Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[Taiko Audio]

Subsequently you can consider removing other switches or audiophile tweaks from your network which now most likely only increase noise. How we can be so certain of this is because even a single RJ45 or Fiber network port has a higher noise level then the new network card and switch combined.

Furthermore using the full package moves a part of ethernet signal processing which currently happens inside the Extreme to the Switch reducing the total amount of processing performed inside the Extreme which in turn lowers the general noise floor. This processing always happens, during both streaming and local file playback, hence is audible with both.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Hi Emile,

You are an erupting Innovation volcano!
Big thanks and congrats!

Thank you!

If there are the USB card and new ethernet card installed in the Extreme already, there seems to be no spare PCIe socket for the coming Extreme interface card?
Do the usb card have to be removed to make room for the new interface card?

Yes you could either replace the USB card for which we could look into doing a trade in deal or you can move the Optane OS drive which I have tested already and works fine too, and ofcourse there’s room to play with your storage cards.

 

[dminches]

What's your recommended configuration if you have a DAC which using an ethernet port as opposed to USB? Currently, everything (ethernet source, Extreme and DAC) are connected with a switch or the DAC is connected directly to the Extreme as is the ethernet source, utilizing both Extreme ethernet ports. (This isn't my configuration but is for some others.)

 

[Downtheline]

Will there be any difference in functionality/connectivity between big and small switch?

 

[Taiko Audio]

Is there a SQ difference between:
1. SFP RJ45 Copper (DAC) cable with predetermined length up to 7m
vs.
2. SFP with RJ45 Copper port + CAT5/6/7 cable (select different CAT5/6/7 cables to achieve desired length)

Yes.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Will there be any difference in functionality/connectivity between big and small switch?

No, the big Switch just sounds better, but I think you‘d already be impressed with the small Switch.

 

[Taiko Audio]

I understand this is a hard to understand topic for someone not versed in network technology, so do not hesitate to ask if anything is still unclear.

 

[Taiko Audio]

What's your recommended configuration if you have a DAC which using an ethernet port as opposed to USB? Currently, everything (ethernet source, Extreme and DAC) are connected with a switch or the DAC is connected directly to the Extreme as is the ethernet source, utilizing both Extreme ethernet ports. (This isn't my configuration but is for some others.)

Well it depends on how much you are willing to spend, but I guess you could use 2 switches ;-)

 

[MarkusBarkus]

Hi Emile. If not too far ahead of the curve or still immature, can you comment on the likelihood of the collaboration with other dac manufacturers for the new card output?

For selfish reasons, I am interested in a possible MSB integration with their ProISL converter, which I use. Completely understand if this is still in discussion level stage or skunkworks stuff. Looking forward to receiving my new switch-a-roo!

 

[microstrip]

How does the sound of streaming going through the router compare with the same file played from the Extreme storage?

 

[Steve Williams]

Well it depends on how much you are willing to spend, but I guess you could use 2 switches ;-)

one big and one small

 

[Taiko Audio]

How does the sound of streaming going through the router compare with the same file played from the Extreme storage?

This is a work in progress, honestly the hardware of the router is brand new, it just passed EMC testing last week. It’s running a basic set of software. But it should on paper get us close if not there, for XDMS I have zero doubts we will get it on an equal level, but for Roon we have a lot of very clever coding and even some hacking to do.

 

[microstrip]

This is a work in progress, honestly the hardware of the router is brand new, it just passed EMC testing last week. It’s running a basic set of software. But it should on paper get us close if not there, for XDMS I have zero doubts we will get it on an equal level, but for Roon we have a lot of very clever coding and even some hacking to do.

My fault, I was wanting to ask the question for the switch versus Extreme storage!

 

[Kris]

Thank you!




Yes you could either replace the USB card for which we could look into doing a trade in deal or you can move the Optane OS drive which I have tested already and works fine too, and ofcourse there’s room to play with your storage cards.

Fantastic news Emile !
This would be perfect option to be able to trade in USB card that can be re-used for those with regular DACs that will not have Taiko Audiophile Reciver ( from TACDD) Implemented in DAC.
Thank you for thinking about that !

Also please consider trade in of the Current ATX supply we all have (if possible) for those who will run for BPS Soon.
I am quite sure majority new customers will stick to the current ATX power supply as additional cost of the BPS will be a serious limiting factor.

 

[Taiko Audio]

Hi Emile. If not too far ahead of the curve or still immature, can you comment on the likelihood of the collaboration with other dac manufacturers for the new card output?

For selfish reasons, I am interested in a possible MSB integration with their ProISL converter, which I use. Completely understand if this is still in discussion level stage or skunkworks stuff. Looking forward to receiving my new switch-a-roo!

The three I mentioned in my earlier post have expressed their willingness.

Naturally we‘re going to need market adaptation. These are not cheap developments, it‘s either going to be a long haul investment project taking years to break even, like XDMS as a rather obvious example, or it’s going to take off like a rocket and be widely used inside of 1-2 years. It’s pace will be largely decided by how well the products we launch utilising it sell.

 

[Steve Williams]

The three I mentioned in my earlier post have expressed their willingness.

Naturally we‘re going to need market adaptation. These are not cheap developments, it‘s either going to be a long haul investment project taking years to break even, like XDMS as a rather obvious example, or it’s going to take off like a rocket and be widely used inside of 1-2 years. It’s pace will be largely decided by how well the products we launch utilising it sell.

There should not be a doubt in your mind

 

[Taiko Audio]

Fantastic news Emile !
This would be perfect option to be able to trade in USB card that can be re-used for those with regular DACs that will not have Taiko Audiophile Reciver ( from TACDD) Implemented in DAC.
Thank you for thinking about that !

Also please consider trade in of the Current ATX supply we all have (if possible) for those who will run for BPS Soon.
I am quite sure majority new customers will stick to the current ATX power supply as additional cost of the BPS will be a serious limiting factor.

That is covered by our standard upgrade warranty.

Trading in the USB card on a different type of product would be an additional service, if we launch a new USB card we would take the old one back by default.

 

[Kris]

This is a work in progress, honestly the hardware of the router is brand new, it just passed EMC testing last week. It’s running a basic set of software. But it should on paper get us close if not there, for XDMS I have zero doubts we will get it on an equal level, but for Roon we have a lot of very clever coding and even some hacking to do.

Router twick in my experience was much more important than the same thing in a swich .
Simple powering with LPS was giving more SQ increase in rouer than in a swich.
I am quite sure Taiko router will be very significant increase in the SQ .
Cant wait for the presale of the Taiko router !

 

[Taiko Audio]

My fault, I was wanting to ask the question for the switch versus Extreme storage!

I understand the general idea that switches mainly influence streaming sound quality as they „pass on“ the actual bits but that’s not really where it’s at. Now there is a slightly larger improvement for streamed over locally stored file playback, but if the improvement would be 25% for local files it’s perhaps 30% for streamed.

 

[Kris]

That is covered by our standard upgrade warranty.

Trading in the USB card on a different type of product would be an additional service, if we launch a new USB card we would take the old one back by default.

This is just amazing STANDARD Emile. Thank you !

If anyone of you being here and just reading is still not sure of purchesing the Taiko Extreme
for yourself, here is a clear answer that will secure your future upgrates with Taiko .
There is no risk here of having an older version of Taiko server / streamer In the future.
Nothing on earth is better than that .