Groningen-based audio separates supremo Mola-Mola has made the discrete DAC section from its Makua preamplifier available as a separate unit.

Dubbed the 'Tambaqui', it promises to get the most exceptional audio quality from your digital sources.

Mola-Mola Tambaqui

The Tambaqui's converter comprises a two board stack. Firstly, the incoming digital audio is upsampled to 3.125MHz/32 bits and converted to a noise-shaped PWM signal and then fed to twin mono DACs on the second board. Here, their discrete 32-stage Finite-Impulse-Response (FIR) output stages combined with 4th order filtering I/V converters turn the PWM into analogue with an awe-inspiring 130dB SNR. The company states that, uniquely, distortion remains below the noise floor even for full-scale signals.

The Mola-Mola Tambaqui also boasts a lossless digital volume control, Roon Ready functionality and headphone outputs. So, basically, you could use the Tambaqui as the control hub of a minimalist digital audio set-up.

Mola-Mola Tambaqui

Inputs include Optical (Toslink), S/PDIF, AES/EBU (XLR), USB type B, Ethernet (Roon Ready), Bluetooth (A2DP, APTX), I²S over HDMI. Whereas outputs are balanced (XLR), balanced headphone (4-pin XLR), 6.3mm headphone jack and programmable trigger outputs (3.5mm jack).

The Tambaqui supports PCM up to 384kHz/32 bits (>192kHz and >24 bits via USB and Roon only); DoP and Native DSD up to quad speed (USB and Roon only).

Price and availability

The Mola-Mola Tambaqui has a UK retail price of £8,999 (inc. VAT) and is available from August 2019.

Tech Spec

  • Full-Scale Output Level (XLR): 18dBu
  • Full-Scale Output Level (headphone): 18dBu
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 130dB
  • THD, IMD: not measurable (estimated -140dB)
  • Bandwidth: up to 80kHz (apodizing response)
  • Integrated jitter: <1ps from 10Hz upwards, <300fs from 1kHz upwards
  • Jitter rejection: >80dB at 1Hz after 20 seconds of lock

CONTROL

  • 4 programmable presets
  • Remote control (premium)
  • Mola-Mola remote app

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

  • 200mm (W) x 110mm (H) x 320mm (D); 5.2kg
Jay Garrett's avatar

Jay Garrett

StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.

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Posted in: Hi-Fi

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