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".

 

USB vs. MSB XDMI? No way MSB USB sounds better than MSB XDMI. Its not even a nuance type discussion IMO....

 

USB vs. MSB XDMI? No way MSB USB sounds better than MSB XDMI. Its not even a nuance type discussion IMO....

to each their own , I have been comparing for the last week .I have not had a chance to compare on the 360 yet due to a back injury . I have KBL cable card just need to swap cards.

 

to each their own , I have been comparing for the last week .I have not had a chance to compare on the 360 yet due to a back injury . I have KBL cable card just need to swap cards.

Hi rau, I'm curious how many hours did you give the Olympus to burn in with the XDMI analogue card?

 

Hi rau, I'm curious how many hours did you give the Olympus to burn in with the XDMI analogue card?

350 hour range on the MSB Daughter Card

 

I'm curious how many actually took time to compare XDMI to USB on the Lampizator?
I am curious because on my MSB Cascade USB sounds best .

It was no contest for me using the XDMI digital board. USB sonically improved but compared to XDMI it was no contest. I sold a $15K USB cable and bought the KBL TOL XDMI cable at 1/3 the price and have never once missed USB

 

I remain the sole outlier as to this day I have not yet listened to the XDMI analogue board. Im hoping to when Emile releases V2 of the analogue board

 

I remain the sole outlier as to this day I have not yet listened to the XDMI analogue board. Im hoping to when Emile releases V2 of the analogue board

There are others

 

350 hour range on the MSB Daughter Card

How many hours on the xdmi (taiko) analog daughter card did you give it?

 

How many hours on the xdmi (taiko) analog daughter card did you give it?

I am not intrested in the analog card until maybe v2 . Next I will hook up the Horizon 360 with EXtrema XDMI .

 

I am not intrested in the analog card until maybe v2

"I'm curious how many actually took time to compare XDMI to USB on the Lampizator?
I am curious because on my MSB Cascade USB sounds best ."

@rau
Have you even tried the Taiko analog daughter board?
Does "not intrested" until v2 mean you have 0 hours in the seat listening?

 

I am not intrested in the analog card until maybe v2 . Next I will hook up the Horizon 360 with EXtrema XDMI .

It's just confusing to hear that something is best, especially USB, when it goes against all logic.
It would make sense if you've never tried it.
But, if true, you have no experience with the v1 analog and saying USB is best, it would help us if we have the whole story..
Enjoy your kit and have fun...
Marc

 

Here is somthing interesting that I was not going to bring up but here we go . I had 2 individuals reach out to me stating they like USB vs XDMI to the 360 . But I see now why they are afraid to post their findings . Yes USB into my Cascade to me sounds best .

 

Here is somthing interesting that I was not going to bring up but here we go . I had 2 individuals reach out to me stating they like USB vs XDMI to the 360 . But I see now why they are afraid to post their findings . Yes USB into my Cascade to me sounds best .

Rao
It's not one's preference that's in question... knowone should care what someone prefers. It's that stating something is better without even trying it.
But, yes. You are correct.
Id be afraid to come on here and suggest that usb is better than v1 analog. Having tried both - myself.
Best to you, Sir..

 

Rao
It's not one's preference that's in question... knowone should care what someone prefers. It's that stating something is better without even trying it.
But, yes. You are correct.
Id be afraid to come on here and suggest that usb is better than v1 analog. Having tried both - myself.
Best to you, Sir..

Who said USB is better than V1 analog out ?

 

One thing for me which is certain….. before I listened to XDMI I spent many days playing just USB. It sounded fantastic on the Olympus and definitely much better than with the Extreme. Then I switched to XDMI and all bets were off for my ears. It was no comparison


One thing @rau. …..when you listen to XDMI did you disconnect the USB cable. Emile has stated here many times that is essential. You cannot keep both cables attached as XDMI will be adversely affected.

 

One thing for me which is certain….. before I listened to XDMI I spent many days playing just USB. It sounded fantastic on the Olympus and definitely much better than with the Extreme. Then I switched to XDMI and all bets were off for my ears. It was no comparison


One thing @rau. …..when you listen to XDMI did you disconnect the USB cable. Emile has stated here many times that is essential. You cannot keep both cables attached as XDMI will be adversely affected.

Yes Steve I did

 

Who said USB is better than V1 analog out ?

My experience.
I don't do MSB..

 

What XDMI cable are you using

 

Okay let me clear this up . I removed the analog board replaced with MSB daughter card " ISL Out " to " ISL In " of the MSB Cascade . I perfered the USB connection from Olympus to USB on Cascade . I never said anything about analog v1

 

What XDMI cable are you using

Fiber