Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[Di-fi]

@MusicFellow

You could install an app like Shazam (Android and Apple) on your phone, to get song info automatically in a second. My Pixel and many other phones have 'Now Playing' integrated in the phone options. You can easily find out whatever song is playing near you whether it be from YouTube, TV, movie theatre, car radio, in a store at a friends place and so on.

See example below:
this morning I listened to the discussed two Taiko YouTube videos and yesterday evening watched a documentary ‘ICON: Music through the lens‘ E04. A series of interviews with the world's best-known music photographers.You can follow my listening history with the app.

 

[Taiko Audio]

I recently bought a similar one from a shop in China. Also made by big copper block and milled by CNC, a small unit weights over 11 kg. Costs about USD600.

Obviously there’s no way we can compete with Chinese mass manufacturing. I do have some doubts though, it does not look like CNC machined copper, more like cast. It could also just be copper plated cast steel. If this is CNC machined from a solid copper block it would be very cheap, even by alibaba / aliexpress standards.

 

[jelt2359]

@marty @MarcelNL thanks for the tip, I’ll order those Viborgs.

Unfortunately Oyaide only makes gold plated or palladium over gold plated Schuko outlets. I do find the 004 series “acceptable” but they don’t manufacture a Schuko outlet equivalent of those.

Would be curious what you end up with in the production version. I also like the 004 series the best among Oyaide.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Would be curious what you end up with in the production version. I also like the 004 series the best among Oyaide.

I’m sorry if posting these photos caused confusion but we’re not planning on actually producing this unless we have significant excess production capacity, but I honestly doubt that’s going to happen, the new machine increases our output approximately 8-fold but we have switches, routers and dc distributors to machine in sizeable quantities next to Extreme servers, and the BPS coming up.. On top of that we’re aiming to move away from AC power which would make this somewhat of an odd product to add to our portfolio.

 

[Di-fi]

I’m sorry if posting these photos caused confusion but we’re not planning on actually producing this unless we have significant excess production capacity, but I honestly doubt that’s going to happen, the new machine increases our output approximately 8-fold but we have switches, routers and dc distributors to machine in sizeable quantities next to Extreme servers, and the BPS coming up.. On top of that we’re aiming to move away from AC power which would make this somewhat of an odd product to add to our portfolio.

Maybe CNC machine a ‘better quality copper’ and shielded DC power connector? We do not know what todays considered ‘’better’’ (DC) connectors are made of.

 

[Di-fi]

I'm a longer time user of the Viborg 'red copper' Schuko power plugs, and RCA connectors, and totally agree with the idea that Rhodium has no place on any audio connector. We did some comparisons with various precious metals and the sonic fingerprint of each and every one of them is clearly audible whether that is on a connector or somewhere else.
The Viborg red copper are named to indicate that it's not brass nor tellurium copper, but just copper...sure it'll oxidize but taking out the plug and pushing it back in a couple of times cures typically cures that.
Will try the Schuko wall receptacle soon, currently using an Oyaide for the balanced transformer.

Same here.

VIBORG 99.998% Pure Red Copper IEC Female Plug Connector Silver/Gold/Rhodium Plated for HiFi Audio Power Cable DIY VF501

In 2022 I paid Euro 12.50 / US$ 13.50 each, shipping included.

Pure Red Copper as 'copper red' as copper can be.

 

[MarcelNL]

Same here.

VIBORG 99.998% Pure Red Copper IEC Female Plug Connector Silver/Gold/Rhodium Plated for HiFi Audio Power Cable DIY VF501

In 2022 I paid Euro 12.50 / US$ 13.50 each, shipping included.

Pure Red Copper as 'copper red' as copper can be.

BTW; on some versions (not sure if that is still so with the current ones) of the schuko plug there is a second screw (sort of hidden until you dissassemble the whole connector) allowing you to tighten up the power cable real good which is important for HC cables (thick gauge)

 

[Taiko Audio]

It’s pretty easy to test, pure copper is very soft, if you can bend it with your finger it’s pure copper, if not, or if it’s “springy” it’s an alloy.

 

[MarcelNL]

It’s pretty easy to test, pure copper is very soft, if you can bend it with your finger it’s pure copper, if not, or if it’s “springy” it’s an alloy.

I hate to argue, yet when I extrapolate my ability to bend 14 AWG UPOCC which is 7N to the thickness of a Schuko pin I don't think I'll be able to bend it by hand.

The pins etc are likely not 7N copper, and probably not 5N either... unless someone starts manufacturing something more neutral sounding I'm using them.

 

[Taiko Audio]

I hate to argue, yet when I extrapolate my ability to bend 14 AWG UPOCC which is 7N to the thickness of a Schuko pin I don't think I'll be able to bend it by hand.

The pins etc are likely not 7N copper, and probably not 5N either... unless someone starts manufacturing something more neutral sounding I'm using them.

Those pins are roughly the same thickness of copper as the network card brackets (which are made of pure copper) but significantly less wide, if you read back in this thread you’ll find plenty of bend ability proof

 

[MarcelNL]

I noticed, though those likely were deformed by sheer mass exerting lots of force on quite a lever.

 

[Di-fi]

I also like the 004 series the best among Oyaide.

I am a longtime fan of Christiaan’s writing at hifi-advice : extensive reviews and evocative stories for audiophiles. He has very good ears in the first place and an exceptional talent to write in a very engaging way about sound equipment. Please read some more reviews while visiting.

In 2017 Christiaan compares 4 Oyaide IEC connectors and elaborates on their relative SQ differences resulting in a winner judgement for the 004 IEC.

Oyaide C-037, C-046, C-079 and C-004 IEC Connectors

With each of the four IEC connectors having its own distinctive character, there is bound to be a suitable model for every application.

www.hifi-advice.com

 

[adamaley]

I’m sorry if posting these photos caused confusion but we’re not planning on actually producing this unless we have significant excess production capacity, but I honestly doubt that’s going to happen, the new machine increases our output approximately 8-fold but we have switches, routers and dc distributors to machine in sizeable quantities next to Extreme servers, and the BPS coming up.. On top of that we’re aiming to move away from AC power which would make this somewhat of an odd product to add to our portfolio.

At this point, Emile, if you made your own flower pots, we may be interested in buying them

Better not share pics of your home garden

 

[Di-fi]

It’s pretty easy to test, pure copper is very soft, if you can bend it with your finger it’s pure copper, if not, or if it’s “springy” it’s an alloy.

Emile, if you want me to do something ‘Extreme’, anytime for you. Should it hurt your fingers a little or not at all?

 

[Taiko Audio]

Emile, if you want me to do something ‘Extreme’, anytime for you. Should it hurt your fingers a little or not at all?

A little is acceptable Looks legit! The light surface scratches in the marked area are very typical for pure copper too.

 

[Taiko Audio]

I can't even figure out what "Red Copper" is! (It may refer to a red ore variant known as cuprite, but I am not sure.)

Red copper is copper without alloys, yellow copper is an alloy with zinc (brass), white copper is an alloy with zinc and nickel.

So red copper = copper, the purer it is, the softer and more malleable it is.

What are Red Metals?​

Though the red metals are all quite different in composition, quality, and application, they all have one unifying component: copper.

As one of the first metals mined by our ancestors, copper has been integral to the development of societies and serves as the base metal for the other two red metals: brass and bronze.

 

[Christiaan Punter]

It would be interesting to compare the upcoming Extreme BPS with alternatives in a higher price bracket.

I have no doubt that in terms of neutrality (i.e. lack of coloration) the new Extreme will be hard to beat, not even by higher priced offerings.

If I grasped Emile's choices correctly, he tends to lean towards neutrality. Resulting in a source (the Extreme) that disappears in favour of the rest of the system (and its own sound, its own coloration).

The best source is the one we can't notice

My guess is that he likes realism, organic sound, musicality that is not overly coloured but not a studio like wire with gain.

That’s from what I hear with the extreme and the switches

Exactly The goal is to provide neutral and natural, realistic sound without coloration or other editorialization, yet in an engaging manner and with an organic touch and never to the point of sounding pale or threadbare.

As Emile put it himself earlier: "Of paramount importance are PRAT, dynamic range, midrange saturation/density, naturalness, and full-scale/immersive sound staging. Secondary considerations are clarity, transparency, and detail levels".

 

[Christiaan Punter]

I am a longtime fan of Christiaan’s writing at hifi-advice : extensive reviews and evocative stories for audiophiles. He has very good ears in the first place and an exceptional talent to write in a very engaging way about sound equipment. Please read some more reviews while visiting.

In 2017 Christiaan compares 4 Oyaide IEC connectors and elaborates on their relative SQ differences resulting in a winner judgement for the 004 IEC.

Oyaide C-037, C-046, C-079 and C-004 IEC Connectors

With each of the four IEC connectors having its own distinctive character, there is bound to be a suitable model for every application.

www.hifi-advice.com

Many thanks for your kind words and recommendation!

 

[DasguteOhr]

Gaofei china made a lot of good plugs. they make the plugs for many manufacturers. the cheapest plug that is really good is the kaiser silverplated plug with a high copper content. was formerly sold as the phonosophie ag plug.

 

[Christiaan Punter]

Here's a report of my listening impressions of the Alsyvox/Pilium/Lampizator/Taiko Audio system at the Munich High End.

When visiting on Sunday, I managed to obtain a front-row seat right away, which was a pleasant surprise given the popularity of the room.



In a word, the system sounded mightily impressive! With the Taiko Audio Extreme Music server at its core, along with the Taiko Audio Extreme Switch and DC Power Distributor, the system performed in a powerful, crisp, and well-textured, as well as articulate, fast, expressive, and dynamic manner, yet without any edge or unnatural hardness. The components were clearly playing in a hugely synergistic manner, providing coherence, precision, and transparency as well as a timbrally full-blooded rendition and instantly establishing an engaging musical and emotional connection.

Of the full-range ribbon panels that I heard during the show, these were easily the most impactful and dynamic and just plain most realistic.



I heard some people say this system sounded lean but that's not how I hear it, per se. Of course, full-range ribbon speakers do sound very different from typical dynamic cabinet speakers, and they are indeed relatively leaner. To a large extent, I feel this can be attributed to there being no cabinet-induced fullness or coloration, nor fat or bloom added to the sound. To my ears, this is, on many accounts, a lot like live music. If anything, more like the real thing in fact.

In any event, I've also heard the very same Alsyvox models before in the Taiko showroom in Oldenzaal and in that location, and with Atma-Sphere OTL amplifiers, they sounded remarkably robust and quite full-bodied in the bass. But I'll add that no one will ever mistake them for, say, Wilson Audio speakers. These are just very different breeds.



Here are the Taiko Extreme Router, Extreme DC Power Distributor, and Extreme Switch. Note that the right-hand unit is a display model. More Taiko "Extremeness" is going on behind the main racks.



As shared by Emile, here is a look behind the system.



All Omega Audio Concepts cabling, complete with Omega Audio Concepts power distributors.



As Emile unveiled, the router was not used and neither was XDMS because of the ”large” number of “deejays” and we don’t currently have an XDMS remote for iPhones. What was used were 2 DC distributors/filters, one for the switch and one to “fix” the Fritz Box router provided by the MOC.