Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

[Steve Williams]

It's good to see that I'm not the only one who felt this way about TAS. When I went back to Roon I couldn't remember how to use it as it had been over 2 years since I had. I got sucked in by that user platform. Then when I went back to TAS I can't even think of anything now except XDMS and I do agree with the comment that Roon could care less about SQ whereas Emile and his team, that is top of his list so count me once again a believer in TAS

 

[Armsan]

@Emile and Taiko team

Since the OS update and with XDMS around the corner, I went back to using Roon after an over 2 year use of TAS. There is no question in my mind that it is the sexy platform of Roon that keeps users glued and always complaining about Roon updates effects on SQ

Well a few days ago I just had to go back to TAS and man was I astonished. IMHO, TAS even after the OS update which created an uptick to Roon continues to perform as good "or better" than Roon

Im sticking with TAS once again until XDMS is released. It sure lacks the interface of Roon but my bet is XDMS will not only equal Roon but will leave Roon in its rear view mirror

April showers, will bring May flowers.......and XDMS

+1

 

[nenon]

Apologies for going off topic, but previously there were thoughts around producing a Taiko Case for the DIY community. Is that project still active and if so, when could one expect them to be available? Thanks.

I just posted some photos (and a video) here:

Building a DIY Music Server

audiophilestyle.com

 

[nenon]

Any chance that we could get the chassis without the heatsinks? I’m 99% sure I would not need it as I’ll be using liquid cooling with external radiators/fans.

Why do you need the Taiko DIY chassis in this case? The main thing that sets the Taiko DIY chassis apart from others is the passive cooling for dual socket FCLGA3647 CPUs. If you don't need the passive cooling, you can use many other chassis.

(sorry about the offtopic posts)

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

It's good to see that I'm not the only one who felt this way about TAS. When I went back to Roon I couldn't remember how to use it as it had been over 2 years since I had. I got sucked in by that user platform. Then when I went back to TAS I can't even think of anything now except XDMS and I do agree with the comment that Roon could care less about SQ whereas Emile and his team, that is top of his list so count me once again a believer in TAS

It is mostly about the SQ or was there something else that motivated you to go back to TAS?

 

[Steve Williams]

It is mostly about the SQ or was there something else that motivated you to go back to TAS?

Sound quality is what took me back to TAS. Plus we all know XDMS will be better than Roon

 

[dminches]

Sound quality is what took me back to TAS. Plus we all know XDMS will be better than Roon

Curiosity took you back; sound quality kept you there.

 

[Steve Williams]

I have zero insider knowledge of XDMS but today I had opportunity to chat with Edward and the topic of XDMS was raised by me. Edward told me that XDMS has been completely rewritten by Wilson such that there is now version 2.0 of XDMS. Edward's comments to me made me drool as he was telling that he had an epiphany when he heard it a few days ago. There is no doubt in my mind that come May, Roon will be a relic, certainly for me at least

 

[Zeotrope]

Is it a good idea to clean the USB contacts with contact cleaner before connecting?

 

[Christiaan Punter]

Is it a good idea to clean the USB contacts with contact cleaner before connecting?

Keeping your contacts clean is always a good idea. A cotton swab and/or a piece of a demake'up pad go a long way. Contact cleaners usually lead to an audible smoothing/polishing effect, which some like, and some don't. At least, this is the case in the analog domain, but by extension, (digital being transferred as analog signals), usually also in the digital domain. Technically, it couldn't harm the system, as long as you make sure to let the connectors dry well.

 

[Zeotrope]

Keeping your contacts clean is always a good idea. A cotton swab and/or a piece of a demake'up pad go a long way. Contact cleaners usually lead to an audible smoothing/polishing effect, which some like, and some don't. At least, this is the case in the analog domain, but by extension, (digital being transferred as analog signals), usually also in the digital domain. Technically, it couldn't harm the system, as long as you make sure to let the connectors dry well.

Thanks! I have Kontakt cleaner which I will try on my usb connectors when my Extreme arrives.

 

[theaudiogeek]

Received my "Signature Edition" today. Thanks Emile and Ed for helping with the setup! Out of the box it sounds awesome!

 

[oldmustang]

Thanks! I have Kontakt cleaner which I will try on my usb connectors when my Extreme arrives.

Kontakt is good stuff. I use the tiniest dab of Caig Laboratories’ ProGold. The idea is to use any cleaner/preservative VERY sparingly and to buff off the residue once it has had time to remove any oxidation. The surfaces should appear to be dry but a very thin layer will still be there. Resist the urge to ”preserve” the contacts by leaving a heavy layer — it is counter-productive.

We used Caig Laboratories products in the Navy for cleaning and preserving contacts, Amphenol connector pins and plugs and all manner of electrical contact points for our electronic systems and even in the harsh salt environment it worked great.

No financial interest, but credit where credit is due.

Steve Z

 

[oldmustang]

Received my "Signature Edition" today. Thanks Emile and Ed for helping with the setup! Out of the box it sounds awesome! View attachment 90775

Beautiful!

I wish I had thought of asking Emile to sign my Extreme when I ordered it two years ago, but I totally spaced it out. I envy you guys who had the foresight to order the “Signature Edition”

Hey, Emile — is it too late to get your autograph? Any old scrap of paper will do. If you happen to have a blank bank draft that would work. I can fill out the rest!



Steve Z

 

[Steve Williams]

Received my "Signature Edition" today. Thanks Emile and Ed for helping with the setup! Out of the box it sounds awesome! View attachment 90775

Great move. I should have as well. FWIW though Lukasz laser engraved his signature to me on my Horizon s/n 001
Collector’s items indeed

 

[theaudiogeek]

Great move. I should have as well. FWIW though Lukasz laser engraved his signature to me on my Horizon s/n 001
Collector’s items indeed

That is awesome!

 

[Steve Williams]

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Beautiful!

I wish I had thought of asking Emile to sign my Extreme when I ordered it two years ago, but I totally spaced it out. I envy you guys who had the foresight to order the “Signature Edition”

Hey, Emile — is it too late to get your autograph? Any old scrap of paper will do. If you happen to have a blank bank draft that would work. I can fill out the rest!



Steve Z

Sounds like a well-thought-out plan!

 

[cat6man]

View attachment 90786

Do I detect an NFT opportunity coming here?

 

[oldmustang]

Steve Williams is right (and when is he not?) — I switched back to TAS after having used Roon the since the Taiko OS tweaks and new Taiko USB driver roll out. While listening to Roon is much improved since Emile’s last round of upgrades, TAS is notably better sounding. It took me all of 10 seconds of the first track, if that to come to that conclusion and nothing I’ve heard via TAS since then has changed my opinion.

TAS is is just fuller, more dimensional, more present and most importantly, much more emotionally involving.

Man, I can’t wait for XDMS!

Steve W., you’re a genius. But then, most Steves tend to be just a little smarter and better looking than average. . .

Thanks for nudging me in the right direction.



Steve Z