Back to Taiko - What I find myself saying over and over is the Taiko Extreme as a source plays a bigger role in digital playback between sound quality and equally important IMO, system interaction, especially with concern of adding a larger powered digital component into the system.
Both Taiko Extremes arrived with the new USB card installed in each and taken further with Taiko remotely installing TAS, Taikos playback application. Installing TAS was after I got a feel for the Extreme and Roon despite not running it as Asaio. TAS really drove significant change in overall digital playback performance allowing the MSB Reference DAC to process and emit a more detailed natural signal from prior configurations I have ran, including the Roon application.
The Taiko Extreme really presents the pinnacle of a digital source component from my experience. I will admit, there was some initial doubt about investment in the line especially knowing prior I have built a very good digital playback source in my reference system, and thinking back to diminishing returns over emotions. The prior configuration included the Aurender N10 connected via AES to a Brinkmann Nyquist MK II DAC. Playback from this configuration was acknowledged by audiophiles, including vinyl heads that have sat in and listened as being extremely detailed, warm and non-fatiguing reveling top-tier performance.
When building a system, you go through changes, a learning process of each leading to improvements in sound quality and system interaction. After adding the MSB Reference and a Discrete DAC replacing the Brinkmann, I decided to connect to the Aurender N10 via the MSB ProUSB (MSB’s USB/Fiber converter) and using the top of the line USB cable from Intona, The Ultimate. This connection contributed to a lower noise floor and better dynamics for many reasons related to the signal and noise carrying properties.
Then comes replacing the Aurender N10 with the Taiko Extreme and out the gate it was apparent the servers were leagues apart, and this was with initially running Roon before TAS. There is no doubt Taiko together with MSB really make a great match for each other. The difference with streaming and file playback were close with old setups, now it’s virtually negligible and you have to be at such a critical level to note the finest of details that it just takes the fun out of it IMO. I really haven’t compared this to the MSB Reference Transport and it’s new power base that showed up the same day as Taiko. It’s been settling in and wants to be played but I just can’t get past playing the Taiko, it’s even interfering with me playing records, my overall preference!
While I wanted the Taiko in the Audio Room, I was having trouble fitting it in and kinda glad I didn’t. A Taiko Extreme rests on the Taiko Panzerholz Daiza on the other side of the wall in the A/V area of the exercise room where the sub panel and digital platform all reside in a straight line 10' from the preamp. Fiber bridges this distance between the server and DAC with ease. I found it best to get as much out of the audio room as you can, as I have experienced component to component negative reactions to sound quality when powered together, though not sure about Taiko. The other benefit from having this on the other side is it does emit heat from its massive power supply. Note: Taiko has its own circuit (number 4/4) from the dedicated audio sub-panel, that is terminated with a Furutech 15 amp connection, bypassing the receptacle, the same configuration like the D’Agostino Momentum Mono amps and StromTank I run. (a Bocchino Santa Maria 15 amp IEC like I use on the Momentums will replace the Furutech at some point, StromTank doesn’t care). All other digital related pieces like the modem, switch and assorted come off a second sub-panel and this turned out to be a smart move for others to take note of and try, if they are not already, simply get as much of the digital noise makers out of your circuit no matter the setup, there’s more to it, but wanted to get you thinking)
In short, consideration towards a Taiko is a must if one wants to improve their digital playback but for the right reasons, and happy to help with that. Sure it’s not the cheapest tool in the shed, but it’s built for long lasting performance and while hard to predict the future I just can’t see this coming out of the system unless not supported which I highly doubt knowing Emile, Ed and team or until it goes to server heaven and by then I may be up there or more likely down in the heat.
Note: My comments are based from my experience, I am not one to say this is better than that, or this wipes the floor over this, or the mine is better camp, I just simply share my experience and if it helps someone great, I like helping others and leaving things better than I have found them.
