Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[Kingsrule]

Network card update:

The network card has successfully completed an overnight test run at 100% load at 75 Celcius. We are considering the problem as being solved. This does require both a firmware fix to "tell" the processor it's a 85C part and an adjustment to the voltage monitor to allow for more variance in the supplied voltages which begins to deviate above 67C. Although this is in fact a "non operating" temperature for the Extreme's motherboard and we could simply ignore it there is a degree of manufacturer pride involved which wants it to be "perfect".

Now I did disclose earlier we made an interesting discovery with regards to sound quality in an earlier stage while we were experimenting with heatsinks. Heatsinks do not actually solve anything beyond a few degrees more headroom on the processor as the ambient temperature dominates the issue, maxing out at about a ~5C gain, but one particular design does actually improve sound quality. Because of the inconvenience caused by this problem and, well because it sounds better, and we know you all love heavy stuff (it's about 1 lbs), we have decided to supply this as a free upgrade. It will take us a few days to CNC machine these and then we will ship out replacements to everyone including the new firmware, which actually turned out to be tricky to perform remotely.

A few photos of the prototype:

View attachment 106741

View attachment 106742

View attachment 106743

For all you Taiko naysayers and skeptics out there, if this doesn't convince you of the EXTREME value and customer service Emile provides his customers, nothing will...enough said!!!

 

[John T]

I was using a $1500 Sig Gold Cat RJ45 cable from the wall to my Switch. I replaced it with an inexpensive Supra Cat8 cable and I preferred it. ( A little bird sitting on my shoulder gave me the hint to try the normal RJ45 cable)

That Supra Cat8 is also shielded, in fact double shielded...

 

[RUIN*ish]

For all you Taiko naysayers and skeptics out there, if this doesn't convince you of the EXTREME value and customer service Emile provides his customers, nothing will...enough said!!!

Just nothing like it... Taiko is a Michelin three star company..
Mn

 

[steve williams]

Sometimes I seriously think we are insane! A little bit is a good thing, as long as you realize it. I had all inexpensive UTP Cables. Router to Spectrum Modem, Router to Switch, Switch to Extreme. I had a 1m Cat7 (JCAT) expensive shielded cable sitting around doing nothing. I inserted that between the Router and Modem. I think it added a bit of heft to the presentation. I don't even know if heft is the correct description? Fuller, but not over the top...

IIRC Emile stated that with the switch and router it would obviate the need for expensive RJ45 cable or am I imagining this. I seem to also remember that when the Taiko interface is adopted and no longer a need for USB, we will likely be selling our expensive USB cables as well

 

[Taiko Audio]

Hopefully this copper cover is painted so it won’t oxidized in the next couple of months.

Yes this is just a prototype, we’ll give it a nice finish.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Following up on earlier question.

What is your prognosis on a real world siting of Extreme mounted in a lower rack position? Test bench and test equipment ovens allow air movement that is not possible inside the design specific environment. Do you feel there will be any need for operational procedures (minimal) exceeding typical use during extended periods of 40C or greater ambient?

Heat soak does appear to be well handled here.

No, they’ve been working just fine since their launch 2018, including during heatwaves.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Brilliant!!
Will this feature be standard moving forward?
Mn

In practice we will have too as people will expect this now, or ask for it when they see it. And it sounds better…

 

[John T]

IIRC Emile stated that with the switch and router it would obviate the need for expensive RJ45 cable or am imagining this. I seem to also remember that when the Taiko interface is adopted and no longer a need for USB, we will likely be selling our expensive USB cables as well

I'm using cheap plain Jane UTP between router, switch, and Extreme. I'm just playing around with shielded between router and Spectrum modem.

 

[RUIN*ish]

In practical terms we will have too as people will request this when they see it, and it sounds better But we’ll have to take a good look at the economic side of things at some point in time as this is not a cheap part.

My order is in for the next(?) run of nic and switch. If there's an upcharge, just let me know..
Mn

 

[Taiko Audio]

My order is in for the next(?) run of nic and switch. If there's an upcharge, just let me know..
Mn

No upcharge for now.

 

[RUIN*ish]

No upcharge for now.

Very kind. Thank you.
Mn

 

[rando]

No, they’ve been working just fine since their launch 2018, including during heatwaves.

Thank you

I look forward to continued awareness of developments brought forward by your official accounts and that of member who started this topic. As well as those from growing contingent of WBF members displaying active interests.

 

[tpsully99]

Steve

I would bet that living in your house proves to be a good exercise for your Dartos muscle.

I wonder how many people Google'd Dartos muscle

 

[steve williams]

I wonder how many people Google'd Dartos muscle

we used to have a saying in Medical School...."lower than the dartos muscle on a pygmy with elephantiasis

 

[John T]

When I was in the Army, I got to do a Temporary Duty Assignment. I worked at a medical facility in Germany driving an ambulance. Great duty because it was on 24 off 48. We get a call, so me and the medic respond. It was a fight and the one guy went cannibal and bit the other guys scrotum. It was more like ripping than a bite. We did the best we could do to patch him up before transporting him to the hospital. It wasn't pretty. I kind of blocked that memory out, until I read dartos muscle!

 

[steve williams]

Interesting how as we wait for the new cards the topic of discussion has focused on oldmustang who has a true man cave. As the other saying goes the Dartos works poorly for he who has brass cajones so carry on Steve. Here in Southern California we complain of how cold it is when it gets to be under 70. I think Steve deserves a medal as he is quite comfortable at 57 and more than anything his faulty card has been working 24x 7. Kudos Steve. All in good fun.

 

[steve williams]

In practice we will have too as people will expect this now, or ask for it when they see it. And it sounds better…

I’ve always said, there is one Emile pearl dropped every day by our leader “. Here’s todays If I were to guess based on what Emile said about heat sinks and how little they dissipate heat , the decision to use them on the fixed cards was icing on the cake because the type he used enhanced sound quality and for me that is what XDMS and Taiko are all about.

 

[SaiteiMan]

Network card update:

The network card has successfully completed an overnight test run at 100% load at 75 Celcius. We are considering the problem as being solved. This does require both a firmware fix to "tell" the processor it's a 85C part and an adjustment to the voltage monitor to allow for more variance in the supplied voltages which begins to deviate above 67C. Although this is in fact a "non operating" temperature for the Extreme's motherboard and we could simply ignore it there is a degree of manufacturer pride involved which wants it to be "perfect".

Now I did disclose earlier we made an interesting discovery with regards to sound quality in an earlier stage while we were experimenting with heatsinks. Heatsinks do not actually solve anything beyond a few degrees more headroom on the processor as the ambient temperature dominates the issue, maxing out at about a ~5C gain, but one particular design does actually improve sound quality. Because of the inconvenience caused by this problem and, well because it sounds better, and we know you all love heavy stuff (it's about 1 lbs), we have decided to supply this as a free upgrade. It will take us a few days to CNC machine these and then we will ship out replacements to everyone including the new firmware, which actually turned out to be tricky to perform remotely.

A few photos of the prototype:

View attachment 106741

View attachment 106742

View attachment 106743

This is very cool indeed. However, need to pay extra attention not to damage/knock off surrounding components (especially the tall electrolytic cap) during installation as it's a heavy heatsink. Don't forget about ESD.

 

[oldmustang]

This is very cool indeed. However, need to pay extra attention not to damage/knock off surrounding components (especially the tall electrolytic cap) during installation as it's a heavy heatsink. Don't forget about ESD.

If I understand Emile's posts correctly, this is not a user-installed heatsink. New cards will be shipped with heatsinks and updated network chip firmware with correct temperature protect setpoint. The old (new) NICs will be returned to Taiko.

Steve Z

 

[oldmustang]

Seems like the bracket is part of the heat sink too! Nice.

I enlarged the pictures from Emile and the middle picture of the first set of heatsink photos shows that the bracket is independent of the new heatsink: