Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[steve williams]

Putting aside the bracket issue for a moment, I have now been listening to the sound now with the new Ethernet card and switch. When you first hear it, it is an ear opening event. As the card and switch settled into my system over these past 7 days, the one word that keeps coming to mind in describing what we hear was IMO properly coined by @Rhapsody when Bob said it sounds organic and that there is such a perception that the performers are in the room with me and one can close his eyes and feel as if he can reach out and touch the performer. I couldn't have described it any better. There is such a palpable presence to the music since these upgrades that each new listening session seems to produce another revelation. The sound is as neutral and natural as I have ever heard and totally uncolored. This effect to me and my ears is something that makes it impossible for me to get out of my chair and close down the system.....I find myself saying, "just one more song" as my listening sessions seem to get longer and longer. Suffice it to say that we all await the bracket fix which is on its way as the the network time outs will go away and take away the sensation that we are all being teased here with the 20 minute snippets of the best music I have ever heard in my system.

 

[John T]

Putting aside the bracket issue for a moment, I have now been listening to the sound now with the new Ethernet card and switch. When you first hear it, it is an ear opening event. As the card and switch settled into my system over these past 7 days, the one word that keeps coming to mind in describing what we hear was IMO properly coined by @Rhapsody when Bob said it sounds organic and that there is such a perception that the performers are in the room with me and one can close his eyes and feel as if he can reach out and touch the performer. I couldn't have described it any better. There is such a palpable presence to the music since these upgrades that each new listening session seems to produce another revelation. The sound is as neutral and natural as I have ever heard and totally uncolored. This effect to me and my ears is something that makes it impossible for me to get out of my chair and close down the system.....I find myself saying, "just one more song" as my listening sessions seem to get longer and longer. Suffice it to say that we all await the bracket fix which is on its way as the the network time outs will go away and take away the sensation that we are all being teased here with the 20 minute snippets of the best music I have ever heard in my system.

For those of us who have not received the Switch or Card yet this is like dangling the preverbal carrot in front of the horse. I would expect ours have shipped, I HOPE!!???

 

[dminches]

Suffice it to say that we all await the bracket fix which is on its way as the the network time outs will go away and take away the sensation that we are all being teased here with the 20 minute snippets of the best music I have ever heard in my system.

Not all of us are being teased. Once I removed the bracket the connection has been solid. This certainly points to the bracket as being the issue.

By the end of the week everyone should have a perfectly working card.

 

[Backo NYC/SF]

Hi all,
Just got into using the TES as a server and have been playing hi-res files (192/24 and 96/24 FLAC files I downloaded from the Qobuz store). What a great experience! I love the hi-res streaming but, as advertised in the manual, the playback of stored files is exceptional.
I was curious as to other’s experience with this part of the Taiko journey.
Thanks!

 

[John T]

Hi all,
Just got into using the TES as a server and have been playing hi-res files (192/24 and 96/24 FLAC files I downloaded from the Qobuz store). What a great experience! I love the hi-res streaming but, as advertised in the manual, the playback of stored files is exceptional.
I was curious as to other’s experience with this part of the Taiko journey.
Thanks!

Backo, did you ever sort out the Roon issue?

 

[John T]

Yes, all brackets shipped with Fedex Priority. You should receive an e-mail from Fedex.

Have the switches/card shipped to those who have not received anything yet? I realize you wanted the new brackets on the card before shipping out any that had the faulty brackets...

 

[Backo NYC/SF]

Backo, did you ever sort out the Roon issue?

Hi John
So Dr. Ed sent me some music files to test, I downloaded a few myself, rebooted the server, played some files, Roon added its own streaming. Nary a hiccup.
I have Spectrum in the city and it’s anything but rock solid. I’m sure it’s a matter of WiFi/Roon discombobulation. I’m running straight RJ45 from the router to the Taiko so it’s not that.
Falls into the “who knows” category for now.

 

[steve williams]

For those of us who have not received the Switch or Card yet this is like dangling the preverbal carrot in front of the horse. I would expect ours have shipped, I HOPE!!???

I think Emile posted that all next orders of switch/card that are going out will all have the new bracket

 

[Taiko Audio]

Have the switches/card shipped to those who have not received anything yet? I realize you wanted the new brackets on the card before shipping out any that had the faulty brackets...

Working as fast as we can.

 

[steve williams]

Working as fast as we can.

"Busy hands are happy hands" one of my professors would always say

 

[Di-fi]

reading with interest, I was pretty underwhelmed (bendy, plasticky insulation, they do not accept 14AWG etc) by the few Oyaide DC plugs I've used recently but haven't found anything more decent.

To help keep reliable and performing DC connections to the Switch, see below some ''not wonky'' DC plugs or copper & silver finished DC cables. According to AudiophileStyle testers Elecaudio and Viborg (see link @ bottom) sound better than Oyaide DC plugs (all come with or without up to three silicone dampening/spacer rings).

*edit* Normally for audio (networks) power supplies if we replace a standard DC cable with a good DC cable it will improve the sound quality, and this can be quite significant. But hard to tell how much and if that will be so in this particular Taiko network -> audio chain. Since Taiko previously explained here the separate DC power for the Switch helps it reaching top performance, I am convinced paying attention to it's DC connection (and PSU !) seems primordial. *end*

DC plugs:
* ELECAUDIO DCT-2.1G Male Jack DC 5.5/2.1mm Connector Tellurium Copper Gold Plated 3µ (without nickel undercoat).
* VIBORG DC21G Jack DC 5.5/2.1mm Copper Alloy Connector Gold Plated Ø9mm
* OYAIDE DC-2.1G Male Jack DC 5.5/2.1mm Copper Alloy Connector Gold plated Ø6.3mm

Cables:
* Companies like AudioSensibility make 100% reliable DC cables with up to 4X the copper or silver content of competitors, The Statement SE DC power supply cable or Signature Silver provide state-of-the-art performance for your audio-grade PSU. They also do custom. (I received a mail earlier that unfortunately the AudioSensibility web-site is down today, so please try later).

https://audiosensibility.com/blog/store-backup/#!/Signature-Silver-DC-Cable/p/102469015/category=31645032

* Ghent Audio ''Do something for hi-fi fans''. Plugs: Oyaide , Neutrik XLR , GX 12 & 16 and more. Cables : Neotech, Gotham, Canare and more. Shipping included, post parcel around 15-40 days. https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/list-dc.html

''I have built two DC cables recently with these (Elecaudio) and they sound better than the Oyaide connectors as well'' (see discussion at AS)

Building a DIY Music Server

audiophilestyle.com

 

[MarcelNL]

Thanks !
I have the Viborg jack too, and I like it better than the Oyaide but would like them to make it in pure copper and with screw in connectors without plating (pet peeve of mine, them coatings have a sound of their own).
Tellurium in copper is not my cup of tea if it can be avoided ( I'm Espresso only, no tea)

 

[Zeotrope]

I noticed an increase in background “hiss” or noise from my horns after installing the network card.
To put into context: this is a very minor increase and I sit very close to highly efficient horns.
I didn’t notice how it sounded with the new card, just after putting the old card back in.

Could this be because the Extreme needs 3-5 days to settle in after the rear power switch is shut off?

The question is: could the Extreme’s time to stabilize after a power shutdown manifest as increased noise, even on another DAC input (not used by the Extreme), or is that unlikely?

 

[Taiko Audio]

I noticed an increase in background “hiss” or noise from my horns after installing the network card.
To put into context: this is a very minor increase and I sit very close to highly efficient horns.
I didn’t notice how it sounded with the new card, just after putting the old card back in.

Could this be because the Extreme needs 3-5 days to settle in after the rear power switch is shut off?

The question is: could the Extreme’s time to stabilize after a power shutdown manifest as increased noise, even on another DAC input (not used by the Extreme), or is that unlikely?

Extremely unlikely.

 

[dminches]

I noticed an increase in background “hiss” or noise from my horns after installing the network card.
To put into context: this is a very minor increase and I sit very close to highly efficient horns.
I didn’t notice how it sounded with the new card, just after putting the old card back in.

Could this be because the Extreme needs 3-5 days to settle in after the rear power switch is shut off?

The question is: could the Extreme’s time to stabilize after a power shutdown manifest as increased noise, even on another DAC input (not used by the Extreme), or is that unlikely?

I would be shocked if the "settling in" period resulted in more noise, or hiss. I think the sound just gets more refined during the period. There isn't extraneous noise.

 

[Zeotrope]

Right, makes sense, just wanted to rule this out. Thanks.

 

[nonesup]

The Switch + Network Card finally arrived. I haven't even tried to place the card while the new support arrives. I have connected with the old card that is in slot 2. The Switch does not have any lights, so I don't even know if it is connected to the current. I have executed Fing and the Extreme does not appear, so I have entered in VNC all the IPs that came out in Fing. I don't connect with any. It's downright daunting.

 

[Rhapsody]

The Switch + Network Card finally arrived. I haven't even tried to place the card while the new support arrives. I have connected with the old card that is in slot 2. The Switch does not have any lights, so I don't even know if it is connected to the current. I have executed Fing and the Extreme does not appear, so I have entered in VNC all the IPs that came out in Fing. I don't connect with any. It's downright daunting.

You have the DAC cable connected from the Switch to the old card in slot 2, correct?

 

[Malcng]

I’m guessing that the lack of any LED lights is a sound quality choice, but I can see it being confusing if you can’t see the device anywhere.

 

[Taiko Audio]

The Switch + Network Card finally arrived. I haven't even tried to place the card while the new support arrives. I have connected with the old card that is in slot 2. The Switch does not have any lights, so I don't even know if it is connected to the current. I have executed Fing and the Extreme does not appear, so I have entered in VNC all the IPs that came out in Fing. I don't connect with any. It's downright daunting.

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