Taiko vs Antipodes vs LDMS vs everyone else... who should I choose?

[kingkoopa]

Hi guys! Its that time of the year where I do an update to my listening zone, and I'm currently strictly Head-Fi but that could change. I've already got on order a Susvara and EF-1000 amp to my setup to the end of my audio chain. So the setup looks like this:

Current State : NAS --> Roon Nucleus --> Optical Rendu --> Ether Regen --> Auralic Aries G2 --> Chord Mscaler --> Chord Hugo TT2 -- > HifiMan EF-1000 --> Susvara

Ideal State: Music Server/Streamer/(potentially also Roon Host) --> Mscaler --> TT2 --> Hifiman EF-1000 --> Susvara

I was considering upgrading the Aries G2 to a server where I can put 14+ TB of space that is sitting much closer to my listening area, instead of pulling from a NAS in a server rack in a closet. And now with the Roon Arc upgrade I do all my listening and playlist management via Roon Arc indoors and outdoors, so that rules out all things Aurender (doesn't support Roon) and all things Innuos (tops out at 8TB)

I've been reading about the Antipodes Oladra and Taiko Extreme, both of which are currently pretty much the same price. I also have dealt with Lukas in the past when he used to sell cables so I'm aware of the LDMS.

I live in an Bahrain, where I do not at all have access to dealers for each of these. I'd appreciate any recommendations!

 

[Steve Williams]

They're all good however (bias included), you can't discount the Extreme. As the saying goes, "you can't unring a bell).

PS, welcome to WBF

 

[kingkoopa]

They're all good however (bias included), you can't discount the Extreme. As the saying goes, "you can't unring a bell).

PS, welcome to WBF

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[heihei]

One question I'd have is the combination of a top-end server combined with the m-scaler. Both the LDMS and Taiko can upscale to pretty much whatever you want (not sure about Antipodes), so not sure the role the m-scaler would play.

 

[bryans]

My advice is to listen to whatever you can and pick from those choices. Everyone here will tell you what they like, etc. but you need to pick what your ears tell you. There are a ton of great options these days and really you won't go wrong with whatever choice you choose.

 

[speakerlust]

You may want to consider posting your location. Possibly owner members potentially near you may reach out to offer an audition. You may also reach out to these manufacturers, who may also be able to assist coordinating an audition.

 

[kingkoopa]

My advice is to listen to whatever you can and pick from those choices. Everyone here will tell you what they like, etc. but you need to pick what your ears tell you. There are a ton of great options these days and really you won't go wrong with whatever choice you choose.

Unfortunately I can't audition anything because there are no dealers for any of those servers where I am

 

[kingkoopa]

You may want to consider posting your location. Possibly owner members potentially near you may reach out to offer an audition. You may also reach out to these manufacturers, who may also be able to assist coordinating an audition.

Thanks I've edited my original post to reflect that

 

[kingkoopa]

One question I'd have is the combination of a top-end server combined with the m-scaler. Both the LDMS and Taiko can upscale to pretty much whatever you want (not sure about Antipodes), so not sure the role the m-scaler would play.

Fair point and I'll need to consider that after bringing in the server and trying it out!

 

[bryans]

Unfortunately I can't audition anything because there are no dealers for any of those servers where I am

I was faced with that same delima back when I started looking. What I did was reached out to my closest dealers of the products I was interested in. I was able to arrange a home demo with some. I paid shipping and they had my credit card for payment. Now some dealers/companies aren't offering this and that is OK. For me brands that I couldn't demo was removed from my list.

For me I had to hear the gear in my setup as I believe things come down to personal preference. Whatever you end up with, I'm sure you will be happy.

Good luck in your search.

 

[CKKeung]

Hi guys! Its that time of the year where I do an update to my listening zone, and I'm currently strictly Head-Fi but that could change. I've already got on order a Susvara and EF-1000 amp to my setup to the end of my audio chain. So the setup looks like this:

Current State : NAS --> Roon Nucleus --> Optical Rendu --> Ether Regen --> Auralic Aries G2 --> Chord Mscaler --> Chord Hugo TT2 -- > HifiMan EF-1000 --> Susvara

Ideal State: Music Server/Streamer/(potentially also Roon Host) --> Mscaler --> TT2 --> Hifiman EF-1000 --> Susvara

I was considering upgrading the Aries G2 to a server where I can put 14+ TB of space that is sitting much closer to my listening area, instead of pulling from a NAS in a server rack in a closet. And now with the Roon Arc upgrade I do all my listening and playlist management via Roon Arc indoors and outdoors, so that rules out all things Aurender (doesn't support Roon) and all things Innuos (tops out at 8TB)

I've been reading about the Antipodes Oladra and Taiko Extreme, both of which are currently pretty much the same price. I also have dealt with Lukas in the past when he used to sell cables so I'm aware of the LDMS.

I live in an Bahrain, where I do not at all have access to dealers for each of these. I'd appreciate any recommendations!

Hi kingkoopa,
Pink Faun may be one of your choices too.

216 ultra

www.pinkfaun.com

 

[kingkoopa]

Hi kingkoopa,
Pink Faun may be one of your choices too.

216 ultra

www.pinkfaun.com

Didn't think of that! Will be looking at too... anything to read in particular that you think could help?

 

[thomask]

Aurender N20 is the best value.

I am happy with upper model N30.

 

[kingkoopa]

Aurender N20 is the best value.

I am happy with upper model N30.

I would look at the Aurender but, the lack of Roon support wouldn't work for me. I actively use Roon for most of my daily listening and music organization.

 

[bryans]

Pachanko CAT Masterpiece. https://www.pachankolabs.com/product-page/constellation-masterpiece.

Here is a thread on it: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/my-pachanko-server-is-here-a-bargain-at-16k-euros.33429/

Also a post in the thread that is good: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/thre...here-a-bargain-at-16k-euros.33429/post-827538

Now full disclosure I own a Pachanko Masterpiece with a Diretta Target.

 

[bryans]

Didn't think of that! Will be looking at too... anything to read in particular that you think could help?

Here is a review on the Pink Faun Dual Ultra. The person who posted this is a dealer I believe and raves about it. https://www.whatsbestforum.com/thre...lieve-high-fidelity-analog-is-obsolete.35232/

 

[Gregm]

Respectfully, I would recommend you review your DAC before you invest in a server. You already have a reclocker / "usb filter" so, at this time, the challenge seems to be downstream; what's the point of improving the digital signal if you can't really hear the improvement?
Plenty of excellent choices at reasonable prices (including the little ayazi I use in a second system).
As to the devices you mention, in my system I placed the extreme first, followed by Lukas', then the Antipodes. Subjectively, however, every one of them was excellent.

 

[acg]

I've heard the freshly released Antipodes Oladra and it is excellent. Ordered one for myself. Did not want to limit myself to USB only with an Extreme... would rather a server that plays with all my dacs...

 

[7ryder]

If you don't have an Antipodes dealer nearby, you can buy their products direct - they'll give you 30 days to return it if you don't like it. Pink Faun will do something similar, talk to Jord.

FWIW, one of the biggest improvements in my system was getting the Melco S100 switch and then adding a Farad Super3. You might want to start there before spending a lot more money on one of these servers.

 

[Sampajanna]

I am doing a bit of shopping too. Pretty happy with teh Statement, so conundrum is to upgrade it to next gen or sell and buy something else. The absence of Roon is a deal breaker for Aurender. I know other software has better SQ, but like Roon interface so I want the option to go back and forth easily depending on mood. Most ppl with my dac use Exreme but I am indecisive.