Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

ray-dude · Mar 30, 2021

ray-dude said:
...and since folks are sharing albums that blossom with this type of holographic reproduction:

Open Qobuz

open.qobuz.com

The MA Recordings Audiophiliac HiRez Music Sampler 2020

23 files sent via WeTransfer, the simplest way to send your files around the world

wetransfer.com

THE AUDIOPHILIAC MA RECORDINGS SAMPLER

13 files sent via WeTransfer, the simplest way to send your files around the world

wetransfer.com

Since a couple folks have asked in PM, the later 2 links are to some samplers from Todd Garfinkle at MA Recordings:

MA Recordings

www.marecordings.com

I think I own about 40 albums from Todd's catalog, and eventually I'm sure to own them all.

Minimal recording technique, stereo mic, no mixing.

If you're a sucker for that sense of musicians being in the room with you (which Extreme and now the USB card are best in the world at delivering), highly recommended.

The catalog itself is a graduate course in music, with Todd's own music sensibilities providing a through line connecting a very large variety of musicians and genres. The samplers linked above give a great (and very generous) intro to his catalog.

Skanda · Mar 30, 2021

what is the screwdriver needed in order to open the top chassis? gonna sort that out before my card ships

Rhapsody · Mar 30, 2021

Skanda said:
what is the screwdriver needed in order to open the top chassis? gonna sort that out before my card ships

It's a metric Allen key/wrench.

austinpop · Mar 30, 2021

I used a Torx T25. Not sure that’s the “official” size, but it works great.

Kingsrule · Mar 30, 2021

austinpop said:
I used a Torx T25. Not sure that’s the “official” size, but it works great.

Emile just cringed!

MarkusBarkus · Mar 30, 2021

OMG...we're going to organize a tool intervention! That is a 4mm hex. A 5/32nd is a very good fit in a pinch, for the metrically challenged.

Steve Williams · Mar 30, 2021

you also use a small Phillips screw driver to tighten the board into the bay. My suggestion is to use a magnetic Phillips as the screw is very small and can easily drop into the depths of the Extreme innards

Sablon Audio · Mar 30, 2021

Magnetic screws? Emile, I suspect there may be scope for an upgrade here

Steve Williams · Mar 30, 2021

I don’t know whether they are or aren’t but they are small screws and can be dropped. It was just easier for me. Took me a few seconds to tighten the bay screw

Taiko Audio · Mar 30, 2021

Using a magnetic screwdriver is a good idea! If a bolt drops in the chassis you may need to tilt it over to get it out again.

MarkusBarkus · Mar 30, 2021

...BTW: the report that some find it necessary to bend the copper a wee bit for proper insertion...combined with Emile's comment about test fitting each board before shipment suggests to me that the soft/malleable copper may bend that wee bit upon removal from the test fit process?

Perhaps, eye-balling the board before installation, looking for a straight, parellel board and tweaking that wee bit as needed, might be a helpful step in the process.

I am still awaiting the blessed arrival, so this is speculative on my part, but what I will do. Cheers...

Taiko Audio · Mar 30, 2021

MarkusBarkus said:
...BTW: the report that some find it necessary to bend the copper a wee bit for proper insertion...combined with Emile's comment about test fitting each board before shipment suggests to me that the soft/malleable copper may bend that wee bit upon removal from the test fit process?

Perhaps, eye-balling the board before installation, looking for a straight, parellel board and tweaking that wee bit as needed, might be a helpful step in the process.

I am still awaiting the blessed arrival, so this is speculative on my part, but what I will do. Cheers...

I think the trick is in how you insert it, you can see Ted guiding the bracket from the outside with his finger in the video at 0:30 here:

The slightly larger bracket angle makes for a tighter fit once inserted.

wil · Mar 30, 2021

I've done a limited amount of listening with the new usb card in place, but so far, in my system, at this point in time, this particular addition has pushed the musicality of digital playback to a new level. I think it's an accumulation of advances, but this seems to be the one to really do it.

Beyond the audiophile particulars like resolution, soundstage and dynamics, I'm simply aware of musical flow and purity.

Sometimes I've been frustrated by computer audio and tempted just get a CD player. Not any more! Gratitude to Emile and Co for continuing the quest!

Rhapsody · Mar 31, 2021

150 hours in with the usb card-

DRAMATICALLY more air, openness and an uncompressed feeling, which enhances a GRAND holographic 3D effect, with every track you play vs at the 25 and 50 hour mark.

I didn't listen to TAS from the 50 hour mark until this morning at the 150 hour mark. I left Roon/RSC playing.

I was astonished after 12 hours of the usb card being inserted. Astonishment has now moved to dumbfounded.

GAME CHANGER/Paradigm Shift

Blackmorec · Mar 31, 2021

Rhapsody said:
150 hours in with the usb card-

DRAMATICALLY more air, openness and an uncompressed feeling, which enhances GRAND holographic 3D effect, with every track you play vs at the 25 and 50 hour mark.

I didn't listen to TAS from the 50 hour mark until this morning at the 150 hour mark. I left Roon/RSC playing.

I was astonished after 12 hours of the usb card being inserted. Astonishment has now moved to dumbfounded.

GAME CHANGER/Paradigm Shift

Hey Rhapsody,

Sounds great!

Next time you get some relaxed listening time, try this album

Camille OUI http://open.qobuz.com/album/5060525430213

Listen to track 10 -Fille a papa- with your eyes closed. https://open.qobuz.com/track/40020349

Let the track play for a minute or two then pay attention to your feet and what they’re resting on vs. what you’re hearing. What do you notice? Now, without opening your eyes, try to picture where you’re actually sitting within the soundscape your system is creating.

Rhapsody · Mar 31, 2021

Blackmorec said:
Hey Rhapsody,

Sounds great!

Next time you get some relaxed listening time, try this album

Camille OUI http://open.qobuz.com/album/5060525430213

Listen to track 10 -Fille a papa- with your eyes closed. https://open.qobuz.com/track/40020349

Let the track play for a minute or two then pay attention to your feet and what they’re resting on vs. what you’re hearing. What do you notice? Now, without opening your eyes, try to picture where you’re actually sitting within the soundscape your system is creating.

The soundscape is room encompassing

Rhapsody · Mar 31, 2021

I'm actually MORE impressed with listening to old 70's albums like America, Joni Mitchell type albums than I am listening to mind blowing recordings.

Listening to old albums that I always loved the music and now hearing it like it is being presented is a true gift. Much more of an emotional connection vs the great recordings like Touch by Yello. Although those are fun to listen to as well. BUT going back through the library of fav's over the years will be a real treat over the next months and even years.

Color me grateful

matthias · Mar 31, 2021

Rhapsody said:
I'm actually MORE impressed with listening to old 70's albums like America, Joni Mitchell type albums than I am listening to mind blowing recordings.

Listening to old albums that I always loved the music and now hearing it like it is being presented is a true gift. Much more of an emotional connection vs the great recordings like Touch by Yello. Although those are fun to listen to as well. BUT going back through the library of fav's over the years will be a real treat over the next months and even years.

Color me grateful

Yeah, the difference between music and sound.

Matt

jelt2359 · Mar 31, 2021

Silly question- if I use an external hard disk, should I now use the previous USB port that was for dacs and is now vacated? Or stick to the ones that I had been using?

Taiko Audio · Mar 31, 2021

jelt2359 said:
Silly question- if I use an external hard disk, should I now use the previous USB port that was for dacs and is now vacated? Or stick to the ones that I had been using?

That port can be 2 times faster if the connected device supports it (max 10Gbps, the others are 5Gbps).

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