Taiko Audio XDMS - Extreme Direct Music Server Software

[simorag]

I have NSM since yesterday and I am again amazed - just as after the 27 November software update, and I would say well beyond that - of how much Taiko is able to elevate the Extreme performance by optimizing the software platform.

Again, my system sounds as a very successful component upgrade was performed. And, again, it is that kind of improvement that is so all-encompassing and devoid of downsides that just leaves you with a big big smile on your face.

I will not venture on an analytical description of what I am hearing, let's just say that it feels like when you look the landscape around you from a mountain top in a very clear spring early morning.

That feeling of purity, serenity with a mix of thin-air induced euphoria ... And things, close or far away, look anew, more beautiful, palpable and alive through such rarified atmosphere.

And the beat goes on

​

 

[John T]

I have NSM since yesterday and I am again amazed - just as after the 27 November software update, and I would say well beyond that - of how much Taiko is able to elevate the Extreme performance by optimizing the software platform.

Again, my system sounds as a very successful component upgrade was performed. And, again, it is that kind of improvement that is so all-encompassing and devoid of downsides that just leaves you with a big big smile on your face.

I will not venture on an analytical description of what I am hearing, let's just say that it feels like when you look the landscape around you from a mountain top in a very clear spring early morning.

That feeling of purity, serenity with a mix of thin-air induced euphoria ... And things, close or far away, look anew, more beautiful, palpable and alive through such rarified atmosphere.

And the beat goes on

View attachment 121674​

Purity!! The perfect one word Simone!!

 

[Zeotrope]

Adding my initial NSM impressions:
First, a big thank you to Team @Taiko Audio for installing it!

The differences I hear vs XDMS are actually in the higher frequencies: there is more ‘air’ and energy in the upper mid and highs. There is also less harshness on the very high frequencies: a trumpet for example has a softer ’edge’; but it’s due to a lack of harshness, not a softness.
I don’t hear any difference in low frequencies, but I was very happy with that after adding the Network card and Switch and moving to XDMS.
Background noise is/was always low - and I hear everything through my ~105dB horns. The only thing I will say here is that when nothing is playing, there is slightly higher background noise after a track stops playIng vs before it starts (if that makes sense). It’s almost like the system is in ‘pause’ - not sure if this is the DAC or the Extreme. It’s not a big deal, but it’s definitely quieter before you start playing for the first time. Again, my horns have audible background noise (which is something that DarTZeel is addressing..); but the advantage of this elevated noise floor is that I can hear everything that a component adds.

 

[pleroma]

I had some new music, Ormandy/Philly late 50s-60s stereo hi-res, anxious to hear it, and so I didn't start out very scientifically with NSM. But as I listened I thought, wow, Sony is improving, they did a killer job with the Tchaik 1812/Polovtsian album, but then I remembered, no-no-no, it's not Sony! I'm listening to NSM! LOL. Phenomenal soundstage and voicing!

 

[Zeotrope]

More listening last night: yes, there is something *special* about NSM for sure! In my case, it didn’t smack me over the head, but with more listening, it’s obvious that the music is more ‘organic’ and engaging.
It’s another wonderful update from Taiko. A HUGE Thank You for their continued innovation and incredible support to the community. More companies should take the lead and emulate Taiko. (Nagra and DarTZeel are also great in this regard!)

 

[Steve Williams]

More listening last night: yes, there is something *special* about NSM for sure! In my case, it didn’t smack me over the head, but with more listening, it’s obvious that the music is more ‘organic’ and engaging.
It’s another wonderful update from Taiko. A HUGE Thank You for their continued innovation and incredible support to the community. More companies should take the lead and emulate Taiko. (Nagra and DarTZeel are also great in this regard!)

you must be pretty thick headed as I am still recovering from the smack to my head.

 

[Zeotrope]

you must be pretty thick headed as I am still recovering from the smack to my head.

I’ve been called that before
Low end is prodigious for sure. Whenever I think my system is lacking in low end, I play a track like the Star Wars theme from the movie soundtrack album:

Sound of Movies [Pure DSD]

In this Stereo DSD 256 recording, Hunnia Records brings our listeners the Sound of Movies. Featuring classic film music from composers including Ennio Morricone, John […]

www.nativedsd.com

 

[DW101]

I've been able to listen to NSM for a day or so now (thanks Khyle!) and I definitely feel like its a leap forward. Wow. Everyone has already covered the sonic specifics, but everything about it is so 'right' - absolutely compelling.

What a trajectory this is! Next leaps - Olympus & XDMI...

 

[Moladiego]

Thanks, Ed, for the NSM installation! After 2 nights of listening, I have no doubt that it is indeed a very big uptick over XDMS Classic. The uptick is similar to what I got from the Switch + network card over the Extreme with its stock ethernet port. Without having used them the stock Extreme sounded excellent, and I did not find anything amiss until I heard music through them. Just like I could not listen to Extreme without the Switch + card, I cannot imagine going back to XDMS Classic. This is from a "mere" software upgrade, which is as significant as the use of a component or component upgrade. XDMS always sounds significantly superior to Roon to me (even with the most recent Roon upgrade; Roon sounds a bit edgy and "whitish," a kind of blanched feel to it in comparison). The uptick from NSM over XDMS Classic is similar to the uptick from XDMS Classic over Roon - more transparency, more air, more holographic imaging, and more live-music feel, across the entire sound spectrum (not just bass enhancement as some people have emphasized). In an uncanny way, the removal of veils has enabled me to hear more clearly the remaining veil to be removed - the remaining veil resulting from the noisy USB, server operation and AC. Olympus and Olympus I/O should be a game changer in removing that thick veil - they should bring about a revolution in SQ that surpasses all the prior improvements combined.

 

[JackD201]

I'm ready to order but please please please, this is all going over my analog head LOL

While Chritiaan has to hold my partner Keith's hand through all of this, could you guys dumb it down for me ?

What is what, what do they do and what should I expect? I'm going to have to pass this information down in no short order

 

[JSA]

Will there be ever version of XDMS/NSM that could ne installed on a "regular/diy" PC rather than on Taiko Extreme Server?
Would be interesting to understand/compare how much is contributed by hardware and how much is by software.

 

[Steve Williams]

I'm ready to order but please please please, this is all going over my analog head LOL

While Chritiaan has to hold my partner Keith's hand through all of this, could you guys dumb it down for me ?

What is what, what do they do and what should I expect? I'm going to have to pass this information down in no short order

Jack..you just need to fasten your seat belt and have your seat in an upright position and be ready to be dazzled

 

[2ndLiner]

Has anyone been able to have NSM installed in the past day or two?

 

[Bobvin]

Will there be ever version of XDMS/NSM that could ne installed on a "regular/diy" PC rather than on Taiko Extreme Server?
Would be interesting to understand/compare how much is contributed by hardware and how much is by software.

Not likely, I would guess. Given the development costs that are benefit to Taiko customers who invested in the Taiko “solution”, the cost to a non-customer would likely be very high, not to mention the inevitable support issues. Not too many mfg’s out there spending efforts to make a DIY guy‘s product better. Buy-in vs. roll your own.

 

[R S]

Has anyone been able to have NSM installed in the past day or two?

I believe they are pausing installs for a few days until they get more capacity.

 

[oldmustang]

I believe they are pausing installs for a few days until they get more capacity.

Several problems -- getting from the test streaming aggregator to the production streaming aggregator to get the increased capacity for alpha testing, and also a problem with the streaming aggregator delivering corrupted high-res streams. Both of which are partially out of Taiko's NSM team hands.

Steve Z

 

[2ndLiner]

Thanks, that’s what I thought but then I saw a couple of posts by Extreme-ists suggesting they had just gotten the install and were enjoying the heck out of it. My audio antsiness got the best of me!

 

[Zeotrope]

I'm ready to order but please please please, this is all going over my analog head LOL

While Chritiaan has to hold my partner Keith's hand through all of this, could you guys dumb it down for me ?

What is what, what do they do and what should I expect? I'm going to have to pass this information down in no short order

Welcome and get ready!
XDMS-NSM is the latest version of Taiko’s software, replacing Roon. One can switch between the two, but I doubt anyone will prefer Roon if sound quality is paramount.
The Switch/Network Card and Router will improve the sound, even if you playback from the internal hard drive. They are outboard devices and can be easily added later. (Network card is internal but it’s just like adding a board to any PC.)

 

[Moladiego]

Thanks, Ed, for the NSM installation! After 2 nights of listening, I have no doubt that it is indeed a very big uptick over XDMS Classic. The uptick is similar to what I got from the Switch + network card over the Extreme with its stock ethernet port. Without having used them the stock Extreme sounded excellent, and I did not find anything amiss until I heard music through them. Just like I could not listen to Extreme without the Switch + card, I cannot imagine going back to XDMS Classic. This is from a "mere" software upgrade, which is as significant as the use of a component or component upgrade. XDMS always sounds significantly superior to Roon to me (even with the most recent Roon upgrade; Roon sounds a bit edgy and "whitish," a kind of blanched fee to it in comparison). The uptick from NSM over XDMS Classic is similar to the uptick from XDMS Classic over Roon - more transparency, more air, more holographic imaging, and more live-music feel, across the entire sound spectrum (not just bass enhancement as some people have emphasized). In an uncanny way, the removal of veils has enabled me to hear more clearly the remaining veil to be removed - the remaining veil resulting from the noisy USB, server operation and AC. Olympus and Olympus I/O should be a game changer in removing that thick veil - they should bring about a revolution in SQ that surpasses all the prior improvements combined.

It occurred to me to change my speakers' mid-range driver jumper settings on the crossover boards. Lo, the sound noticeably improved so much that I now think that the NSM's improvement over XDMS Classic is more than the Switch+Card's improvement over stock Extreme, in the 1.5x range. The sound is more "live" than ever. Bravo, Taiko Team!

 

[Taiko Audio]

It occurred to me to change my speakers' mid-range driver jumper settings on the crossover boards. Lo, the sound noticeably improved so much that I now think that the NDM's improvement over XDMS Classic is more than the Switch+Card's improvement over stock Extreme, in the 1.5x range. The sound is more "live" than ever. Bravo, Taiko Team!

Could you elaborate on what this jumper setting changes? Thanks!