Introducing Olympus & Olympus I/O - A new perspective on modern music playback

[Azjya]

@tomas329 , @Kingsrule , @MarkusBarkus , thank you on reporting on the necessity of accumulating some burnin time on the XDMI / MSB Pro ISL module. I’m beyond pleased all the time and effort we put into making this interface happen is starting to pay dividends!

While on the subject, we do not recommend using DAC cables to replace the fiber cable for the MSB Pro ISL link.

The recommendation for using DAC cables strictly applies to our own router/switch/networkcard as those have been designed for that specifically where the MSB Pro ISL interface has been designed to work with the supplied SFP fiber modules.

If I can divert for a moment - is Airplay (or similar) functionality still coming to the Olympus / Router?

 

[Christiaan Punter]

If I can divert for a moment - is Airplay (or similar) functionality still coming to the Olympus / Router?

We're not yet sure in which component Airplay will be implemented (first), but this is definitely still on the table!

 

[Azjya]

Thanks Chrstiaan. Airplay functionality is highly desirable for at least some owners (and would quite possibly broaden Taiko’s appeal in general), so this is good to know.

 

[RUIN*ish]

We're not yet sure in which component Airplay will be implemented (first), but this is definitely still on the table!

The status to connect a music drive to the T router is same?

 

[Johan K]

Coating variant: Interesting, covers a lot of territory. I've worked with reactive dyes in sculpture. Achieving consistent results is difficult. Metallurgy: Metallic Crystal Properties, Mechanical Properties, Chemical Properties Of The Metal. Within the Anodizing process all these variables can also create issues which sounds as though is the crux of the issues that your dealing with. Not even mentioning temperature control with whomever is doing the anodizing process, crucial. Fingers crossed that the 3rd anodizing company has better control over the process/finished chassis. Everyone here is sending good Mojo and pulling/hoping for success...

Mr. T,
With the new coating variant, maybe your Olympus will have the finish of a yellow polka dot bikini.. LOL ! ( should it ever arrive ).

Hi hi hi …

 

[Christiaan Punter]

The status to connect a music drive to the T router is same?

This functionality is currently being tested. The Extreme Router will support drives formatted in FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS, in addition to ext4. Apple APFS and HFS+ are not supported, but OSX allows formatting drives in FAT32 or exFAT, so make sure to format a drive that way before adding music to it.

The firmware has been confirmed to work with the Olympus server, but it requires a change deep in the OS to also work with the Extreme Server. We are working on finding a fix that can be implemented in the Router firmware so it becomes basically plug and play for both servers. As soon as this is done, the firmware will be released and pushed to the Extreme Routers out there.

 

[John T]

I'm curious about something. Guys who are running Olympus Analog Out have reported quite a long break-in period. The few I have spoken to who are using the Horizon/360 are reporting significant less of a break-in period. Granted not a large reference pool. Its quite obvious Analog Out takes sometime to settle in. Can some Horizon/360 owners chime in as to what there findings have been...

 

[Steve Williams]

if they are using the H360 then they are using the digital card not the analogue

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...do you Lampi fellas have a daughter board in the Olympus, or only the implementation piece in the Lampi itself (or both)?

For the MSB version, there is a daughter-board that is swapped for the analog board (or shipped with MSB board installed on later builds).

In my case, I shipped with analog in place, so I ran up the miles on that set-up while waiting for the MSB board to ship. I figured may as well get going on that, as the "parent" card might have a burn-in time too.

Even with a lot of time on the "parent" board and analog "daughter" board, swapping to the MSB "daughter" board required a lot of time to sound good. A lot.

And swapping back to the analog board still required more time to finally come-good.

Eventually, both workflows had a lot of play-time, so swapping back did not seem to grossly impact the sound.

I recognize this is adjacent to John T's question, but wanted to chime-in with somewhat related experience.

 

[RUIN*ish]

I reached ~ 1300 hours and the v1a seemed to go full after burner..

 

[John T]

if they are using the H360 then they are using the digital card not the analogue

I understand the different application. Analog Out Vs Native XDMI/360. Just curious as to what kind of break-in time for each application. Analog Out seems to take quite some hours as @RUIN*ish indicated. Just curious...

 

[Tuckia]

...do you Lampi fellas have a daughter board in the Olympus, or only the implementation piece in the Lampi itself (or both)?

For the MSB version, there is a daughter-board that is swapped for the analog board (or shipped with MSB board installed on later builds).

In my case, I shipped with analog in place, so I ran up the miles on that set-up while waiting for the MSB board to ship. I figured may as well get going on that, as the "parent" card might have a burn-in time too.

Even with a lot of time on the "parent" board and analog "daughter" board, swapping to the MSB "daughter" board required a lot of time to sound good. A lot.

And swapping back to the analog board still required more time to finally come-good.

Eventually, both workflows had a lot of play-time, so swapping back did not seem to grossly impact the sound.

I recognize this is adjacent to John T's question, but wanted to chime-in with somewhat related experience.

Yes, there is a Lampi xdmi daughter card for use in the Olympus.

 

[dminches]

Basically there is a mother card which all Olympus stand alone (no I/O) servers use. There are multiple daughter boards which attach to it including:

1 - digital (S/pdif; AES/EBU)
2 - Analog DAC
3 - Proprietary XDMI cards including Lampi, MSB, etc.

I assume all these are also used in the I/O.

 

[Steve Williams]

Yes. My XDMI Lampi card is in my IO

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...yes, but I was also trying to better understand if there was an additional component/receiver within the H360 itself. I recall units being shipped back home for mods. Relative to John T's enquiry, I wondered if an additional component changed the burn-in time. Cheers...

 

[John T]

I've heard from a few with the 360/Olympus 100-200 hours. Quite a difference as to Analog Out. As Mark, I'm just attempting to understand why the break-in time varies so much...I've never heard either together so I'm clueless...Just going by what I read and heard...

 

[dminches]

...yes, but I was also trying to better understand if there was an additional component/receiver within the H360 itself. I recall units being shipped back home for mods. Relative to John T's enquiry, I wondered if an additional component changed the burn-in time. Cheers...

There is. I had my Horizon updated for the XDMI card.

 

[cat6man]

Thanks Chrstiaan. Airplay functionality is highly desirable for at least some owners (and would quite possibly broaden Taiko’s appeal in general), so this is good to know.

as well as something for android. my use case: switch between music and a radio station or baseball game

 

[Steve Williams]

There is. I had my Horizon updated for the XDMI card.

Exactly. Not all Horizon DACs had the TAIKO XDMI port

 

[ctydwn]

How lucky you all are with Olympus to listen to! Sounds like a couple weeks difference in inquiring/ordering has made more than 6 month differences in receipt. Still hoping to hear my December 30, 2023 order might be going to danger goods check soon, or at least been built (Olympus and I\O). It sure has been a long wait, but I’m sure it will be worth it. Upgraded Horizon version 1 to Horizon XDMI last Spring in anticipation. Then shortly thereafter to Horizon 360. ordered the top xdmi cable months ago.

I just hope the xlr version isn’t released shortly thereafter at this point, or with volume control. I am also hoping some consideration is being given by Taiko for how long they have had considerable sums of money deposited during these quite extraordinary wait times. I imagine many/some might have thought twice before committing such substantial funds over a year ago when all orders were expected to be fulfilled by august. A couple offerings from competitors in the interim have been enticing, but funds are obviously tied up.

I know this goes against the grain of many of my and other Taiko cheering posts here, but it is getting a bit stretched. at what point is it no longer reasonable… 2 year wait? taking nothing away from all the challenges out of taiko’s control and their incredible non stop work to date. and as always have appreciated the transparency here from taiko. hope my transparency from the consumer side as a five year extreme owner, along with all networking hardware, and almost 4 year xdms only player user (no roon), at least a tiny window. and at this point i definitely am not receiving any direct communication as a long time loyal customer. thus my post here