Thread: Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC

Just about to take delivery of a Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC in a couple of days. Will post some observations in due course, but just wondering whether any other users would care to share any experiences with this DAC.

It is Roon certified, but I will also use an Auralic Aries G2.1 streaming transport to input as well

I have a Mola Mola Makua with DAC. I also have Lumin X1 and Antipodes K50 server/player. My experiences have been the MM DAC presentation is influenced by cabling and input. My Makua was preowned but had recently been updated by Mola Mola to Roon Ready DAC prior to my purchase. The ethernet Roon Ready input, for me, is robust but not bloated bass and body response, while retaining detail and space. I commonly alternate listening via the Roon Ready input as well as AES/EBU and USB from K50 players and X1 using Roon, and Lumin app. Antipodes recently updated their software, with this recent change one of GUI control, not sound quality changes. I have been using the K50 server and player options more since this change to become more familiar. With it, I primarily use Roon with Squeeze player and Squeeze server and player more than Roon server and player from K50. Roon Ready on Makua though is very good, and easily could live with it alone. With the X1, I sometimes use Roon, but generally use the Lumin App, which, for me, seems to be a bit more detailed and transparent. I am using fiber to my X1 while using RJ45 from K50 Directstream RJ45 output to my Makua for Roon Ready. I am using the Makua as preamp for the X1, rather than Leedh Processing for direct to amp. Both are very good, but when I first tested, I preferred the Makua for this. I really like both the Mola Mola and X1, and though truly do not need both, I have loathe to part with either. However, that leaves me with an abundance of riches for listening configurations. I experienced very long break-in improvements with the X1 and subtle but noticeable improvements with the K50. With the Makua Tambaqui DAC, it had some playing hours on the DAC before I received it. Moreover, I jumped the gun and tried a couple different ethernet cables very early on to the MM DAC, rather than waiting for it to run in my system without changes, so cannot give you proper feedback on break-in on the Mola Mola. I have read a few prior users for Tambaqui saying they thought the MM was lean in presentation. That is not at all the case for me. I would suggest you get some playing hours on the unit and then evaluate if you wish to wish to test separate isolation feet. The previous owner only used the MM rail supports. I initially stayed with the rail supports only. I later tried some Herbie's spare footers I had on hand, but removed them. I did purchase some Iso-Acoustics Indigo Oreas and tried those under the rails. I preferred the sound presentation with 3 of these under the MM body, and preferred it. I did swap with other isolation feet under other components, but changed presentation not to my liking, so returned those to original configurations and used Oreas under the body. If you add under the body, be aware there is some venting under my MM, and suggest you not block those. In summary, I am very pleased with the Mola Mola, and believe you can "tune" the presentation a bit with choice in power cord, ethernet, USB, and AES/EBU cabling, feet under the unit, and choice of Roon Ready or player output to DAC. I find the MM does an excellent job with rebook CD quality resolution. I have some DSD and DXD downloads, but now with the MM, no longer plan on ordering more of those. I perceive some improvements with 24/96 and 24/192 over 16/44 but well recorded 16/44 sounds very good. I do not use upsampling on Roon nor via Lumin App on X1. I predict you will be very pleased with your new Tambaqui.

Thanks for your extensive comments. Will be interesting to compare the Aries via USB to the MM with Roon through the MM. don’t have an abundance of input sources! 🤣

I look forward to your feedback on this.

Mola Mola is the name of the bony Ocean Sunfish

Ocean sunfish - Wikipedia

Tambaqui is the name of a fresh water South American fish

Tambaqui - Wikipedia

All very fishy! LOL

The Tambaqui DAC arrived yesterday, it replaces an Auralic Vega G2.1 DAC and a Leo GX.1 master clock. I was surprised by how small it is, very easy to set up, the app is very straightforward and it also comes with a simple slim metal remote control (not the Apple remote that I thought it would have). Roon recognised it immediately and I am also feeding it with an Auralic Aries G2.1 streaming transport. At this stage, direct into Pass Labs X260.8 and Magnepan MG3.7i

Had limited listening time available last night, so will extend that over the coming weekend. It's essentially a new machine, so there may be some changes as it settles in. However, initial response is "Holy Mola!". Immediately evident as a step up, initial reactions are that speakers have "disappeared", soundstage is more natural, with an increased level of detail. Quite significant changes for the better. Will need some more time to fully understand what is being presented and will comment further in a few days.

Enjoying it so far!

IMG_0271.png

Mola Mola know what they are doing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Any thoughts, op, on streaming direct to the tambaqui vs through the 2.1? Are you streaming wirelessly to the 2.1? I have the same combination and I find this best...

Does the Tambaqui need a streamer or can it operate with Roon alone (I don't have Roon)?
IOW, would I want a streamer, say the Aurender N20 in front of the Nola?

The Tambaqui ethernet input is Roon Ready. You will need Roon as a server in your system to play, but would not require a separate streamer. The other digital inputs can accept Roon but are not limited to streaming Roon if your server has alternate player software and appropriate outputs, such as USB, AES/EBU,S/PDIF, I2S. Format resolution is limited on AES/EBU,S/PDIF, and I2S.

So, for best performance, its Roon alone?
And if so, I need another box- a Roon Core, along with the Roon subscription?
Thx

Smile,

There is considerable difference of opinion among users regarding Roon sound quality. I have Roon and enjoy it, particularly the well developed interface and environment, but do cycle my listening with Squeeze server and player and Roon server with Squeeze Player with my Mola Mola. I have an Antipodes K50 Server/Player unit. I find Roon a bit warmer with more mid and lower bass on my system vs Squeeze, which I find a bit more transparent. Music discovery and allowing it to random play music is excellent with Roon. I typically will listen to one input/software for a day or more and then cycle to another for a period and so on. I also have a Lumin X1 and add it to the listening mix with and without Roon as well. Presentation on Mola Mola Roon Ready for me is quite enjoyable but different than the others. I could easily live with only listening to Mola Mola Roon Ready but endless curiosity and "what if" has led me to multiple listening options. I choose to consider them different rather than necessarily better or worse. I find my Mola Mola presentation is greatly influenced by upstream components and cabling, including ethernet. My K50 is a pretty rich, organic presentation. If you do pursue the Tambaqui, I would suggest letting it settle in for 100-200 hours before additional changes.

My Mola Mola is the Makua with DAC. It does not have the I2S input as does the stand alone Tambaqui. My K50 does have an I2S output that I have used with a PS Audio DirectStream Mk1 I still have. Though I still prefer the Makua and X1 DACS, the I2S from K50 to DirectStream provided me best sound quality I had experienced with that unit. I inquired with Mola Mola and GTT Audio if there was any consideration in offering I2S with the Makua and one capable of feeding SACD stream via I2S from a transport, reportedly possible with PS Audio, Denafrips,and Holo Audio (possibly others). Replies indicated no intention to offer such for Makua and SACD to DSD not supported for existing Tambaqui I2S viewing such as problematic potential violation of SONY patent.