Taiko Extreme

Well Jim naturally I accept your nuance, keep in mind that I do not speak English. I wouldn't have been surprised if after listening to the two you preferred Aurender (it must be an extraordinary machine) but that the sound of Extreme did not impress you, there are so many comments expressing the opposite that it surprised me, but naturally you were not impressed, and there is no more to say, and I thank you for your sincerity.
 
Was the Aurender not a consideration after this listening session?

Marty, Good question without a simple answer. I have two local dealers where I have built relationships over the years. I would definitely support Mike on products not normally carried by either of these two. One of the dealers here does carry Aurender and that is where I had previously borrowed a unit to A/B in my set-up. If I was to consider the N30 I think Mike would understand that I would purchase locally. Remember I went to audition the Taiko not the N30 and we never talk anything but MSRP . So its not like I and shopping around for better Aurender pricing. I don't do that.

I normally do not impose on my dealers and ask to loan me me gear that I probably won't buy. If I decide not to pull the trigger on new speakers or upgrade to dCS's Vivaldi replacement, then I might revisit my server needs and A/B the N30. Since I am a pro Roon the Aurender products are already at a slight disadvantage.
 
Maybe, just maybe, the Aurender N30SA isn’t getting the credit for just how great a server it is. Significant effort went into designing this two box solution, isolating the noisiest components from the signal producing ones, and beefing up its power supply.

Ken
 
Jim great answer and admirable you stay faithful to your local dealers. Thank you

Marty, Good question without a simple answer. I have two local dealers where I have built relationships over the years. I would definitely support Mike on products not normally carried by either of these two. One of the dealers here does carry Aurender and that is where I had previously borrowed a unit to A/B in my set-up. If I was to consider the N30 I think Mike would understand that I would purchase locally. Remember I went to audition the Taiko not the N30 and we never talk anything but MSRP . So its not like I and shopping around for better Aurender pricing. I don't do that.

I normally do not impose on my dealers and ask to loan me me gear that I probably won't buy. If I decide not to pull the trigger on new speakers or upgrade to dCS's Vivaldi replacement, then I might revisit my server needs and A/B the N30. Since I am a pro Roon the Aurender products are already at a slight disadvantage.
 
Well Jim naturally I accept your nuance, keep in mind that I do not speak English. I wouldn't have been surprised if after listening to the two you preferred Aurender (it must be an extraordinary machine) but that the sound of Extreme did not impress you, there are so many comments expressing the opposite that it surprised me, but naturally you were not impressed, and there is no more to say, and I thank you for your sincerity.

Francisco
Your English if fine. I can barely order a meal or check into a hotel in Spain so I would never complain.

I do not mean to offend you or anyone who has or is considering the purchase of a Taiko unit. As we have all read the Taiko team is developing a system as much as just a server. Mike noted a few posts back development continues and when he believes some of the these make it to market I will fly back down for another listen. The Taiko is not the first and probably won't be the last product where my initial expectations were too high to be met.
 
Jim I am in no way offended, as I was going to be with your post, I was just weirded out that's all. Best regards
 
I think it’s important to understand that at this level, there are really no bad choices.

I see people in my store EVERY DAY and what they like and what they don’t often shocks me. You will see the guy walk in who thinks the Harbeth sound is the bee’s knees and everything else pales in comparison. You will get the guy who fondles the Magico’s like it’s his hot blonde secret lover. I see the guy who thinks vinyl is stupid and can’t believe we even sell turntables anymore to the guy who thinks digital is the root of all evil. We get the guy who believes cables are the most important component in his system to the fellow who thinks it’s all snake oil and everything in between. There is no wrong choices. None. And when it comes to digital, everything is so liquid and evolving so fast, that it’s like trying to catch a falling knife.

Everything matters, nothing matters. Enjoy what you have and buy what YOU like and don’t worry about what anyone else likes or raves about as the second coming. Eyes wide open.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
I think it’s important to understand that at this level, there are really no bad choices.

I see people in my store EVERY DAY and what they like and what they don’t often shocks me. You will see the guy walk in who thinks the Harbeth sound is the bee’s knees and everything else pales in comparison. You will get the guy who fondles the Magico’s like it’s his hot blonde secret lover. I see the guy who thinks vinyl is stupid and can’t believe we even sell turntables anymore to the guy who thinks digital is the root of all evil. We get the guy who believes cables are the most important component in his system to the fellow who thinks it’s all snake oil and everything in between. There is no wrong choices. None. And when it comes to digital, everything is so liquid and evolving so fast, that it’s like trying to catch a falling knife.

Everything matters, nothing matters. Enjoy what you have and buy what YOU like and don’t worry about what anyone else likes or raves about as the second coming. Eyes wide open.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

One of "the" all-time best posts on any forum, ever!!!

Well said...

And BTW....that guy may have the blonde,...I've got dibs on the redhead or brunette :-)
 
I think it’s important to understand that at this level, there are really no bad choices.

I see people in my store EVERY DAY and what they like and what they don’t often shocks me. You will see the guy walk in who thinks the Harbeth sound is the bee’s knees and everything else pales in comparison. You will get the guy who fondles the Magico’s like it’s his hot blonde secret lover. I see the guy who thinks vinyl is stupid and can’t believe we even sell turntables anymore to the guy who thinks digital is the root of all evil. We get the guy who believes cables are the most important component in his system to the fellow who thinks it’s all snake oil and everything in between. There is no wrong choices. None. And when it comes to digital, everything is so liquid and evolving so fast, that it’s like trying to catch a falling knife.

Everything matters, nothing matters. Enjoy what you have and buy what YOU like and don’t worry about what anyone else likes or raves about as the second coming. Eyes wide open.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Probably the most level-headed, genuine wisdom I've seen posted in any audio (or guitar) forum since, well since the internet.
 
I fully agree that others may prefer the Taiko over the Aurender.

Just to be clear and to add some background. For some time I followed that 9000+ thread on another forum where the Taiko's SQ was highly praised by many posters, and hold opinions I respect. Since neither of my local dealers carries Taiko it would be very difficult to audition one in my set-up, something that I normally do before purchasing a product. Therefore I decided to fly down and give the Taiko a listen.

Remember there were no components common to the ones used for the audition and those in my set-up. Based on that the Taiko could sound very different in my room.

I selected music that I was very familiar with and played track after track. Based on the comments I had read I was expecting great digital and that is not what I was hearing. After close to two hours I asked if we could try the Aurender. I have never been a big proponent of Aurender gear. I have A/B'd a older unit in my set-up but neither the SQ nor the GUI grabbed my attention. If anything I had/have a anti-Aurender bias going in to this comparison. I also much prefer the Roon GUI to that of Aurender.

From "my" perspective it didn't take more than a track or two to appreciate the improvement in SQ. (The other individual who was there can chime in he so desires.) The Aurender was much more listenable. This not what I had expected when I flew down. I must say I was disappointed. (I am guessing Mike was too since he probably lost a sale.)

I joined Jim (still-one) for this session. And, I agree with observations.
 
Whatever driver is for the MSB Select II.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The MSB Taiko driver is for the PRO USB module not the dac itself

So a question

During the comparison did you listen to streaming files or downloaded files?
And if downloaded were the files on a NAS drive or installed in the Aurender and Extreme?
 
The MSB Taiko driver is for the PRO USB module not the dac itself

So a question

During the comparison did you listen to streaming files or downloaded files?
And if downloaded were the files on a NAS drive or installed in the Aurender and Extreme?

Always streaming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Back
Top