Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC and Streamer Review

[Here2Learn]

Mola are introducing a ‘streaming’ module for the Makua, preamp, DAC, phono stage and ROON all in one box.
What else can do all that?
Keith

A DEQX unit, which has a whole lot more. Some Myteks are also preamps, DACs and phone stage with optional Roon streaming, such as the Manhattan II. The Moolah Moolah certainly isn't alone in its feature set Keith.

 

[Here2Learn]

Shouldn’t this get the Golf swing panther for setting a new performance standard?

I think it depends on how Amir perceives value-for-money given the price. Maybe I'm wrong. Amir?

 

[Here2Learn]

I use the soccer one for European products with the same value.

Doh... I hadn't read enough thread before responding.

 

[Here2Learn]

Color me surprised (I seemed to have noticed after scrolling around and seeing internal pics, proper isolation of parts seems to play a very important role in performance).

If I press the bit on top, does the neighbours house go boom? Or should I be vaping from this thing?

 

[Todesengel]

@amirm could we please get a measurement of input latency? I think this would be beneficial to add to the suite of standard tests for those of us who watch videos so we know which DACs will cause lip sync issues.

 

[amirm]

@amirm could we please get a measurement of input latency? I think this would be beneficial to add to the suite of standard tests for those of us who watch videos so we know which DACs will cause lip sync issues.

It is not easy to measure that but let me think about a scheme I have in mind....

 

[MRC01]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Mola Mola Tambaqui USB DAC and Ethernet streamer. ...

It's really interesting to see a bespoke built boutique DAC like this show such great performance. It shows that high end audio isn't entirely BS.
Does it have user-selectable AA filter choices?
Since it has a volume control, I'm curious what its 50 mV SINAD is. How much does SNR drop as you turn down the volume to typical listening levels?

 

[MenloBob]

I could not find a way to change the volume. I had to use the remote.

Does the whole volume display twist?

 

[amirm]

Does the whole volume display twist?

I tried but it would not.

 

[Music1969]

It is not easy to measure that but let me think about a scheme I have in mind....

And dashboard measurements for 2.1Vrms and 3Vrms output if you could please

 

[Ron Texas]

It's measures superbly, except on your bank balance.

 

[solderdude]

Sigh ... I am still waiting for someone with excellent hearing to enter this thread and say something like:

It measures near perfect so it must sound boring and lifeless... this or that tube based, (name R2R chip/method) filter-less sounds way more musical.

 

[Digital Mastering System]

So does $12,000 fully decode MQA snake oil? Or is that extra?
Nice DAC though. I'll recommend it to the retired doctors at the audiophile society. Their money needs departing.

 

[gvl]

Impressive performance but they need to add a couple of tubes there to make the price more palatable.

 

[AustinsGuitar]

Very impressive unit. Anyone with enough money for the thing won't be disappointed. Basically as perfect as it gets for a dac. This is to the point where you would be unable as a human to hear any noise or any inconsistancies in dynamic range. now if only it was 300 dollars. hehe

 

[tktran303]

I’m sure Bruno et. al could make a Value For Money product, retailing for 3 figures, or even 2 figures for the ASR bargain hunters. With only a few compromises.

But the problem with the audiophile mob is their old fashioned views- that nothing cheap could be any good. “You get what you pay for” sigh

Mola Mola takes aim at the audiophile crowd and says here- we can compete with the best and cost a fraction as much (eg. dCS, EMM Labs, MSB etc)

 

[amirm]

@amirm could we please get a measurement of input latency? I think this would be beneficial to add to the suite of standard tests for those of us who watch videos so we know which DACs will cause lip sync issues.

Here it is for S/PDIF:

I don't trust the USB measurements yet but they appear to be twice as long at around 100 milliseconds.

 

[amirm]

Hi @amirm

Can you also please show dashboard for 2.1Vrms and 3Vrms output?

Here you go:

 

[amirm]

Here are headphone measurements. It was a pain to do because by default headphone out is disabled and there is no way to enable it via the remote or the front panel! Had to download the app to do it. Get rid of the bloody fish logo and use the space to implement a proper UI to control the entire set for heaven's sake.

Power into 300 Ohm load:

Extremely low noise and distortion but limited by the maximum 2.7 volt output.

Similar story at 33 ohm:

So not powerful but very clean.

Signal to noise ratio at 50 millivolts is good but not top of the class:

Output impedance is comfortably low:

That's it. She is going back in the box so I can review the mountain of gear waiting!

 

[gvl]

That's it. She is going back in the box so I can review the mountain of gear waiting!

How much is it to post an insured $11,500 parcel?