Mola Mola Kula integrated amplifier

[Matias]

Interesting new release from Mola Mola: the Kula integrated amplifier ($13,800), with Roon enabled DAC ($8,200) and phono ($3,000) as optionals, total $25,000.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/munich-in-new-jersey/

 

Looks like a Makua front with an added nCore amplifier.

 

Specs
Linestage Section
Inputs: 3 RCA and 3 XLR
Input impedance: 100k ohms
Distortion at maximum signal level (THD, IMD): not measurable, estimated around -150dB Bandwidth >200kHz
Gain range: -70dB to +15dB
Gain resolution: <1dB, better than 0.2dB over normal listening range

 

nCore Amplifier Section
200Wpc @ 8ohm, 350Wpc @ 4ohm, 600Wpc @ 2ohm
Unweighted SNR: 128dB
Distortion (THD, IMD): <0.003 % (all frequencies and power levels)
Input impedance: 100k ohms
Output Impedance: <0.003 ohm
Damping factor: >4000
Bandwidth: >50kHz

 

Optional DAC
SNR: 130dB
THD, IMD: not measurable (estimated -140dB)
Bandwidth: Up to 80kHz (apodizing response)
DAC inputs/outputs: AES/EBU (XLR), optical (TosLink), USB Type B, Bluetooth (SBC, AAC, APTX, LDAC) Ethernet (Roon only)
Supported formats: PCM up to 384kHz /32 bits (>192kHz and >24 bits via USB only) DoP and Native DSD up to quad speed (USB only)

[Matias]

Very unlikely. As far as I know, Mola Mola and Hypex are sister companies.

[Matias]

We can even see the factory building from outside on Google Maps Streetview.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.21324,6.6164562,3a,60y,62.22h,93.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPnyX1C5dZHi3pHiG2eKQuA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

 

[Matias]

Kula's page is up. Nice high res inner picture.

 

https://www.mola-mola.nl/kula.php

 

[Matias]

Interesting that they use a 300W module that is in between their regular MP series: 250W of the NC252MP and 500W of the NC502MP, all in 4 ohms.

[Matias]

1 minute ago, RickyV said:

I am wondering how the Kula would compare to the Tambaqui with Kaluga’s.

I think it more comparable with the Makua + NC252MP amp.

 

Since I have a Makua with external NCore N500 amplifier, the Kula is like my system in an less powerful all-in-one version.

[Matias]

The Kula integrated was reviewed in the October edition of Hi-Fi News. 

 

Other than endless praise, to me the news part is that Mola-Mola did not implement the regular NCore technology for this amp, but improved the feedback circuit to reduce distortion significantly, with higher damping factor and better power supply noise rejection.

 

I wonder if those improvements will eventually trickle down to the NCore OEM modules themselves eventually? This would be great.

[Matias]

Yes, Mola Mola is very unlikely to move to Purifi modules as they are a sister company from Hypex themselves.

 

But what I understand is that Hypex themselves improved the NCore technology, without Bruno helping, as they are now competitors.

[Matias]

On 8/24/2021 at 9:36 AM, Matias said:

The Kula integrated was reviewed in the October edition of Hi-Fi News. 

 

Other than endless praise, to me the news part is that Mola-Mola did not implement the regular NCore technology for this amp, but improved the feedback circuit to reduce distortion significantly, with higher damping factor and better power supply noise rejection.

 

I wonder if those improvements will eventually trickle down to the NCore OEM modules themselves eventually? This would be great.

Online now.

 

https://hifinews.com/content/mola-mola-kula-integrated-amplifier