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

For those who just started reading up on Olympus, Olympus I/O, and XDMI, please note that all information in this thread has been summarized in a single PDF document that can be downloaded from the Taiko Website.

https://taikoaudio.com/taiko-2020/taiko-audio-downloads

The document is frequently updated.

Scroll down to the 'XDMI, Olympus Music Server, Olympus I/O' section and click 'XDMI, Olympus, Olympus I/O Product Introduction & FAQ' to download the latest version.

Good morning WBF!​

We are introducing the culmination of close to 4 years of research and development. As a bona fide IT/tech nerd with a passion for music, I have always been intrigued by the potential of leveraging the most modern of technologies in order to create a better music playback experience. This, amongst others, led to the creation of our popular, perhaps even revolutionary, Extreme music server 5 years ago, which we have been steadily improving and updating with new technologies throughout its life cycle. Today I feel we can safely claim it's holding its ground against the onslaught of new server releases from other companies, and we are committed to keep improving it for years to come.

We are introducing a new server model called the Olympus. Hierarchically, it positions itself above the Extreme. It does provide quite a different music experience than the Extreme, or any other server I've heard, for that matter. Conventional audiophile descriptions such as sound staging, dynamics, color palette, etc, fall short to describe this difference. It does not sound digital or analog, I would be inclined to describe it as coming closer to the intended (or unintended) performance of the recording engineer.

Committed to keeping the Extreme as current as possible, we are introducing a second product called the Olympus I/O. This is an external upgrade to the Extreme containing a significant part of the Olympus technology, allowing it to come near, though not entirely at, Olympus performance levels. The Olympus I/O can even be added to the Olympus itself to elevate its performance even further, though not as dramatic an uplift as adding it to the Extreme. Consider it the proverbial "cherry on top".

 

I don't doubt it, but why does the power cord on the I/O have a big influence if the I/O runs on battery power when one is listening?

The OS battery on the Olympus is always charging so it makes sense that the power cord there matters a lot.

A power cable always has an interaction with other audio components and the grounding. This leads to audible effects, even with battery-powered components.

 

My wardrobe has ben seriously depleted the deeper I go down the rabbit hole!! Typically the Olympus comes on a plastic pallet and strapped. Who knows what happened on the journey? I'm just happy it safely arrived!!

Taiko needs to ditch that plastic pallet mine was all busted up . John you still have shoes so your ahead of me

 

Taiko needs to ditch that plastic pallet mine was all busted up . John you still have shoes so your ahead of me

We actually selected it for its improved strength compared to wood pallets, which fall apart considerably more easily. It's amazing that the couriers still manage to break them.

 

We actually selected it for its improved strength compared to wood pallets, which fall apart considerably more easily. It's amazing that the couriers still manage to break them.

A forklift is just a polite warehouse tickler..
More likeness to a bull in a China shop that lifts 3 tons.
May as well send in a group of toddlers with hammers.

 

...the facility mgr. at FedEx said they hate the composite pallets.

The operators use the "forks" to nudge things around to make room, etc. and if you've seen a busy facility, it's a cross between ballet mechanique and a bull-fight.

 

We actually selected it for its improved strength compared to wood pallets, which fall apart considerably more easily. It's amazing that the couriers still manage to break them.

Then they must of came from wish.com because they are worse I've seen

 

These are excellent pallets. I used to place 650 liter wine tanks on them so I could move them with my pallet jack...

 

...and honestly, I think the composites would be OK with a pallet-jack, as it's moving slowly and more "precisely." But for a fork-lift, there are lateral near-misses before things are in place. I imagine straight-line lifts are fine, but one could tell the "legs" were sheared-off from lateral force on mine. And we wouldn't want to spill that precious juice, John T. Nice!

 

I would trust these under any shipping circumstances. (Not sure who made/makes them) Forklift pallet jack. I shipped the Gryphon Mephisto to a guy. 300 lbs. He commented how tough they are. I borrowed a farmers skid steer to set it in my truck. When I strapped it the plastic was bending but never cracked or broke. I'll try to find who makes them. If anyone has to ship an expensive piece this is what I would use...

 

I had to put it on a wood pallet just to get off truck

 

No...the facility mgr. at FedEx said they hate the composite pallets.

The operators use the "forks" to nudge things around to make room, etc. and if you've seen a busy facility, it's a cross between ballet mechanique and a bull-fight.

They are both active. I am not aware of comparative SQ tests that have been done.

I try both Olympus usb outputs to my Lampi USB but no music from preamp. This setup was okay with the Extreme. I disabled Taiko XDMI and enabled Taiko Audio USB Audio Device but no luck. Any help is very much appreciated.

 

I try both Olympus usb outputs to my Lampi USB but no music from preamp. This setup was okay with the Extreme. I disabled Taiko XDMI and enabled Taiko Audio USB Audio Device but no luck. Any help is very much appreciated.

Did you change the input setting on your Lampi when you switched to USB?

 

Did you change the input setting on your Lampi when you switched to USB?

Yes, input 4 which same when I was using the Extreme.

 

Yes, input 4 which same when I was using the Extreme.

It sounds like Roon does recognize the USB DAC? Also, I assume you turned up the volume control on the Lampi? I think each input has its own volume level.

 

I forgot to add! Late yesterday I was notified by FedEx that they were sorry to inform me that my parcel could not be located! You know the one sitting on the shelf! Can't make it up...Should I file a claim?

Glad to hear it finally arrived John. Enjoy!

Definitely file a claim, lol. My new to me Extreme isn't playing music right now so perhaps it's time for an upgrade to Olympus

 

It sounds like Roon does recognize the USB DAC? Also, I assume you turned up the volume control on the Lampi? I think each input has its own volume level.

The Lampi output for input 4 is set at max 63. There is Audio Setup page in Roon, the Taiko Audio USB Audio Device need to be Enabled which I have done. I also Disabled the Taiko XDMI device in this page with no success.

 

Glad to hear it finally arrived John. Enjoy!

Definitely file a claim, lol. My new to me Extreme isn't playing music right now so perhaps it's time for an upgrade to Olympus

Don't encourage me Arun!

 

Glad to hear it finally arrived John. Enjoy!

Definitely file a claim, lol. My new to me Extreme isn't playing music right now so perhaps it's time for an upgrade to Olympus

Oh, no!

Tom

 

The Lampi output for input 4 is set at max 63. There is Audio Setup page in Roon, the Taiko Audio USB Audio Device need to be Enabled which I have done. I also Disabled the Taiko XDMI device in this page with no success.

One listen to Taiko Lampi XDMI was all it took for me to sell my $16K USB cable. I have not listened to USB since I now use the TOL KBL XDMI cable Lampi XDMI is input 6 I know the analogue card by all reports is excellent but for my ears I use the Lampi XDMI digital card.

 

If anyone is in need of a broken in KBL Extrema XDMI cable, I have one for sale.