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

[DW101]

Same!

 

[nenon]

Rather, the query was whether or not by doing this Taiko is assuming that there is no mileage in evaluating other platforms which could also run on the Taiko hardware, or does Taiko continue to surveil the evolving non-Roon options, if only to confirm that the Roon-only choice remains their third-party preference.

Does Taiko periodically review the progress which other platforms are making eg Audirvana?

Yes — other platforms are on the list to be evaluated as time permits. That includes Audirvana, with whom we’re already in contact.

Please don’t read this as a commitment to add support for Audirvana (or any specific platform), but rather as a commitment to explore all viable options. Those who know Emile will know that he leaves no stone unturned — and that applies here as well.

 

[Kingsrule]

Silver anodized:
Silver anodizing continues to be unpredictable and challenging. The queue isn’t very large, but these clients have been waiting the longest. I plan to create a dedicated email group for all remaining clients and dealers with outstanding silver orders to provide full transparency into the queue and what’s happening behind the scenes. I will set this up next week.

Did the silver anodized email ever go out? If it did I didn't receive it...

 

[Kingsrule]

On the topic of isolation, the Olympus has been so enjoyable that, in true audiophile fashion, I started to look for ways to make it sound better.
When I first bought the Taiko network stack 2 – 3 years ago, I put them on a large Daiza. When I reported an increase in sibilance, Emile said that the Daiza platforms don’t perform well with heavy copper so I “temporarily” (for over two years) put the stack on a Butcher Block Audio platform with Gaia feet and Iso Acoustic Orea Copper couplers under the units. This helped, but it still wasn’t ideal. I've long intended to work on this. Hearing the brilliant IO finally inspired me.
Maybe it’s because changes are amplified early in the chain, or the heavy billet construction, or maybe it’s just me, but I've found platform changes to the stack have a profound effect
When I started the process, the networking devices were on the top shelf of a Butcher Block Acoustics rack. Somehow, between changing the isolation feet and re-seating the IO on the bottom shelf, all three networking units fell off the top shelf onto the top of the IO. Thanks to its tank-like construction, the IO suffered only cosmetic damage. My emotional damage, however, was nearly fatal. Unfortunately, the DCD lost the inner post of one of the two default inputs. So, while Vassil and I figure out our repair options, keep in mind that these tests were done with the switch in alt 1 of the DCD and the router in alt 2. I found this configuration to be the closest in sonic signature to using both default inputs. For what it’s worth, the sonic signature of the switch is slightly more dominant than the router, meaning the sound characteristics lean slightly towards whichever alt input the switch was using. I also needed to substitute a Ghent Audio DC cable for the Taiko cable because the post was stuck in the connector.
After this fiasco, I decided to put the network assembly on a lower shelf on top of a slate slab. The PSU, Eero router, and NAS remained on the top shelf on a Daiza platform.
Using the stock copper feet on the slate resulted in immediate improvement over the units on a Butcher Block (with or without Orea). Sibilance reduced and there was greater clarity.
Based upon Christiaan’s article on the same topic, and other posts in the forum, I purchased 4 each of used Ansuz T2S and T2 footers, three HRS Nimbus assemblies, and a set of HRS Vortex feet. (I have yet to receive the Vortex feet and will follow up when I do.)
Initially, I placed three of the T2S feet under just the router. I was actually disappointed. The presentation was sharper and somewhat tighter, but there was an annoying edge to the vocals. Almost like bad reverb. I then placed the T2 feet under the router. The vocal edge was gone, but the sound was softer. Maybe even a little flabby? And while different, I wasn’t sure if the sound was any better than placing the feet directly on slate.
Perplexed, I decided to see what happened if I placed the feet under multiple units. I mixed the H2 and H2S together, placing 1 H2 and 2 H2S under the router and switch and three Nimbus under the DCD. The sound was much improved, better than copper feet on the slate alone, but there was a bass overhang. I assumed that it was because of the Nimbus, which isn’t designed for billet items like the DCD (that’s what the Vortex are supposedly for.) Plus, the three Nimbus assemblies were too large for the smallish DCD. So I switched the Nimbus under the DCD to three Orea Copper. The improvement was very good. There was a clarity without harshness, good resolution and improved separation.
I had three unused Nimbus assemblies. They’re designed for components with traditional cases, so I decided to place the three of them under the Mojo Audio Illuminati III PSU. Wow!
In total, there is improved clarity, coherence and realism. I keep on sneaking down to the listening room just to listen to a track.
Because of the avalanche, I decided to bite the bullet and finally purchase an SRA Craz. The Butcher Block rack had served it’s purpose and, perhaps unfairly, I blame it for the crashing copper network devices. The Craz should arrive in about 6 weeks. I’m also still waiting for the HRS Vortex feet. I’ll report again after those are received and set-up.
Then, once the dust settles on all of this, I’ll audition the HifiStay feet under the Olympus and IO. There’s always something.View attachment 160509

@joet Great tip on the PSU isolation...I put 3 Goldmund cones under each of my 2 JS-2's (I know not the latest tech but still very good sonically)..TU

 

[joet]

@joet Great tip on the PSU isolation...I put 3 Goldmund cones under each of my 2 JS-2's (I know not the latest tech but still very good sonically)..TU

Thank you. So glad it helped. I've found isolation and power cords have a much greater impact on PSU SQ than I expected. I've since made a few changes. I've found 3 T2S feet under each of the components sounds best. Unsure what happened when I placed them under the router only. I've also found that the Vortex feet under the PSU was superior to the Nimbus. The Nimbus caused more bass overhang than I like. I've since ordered an HRS isolation platform for the stack + PSU (supposedly the Vortex is designed for it) that I'll experiment with when it and the Craz arrive in a month or so.

 

[2ndLiner]

A big SHOUTOUT to @nenon (Vassil) who assisted me with setup for my newly arrived Olympus (stunning in black!). Though setup was pretty much a breeze, he took time to make sure everything was dialed in correctly and patiently answered my questions in detail. Anyone who has had the good fortune to connect with Vassil knows what a fantastic asset he is to our audio community and Taiko is most fortunate to have him as their North American representative!

 

[theaudiogeek]

A big SHOUTOUT to @nenon (Vassil) who assisted me with setup for my newly arrived Olympus (stunning in black!). Though setup was pretty much a breeze, he took time to make sure everything was dialed in correctly and patiently answered my questions in detail. Anyone who has had the good fortune to connect with Vassil knows what a fantastic asset he is to our audio community and Taiko is most fortunate to have him as their North American representative!

100% agree with you. @nenon is awesome! Congrats on your new Olympus ! I had mine almost 2 months and it has transformed totally from the day I got it.

 

[ctydwn]

agreed. @nenon for President

 

[Kingsrule]

Did the silver anodized email ever go out? If it did I didn't receive it...

@nenon
I guess I'm not on the reply list to my question and on the silver anodized list....

 

[nenon]

@nenon
I guess I'm not on the reply list to my question and on the silver anodized list....

Just finished a long drive from Chicago to Washington D.C. Let me finish the hotel check in, and I will look into this and send you a message.

 

[Kingsrule]

Responded to your PM....

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

After 3 weeks FedEx and customs clearance saga, the Olympus showed up on my driveway without any warning!

A 20-year-old kid/girl showed up in a truck without a fork-lift, before I got to her, she tried to flag down a truck and ask for help unloading. When I got to her, she asked me (to my horror) if it will be ok to just drop the pallet to the ground from the truck because it was heavy and she cannot lift it.

I have a bad back, so my chivalrous days are long gone! So, I offered to help load the pallet on to a dolly if she can grab the handles one side. But the pallet got twisted in the process and moved to the side of the flight case instead of bottom. We got it to the garage where before I can react, she just let the flight case slide off the dolly and let it drop a couple of inches to the floor! (my heart stopped). She had also assumed it was a 68lb package and I had to tell her it was 68kg.

I cannot really fault the kid for this; she has not much experience, FedEX really messed it up and things could have gone horribly wrong if I were not home (since the tracking did not work once it was released from customs). I plan to load it on to my rack later today with help from couple of men I have lined up, and I hope there is no real damage.

The last three weeks of waiting was tough, and @nenon helped calm my nerves a bit. Now I look forward to setting it up and hearing for myself what all the fuss about the O is

 

[John T]

After 3 weeks FedEx and customs clearance saga, the Olympus showed up on my driveway without any warning!

A 20-year-old kid/girl showed up in a truck without a fork-lift, before I got to her, she tried to flag down a truck and ask for help unloading. When I got to her, she asked me (to my horror) if it will be ok to just drop the pallet to the ground from the truck because it was heavy and she cannot lift it.

I have a bad back, so my chivalrous days are long gone! So, I offered to help load the pallet on to a dolly if she can grab the handles one side. But the pallet got twisted in the process and moved to the side of the flight case instead of bottom. We got it to the garage where before I can react, she just let the flight case slide off the dolly and let it drop a couple of inches to the floor! (my heart stopped). She had also assumed it was a 68lb package and I had to tell her it was 68kg.

I cannot really fault the kid for this; she has not much experience, FedEX really messed it up and things could have gone horribly wrong if I were not home (since the tracking did not work once it was released from customs). I plan to load it on to my rack later today with help from couple of men I have lined up, and I hope there is no real damage.

The last three weeks of waiting was tough, and @nenon helped calm my nerves a bit. Now I look forward to setting it up and hearing for myself what all the fuss about the O is
View attachment 161396

I suspect you will be fine, mine had a bit of a similar unusual route, minus a pallet. and no outer packaging. The flight case is very tough. Your a better man than me, 20 year old girl, deliverer, that doesn't have the strength to get the delivery accomplished. What's wrong with that picture? We are doomed...

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...can you imagine: dropping the box from the back of the truck? Maybe with their drones they'll use a parachute. We are doomed, is right!

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

...can you imagine: dropping the box from the back of the truck? Maybe with their drones they'll use a parachute. We are doomed, is right!

I think the thinking was the egg-crate pallet will be strong enough to cushion the three-foot drop!, just slide it off the truck and hope for the best! reminded me of the science experiments my kids did, they were to let eggs drop 20 feet or so without cracking by providing the right cushioning and air resistance.

 

[John T]

Sort of like the old days when the beer delivery guys would come to the bars, they would drop the kegs onto a thick pillow out on the road before bringing them in...

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...if only she had a pillow of sorts. That would reflect some level of thought on the challenge.

Unfortunately, "hoping for the best" has replaced a substantial portion of planning, preparing and calculating in modern activities.

I have updated my project planning spreadsheets: Hope is now 50% of the calculation.

And here's hoping all is well with your landing, ZB.

 

[Tuckia]

...if only she had a pillow of sorts. That would reflect some level of thought on the challenge.

Unfortunately, "hoping for the best" has replaced a substantial portion of planning, preparing and calculating in modern activities.

I have updated my project planning spreadsheets: Hope is now 50% of the calculation.

And here's hoping all is well with your landing, ZB.

...thereby creating internet proof that Taiko is responsible for shipping two units per order to ensure that one delivers acceptably.

 

[dminches]

Fortunately the Olympus flight case is rock solid.

 

[austinpop]

Fortunately the Olympus flight case is rock solid.

Although I would not want to put it to a test with a 4-foot drop off the back of a truck, as the FedEx kid was proposing to ZB! Luckily, she asked, instead of "just doing it!"