Taiko Audio

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Overview

Taiko Audio is a Dutch manufacturer of high-end digital audio components, specializing in music servers and streamers for audiophiles. Founded by engineer Emile Bok, the company focuses on innovative designs combining custom components, advanced materials, and ear-tested sound quality to achieve realistic audio reproduction.²³

History

Taiko Audio was founded by Emile Bok, who built his first loudspeaker at age twelve and began designing audio products in 2008, including grounding blocks and speaker modifications. The company was formally registered around 2008, with Bok quitting his job in 2017-2018 to dedicate himself fully. Key milestones include the 2015 SGM music server for Munich High-End demos, its commercialization as Sound Galleries Music server, and later the SGM Extreme, followed by the Olympus server.³⁴⁶

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
SGM Extreme Music Server	Flagship high-end music server	~$20,000 - $100,000
Olympus Music Server	Ultra-premium server with XDMI	€84,000+ (excl. VAT)
Olympus I/O	Companion I/O module for Olympus	€28,500 (excl. VAT)
Extreme I/O with XDMI	Upgrade module for Extreme	€46,500 (excl. VAT)

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured in Oldenzaal, Netherlands, by Taiko Audio B.V. as an in-house Dutch high-end audio laboratory. Components feature custom designs not available off-the-shelf, with extensive R&D in science, engineering, and IT, and each piece is ear-tested.¹³

Notable Products

SGM Extreme - High-end music server succeeding the Sound Galleries Music platform, known for audiophile-grade quietness and performance.
Olympus Music Server - Top-tier server with XDMI technology for immersive sound.
Olympus I/O - Dedicated input/output module enhancing Olympus connectivity.
Sound Galleries Music Server - Earlier renowned server model praised for high-performance computing in audiophile applications.

Reputation

Taiko Audio is regarded by audiophiles and professionals as innovative in digital audio, with Emile Bok recognized for blending traditional and cutting-edge tech in award-winning music servers. Strengths include exceptional build quality, detail-oriented design, and realistic sound reproduction. Criticisms are not prominently noted in available sources, though the ultra-high price points limit accessibility.²⁴

Sources (8)