The Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC

[Lowgroove]

On 12/4/2021 at 10:33 AM, further said:

I may have missed it, but I didn't catch what server Herb Reichert used nor the digital input connection for his review.  I have a Mola-Mola Makua preamp with the DAC module.   The Makua has the Roon Ready ethernet connection and S/PDIF optical, AES/EBU, and USB, but not I2S nor headphone.   My server is the Antipodes K50, which Christiaan Punter also reviewed and also used in his Tambaqui review.   My opinion is server and server/player are major influences in the final presentation with a DAC.  

 

I recently purchased a Makua with DAC and Phono stage.

 

When I demo-ed the Makua the retailer fed it with a K50 and the output ran into a pair of SMC150 ASL active speakers.  It sounded great in this setting.  We tried the AES/EBU and the ethernet as connections and generally the AES/EBU sounded better (can't recall the cables used).  At one stage the ethernet connections sounded quite inferior and I was quite surprised the difference changing the ethernet cable made - almost matched the AES/EBU with the second cable.

 

My budget did not allow purchase of the K50 as well as the preamp, so I just run the Makua as a Roon endpoint via Ethernet.  I am sure it would be better with the K50 - but that will have to wait until the bank balance recovers.  I am very happy with the sound in my system for now.

[Lowgroove]

1 hour ago, PYP said:

The Mola Mola DAC can sound very good via ethernet.  You might want to try something like the UpTone etherREGEN for 30 days to determine if it improves the sound.  If you have an LPS that can power the etherREGEN that would be an even better demo, but there are folks who use the included SMPS and find it works well in their systems.    Really nothing to lose since there is a money-back guarantee.  I'm saying this as a satisfied customer, nothing more than that.  

Thanks I am pretty happy as is, but might give it a try.  Always keen to improve the sound.

[Lowgroove]

3 hours ago, further said:

I have found the Makua does respond to power cords, cables, including ethernet cables, and upstream network changes as PYP has suggested.

 

 

2 hours ago, PYP said:

The US distributor suggests using your best power cord for digital.

 

Thanks for the welcome to the forum and helpful advice.  

 

The retailer I purchased from was quite helpful during the audition and I got to hear first hand the changes in sound between different ethernet cables and the AES/EBU.  He only used high quality power cables and XLR's.

 

I only have one brand of high quality aftermarket power cable and XLR (analogue output) and have been using those on the Makua since I received it.  At some stage I might buy some others to see how much difference they make, but first I might invest in a better Ethernet cable - do you know if it makes as much difference between a wall socket and the Makua as it does between the K50 and the Makua?