Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[MusicFellow]

….and half are likely in this room.

I didn‘t want to put it out so bluntly.

Emile read my thought and edited the post. For the resell value of just one unit, I‘d probably have all the funds to pay for all the gadgets Emile comes up with until he retires.

 

[jelt2359]

Thanks to all that helped with my DAC Cable issue. The Taiko team sorted me out- there's a new Router headed my way Super stellar service!

 

[jelt2359]

Has anyone with an order date of May 2 or higher received a notice from DHL?

I paid on May 2 due to some issues with Transferwise. Not sure if that counts as a May 1 or May 2 order.

Mine shipped 2 Oct (Monday), and arrived yesterday after a one day delay due to a security hold up with the copper chassis which apparently is quite common according to Taiko

 

[Taiko Audio]

Hello, I don't buy already the switch and ethernet card, I only improve the USB card for the moment. I own already a SOTM switch, XDMS is clearly more transparent than Roon and it's difficult to go back to Roon. Recently I plug my SOTM clock to the switch and I was really surprise of the clear improvement of Roon in this configuration. And this afternoon it was really pleasant to discover music thanks to Roon algo.
Edward last day explain me that the main difference with Taiko Switch is that you can listen Roon with him. If someone can explain me with simple words how it works because sometimes this forum is for experts and I am not one of them. Right now I have one Sotm psu on my internet box, one on my switch and one for my clock and two ethernet CAT 7 with filters SOTM between box / Switch / extreme and my usb is FTA Sinope. What can add the Taiko switch, and can I use my SOTM PSU for it?

There are several people who have replaced their sotm switch with our switch who posted their feedback in this thread. But it's not easy to find due to the large number of posts.

The switch improves both XDMS and Roon playback quality. The router adds to this to the extend with some initial feedback indicating their preference is now Roon for SQ. This is not bad news for XDMS as we can adjust its code from lessons learned from the hardware development branch, there is an update on its way to significantly boost XDMS SQ again.

You can keep your sotm powersupply and replace your switch with the Taiko Switch / Network card combination.

As for design details, they are outlined in this document you can find in the downloads section of our website:

https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/w...tch-Summary-FAQ_v45.x61923.pdf?v=796834e7a283

 

[Taiko Audio]

Has anyone had a chance to see if the router's minimization of traffic to the NIC has an impact on local playback as well as streaming?

It improves both.

 

[Taiko Audio]

I only listen to local playback. Zero streaming.

My Router is not optimal because the DAC Cable between it and the switch is not working, but even with RJ45 between Router and Switch I hear a big immediate difference- the sound is more defined, it has more body, and it's somehow more controlled yet more musical at the same time. Effortless sound.

That's with default for router and Alt1 for switch, my current favourite combination.

Having said that, I use only headphones so a lot of differences are much more obvious to me since the 'speakers' are right next to my ears.

If you'd want to describe why you prefer ALT1 and which power supply you use it would be very useful data for us

 

[Taiko Audio]

Thank you Emile.
It looks you played with many different amps and DACs a lot over past years.
Are the Speakers the only thing you want to stay with ?
Are you thinking of getting something else / additional as a test speaker to be able to get a different perspective ?
At the end those are very rare speakers and quite specyfic in sound presentation.

We have Alsyvox Raffaello, Cessaro Opus and Magico A5. And yes it is necessary/beneficial to test on different types of systems.

 

[Taiko Audio]

I paid on May 2 due to some issues with Transferwise. Not sure if that counts as a May 1 or May 2 order.

Mine shipped 2 Oct (Monday), and arrived yesterday after a one day delay due to a security hold up with the copper chassis which apparently is quite common according to Taiko

Indeed Xrays does not penetrate copper so it shows as a solid block which can trigger a manual check by customs officials.

 

[jelt2359]

"Note that you should not take this as how you will perceive this yourself as your preferred outcome can depend on your powersupply/utility, system setup and your own individual perception and preference. Highly recommend to give them all a serious audition. The quickest way is to just switch the DC cable powering the switch between them as that will only cause a few seconds of “downtime”."

BTW, I know this is how switches normally work (few seconds of downtime), but in my Taiko setup whenever I unpower the Taiko switch, the router seems to reset itself as well.

I'm not sure why- but the result is that it is not a few seconds of 'downtime'

 

[Taiko Audio]

BTW, I know this is how switches normally work (few seconds of downtime), but in my Taiko setup whenever I unpower the Taiko switch, the router seems to reset itself as well.

I'm not sure why- but the result is that it is not a few seconds of 'downtime'

That is puzzling, which powersupply do you use?

 

[jelt2359]

I use the plixir statement bdc!

 

[John T]

For those who have the dc distributor: does your grounding screw screw in all the way? Mine stops halfway, and so I have no tension on my grounding cable which keeps dropping off.

Take a green pad (for washing pots and pans) clean the threads on the screw, could be a small burr..

 

[Taiko Audio]

I use the plixir statement bdc!

Ok that’s a rock solid supply. Can’t think of a why right now.

 

[SwissTom]

@Taiko Audio

Hi Emile,

Has the first batch of routers been sent?

Or is there more to go?

Cheers,

Thomas

 

[jelt2359]

Ok that’s a rock solid supply. Can’t think of a why right now.

It happens specifically when I plug the switch into a new output. Almost like that leads to a surge for the router and then it resets.

 

[Taiko Audio]

@Taiko Audio

Hi Emile,

Has the first batch of routers been sent?

Or is there more to go?

Cheers,

Thomas

More to go! It’s actually a bit labour intensive as each individual router is hooked up and tested after assembly before packing / shipping. But making good progress. I do suspect it may take another week or so before we have every order out the door.

 

[dminches]

It happens specifically when I plug the switch into a new output. Almost like that leads to a surge for the router and then it resets.

Can you define "reset?"

After I installed my router I changed the wifi password. During one of the power cycles it reset to the original password.

 

[MarcelNL]

even 24K gold leaf is affordable enough, gilding is not that difficult ;-)

 

[Taiko Audio]

It happens specifically when I plug the switch into a new output. Almost like that leads to a surge for the router and then it resets.

A surge is unlikely, more likely is the voltage briefly drops too far below 12V, but as the Statement BDC is rated for 6A and the switch power draw is very low it's a bit unexpected, then again there's voltage drop over cabling/connectors involved etc.. I cannot reproduce it here and I doubt the additional ~ 0.7 watts of using RJ45 in stead of DAC makes a significant difference as that's "only" like + 10% on the total package power consumption.

 

[dminches]

Roon was immediate. I must admit it was a sobering experience going back and forth between Roon and XDMS

What you may not have experienced is that the Roon magic was there with just the switch!