Mola Mola Tambaqui streaming DAC

[@afrancois1968]

Speedy recovery Hans, seems you have a cold. Proud to be a compatriot of Bruno. One of the digital audio designers in the world!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks man.

[@davidurquhart974]

Nice to see some high end dac comparisons

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Good to hear. More coming...

[@michaelmityok1001]

Very glad for this review, most likely this is my next DAC/streamer as it obviates the need for a server/DDC/DAC stack which I had been contemplating.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Good thinking

[@michaelmityok1001]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel just the small problem now to find/save/borrow/steal $14K CAD to buy the thing lol

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@michaelmityok1001 I know you can do it 😁

[@morespinach9832]

Which DDC or power supply did you end up using with Mola Mola?

[@auditoriumforone3000]

Excited to see a run of reviews of this level of high end DACs. I would love to get my ears on this one.

[@Mat-Thias]

Dear Hans, I always like the way you do your reviews, they have a nice blend of engineering systematics and your passion about music and playback! This review was especially interesting for me, as you had the Terminator Plus as a benchmark, with an excellent network bridge. Now I will look for your newer reviews of Dave and Co. Thank you very much and all the best to you! Matthias

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Many thanks!

[@BelieveHiFi]

Fantastic as always Hans, you're truly a gift to the community & one of my key inspirations! Interested to hear your thoughts vs the DAVE. I had many mixed feelings with the comparison but this was not in an A/B scenario as I had them at different times & its hard to trust memory. For me, in my systems, as a Pure DAC shoot-out the DAVE out-resolves the Tambaqui with frightening levels of resolution, textural detail and transient information, but I found myself enjoying the Tambaqui more with longer more inviting listening sessions with a more grounded, easeful, somewhat richer and tangible portrayal. The Dave is the most raw and revealing DAC for me but it is a BRUTAL beast when it comes to imperfections in the source or your system. Things do change with Chord DACs (particularly the DAVE) when the M-scaler comes into the picture, no longer is tangibility and image weight an issue and the timbre and tonality of instruments improves leaps and bounds as does staging. In a pure 1-1 if I had to live with 1 forever it would be the Tambaqui, BUT if you put price & the other functionality a-side and allow for the m-scaler to be added I would absolutely go with the Chord combo no 2-ways about it.

[@magicmulder]

Sounds like the difference between my standard Stax Lambda and the Signature - the former is extremely analytic and unforgiving but I’d take the warmth and presence of the Signature any day.

[@Falcone-en4wl]

Hans, your honesty and clarity is a rare exception among the hi-fi reviewers. Thanks

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I appreciate that!

[@JulienBourjault]

Better health, and interesting review as usual 👍

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks!

[@nurikarsli6806]

Hans,Firstly, I wish you a fast recovery,I own a Gryphon Kalliope Dac,which I like very much,but Tambaqui is always on my mind for my next setup,so it was a nice surprise you checked it out.Thanks

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure

[@audiorick841]

I was looking for a review that compared the streaming section of this DAC to an external Aries G2. I had heard many good things about this DAC and always wondered if there was a compromise by using the internal streamer (ROON) versus a dedicated one. This is just perfect! Thank you.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure entirely

[@jackgti]

Great review!! Get well soon

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks

[@nikkonkde]

Great review!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks!

[@Mau10]

Very nice review!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GregLile]

Thanks for the review. It would be interesting to hear/read more about how/whether the Tambaqui benefits from the EtherRegen, Muon Pro networking systems.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I understand. But it is impossible to try every combination of all gear on the market so I have to limit myself to what I think is the most interesting one.

[@GregLile]

I get that completely. Thanks for all your time and efforts and for taking the time for a personal reply.

[@MaximeTrepreau]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@presidentpotato222]

On my short list .. this and Denafrips Terminator plus

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That's why it's called a 'short' list, isn't it?😄

[@wouterkolkman]

I am really happy with T+ and now also Gaia in the chain. I don’t need a pre amplifier, streamer nor headphone amp in my DAC, so achieving excellent quality at a relatively reasonable cost:-) Alway appreciative of Hans’ detailed and objective reviews.

[@anonymohipp9097]

Thank you. Would love to hear this compared to the Weiss dac.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Noted. (No promise though)

[@youtubiers]

Hi Hans, any chance you could review the Pi2aes raspberry pi digital output board? It seems to be getting very good feedback from users regarding price /performance ratio

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I see there is a sating list so I think reviewers won't we in front of the cue.

[@markgriffin8636]

Hans - wonderful to have your thoughtful reviews. I have the Auralic Aries G2 and Vega G2.1 and am considering adding the Sirius (when available) and/or the Leo clock. Now I am wondering if I should go with the Tambaqui. I am unable to audition the Sirius yet as it’s not currently available here in the states. Any thoughts on the Auralic stack vs. the Tambaqui since you’ve heard them both?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have not reviewed the Vega so I can't say. Sorry.

[@morespinach9832]

So Tambaqui can be connected directly to active speakers like dynaudio focus 10 and we are done? No need for separate streamer etc?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Correct

[@morespinach9832]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel but only via Roon. Not Spotify connect and tidal connect. Yes?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Correct

[@xtctaz]

Please review the Mola Mola Makua w dac unit

[@No_Limits_411]

I wish I had the listening-skill to tell weather the component is warm enaugh 😳. I only have two possible conclusions: "sounds good" or "not so good"

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't have the skills to describe why food tastes great, let alone cook it. But a enjoy a good meal nevertheless.

[@eltobiass]

Hans. You mention it is an FPGA Dac, and I have read some other reviewers saying the same; however, I heard Bruno Putzeys mentioning in a podcast the dac was a DSP implementation not FPGA. Which one is correct? Regards.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That's kind of semantics. Both use proprietary code and are far more powerful than the run of the mill DAC chips used by most manufacturers. That is the essense.

[@labalo5]

Hans, any possibility with you obtaining a Tambaqui again now that you have the mighty MU1? Really enjoying it this combo.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I'm not going to redo the review. The MU1 and Tambaqui is as good a combo as the MU1 and the DAVE. The MU1/Tambaqui is rather popular over here and I have heard the combination more than once. One of the occasions was when I picked up the MU1 at the distributor. He played it with the Makua, a stereo Halco amp and the PMC Fact.12 Signature's I now also own.

[@70grade37]

So, I own the Mola Mola Kula with the Tambaqui DAC inside of it. I keep hearing from everywhere that using "Roon" is the only way to go... Ok, So I also have the Pulsar by Innuos (Music Streamer) and I use a Shunyata Sigma V2 NR Power cord, their Denali Power Conditioner & their Sigma USB... As of now I use Innuos's app "Sense". It's not as sophisticated and detailed as Roon but BOTH are just an interface software. My question is whether or not you use Roon or Sense or any other type of interface software, THAT doesn't affect the sound quality in any way correct?? Also, towards the end of your video you were talking about a "standby" mode. You're referring to when the unit light is Red correct? And to wait about 30-60 minutes to allow the unit to "Warm up" for optimal sound?? Thank you and great video!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have not reviewed Innuos products since the introduction of the Sense app, so I really can't say. I use Roon since - like many others - love the way it lets me access music, give me information about albums, artists and composers and the way it integrates Qobuz and Tidal music into my catalog. Nowadays I leave my streamer and DAC on 24/7 but if you have to ask me if it takes 30 to 60 seconds to warm up, I wonder if you hear a difference. Otherwise you wouldn't have asked. I wouldn't bother, just play music.

[@70grade37]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannelSo would you leave the Mola Mola on 24/7?? It’s a 23K unit and I wouldn’t want it not having a longer “Life” because I left it on all the time… They do get pretty warm.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have not reviewed the Kula so I can't say for sure.

[@ivoo314]

Hi Hans, you say that MQA is irrelevant in FPGA DACs. Does this mean that FPGA DACs don't add time smearing to the signal, or does it mean that they do add time smearing to the signal? Either way, does this also apply to other FPGA DACs - like Chord Mojo for an example /which I happen to own/?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I think I said less relevant, but that aside. FPGA based DACs also come in qualities. I was talking about the Tambaqui, DCS, PS-Audio DirectStream and the like; € 10k products. Not about far simpler products.

[@ericelmore2742]

Would love to know how it compares to Weiss Dac. Some reviews have the Weiss in the ball park of the chord Dave.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I'll see what I can do

[@mystdeisanto9647]

Hei Hans, thanks for great review! I'm searching for main monitor DAC for my home mastering studio. I'm leaning toward hifi gear recently and getting attracted by FPGA tech that wasn't found in pro audio gear. Since you've been around studio in past, I have a question about latency. I have plan to hook this thing from my RME AIO PCIe card via AES/EBU or SPDIF. would I experience high round-trip-latency for monitoring while recording/overdubbing?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

This channel is aimed at the consumer where latency is no item. So I don't test for latency. Sorry.

[@allenh.7373]

Beginning at 10:09 we hear the same line delivered twice. That is when you know there is a glitch in the Matrix and the agents are near. When they come, do what I do, run. You run your @ss off.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

😁

[@joisloal]

Hello Hans, Great videos and very informative, i Just Bought a Tambaqui im using it as roon end Point, do you think is worth to buy one like auralic g2.1 or Aurender n200 ? i see yo mention roon end point sounds the same as with your auralic

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I know the Auralic gives a clear sound improvement, I have tested the Tambaqui with it. The best combination is with the Grimm Audio MU1, very popular in my country right now.

[@joisloal]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you so much!

[@tansy007]

Good to know that its network bridge portion is also top end. Any chance you would review dCs DACs? maybe Bartok?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I’m not sure if I can get a review sample...

[@szallitolevel]

Knowing the approach of dCS, and same time Hans expertise to show its fine technical details, I would be surprised not supporting a demo if they are asked. Karoly, from the country of Bartók (not the DAC, the Composer..)

[@joemehalic4069]

Hans, Great channel! Regarding the i2S connection . . . . isn't that the only way to read the DSD layer from an SACD player? Shouldn't I be able to use the I2S input with my universal players (Oppo 105) HDMI Out? I understand that the 12S and HDMI use the same pin connection and SHOULD be compatible, in order to send the DSD layer to the DAC. Is that correct? Thanks for the great work you do!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

HDMI and I²S DO NOT USE THE SAME PIN OUT and are in no way compatible. I can’t help you with your SACD question, I have no hands on experience with your player.

[@joemehalic4069]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for the quick response Hans. I am guessing from your response that ones CD/SACD Transport or player, MUST then have a I2S output in order for the Tambaqui to process the DSD portion of the SACD. The purpose of my question/response is not to promote a particular brand, but to establish a means of insuring that any player that has an I2S output will enable the Tambaqui to play DSD directly, versus streaming it. One such example is the PS Audio Perfect WaveSACD Transport. The product description states: "Breathe new life into your CD collection played through any DAC. Send the raw DSD layer of SACD into your I2S input DAC so you can hear, for the first time, what’s long been unavailable to external DACs in these high-resolution discs". Now I believe that the Bryston DBA-314 will read SACD/DSD via HDMI. My conclusion to all of this is that you must have either HDMI to HDMI, OR I2S to I2S to make this work. You are saying that HDMI and !2S connections will NOT work. I think this is an important point for your audience, assuming I have this correct now. THANKS again!

[@joemehalic4069]

Hans, I listed to your video one more time and noticed that for your input example, you chose "12S OVER HDMI". That says to me that the I2S IN CAN be connected to an SACD player that has an HDMI out, but your original replay was, "HDMI and I²S DO NOT USE THE SAME PIN OUT and are in no way compatible." Can you please clarify this point? I want to be able to play SACD's using the Tambaqui. THANK YOU! :)

[@ChrisMag100]

@@joemehalic4069 Tambaqui cannot stream DSD over i2s. Only PCM. dSD over DOap playback only works via USB or through Roon via Ethernet. With mine, I tried the Oppomod i2s card for my BDP-203 and was unsuccessful at getting it to work with PCM. I was successful getting I2s to work with a PS Audio Nuwave converter though.

[@joseauger1353]

Hi. I am examining options for USB reclocking for my Wyred 4 Sound NS Music Server. I have seen the SOtM tx-USBUltra Special Edition, and the Denafrips Gaia. However it is important that the reclocker can pass through pure DSD as I have many DSD files up to 128. I do not know if there are other alternatives. I would appreciate your views on those you have alrrady reviewed. Many thanks in advance and keep up your excellent work.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Reclockers will normally do both PCM and DSD.

[@audioschipper]

Dag Hans, heb je de Nuc ook rechtstreeks aangesloten met netwerkkabel? Beterschap!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The NUC is connected as described in this video: About my reference setups:kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH6YiXyFl5uXbsk

[@virgogreg]

Hans how would you compare Denifrips Aries 2 to the Tambaqui DAC sound Quality? ie scale 1 to 10 ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Watch my reviews. BTW miracles don’t happen. The Tambaqui costs 70% more…

[@robrechtvanbambeke9135]

Super informative thank you I will demo the Mola Mola next mont but its almost double the price the nr 1 on my list the May L2 so I if it convince me the new streaming transport will have to wait... You reviewed both Hans, whats your feeling comparing those 2 dac's?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

May L2?

[@robrechtvanbambeke9135]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel wel they are both on my List the Holo May L2 (that I auditioned @ Magna Hifi so not in my system) ans the Lola mola tambaqui that I wil have home next month for a few days

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Ah, the Holo May L2. That didn’t land with me. Both are good DACs but they have a different sound character. The streaming part of the Tambaqui isn’t up to par with the quality of the DAC. The May L2 doesn’t have streaming built in. Listening is the best way to see what pleases you most. Magna has good facilities to do that.

[@petersmith9771]

Does it compare to ps audio dsd dac?

[@wgo100]

Is er kruisbestuiving met Grimm? Welkome beoordelingen van duurdere apparaten, overigens! Beterschap.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Geen link met Grimm Audio.

[@eamonnmacneill5114]

Hi Hans any chance of a review of the dCS Bartok?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have not decided yet

[@ivo7597]

Hi Hans, could you test the new Meitner MA-3. It is on the same price level and also a very own design dac

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No on short notice, I already have two others planned in this category. But perhaps later.

[@csabasajti1940]

When do you plan the Ayre QX-5 Twenty review Hans?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

As soon it becomes available to me. I have no say in when.

[@patrickmeylemans9627]

Going the expensive route ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I just widened the path. Next week the Allo Boss 2 player costing a whopping € 300.

[@saverioricchiuto5386]

If I were you, I would have left the oral cavity on for at least 30’ to be sure it reached the right temperature when you shoot the video so to have a better sounding voice. LoL! Stay well Hans, nice video as usual.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That would be a poor tactic. I lave my aural cavity on all the time, just put the autitory system behind it on standby.😁

[@bobwilkie5721]

Can the Tambaqui be used to control the volume level with no such control on the power amp…

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Yes, it has full volume control.

[@bobwilkie5721]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel

[@bobwilkie5721]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel that's great, but how? Many Thanks could save me buying a pre amp....

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Using the remote

[@stephens2r338]

How does it compare to the Holo May_

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Please ask questions only once

[@MusicLover-01]

The real question is how long before this tech trickles down into a more affordable price point? 🤔

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Well, with Chord and PS Audio that already happened so who knows it will happen for Mola Mola.

[@brianwalsh1844]

A hot whiskey will help that voice.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That sounds attractive...😁

[@Simplyveej]

Hi Hans, did you use an external power supply on this one? If so, which one?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No, there is no external DC input. And I wonder if a Putzeys design will benefit from an external PSU.

[@bertwemmenhove]

Hoop dat je stem weer een beetje opknapt.............

[@marcus1970]

Sounds sore 😟

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The vocal cords are blocked by a throat infection. And to be sure the Covid-19 bug hadn't bitten me, I had to survive the nasty nose picking during the test. Luckily the result was negative, which is positive.

[@lookbacktime9422]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I would recommend Coughend! Worked for me!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I’ll check if it is available over here. Thanks.

[@davidhardaker192]

So Hans , I guess that's another 10 grand you'll be spending ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The Tambaqui just left the building😢

[@No_Limits_411]

He don't own the Terminator either, is what I have gathered