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

[Taiko Audio]

Glad to see you finally got your Olympus. I’ve been absolutely stunned, amazed, gobsmacked at what I’ve been hearing. Had a few audio buddies over last night to listen (i have maybe a few hundred hours in the analog card) and everyone was similarly astonished what they were hearing from a streaming source.

Bravo Team Taiko.

(My prior DAC has been kicked to the curb with a steel toed boot. Its just laying there, licking its wounds, whimpering!)

We’ve recently reviewed the output-option registrations across our user base, and the distribution is surprisingly decisive:

Current usage share
• 50.6% — Analog
• 29.4% — Lampizator
• 14.1% — MSB
• 4.7% — AES/SPDIF
• 1.2% — USB

What this makes very clear is that analog output isn’t just popular, it’s the dominant path by a wide margin. With over half of all systems running our Analog output, and the bulk of the remaining users tied into other high-end analog ecosystems (Lampizator, MSB), the direction of demand is unambiguous.

Because of that, it’s only logical that we move forward with a V2 Analog output option. The share is large enough that continued development here isn’t a side project, it’s where most of our customers are already invested.

Secondly, given the strong presence of Lampizator and MSB users, it also makes sense to expand with additional custom interfaces for other state-of-the-art high-end DACs. There’s clearly appetite for tightly integrated, performance-first connections tailored to specific DAC architectures.

More details will follow as development progresses, but given these numbers, the course ahead is obvious.

 

[adyc]

We’ve recently reviewed the output-option registrations across our user base, and the distribution is surprisingly decisive:

Current usage share
• 50.6% — Analog
• 29.4% — Lampizator
• 14.1% — MSB
• 4.7% — AES/SPDIF
• 1.2% — USB

What this makes very clear is that analog output isn’t just popular, it’s the dominant path by a wide margin. With over half of all systems running our Analog output, and the bulk of the remaining users tied into other high-end analog ecosystems (Lampizator, MSB), the direction of demand is unambiguous.

Because of that, it’s only logical that we move forward with a V2 Analog output option. The share is large enough that continued development here isn’t a side project, it’s where most of our customers are already invested.

Secondly, given the strong presence of Lampizator and MSB users, it also makes sense to expand with additional custom interfaces for other state-of-the-art high-end DACs. There’s clearly appetite for tightly integrated, performance-first connections tailored to specific DAC architectures.

More details will follow as development progresses, but given these numbers, the course ahead is obvious.

Can you disclose which DAC makers you are talking to at this moment?

 

[MusicFellow]

We’ve recently reviewed the output-option registrations across our user base, and the distribution is surprisingly decisive:

Current usage share
• 50.6% — Analog
• 29.4% — Lampizator
• 14.1% — MSB
• 4.7% — AES/SPDIF
• 1.2% — USB

What this makes very clear is that analog output isn’t just popular, it’s the dominant path by a wide margin. With over half of all systems running our Analog output, and the bulk of the remaining users tied into other high-end analog ecosystems (Lampizator, MSB), the direction of demand is unambiguous.

Because of that, it’s only logical that we move forward with a V2 Analog output option. The share is large enough that continued development here isn’t a side project, it’s where most of our customers are already invested.

Secondly, given the strong presence of Lampizator and MSB users, it also makes sense to expand with additional custom interfaces for other state-of-the-art high-end DACs. There’s clearly appetite for tightly integrated, performance-first connections tailored to specific DAC architectures.

More details will follow as development progresses, but given these numbers, the course ahead is obvious.

This is great news! First, it means Taiko has a top-notch alternative that sounds terrific and also simplifies systems in a budget-conscious way. Second, for those users who have SOTA DACs these can still be used and potentially sound even better. Yet, the bottom line is that both alternatives are sounding superb! Third, if I remember correctly if XDMI can/will be implemented for the Extreme this large number of users can also enjoy this stunning implementation - for a probably not astronomical price. I'm thinking of an "Simplified Olympus with analog card without the fancy BPS". This way Taiko can also recoup some of the unexpected anodizing costs that came with the Olympus assembly.

 

[Steve Williams]

it also makes sense to expand with additional custom interfaces for other state-of-the-art high-end DACs.

perhaps I2S for XDMI might make XDMI available far more readily

 

[joet]

We’ve recently reviewed the output-option registrations across our user base, and the distribution is surprisingly decisive:

Current usage share
• 50.6% — Analog
• 29.4% — Lampizator
• 14.1% — MSB
• 4.7% — AES/SPDIF
• 1.2% — USB

What this makes very clear is that analog output isn’t just popular, it’s the dominant path by a wide margin. With over half of all systems running our Analog output, and the bulk of the remaining users tied into other high-end analog ecosystems (Lampizator, MSB), the direction of demand is unambiguous.

Because of that, it’s only logical that we move forward with a V2 Analog output option. The share is large enough that continued development here isn’t a side project, it’s where most of our customers are already invested.

Secondly, given the strong presence of Lampizator and MSB users, it also makes sense to expand with additional custom interfaces for other state-of-the-art high-end DACs. There’s clearly appetite for tightly integrated, performance-first connections tailored to specific DAC architectures.

More details will follow as development progresses, but given these numbers, the course ahead is obvious.

As a focus group of one, I'm using the DAC card (which sounds fantastic, by the way) but I'm waiting for a DAC that is tightly integrated with XDMI that handles DSDs better than AO does. As much as I love the AO card, previous DACs I've owned did a much better job with DSDs, and I have a large collection. As for using a Lampizator, I'm tempted to experiment with a used Poseidon, but really don't want to deal with tubes. (I'm probably in the minority there and might change my mind.) As for MSB, I believe the XDMI integration isn't as tight as it could be. It's more of a tight handoff to their proprietary protocol. So if I go that route, right or wrong, I'll always feel as if I'm missing something. If future versions of AO are better with DSDs, I can see myself staying with it. Otherwise, it's an enjoyable wait. Like in a four star resort.

 

[oldmustang]

As a focus group of one, I'm using the DAC card (which sounds fantastic, by the way) but I'm waiting for a DAC that is tightly integrated with XDMI that handles DSDs better than AO does. As much as I love the AO card, previous DACs I've owned did a much better job with DSDs, and I have a large collection. As for using a Lampizator, I'm tempted to experiment with a used Poseidon, but really don't want to deal with tubes. (I'm probably in the minority there and might change my mind.) As for MSB, I believe the XDMI integration isn't as tight as it could be. It's more of a tight handoff to their proprietary protocol. So if I go that route, right or wrong, I'll always feel as if I'm missing something. If future versions of AO are better with DSDs, I can see myself staying with it. Otherwise, it's an enjoyable wait. Like in a four star resort.

If you are accepting wish-list items to evaluate for inclusion into a v2 Taiko Analog card I have two or three:

#1 priority for me would be an optical or SPDIF coax input for a CD transport or disc player with digital outputs. I'd like to leverage the outstanding performance of the "Taiko DAC" in the Olympus platform to enhance my ability to play legacy CDs. I2S in or out is not something I foresee myself ever using.

2. XLR analog output in my use case is a nice but not critical wish. But if XLR is included please keep RCA analog outputs as well or at least the option to convert XLR analog outputs to RCA with a nice adapter plug (Cardas makes two good ones). I have two preamps, one all-RCA ins and outs, one with one analog XLR input.

I was going to add a third wish, but as far as hardware that's about all I can think of. I guess a third wish would be to as much as possible, please don't break the bank on pricing. Obviously you have to cover expenses, payroll and overhead and turn a profit because we want Taiko to stay in business for many years to come. But for some of us another Olympus-priced or even I/O-priced component is not in the cards. Unfortunately, my organs are so old now they don't have a lot of market value anymore. . .

Steve Z

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...a great and noble third wish for the Dutch Genie . Particularly so, as you could have used the third wish to ask for younger organs!

 

[joet]

I wonder if anyone else has this issue. My NAS is connected directly to the Taiko router. When I reboot the router, the NAS is no longer recognized and Roon loses all of the local files. To get the NAS recognized again, I need to power it down, restart the DCD, and then power up the NAS. Any thoughts?

 

[joet]

If you are accepting wish-list items to evaluate for inclusion into a v2 Taiko Analog card I have two or three:

#1 priority for me would be an optical or SPDIF coax input for a CD transport or disc player with digital outputs. I'd like to leverage the outstanding performance of the "Taiko DAC" in the Olympus platform to enhance my ability to play legacy CDs. I2S in or out is not something I foresee myself ever using.

2. XLR analog output in my use case is a nice but not critical wish. But if XLR is included please keep RCA analog outputs as well or at least the option to convert XLR analog outputs to RCA with a nice adapter plug (Cardas makes two good ones). I have two preamps, one all-RCA ins and outs, one with one analog XLR input.

I was going to add a third wish, but as far as hardware that's about all I can think of. I guess a third wish would be to as much as possible, please don't break the bank on pricing. Obviously you have to cover expenses, payroll and overhead and turn a profit because we want Taiko to stay in business for many years to come. But for some of us another Olympus-priced or even I/O-priced component is not in the cards. Unfortunately, my organs are so old now they don't have a lot of market value anymore. . .

Steve Z

I wonder how much of the DAC's excellent performance is due to the tight XDMI coupling as opposed to the DAC chip itself. You might find leveraging the card as a virtual standalone DAC won't give you the expected results.

 

[dminches]

I wonder if anyone else has this issue. My NAS is connected directly to the Taiko router. When I reboot the router, the NAS is no longer recognized and Roon loses all of the local files. To get the NAS recognized again, I need to power it down, restart the DCD, and then power up the NAS. Any thoughts?

Power cycling the NAS doesn't do the trick? Are you able to see which devices are on the Taiko network after the router reboot?

 

[joet]

No, power cycling the NAS doesn't help. Even if it did, that's 98% of the work of rebooting the DSD. The router has everything attached to it, except the NAS,

 

[dminches]

No, power cycling the NAS doesn't help. Even if it did, that's 98% of the work of rebooting the DSD. The router has everything attached to it, except the NAS,

Is the NAS connected to the Taiko network or your home network? Is the NAS powered by the DCD? (Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to understand your configuration.)

 

[joet]

Is the NAS connected to the Taiko network or your home network? Is the NAS powered by the DCD? (Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to understand your configuration.)

The NAS is connected to the Taiko router, and it's powered directly by the PSU (but different rail) that powers the DCD

 

[dminches]

The NAS is connected to the Taiko router, and it's powered directly by the PSU (but different rail) that powers the DCD

It seems as though when the router is rebooted it isn’t seeing the NAS and assigning an IP address which doesn’t make sense. However, restarting the DCD shouldn’t be doing more than rebooting the router since the NAS isn’t powered by it.

Out of curiosity, have you tried giving the router more time (an hour or so) to see if the router eventually sees the NAS? All the repowering is forcing the router to search for devices and assign IP addresses.

 

[joet]

It seems as though when the router is rebooted it isn’t seeing the NAS and assigning an IP address which doesn’t make sense. However, restarting the DCD shouldn’t be doing more than rebooting the router since the NAS isn’t powered by it.

Out of curiosity, have you tried giving the router more time (an hour or so) to see if the router eventually sees the NAS? All the repowering is forcing the router to search for devices and assign IP addresses.

No, I haven't waited an extended period. Ill try it.

 

[oldmustang]

I wonder how much of the DAC's excellent performance is due to the tight XDMI coupling as opposed to the DAC chip itself. You might find leveraging the card as a virtual standalone DAC won't give you the expected results.

Many pages ago Emile posted that the actual contribution of the DAC chip to the overall sound was rather low in his estimation, on the order of 20-40% if I recall correctly.

Certainly, I'd expect the XDMI coupling directly to the mother board is a big part of the sonic advantage.

However, I'd also think that having the DAC in a heroically engineered chassis with attention to electrical and mechanical isolation, EMI/RFI shielding, and highly regulated DC battery power has to count for a large measure of the sonic goodness as well.

Steve Z

 

[SwissTom]

Hi Oldmustang,

I share your view.

A separate DAC means having to solve a lot of issues (power supply, clocking, and so on).

It’s a complex piece of work.

The Olympus and the I/O XDMI have solved most of these problems in a very elegant way.

The XDMI-DAC daughterboard (the analogue output) is really just one "small" extra step.

The V1 DAC was a "test", both a proof-of-concept and an assessment of demand.

I suspect the V2 DAC is going to be a surprise, a game changer! ;-)

… I sold my DAC, the Soulution 760.

Cheers,

Thomas

 

[ctydwn]

hm. I must say the Horizon 360 w curated tube sets (not cheap) via XDMI remains more musically engaging than the analog card. Sonic magic that I have yet to hear with the analog card only. overall close though. I surmise analog v2 will close that gap. But my current bet is on the Aphrodite (shipping next week) to remain a notch above Olympus plus I/O analog v2 out. Very exciting times and can’t wait to compare. The hi end standalone DAC price for performance is surely being tested, an understatement to say the least.

Also safe to surmise Emile’s numbers were based on ‘option order registrations’ and likely underestimate percentage of users ultimately opting to use analog card in their systems. what a testament to v1 Taiko DAC

 

[nonesup]

No, I haven't waited an extended period. Ill try it.

Aside from the IP address change issues I mentioned, the same thing happened to me yesterday. The Taiko router didn't recognize the NAS after a restart (running Fing showed it wasn't on the network), and after 4 or 5 minutes, it reappeared.
I bought the Olympus without internal storage following Taiko's advice. I don't doubt they're right, and that's why I did it, although I do miss those days with the Extreme when you had your local library on the server and there wasn't a single problem. Besides, using a NAS introduces new issues: the network cable to the router, the DC power supply, and the cable connecting this power supply to the NAS.

 

[joet]

Many pages ago Emile posted that the actual contribution of the DAC chip to the overall sound was rather low in his estimation, on the order of 20-40% if I recall correctly.

Certainly, I'd expect the XDMI coupling directly to the mother board is a big part of the sonic advantage.

However, I'd also think that having the DAC in a heroically engineered chassis with attention to electrical and mechanical isolation, EMI/RFI shielding, and highly regulated DC battery power has to count for a large measure of the sonic goodness as well.

Steve Z

We can agree the DAC card is fantastic as is now, and the future is bright, irrespective of the path it takes. As it is now, the DAC card makes the Olympus a high value item.