The Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC

[further]

I have run ethernet directly to the Makua with a 1.5 meter Audio Sensibility Signature silver OCC ethernet cable and also tried a Ghent cable and the cable that came with the K50.  I also tried these along with a Sablon 2020 from the K50 to the Makua.   I rearranged equipment to accommodate changes in equipment this year.  My 1 meter Sablon ethernet cable was not long enough to reach from my PF Buffalo switch directly to the Makua.    

 

I then tried my EtherRegen between my switch and the Makua, but the AS cable does not work on A side, but does on B side--believe due to grounded shielding with AS and ER.   I ran Sablon ethernet cable>ER>AS ethernet cable>Makua, but taking the ER out of the chain and running like I am now with AS cable to the K50 and Sablon from it to the Makua just sounds  better than the other alternatives.   I am not reclocking the ER, but it had excellent linear power connected to 12v rail setting from a Sean Jacobs DC-4.  The ER is out of the chain now.

 

I am using AS cable into the Antipodes K50 and Sablon out from it. The AS cable seems to me to pass on additional detail/clarity influence to the K50 and onto the USB and other digital outputs from the K50 over the others I tried.  I find that a good thing for my system.  

 

I do wish the Makua had an I2S input like your Tambaqui.   I have more DACs than good sense, and one of them is PS Audio DirectStream.    I put this back in service with I2S from the Antipodes K50.   It is a warm, comfortable presentation that is engaging, but different than the Mola-Mola--I prefer over the DirectStream.   However, with the last firmware update on the DirectStream and the K50 sourcing, to me it sounds the best I have had with it.   

 

Prior to the Antipodes, I was using a Small Green Computer i5 CDR, but did not have the Makua prior to the Antipodes.   

 

 

 

 

[PYP]

16 minutes ago, further said:

I am not reclocking the ER, but it had excellent linear power connected to 12v rail setting from a Sean Jacobs DC-4.  The ER is out of the chain now.

 

I am using AS cable into the Antipodes K50 and Sablon out from it. The AS cable seems to me to pass on additional detail/clarity influence to the K50 and onto the USB and other digital outputs from the K50 over the others I tried.  I find that a good thing for my system.  

 

Thank you.  Exactly what I wanted to know.   I also had a DS previous to the Tambaqui.  Of course, the software for the DS has evolved since then, but I really liked the DS and I was shocked by the sound quality of the Tambaqui (already had the Mola Mola amps, so the comparison was a bit unfair -- the Tambaqui was designed using the amps).  

 

My demo didn't last very long before I knew my wallet was going to get lighter.   Currently using the Tambaqui as streamer/player/DAC/volume control.  Given that, and the trade-in value of the DS, this was the single best audio bang for the buck I've experienced.  

[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.

[PYP]

4 hours ago, Lowgroove said:

 

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.

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.  

[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.

[PYP]

7 hours ago, Lowgroove said:

Thanks I am pretty happy as is

Always a good place to be.   Congratulations on the new equipment.   And it seems we get a new Mola Mola remote for free too!  😉  Happy New Year.  

[further]

@Lowgroove,

 

Congratulations on your Makua and welcome to the forum.   I have the K50 and the Makua.   I experiment listening via various options including ethernet and from the K50, primarily via AES/EBU, trying Roon, Roon with Squeeze, and Squeeze.   I will settle in with one for awhile and then switch up.  I find them all a bit different, but like them all.  I have found the Makua does respond to power cords, cables, including ethernet cables, and upstream network changes as PYP has suggested.  The Makua is a very fine piece of audio equipment and wish you fun times ahead with it.

[barrows]

BTW, Stereophile has published their measurements of the Tambaqui here:

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-55-mola-mola-tambaqui-da-processor-measurements

 

Pretty much SOTA in measured performance as expected from Bruno Putzeys.  This is one of those components which suggests that excellent technical performance and excellent subjective sound quality actually are linked.

[PYP]

43 minutes 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.  The Makua is a very fine piece of audio equipment and wish you fun times ahead with it.

Agree that power cords and the ethernet cable that feeds the DAC can make a surprising (to me) difference.  

 

The US distributor suggests using your best power cord for digital.   @Lowgroove, since your Makua includes a DAC, this might be something to consider (or perhaps you already have).  

[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?

[Decur]

9 minutes ago, Lowgroove said:

 

 

 

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?

I have a tambaqui thats been on order since last october,suposedly shipping soon.

i had in in home demo with the tambaqui,and used a “transparent” brand ethernet cable with great success.it significantly bettered my blue jeans ethernet and wireworld ethernet cables. There is such a huge difference in sound between these cables with tambaqui.

i am considering the etherRegen but not sure if it will do anything for me because

i’m using as source the innuos statement which both reclocks the ethernet output and usb outputs.

the other issue is the “ASR” audio science review forum on the etherRegen which states no measurable differences using or not using this device?snake oil?

i dont know…..

[barrows]

9 minutes ago, Decur said:

i am considering the etherRegen but not sure if it will do anything for me because

i’m using as source the innuos statement which both reclocks the ethernet output and usb outputs.

the other issue is the “ASR” audio science review forum on the etherRegen which states no measurable differences using or not using this device?snake oil?

i dont know…..

I would guarantee to you that if the folks at ASR tested the difference between a Blue Jeans Cable CAT 6A Ethernet cable and the Transparent Ethernet cable they would also show no measured difference: what does that say about the difference which you heard?  And what would be the implications of this for the use, or not, of the EtherRegen?

 

My conclusion would be:  If a change to a "better" Ethernet cable makes a difference, adding an EtherRegen close to the Tambaqui would make an even bigger difference.  Best case would likely be having the EtherRegen close to the Tambaqui, with the best Ethernet cable of only a single meter between the EtherRegen and the Tambaqui.  With this approach the EtherRegen removes most of the noise from the Ethernet transmission, and by having a short distance to travel to the Tambaqui there is (virtually)no additional noise picked up on the way to the Tambaqui. 

[Decur]

52 minutes ago, barrows said:

I would guarantee to you that if the folks at ASR tested the difference between a Blue Jeans Cable CAT 6A Ethernet cable and the Transparent Ethernet cable they would also show no measured difference: what does that say about the difference which you heard?  And what would be the implications of this for the use, or not, of the EtherRegen?

 

My conclusion would be:  If a change to a "better" Ethernet cable makes a difference, adding an EtherRegen close to the Tambaqui would make an even bigger difference.  Best case would likely be having the EtherRegen close to the Tambaqui, with the best Ethernet cable of only a single meter between the EtherRegen and the Tambaqui.  With this approach the EtherRegen removes most of the noise from the Ethernet transmission, and by having a short distance to travel to the Tambaqui there is (virtually)no additional noise picked up on the way to the Tambaqui. 

Thanks for your input barrows,

i still may try the ether regen,as it it has a 30 day trial

i always trust my own ears👍Im a fan of uptone audio

its just that asr’s review was really down on the etherRegen

also, i assume that a 1/2 meter hi quality between etherRegen and tambaqui would be better

than a 1 meter?being shorter?

[Decur]

Ethernet cable…..

[barrows]

11 minutes ago, Decur said:

its just that asr’s review was really down on the etherRegen

Yes, but they would also call you a fool (and probably worse things) for claiming that you hear a difference between Ethernet cables, so you may want to consider that when ascribing a lot of value to the opinions expressed at that site.  While I value measurements a lot and appreciate the measures that ASR provides, everyone there appear to have an agenda which to me appears to be anti sound quality.  The folks at ASR would also tell you that there is no way you could hear a difference between a Topping D-90 DAC and the Tambaqui!  I think we both know that is incorrect.

 

14 minutes ago, Decur said:

i assume that a 1/2 meter hi quality between etherRegen and tambaqui would be better

than a 1 meter?being shorter?

Maybe, I usually do not consider using Ethernet cables any shorter than 1 meter, as they are often stiff enough that getting them to bend into position at shorter lengths can be a problem.  I own a single Sablon Ethernet cable at 1 meter, and it is so stiff that any shorter woudl be almost impossible to use. 

[further]

18 hours ago, Lowgroove said:

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?

 

Due to distance involved from my switch and power supply to K50 and Makua, I was not able to compare using the same ethernet cable without buying additional longer cable(s).  I did try from switch directly to Makua with 2 different cables but different ones than into the K50 and out to the Makua from it.  I am going from K50 to Makua now.  

 

I think I might have mentioned before, but I would not discount the ethernet cable that came with the K50.   Foolish me did not even try it initially.   I broke it out for the longer length it has, and was happily surprised with it.   It's not now in use, but may integrate it in further up the chain.

 

My Makua was preowned, though DAC upgrade to Roon Ready was done shortly before I purchased.  I don't know if Mola-Mola goes through an evolution with some initial run/break-in hours, but Antipodes does suggest that is the case with the K50.   My impressions are that was the case for me.   Enjoy!

  

[fheller]

I have 2 connections activated into my Tamabaqui.

First: Roon, Nucleus+ via Etherregen into Tambaqui.

Second: Etherregen (B-A) into Optical Rendu to USB Tamabaqui.

My preferred streaming Service (HRA) is not available via Roon, therefor I use Audirvana Studio.

 

I did my setup a year ago, where I experimented a lot with different stuff, like cables, clocks etc. Etherregen was a keeper for me. One needs to test it for oneself. Don't know if it is available anymore, due to the supply chain problem.

[Decur]

has anyone tried the "afterdark" black river series constellation ethernet cable with the etherRegen?

this cable was specifically designed for the etherRegen

looks like you can get it in adapter size .15m or .3m extra short

[AnAndGate]

Hi, 

I have seen a few comparisons with Chord DAVE & DCS Bartok, but has any one managed to compare the Tambaqui with an Ayre QX-5? 

 

[bluebeat]

Hi @AnAndGate

I have a QX-5 and I'm very fond of it. Having said that, I'm very curious of how the Tambaqui would sound in my system and how it compares to the QX-5. I hope to audition the Tambaqui within two weeks in my own system and thus make a direct - albeit short - comparison. I'll report back here, but don't expect an in-depth review!

If you come across any other comparison of the two I'd appreciate it if you'd post about it here ... I couldn't find one either!

Cheers,

Marc

[AnAndGate]

13 hours ago, bluebeat said:

Hi @AnAndGate

I have a QX-5 and I'm very fond of it. Having said that, I'm very curious of how the Tambaqui would sound in my system and how it compares to the QX-5. I hope to audition the Tambaqui within two weeks in my own system and thus make a direct - albeit short - comparison. I'll report back here, but don't expect an in-depth review!

If you come across any other comparison of the two I'd appreciate it if you'd post about it here ... I couldn't find one either!

Cheers,

Marc

Same here. QX-5  is excellent in my set up. With USB, Ethernet modules they have a similar price point. Some of the descriptions of the subjective strengths of Tambaqui are similar to what I hear in my QX-5 and  that sparked my interest to compare. Going by the Stereophile reviews the units measure differently.

I look forward to see your short comparison!

[barbz]

Can anyone offer any comment.on how the dac stage of the Tambaqui compares to the TT2/HMS in dac mode?

I'd be using an external headphone amp/preamp into a power; all for headphones still.

 

Thankyou

[ted_b]

Well, the Mola Mola Tambaqui arrived yesterday for a 4 day demo.  I plugged it in, downloaded the iphone app, got it set up to see the network, configured Roon to see it directly (it is a certified Roon endpoint) and voila.

 

I let it play music for a few hours before going down there last night and listening on night one (1).  The results?  Well, I'm trying to figure out how, eventually, I can afford this thing!!  I've never heard such impeccable timing, ease and tonality.  And in my LAN setup it doesn't require a fancy USB cable, doesn't require a hefty HQPlayer server (I have not tested it with HQP via USB yet, see below), nothing.  It makes Roon sound like the best source money can buy.  The lack of fatigue is palpable.  I wish all this weren't the case.  :)

 

So...just now I hooked it up in the same setup as my May, that is, via HQplayer (USB from Fitlet2 NAA with Mola Mola linux driver showing up in HQP settings, and max sample rate lowered, compared to May, to Tambaqui's max input spec of 384k, DSD256).  The source of the music is same, Roon core NUC.  I will also test with local HQP server files, too (NVME SSD drive), instead of from Roon core NUC.  It is easy to switch Tambaqui inputs from my iphone app.  I'll spend the late evening doing this comparison.

 

I will get over my giddiness and listen again tonight.  It's really quite something, in that it is not head and shoulders above the Holo May, it's just better at everything....and sounds like the last of any digital artifacts are just vanished.  As we've discussed before, I will probably be able to tell its impact best when I swap back out and listen to the Holo May.  I'm praying it hasn't ruined me.  :)

 

Stay tuned.

[Quadman]

51 minutes ago, ted_b said:

I will get over my giddiness and listen again tonight.  It's really quite something, in that it is not head and shoulders above the Holo May, it's just better at everything....and sounds like the last of any digital artifacts are just vanished.  As we've discussed before, I will probably be able to tell its impact best when I swap back out and listen to the Holo May.  I'm praying it hasn't ruined me.  :)

I hate you Ted  I had a feeling this was the dac.  But when I got DSD1024 (non-EC) and DSD512 w EC7v2 modulators with the May, I too felt everything was better, so much so I never want to go back.  DSD512 EC7v2 is proving my favorite over 1024 with no EC and I know when 1024 w EC is possible that will top 512 EC.  The limit of the Mola mola at 256 concerns me.  Be interesting to compare Mola at 256EC7v2 vs may 512 EC7v2 or even 1024 EC if someone has i9-12900K and maybe a 3090Ti GPU to do so.

[ted_b]

My setting up HQPlayer and Tambaqui has more to do with USB than with HQPlayer, frankly.  But I will try and compare what the Mola Mola does with upsampled HQP files vs native Roon files.  Most report that the Tambaqui is somewhat agnostic in that it does its own thing internally with any file...not sure anyone has identified "sweet spots" to serve it.