Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
Not an urgent question at all but I'd be curious, when/if you have time, to know how the existing Extreme power supply performance compares to the new BPS' noise & current delivery (200nV and 2000A IIRC). Just to get an advance 'spec-led' idea of the potential for improvement.
Hi @SwissTom , sorry missed this one. Yes however it’s simply not the best way to go, the multi “mini” bps option performs better, consumes less space, weighs less and is more cost efficient. Although the large BPS has 3 outputs, these share a ground plane while multiple mini battery supplied do not, this adds the option to power specific parts of the server separately with split ground planes. This can be both negative as positive depending on the application, I guess it’s somewhat obvious now we found positive a application of this strategy.
Well that’s not really comparable as the noise of the battery supply hardly changes with varying load, where the existing, or any LPS or smps does, simply put, higher current capability and/or delivery equals higher noise. And then there’s the ”vulnerability” to your mains supply, rectifier switching noise (AC to DC conversion) etc..
I think we have about as good an AC supply as one could possibly get (dedicated utility / transformer house), 125A lines, about 12 meters of heavy gauge wiring directly from utility to the system, I have build power supplies which would take like 3 or 4 Extreme sized chassis, and still the BPS is just much better.
Hi @Taiko Audio ,
Thanks for your reply.
However, I'm not sure I fully grasped it.
Which of the two options are you going to offer in the end?
An Extreme with a BPS inside?
Or the standard Extreme with external (internal) mini-BPS?
I'm sorry, I must have missed some of the information.
Dare I ask which options you'll be offering?
Cheers,
Tom
We have not completely finalised it, down to comparing the last 4 “winning” configurations right now. But practically an Extreme with more then one mini battery supply inside. External is something we’re considering for upgrading an existing Extreme without the need to return it to factory.
Hello,
I have been chatting with Taiko support but wanted to put this out to all you amazing Taiko fans. I am interested in theTaiko Extreme and probably the Switch. I am also very very interested in the upcoming DAC.
My system now: Verizon (ISP) modem > M12 Gold switch with Sean Jacobs AR6 powr supply. The wifi is disabled in my Verizon Modem and a separate feed from the modem serves my Erro Pro 6 wifi router and TV's. . The M12 feeds only my two audio systems.
My reference system is reached with 20m of Supra Cat 8 > Muon Pro Filter > Grimm MU1 Server > Tambaqui DAC > Audionet Stern and Heisenbergs > YG Hailey 2's w REL Carbon Special subs. All cabling KS Realization or Elation. My second system has Revel Salon 2 speakers with Mola Mola Makua Preamp w onboard Tambaqui and Audionet Max amps. So I am interested in amazing sound downstairs with my reference stuff but still great sound upstairs in family room with the Revel's.
I love the Grimm MU1. It is the best server I have heard. Until recently; I now have the JCAT XACT S1 Server in for demo. It sounds amazing. It does. I can not unhear it! All the attributes: Blacker background, more detail, more enveloping, better imaging, soundstage. It just sounds better. But it does not run Roon. I know. But I have a second system and two remote speakers that I enjoy on roon. I want my cake and eat it too.
So is that Taiko Extreme??
I still need a switch after my ISP modem, so I would think to plan to keep the M12 gold switch here. (for the two wired audio systems) Then the 20 M Supra Cat 8 into the Taiko Switch.
Then ? > Taiko DAC cable into the Extreme?
Now I really want the Taiko DAC if it is what I hope it is, so as to avoid another box and PC and Interconnect and be able to sell my Tambaqui to (help) fund this!!!
Will the Taiko DAC be an upgrade to the Extreme if I order it now? Can I order the Extreme and the Switch together now?
When will the DAC be available??
What should I do??? (Isn't this better than complaining about supply chain? )
Thanks so much,
Ken in Maryland, USA
I have been chatting with Taiko support but wanted to put this out to all you amazing Taiko fans. I am interested in theTaiko Extreme and probably the Switch. I am also very very interested in the upcoming DAC.
My system now: Verizon (ISP) modem > M12 Gold switch with Sean Jacobs AR6 powr supply. The wifi is disabled in my Verizon Modem and a separate feed from the modem serves my Erro Pro 6 wifi router and TV's. . The M12 feeds only my two audio systems.
My reference system is reached with 20m of Supra Cat 8 > Muon Pro Filter > Grimm MU1 Server > Tambaqui DAC > Audionet Stern and Heisenbergs > YG Hailey 2's w REL Carbon Special subs. All cabling KS Realization or Elation. My second system has Revel Salon 2 speakers with Mola Mola Makua Preamp w onboard Tambaqui and Audionet Max amps. So I am interested in amazing sound downstairs with my reference stuff but still great sound upstairs in family room with the Revel's.
I love the Grimm MU1. It is the best server I have heard. Until recently; I now have the JCAT XACT S1 Server in for demo. It sounds amazing. It does. I can not unhear it! All the attributes: Blacker background, more detail, more enveloping, better imaging, soundstage. It just sounds better. But it does not run Roon. I know. But I have a second system and two remote speakers that I enjoy on roon. I want my cake and eat it too.
So is that Taiko Extreme??
I still need a switch after my ISP modem, so I would think to plan to keep the M12 gold switch here. (for the two wired audio systems) Then the 20 M Supra Cat 8 into the Taiko Switch.
Then ? > Taiko DAC cable into the Extreme?
Now I really want the Taiko DAC if it is what I hope it is, so as to avoid another box and PC and Interconnect and be able to sell my Tambaqui to (help) fund this!!!
Will the Taiko DAC be an upgrade to the Extreme if I order it now? Can I order the Extreme and the Switch together now?
When will the DAC be available??
What should I do??? (Isn't this better than complaining about supply chain?
)Thanks so much,
Ken in Maryland, USA
Yes.
Most of the innovations of the Taiko “DAC” lie in other areas then the D/A section, making it sound distinctly different from what you’re used to hearing from external DACs driven by either CD transports or music servers. We will just have to see how this new type of sound will be perceived. But anyway I’d say it would be a safe assumption you could sell your Tambaqui.
It’s an extension to the Extreme which can indeed be retrofitted.
We’re in the last stages of bug squashing, we should have it shipping this year.
Thanks @Taiko Audio, well I can't sell my Tambaqui yet!
Is there an advantage to waiting on the DAC and ordering the Extreme with the DAC?
And please, what options on input and output do I want on the switch ? The input would be my RJ45 network cable, the output would be the DAC cable (right?) to the Extreme. Just unsure if the DAC cable and or the network cable needs the SFP+ adapter?
I also read listeners prefer the sound without the M12 switch in the chain. But I need a switch after my modem to feed two audio systems..
Thanks again, Ken
Is there an advantage to waiting on the DAC and ordering the Extreme with the DAC?
And please, what options on input and output do I want on the switch ? The input would be my RJ45 network cable, the output would be the DAC cable (right?) to the Extreme. Just unsure if the DAC cable and or the network cable needs the SFP+ adapter?
I also read listeners prefer the sound without the M12 switch in the chain. But I need a switch after my modem to feed two audio systems..
Thanks again, Ken
This is too intriguing for me to resist Émile, would you mind spending a few more words about this 'new type of sound' ?
Previously, you'd mentioned investigating an internal upgrade option that could be done without shipping back to europe, maybe by locally trained techs?
Well I guess that depends on if you’d want to upgrade to BPS, which you probably should if you want good performance from the DAC, and if you’d want this to be internal.
Yes input rj45, output DAC. You could perhaps try a cheap netgear or tplink switch by then versus the M12 and see if you want to keep it or not.
I wanted to dedicate some more time soon on writing something about it as it has some buts and ifs. The things standing out most to me right now are an intriguing removal of what appears to be a collection of several types of distortion (when powered by a bps), limitless soundstaging (when used with the router), a beautiful kind of purity (again when used with the bps) and flow dynamics and timing are really good too.
I have had some insight to what is probably now an earlier version of the DAC, paired with the BPS, and I can say that the sound is in the direction of what Emile described. It was a little while ago now but I can say with no doubt, it is probably the most enjoyable listening session I have ever had.
I know Emile had talked a while ago it being a $20K DAC killer, but I’d suggest this threshold could easily be surpassed.
Guess I should have a listen anytime soon then...
I can relate to what Emile described as sound 'fingerprint' for a BPS, yet it always came with a grey-ish veil until now.
I would caution about raising relative value benefit too much ($20k DAC… $30k etc) until AFTER we have bought from Emile
Last edited:
Quick question for the router and DC distributor for @Christiaan Punter and @Taiko Audio.
I am currently powering the Taiko switch with a 15V PSU. if I understand correctly, this is NOT an option for the router? It MUST be 12V for everything through the DC distributor?
thanks!!
I am currently powering the Taiko switch with a 15V PSU. if I understand correctly, this is NOT an option for the router? It MUST be 12V for everything through the DC distributor?
thanks!!
12-19V for both (router was updated with our latest gen Gallium Nitrate fet rectifiers while undergoing revision for the Wi-Fi functionality), aka you’re good to go.
