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

For those who just started reading up on Olympus, Olympus I/O, and XDMI, please note that all information in this thread has been summarized in a single PDF document that can be downloaded from the Taiko Website.

https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/taiko-audio-downloads

The document is frequently updated.

Scroll down to the 'XDMI, Olympus Music Server, Olympus I/O' section and click 'XDMI, Olympus, Olympus I/O Product Introduction & FAQ' to download the latest version.

Good morning WBF!​

We are introducing the culmination of close to 4 years of research and development. As a bona fide IT/tech nerd with a passion for music, I have always been intrigued by the potential of leveraging the most modern of technologies in order to create a better music playback experience. This, amongst others, led to the creation of our popular, perhaps even revolutionary, Extreme music server 5 years ago, which we have been steadily improving and updating with new technologies throughout its life cycle. Today I feel we can safely claim it's holding its ground against the onslaught of new server releases from other companies, and we are committed to keep improving it for years to come.

We are introducing a new server model called the Olympus. Hierarchically, it positions itself above the Extreme. It does provide quite a different music experience than the Extreme, or any other server I've heard, for that matter. Conventional audiophile descriptions such as sound staging, dynamics, color palette, etc, fall short to describe this difference. It does not sound digital or analog, I would be inclined to describe it as coming closer to the intended (or unintended) performance of the recording engineer.

Committed to keeping the Extreme as current as possible, we are introducing a second product called the Olympus I/O. This is an external upgrade to the Extreme containing a significant part of the Olympus technology, allowing it to come near, though not entirely at, Olympus performance levels. The Olympus I/O can even be added to the Olympus itself to elevate its performance even further, though not as dramatic an uplift as adding it to the Extreme. Consider it the proverbial "cherry on top".

 

This is indeed a molex-type connector, into which individual clamp-ended wires can be clipped as needed. Each wire locks into place inside the connector via small clips on the sides. It is essential to observe the order and position of the wires.

We have sent a replacement wire harness, enabling a plug-and-play solution.

Each wire is soldered/welded to a tiny tab on clip

 

Each wire is soldered/welded to a tiny tab on clip

Those clips (the contact points) are clamped onto the wires. The small protrusions on the sides secure the clips in the connector. By the looks of it, the clamp's metal tab broke off.

 

Of the two Olympus USB connectors, is there a preference in SQ for one of them?

They are both active. I am not aware of comparative SQ tests that have been done.

 

Those clips (the contact points) are clamped onto the wires. The small protrusions on the sides secure the clips in the connector. By the looks of it, the clamp's metal tab broke off.

Yes , Thanks . I'm looking forward to get up and running

 

Can we please have an update on the production queue? Last proper update has been provided 21/05 and since then we got only very brief updates which don't really tell us how the production of Olympus units is advancing.
Having this communication silence is actually worse than getting an update that would show further delays. Initially we were supposed to have weekly updates, then it was changed to by-weekly, but now it's not even monthly...

Thank you

 

Can we please have an update on the production queue? Last proper update has been provided 21/05 and since then we got only very brief updates which don't really tell us how the production of Olympus units is advancing.
Having this communication silence is actually worse than getting an update that would show further delays. Initially we were supposed to have weekly updates, then it was changed to by-weekly, but now it's not even monthly...

Thank you

@StefanK - My apologies - I’m the one to blame for the lack of a complete estimated production schedule.

While there have been some partial updates, I’m the one who normally puts together the full schedule (it's quite complicated and time consuming process) - and I’ve fallen behind on that. After four back-to-back HiFi shows in the US (February, March, April, and June) and some major personal transitions that will actually allow me to focus exclusively on Taiko going forward, I took my family on a much-needed vacation we’ve been planning for the past year. During that time, I intentionally stepped away from work and focused on my family. I was also waiting on a few key production details before the trip, which made it difficult to put together an accurate schedule in time.

I’ll be back in a week, fully recharged and fully focused on supporting Taiko and resuming timely, consistent updates.

In the meantime, Taiko will send out another partial production update — and I’ll make sure we’re fully back on track with regular communication as soon as I return.

Thanks again for your patience and understanding.

 

Enjoy your family and your time away Vassil. A much deserved vacation

 

Well after a bit of a detour my Olympus has been contently playing since yesterday. @JulienVermeiren had to deal with FedEx and got the package delivered, Thank You. I would gladly trade being waterboarded than to talk with any carriers customer service ever again! I wasn't stressed in the least! Ask @LampiNA! Firstly a big thank you to Marc, @RUIN*ish and David, @dminches. Marc walked me through the initial Roon setup. David sorted me out with the NAS. I almost gave up before David suggested one more backslash so Roon would except my credentials.

Way too early to critique anything, throw in I'm using cupcake amps while waiting for my Gryphon Solo Mono's to arrive, which may be today, subwoofers are not compatible with the cupcakes. More heavy lifting! Basically I'm using less than half a system. Even with a seriously diminished setup, XDMI with the 360 I can pick up traces of something really good. From the start I said more air.

Things are only going to get more interesting once I get the system back in form...

 

My wardrobe has ben seriously depleted the deeper I go down the rabbit hole!! Typically the Olympus comes on a plastic pallet and strapped. Who knows what happened on the journey? I'm just happy it safely arrived!!

 

...my pallet was barely held together by the plastic wrap. FedEx probably felt sorry for jerking you around, so they wanted to help with the unwrapping and recycling of that junk, John. Glad you managed to land the Olympus in one piece, all said.

 

...my pallet was barely held together by the plastic wrap. FedEx probably felt sorry for jerking you around, so they wanted to help with the unwrapping and recycling of that junk, John. Glad you managed to land the Olympus in one piece, all said.

Accordingly to the driver there was no pallet, he placed it on one...It was very thoughtful of them helping with the unwrapping! The analog card in the plastic carry case was just sitting on top of the flight case, how that managed to follow the flight case is a miracle...

 

I forgot to add! Late yesterday I was notified by FedEx that they were sorry to inform me that my parcel could not be located! You know the one sitting on the shelf! Can't make it up...Should I file a claim?

 

...classic. At least they couldn't find it because...it was at your house. And yes, the side-kick mini-luggage card-case arriving at all is miraculous. Sounds like FedEx needs "another back-slash."

 

Steve, I don't have my I/O yet but from everything I know so far, a better power cord on the I/O will make a difference.
I highly advise you to give it a try.

Did some searching and found some posts on power cords on O vs I/O but haven't seen a consensus.
Posing the question again, if one has two different power cords of differing quality, I assume we should put the better one on the Olympus and the lesser one on the I/O?

What have people found?

 

Did some searching and found some posts on power cords on O vs I/O but haven't seen a consensus.
Posing the question again, if one has two different power cords of differing quality, I assume we should put the better one on the Olympus and the lesser one on the I/O?

What have people found?

I have not yet conducted or heard of such experiments with the Olympus server and I/O, and I will be interested to hear back from our users!

Based on general accumulated knowledge, however, I can say that components with digital outputs, especially those with DACs, are usually more sensitive to the influence of a power cable than those that serve only as servers.

That said, when it comes to the Olympus, power cables are also a matter of personal preference.

 

Did some searching and found some posts on power cords on O vs I/O but haven't seen a consensus.
Posing the question again, if one has two different power cords of differing quality, I assume we should put the better one on the Olympus and the lesser one on the I/O?

What have people found?

Marked improvement in SQ when a better PC is used on BOTH Olympus and IO

 

I have not yet conducted or heard of such experiments with the Olympus server and I/O, and I will be interested to hear back from our users!

Based on general accumulated knowledge, however, I can say that components with digital outputs, especially those with DACs, are usually more sensitive to the influence of a power cable than those that serve only as servers.

That said, when it comes to the Olympus, power cables are also a matter of personal preference.

Thank you Christian! I will try to experiment and see.

I have a followup question for you since you are the footer expert

Given the choice between placing the O and I/O on a glass shelf (part of a decoupled audio rack) vs on a piece of panzerholz placed on the same glass shelf, which is suggested?

I know Emile had indicated in the past that the Extreme and maybe Olympus don't do well on panzerholz, or i could be misremembering.
Thanks again!

 

Marked improvement in SQ when a better PC is used on BOTH Olympus and IO

I saw that Steve from your old posts, but if one has limited resources, where is the best bang for the buck to place the better power cord is my question.

 

I don't doubt it, but why does the power cord on the I/O have a big influence if the I/O runs on battery power when one is listening?

The OS battery on the Olympus is always charging so it makes sense that the power cord there matters a lot.

 

I saw that Steve from your old posts, but if one has limited resources, where is the best bang for the buck to place the better power cord is my question.

The Olympus IMO. In fact thats the way I started thinking the IO would not benefit from a better PC. Emile in fact confirmed to me that the I/O likewise benefits from a better Power cord