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$30,000 Music Streaming Server is the Next Audiophile Dream Device

AleksandarK

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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
 
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My mind does not comprehend this, then again, I listen to radio and MP3 mostly.
 
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lol the cashed up audiophiles will eat something like this up. More money = more better sound in their brains, even when it's the dumbest proposition ever. I knew a bloke who spent like 50 grand on these insane speakers for his house and no word of a lie, to me, it sounded exactly the same like my 1.5K system.
 

AcE

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Rookie numbers, audiophiles buy speakers that cost 250.000$. But yes this is beyond unnecessary. I’d rather buy that speaker.
 
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We need a review of this thing.

Don't forget your cables made by elves in moonlight.
 
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aye, cos everyone has 30k to spend on a music server.
 
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What in the world are they even processing or how does this box make processing less audible?
That cooling is definitely not capable of dissipating 240W. This actually might explain the dual processors - going slower and wider is nice if money is no object.

I am kind of surprised though that they didn't do or at least advertise gold traces or IHSes or something :D
 
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Audiophiles are some of the dumbest MFs on the planet. Nothing even comes close. Anyway, get one for @VSG to review, he will probably be dead in a week from constant alcohol abuse trying to come up with a valid way to actually describe the potential use case for this abomination.
 
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Audiophiles are some of the dumbest MFs on the planet. Nothing even comes close. Anyway, get one for @VSG to review, he will probably be dead in a week from constant alcohol abuse trying to come up with a valid way to actually describe the potential use case for this abomination.
As far as I'm aware, alcohol isn't the best narcotic if what you want is to hear things. But it certainly costs less than 30k most of the time.
 
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History repeating itself, 20 years later

Niveus media was (perhaps, i don't know, its being a long time since i watched that video) overpriced but had comprehensible use cases.
This thing...is a rage bait for sane people and personality supplement for the insane.
 
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1733826961444.png

The best I can give is $400
 
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Seriously? "Streaming" "audiophile"? This gotta be an early entry for April Fools 2025.
 

AcE

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It’s really sad to think about people who are so rich and can afford this, but are at the same time so dumb to fall for this. Sad world. The company itself knows that it’s selling snake oil, that’s beyond obvious.
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.
 
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History repeating itself, 20 years later

These solutions are very nice actually, but is very cumbersome to implement, especially when you wish to put into these cases your "random" parts.
 
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Can I also say that the decription of... let's call them "features"... also makes absolutely no sense for anyone who is even remotely aware of how digital audio works. The very concept of SSDs connecting "directly to CPU" (as opposed to?) leading to "black background" and "improved soundstage" or whatever for the FUCKING 0s AND 1s STORED ON THEM is so absolutely batshit insane that I really have to ask just HOW dumb people buying into this are. Yes, I said already that audiophiles are dumb MFs, but this is sub-room temp levels of intellect we are dealing with.
I know, I know, this whole news article is essentially RAEG bait, but seriously.
 
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haha, audiophiles are a crazy bunch, investing thousands in ridiculous hardware, like AC-multiplugs or even perfect resonance-free-racks ;)

But this is certainly a market, otherwise there would not be useless expansive audiophile stuff. So there must be thousands of people out there spending millions on absolutely useless equipment.

Anyways, I opt that a person who listens to any kind of digital (streamed) music is not an audiophile to begin with. And if their setup is then powered by AC (and not distortion-free batteries) they are even further away from being an audiophile ;)

Anyways, people do what you must. I am pretty satisfied with my Realtek onboard audio and some mediocre DAC/Class-D aplification, so thats not really a piece of hardware for me.
 

AcE

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Anyways, I opt that a person who listens to any kind of digital music is not an audiophile. And if their setup is then powered by AC (and not distortion-free batteries) they are even further away from being an audiophile ;)
As soon as you invest thousands of unnecessary dollars into something which isn’t worth it, you’re automatically an audiophile. If you’re reasonable and invest reasonable money, you’re just someone who enjoys music. ;)
 
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What is this abomination even supposed to do?
I have a pair of relatively big cca €1500 speakers from a local manufacturer connected to an integrated amp connected to my PC's Sound Blaster AE-5, playing FLACs stored on a SSD, and the sound is nothing short of amazing.

WTF is this box good for? For real. Explain this shit to me please.
 

AcE

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WTF is this box good for? For real. Explain this shit to me please.
First you explain someone that this is superior, that it does things your ordinary device can’t. Then you sell him this overpriced waste of material, like the other guy said: you create a problem and sell the solution. And there are people naive enough to fall for this. :D It’s insane. And that’s why technology should be taught in all schools. Basic knowledge prevents you from falling for this.
 
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What I wanted to know was what the hell "music streaming server" is. What is it supposed to do?
 
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