I asked a simple question out of curiosity. You subjectively flipped it to satiate your limited mind. Sad, but true. Happy Listening my friend!
Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
AFAIK, there are no reports so far where the Extreme plus "network interface" to DAC can outperform the Extreme direct to DAC.
Prefering a NAA configuration with HQP the best seems to be to allocate one CPU of the Extreme to HQP and the other to NAA.
Regarding this topic do exist references on WBF and AS.
Matt
Last edited:
We should keep this thread free from "argumentum ad hominem".
Matt
Matt
Last edited:
Actually ALL threads please
wrt to allocation of CPU when using HQP, is this done automatically by Extreme or is there some configuration required?
AFAIK, the most experienced guys with this configuration are @hols and @austinpop
They posted mostly about on AS but I think also here on WBF.
For further info I would contact them or Emile from TA.
Matt
CPU affinity can manually be done in Task Manager in Windows quite simply. It can also be done via a script at startup and also in the registry, quite easily. There are also apps that can do it like Lasso. I'm sure Taiko is doing this automatically to ensure consistency and optimum sonic performance. For non - Taiko owners, I do it manually after boot; easy peasy.
After giving this a bit of thought and in the interest of trying to take the glass half - full approach (sometime a challenge for me admittedly) I decided to explain myself for those not aware of the Aqua LinQ and its quality and possible integration with the Extreme.
First my thoughts were based on sonic benefits many of us have heard implementing a streamer / renderer in between a music server and DAC. In this regard the LinQ is regarded as one of the best and since noone has tried implementing the LinQ in serial with the digital signal, it’s possible it’s better, especially with its I2S output to DAC (which I can attest to being better than USB).
A few reviews:
Aqua LinQ Network Interface | HFA - The Independent Source for Audio Equipment Reviews (hifi-advice.com)
Foto a pagina intera (aquahifi.com)
Second – addressing the derogatory comments regarding my thoughts on a LinQ to Extreme compare like, “Let me guess” and “the pathetic PSU from W20SE or LinQ” – as far as I can tell the PSU in the LinQ is identical to the Formula XHD DAC which Emile himself owns. Addressing the last derogatory and comical (IMO) comment above stating, "Guy come in and ask, has anyone compared dartzeel 468s to a 10 years old naim amp? Whats the guy trying to accomplish?” The Linq is not 10 years old, it’s brand new and again, they are different products.
In addition, in terms of cost a renderer should be significantly lower than a full music server so the solutions are not apples to apples. That said, the LinQ is one of the most expensive renderers at ~$7K USD MSRP with 1 module.
Net is – you never know until you try and with SOTA products like the Extreme or the LinQ you might just get a coupled improvement. Hence the inquiry.
And as always, Happy Listening to all and be safe!
I tried both the MSB Renderer and PRO USB on the Extreme.....the USB much preferred
Last edited:
Thanks for your feedback. If you wouldn't mind sharing details it would be appreciated (App - ROON, other?. any other details)..
Further TAS is able to reduce the negative impact of network activity to nearly zero.
So I suppose with an additional network renderer the DAC receives much more negative impact from the network than directly via the Extreme.
Matt
Last edited:
Folks here may not consider good news to hear (and apologies in advance to your wallets), but I just purchased a Sound Application PGI TT7 power line conditioner. Even though I already have a dedicated 30A circuit and Sablon King for my Extreme, the step up in speed and openness and transparency going through the TT7 is non trivial (to say the least).
A lot more experimentation to be done over the break, but the Extreme continues to HANDSOMELY reward high quality inputs (in this case, power)
A lot more experimentation to be done over the break, but the Extreme continues to HANDSOMELY reward high quality inputs (in this case, power)
Congrats
Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
@romaz - keep up the good work! We all have learned so much from you and your experiments. One of my concerns when I heard you purchased an Extreme was that you would be done (end game) and your amazing experiments and reports would stop (and you will finally start listening to music :)). But it...
www.whatsbestforum.com
Certainly not robbing the piggy bank
Matt
Certainly not robbing the piggy bank
I resisted getting into power line conditioning for a VERY long time, although trusted ears like Roy's have been pointing me in that direction for a while. I wanted to be sure that the rest of my system was stabilize and optimized before going there. My fear was using PLC to tune around other issues in the system, and then having things out of balance once I had sorted those issues out.
After a very long process, finally at the place where I'm really diving into power (more on that later). The PGI TT7 and Extreme is everything Roy highlights about speed and impact is real. I'm just surprised how much of an impact it has, with the baseline of a dedicated circuit and killer power cord like the Sablon King.
As always, power tweaks are very system dependent. For all I know, I may have a neighbor with an arc welder, and a TT7 makes more of a difference for me than others, but this is a very pleasant early Christmas surprise!
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Co-Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |