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Taiko Audio, a Dutch high-end audio manufacturer, has unveiled what might be the most over-engineered music server ever created—the Extreme Server. With a starting price of €28,000 (US$29,600), this meticulously crafted device embodies either the pinnacle of audio engineering or the epitome of audiophile excess. The Extreme's most distinctive feature is its unique dual-processor architecture, using two Intel Xeon Scalable 10-core CPUs. This unusual configuration isn't just for show—Taiko claims it solves a specific audiophile dilemma: the impact of Roon's music management interface on sound quality. By dedicating two processors to Roon and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 interface, they've made Roon's processing "virtually inaudible", addressing a concern most music listeners probably never knew existed.
Perhaps the most striking technical achievement is the server's cooling system, or rather, its complete absence of conventional cooling. Taiko designed a custom 240 W passive cooling solution with absolutely no fans or moving parts. The company machined the CPU interface to a mind-boggling precision of 5 microns (0.005 mm) and opted for solid copper heat sinks instead of aluminium, claiming this will extend component life by 4 to 12 years. The attention to detail extends to the memory configuration, where Taiko takes an unconventional approach. The server uses twelve 4 GB custom-made industrial memory modules, each factory pre-selected with components matched to within 1% tolerance. According to Taiko, this reduces the refresh rate burst current by almost 50% and allows for lower operating temperatures. The PSU that powers the PC is a custom 400 W linear power supply, an in-house development designed specifically for the Extreme's unique needs. It combines premium Mundorf and Duelund capacitors for sonic neutrality, Lundahl chokes selected by ear, and extensive vibrational damping using Panzerholz (a compressed wood composite) for durability, low temperature operation, longevity, and exceptional sound quality.
Even the chassis design seems excessive, with its aircraft-grade aluminium housing featuring 6,000 precisely machined holes acting as "waveguides" that supposedly attenuate emissions by 81 dB—a 10,000-fold reduction. Copper and Panzerholz are strategically placed to control vibrations. Storage starts at a modest 2 TB but can be expanded to 64 TB using PCIe modules that connect directly to the CPU, bypassing traditional SSD limitations. Taiko claims this achieves speeds up to four times faster than conventional SSDs, resulting in "black backgrounds" and "huge space rendition" that supposedly rivals high-end vinyl and tape systems. For the audiophile who has everything (including an extremely understanding financial advisor), the Extreme Server represents either the ultimate evolution in digital audio or the most elaborate example yet of diminishing returns in high-end audio.
View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
Perhaps the most striking technical achievement is the server's cooling system, or rather, its complete absence of conventional cooling. Taiko designed a custom 240 W passive cooling solution with absolutely no fans or moving parts. The company machined the CPU interface to a mind-boggling precision of 5 microns (0.005 mm) and opted for solid copper heat sinks instead of aluminium, claiming this will extend component life by 4 to 12 years. The attention to detail extends to the memory configuration, where Taiko takes an unconventional approach. The server uses twelve 4 GB custom-made industrial memory modules, each factory pre-selected with components matched to within 1% tolerance. According to Taiko, this reduces the refresh rate burst current by almost 50% and allows for lower operating temperatures. The PSU that powers the PC is a custom 400 W linear power supply, an in-house development designed specifically for the Extreme's unique needs. It combines premium Mundorf and Duelund capacitors for sonic neutrality, Lundahl chokes selected by ear, and extensive vibrational damping using Panzerholz (a compressed wood composite) for durability, low temperature operation, longevity, and exceptional sound quality.
Even the chassis design seems excessive, with its aircraft-grade aluminium housing featuring 6,000 precisely machined holes acting as "waveguides" that supposedly attenuate emissions by 81 dB—a 10,000-fold reduction. Copper and Panzerholz are strategically placed to control vibrations. Storage starts at a modest 2 TB but can be expanded to 64 TB using PCIe modules that connect directly to the CPU, bypassing traditional SSD limitations. Taiko claims this achieves speeds up to four times faster than conventional SSDs, resulting in "black backgrounds" and "huge space rendition" that supposedly rivals high-end vinyl and tape systems. For the audiophile who has everything (including an extremely understanding financial advisor), the Extreme Server represents either the ultimate evolution in digital audio or the most elaborate example yet of diminishing returns in high-end audio.
View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
