Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

Taiko Audio

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Communication between Switch and server is constant, although you can play files that are on the server directly from the server to the DAC via USB. As I do not have Extreme I will not say that Extreme is not immune to the noise of the switch (although I would be surprised) but in my Melco it is very clear. Change the quality of the switch's power supply or change a commercial switch to a modified one or "Audiophile Switch” and you will immediately notice the change in SQ, even if it transmits local files.

It does indeed affect both streaming and local file playback.
 

dminches

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It does indeed affect both streaming and local file playback.

I shouldn’t have said that a switch would have no effect since there is always communication going on but can you say how big an effect an external switch could have when you are playing local files? Do you think it could be significant?
 

nonesup

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Hugely significant. Believe me I have done many tests.
 

Taiko Audio

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I shouldn’t have said that a switch would have no effect since there is always communication going on but can you say how big an effect an external switch could have when you are playing local files? Do you think it could be significant?

There is continuous traffic on a network, therefor there is a continuous impact. Streaming increases traffic, so it will have an even bigger impact.
 
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dminches

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nonesup

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Yes but not that huge with the Extreme, though I’m starting to repeat myself here.

I do not say that it is not so. And it will surely make the increase in SQ with Switch like EtherREGEN and others, less significant, than with other servers.
 
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Steve Williams

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Yes, Steve's terminology is off. Ethernet can be done over copper or fiber. And funnily enough, with MSB DACs, you can do USB via fiber as well :D
Emile, I'm not recommend "stacking" either.
The poll is just that, a poll. How many of those have MSB DACs and have tried the Renderer w/ SoTM (or other switches)?
USB is by far the most prevalent connection method, and I know that. That doesn't make it automatically the best.


I'm doing USB over fiber right now with my 12 year old Playback Designs MPS-5 and the USB Xlll box which is essentially identical to the MSB USB Pro Interface

and yes I meant USB when I said copper
 

Steve Williams

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The whole subject of tweaks is complicated because there are SO many different configurations.

For example, if you have all your music on the internal Extreme drives and use USB I don’t see how a switch would make a difference. It would only affect music streamed from Tidal/Qobuz. But if the music was external then it could make a difference.
My music is on 16 TB of internal cards of the Extreme so perhaps that is also affecting my comments

Alex your opinion of what is the best music is respectfully, that. ....an opinion. I appreciate that but I have zero desire to pursue it because what I'm hearing now with a 12 yo DAC is pretty friggin'' amazing, with the knowledge that a new DAC will be even better
 
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Blackmorec

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Communication between Switch and server is constant, although you can play files that are on the server directly from the server to the DAC via USB. As I do not have Extreme I will not say that Extreme is not immune to the noise of the switch (although I would be surprised) but in my Melco it is very clear. Change the quality of the switch's power supply or change a commercial switch to a modified one or "Audiophile Switch” and you will immediately notice the change in SQ, even if it transmits local files.
This is exactly my experience with various Innuos servers. Anything that removes or isolates noise from the network supply to the server, has a direct affect on the server’s output, regardless where the files originate, local or remote. It seems that as long as the server is connected to the network, network noise will find its way to the server unless countermeasures are implemented. .
There’s no doubt that the Extreme has a lot of measures to block noise but the very fact that isolation via optical makes a difference and that different optical systems result in different levels of sound quality indicated that the Extreme is not immune for network-borne noise. Therefore, if a switch upstream of an Extreme is capable of removing noise and jitter to a significant degree, its a rather high likelihood that SQ will improve.
Please note that I’m talking upstream.....downstream is an entirely different conundrum. There I’ve sound that a simple high quality cable connection between server and DAC provides the. highest fidelity. Of course its only one man’s experience
 

gds7368

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Why not just unplug any network cables from the back of the Extreme when listening to locally stored files?
 

dminches

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Why not just unplug any network cables from the back of the Extreme when listening to locally stored files?

Then you lose control of Roon (unless there is a wireless option).
 

Taiko Audio

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Why not just unplug any network cables from the back of the Extreme when listening to locally stored files?

It is not even that big a difference:

I noticed a small difference in sound quality when I took the network cable out of the Extreme when playing files from PCIe drives . It is why I am interested in trying optimal fibre optics - I currently just have an optical link using TPlink media converters before the listening room Netgear 108 router .
 

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microstrip

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Curiously I find that the USB cable changes more the sound of my system than any router modification I have tried. I am using the Intona Reference but after sampling a few other cables (unfortunately I could not keep them time enough to get a definitive opinion) I would like to find an USB cable with a more "liquid" balance in the treble, like moving from the Audio Research Ref 40 to the GAT2 preamplfier.
 

Taiko Audio

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Curiously I find that the USB cable changes more the sound of my system than any router modification I have tried. I am using the Intona Reference but after sampling a few other cables (unfortunately I could not keep them time enough to get a definitive opinion) I would like to find an USB cable with a more "liquid" balance in the treble, like moving from the Audio Research Ref 40 to the GAT2 preamplfier.

My first suggestion would be to try a Sablon then.
 

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