart from other offerings is the additional processing...

www.merging.com

I might be wrong, but afaik the Zman is a board for a Ravenna endpoint. Both Merging Anubis and Hapi Mk2 use it.

Matt

 

[MarcelNL]

HDPlex has a good quality riser cable if this is the way you want to pursue:

HDPLEX PCIEx16 3.0 Silicon Dual Layer Riser (21cm)

HDPLEX PCIE16 Silicon Riser Enjoys Free Shipping Worldwide Stock Status USA : Sold Out · Germany : Sold Out

hdplex.com

ADT-Link riser cards are decent too (provided you can navigate through the endless different models)

ADT-Link PCI-E extension cable manufacturer

Founded in 2018, ADT-Link stands for “High-Speed I/O Cable”. We provides high-speed and cost-effective Cable solutions. Link the PCI Express, SFF-8643, SFF-8639, U.2, M.2 NGFF, NVMe, ThunderboltTM 3, mini-PCI-E, UHS-II SD, Micro SD, Nano SIM, USB Type-C, HDMI, Displayport and any PCI express...

www.adt.link

@RGB. “ok” cable-solution ; maybe this is worth a look? Cables have EMI shielding and can be ordered to size in increments of 5 cm. You also choose the angle of the connector. So you can purchase the shortest feasible lenght. Any type of connectors and cable widths available. I ordered through eBay (only some types available) to save a little but at ADT WebSHOP all seems reasonably priced.

ADT Link risers are pretty good! You need some patience with customer support when not sure what to order (the portfolio is HUGE).