Im so happy you liked my album "Fengselsfugl" (prisonbird in Norwegian). What an honour🙏I would gladly send you a copy of my first album «Bedehus & Hawaii as well. It's with the same musicians including the legendary pedalsteel guitar player Geir Sundstøl who actually inspired the Cohen Brothers in the creation of the character Gaer in the movie Fargo in the 90s. True Story! It was fun recording and mixing those albums. I tried to preserve the intimate sound without overprosessing it. For those interested: on my channel there's some music videos from the recording of the album including link to buy the album in the description🙏
Yeah, streaming services don't take into consideration the fact that songs often overlap.. Wich is irritating. I wanted to tell a cinematic story about my work inside Oslo Prison during the pandemic only separated by a meter of concrete. It had a strange mood inside. Still it felt as though we all where Prison birds (Fengselsfugl in Norwegian) during the pandemic because of the isolation we had to go through.
Maurice Jeffries here, Steve. We appeared together for the AXPONA reviewers webinar a couple of months back (along with Greg Weaver, Herb, and Jan). I have the Tambaqui in house for review paired with the stupid-good Audionet Humboldt integrated. I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of the Tambaqui: It is simply incredible. On an unrelated note, on a friend's recommendation, I just took delivery of the little Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M speakers that you seem to love, these hooked up to the electronics I just described. I know I'll catch shit for saying so, but this is one of the most communicative speakers I have ever heard, price no object. They are stunningly good! Let's share contact info and compare notes, reviewer to reviewer, sometime. Great work brother! Stay safe and good listening.
The Tambaqui can be your Roon endpoint/streamer + DAC + volume control (no need for preamp). If this works for you, the price might seem more reasonable. As long as you clean up the ethernet signal before it enters the DAC, you get what Steve is describing from a transport. Really enjoy the music recommendations and I always find new music to try. I find that Steve's reviews are well-balanced and from someone who trusts his very good ears and knowledge.
The Wadia Digimaster X32, the first time I heard compact disc audio sound like MUSIC. That getting the leading edge right is something I've only heard from Wadia products (the last being their venerable S7i) and the dCS Rossini WITH CLOCK. Other DACs have come close, like the Moon 780Dv2, but I haven't had the chance to hear the Mola Mola. If it can do that same thing the Wadia and dCS can do (you can hear it most clearly on piano note transients), that makes it quite a deal. The reason may be the same reason Wadia got it right - a custom software algorithm rather than a DAC chip per se, and dCS takes a similar approach.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I'm so glad you liked my album🙏 I think that audiophiles are the best audience, cause you listen through albums with great sound system sitting down and listening. In my mind the way music is supposed to be experienced. Let me know if you want me to send CD or vinyl of my previous record "Bedehus & Hawaii", also with the same musicians and with the same Cinematic Norwegian "Nordicana" vibe. Cheers from Norway!
I was just listening and then you said "it is expensive" in my day back in the '60s $1,300 would be expensive but now its $13,000. Wow. Audio is not for the weak or low-income people. But when you reviewed the B&W 607-2 I bought them the same day for full retail - (had to short the cable bill) then I put the Klipsch 51m's I got for 200. back in their box. I am not disappointed in the least - for my application, I have increased my listening pleasure by 100%. I had to go back and get out my reference vinyl to make sure/ Thanks again, Steve.
Just based on inflation alone, $1300 in 1966 would be $11,267in today's dollars. And that's not accounting for the astounding amount of technology that goes into a DAC.
It would be neat if Steve would delve into pro audio a little bit to see how it compares to the boutique equipment. Pro audio companies have a much larger market and R&D money to ensure a company can capture the greatest share of their niche of that market. Thinking Apogee or RME or ???? For DACs that can be had easily under $5K, that use the most cutting edge chips. How about it Steve?
Hello all, I was auditioning an all Mola Mola system with Swedish Respons speakers at the largest Norwegian audio fair in 2019. The experience was simply out of this world, so beautiful music that grown up people were sitting there crying with tears in their eyes. Amazing stuff 😍
I would love to hear that as well. I bought the May DAC (KTE edition) a month ago but they take a month to make so hopefully I should get it in a week or so...
@@keplermission4947 i don't even want to buy it if i had the money. The gryphon diablo 120/dac is the best sound i ever had. I enjoy music like never before 😉
Steve, great channel! Have been enjoying your “shows” since years. If you were to match the Mola Mola to an amp (integrated, pre and power combo or even just the power amplifier…) what would you get, with all the knowledge and experience you gained over the years? Which speakers would you match them to? Thank you
@@alexxbaudwhyn7572 Yeah, everyone has their financial and psychological ceilings, and I’ve run afoul of people who didn’t work by the same numbers as me. You do you, I say.
@@ricochet243 One solution is to continually sell off gear and build a $10K kitty for such gear purchases. Or build $5K and make up difference with acceptable expense amount, reducing cost with used, refurb, etc
At this pricepoint is minum requirements the sound has no digital artifacts, my friend has just received one Tambaqui for test. Curious for the results.
Hi Steve! Another excellent review. Thanks! I’m getting a pair of Klipsch La Scala’s. I’m torn between this DAC and the dcs Lina DAC. I’m also getting an Aurender N20, and Aurender ACS10, so I’m able to burn all my CD’s. Which DAC would you go with on my system, the dcs Lina, or Mola Mola Tambaqui?
Great review as always Steve. I know you haven’t reviewed them, but I’d be curious to see this compared to something like the MSB Select, the Nagra HD DAC X, the Goldmund Mimesis 20H NextGen, or the Esoteric Grandioso D1X. I realize these are in a different price range, but it would be interesting nonetheless.
Hi Steve, nice review. I recall you reviewed the DCS Bartok At this price range how does this compare to the DCS Bartok you reviewed previously using their newest update firmware? Bartok has the better headphone amp likely balanced Class A and could be the better DAC or hv better value if you can say that at these prices....
Keep in mind the DCS Bartok also has a very nice built in streamer and a very good quality headphone amp that's much better than the Mola Mola if you get that option. It will also FULLY unwrap MQA if you are into that!
HERE YOU GO, MUSIC LOVING AUDIOPHILES! THE NAME IS: Trond Kallevåg - Fengselsfugl (2021) 😂😂😂 Thanks for the tip on that one, Steve. I'll admit that, at almost $14k, this DAC is as far out of my range as a 1960s V-12 Ferrari, but I do also watch UA-cam videos about those cars, so... What the heck. What I almost always get from a really good audio gear review, though, is great pointers to music that I'd likely never hear otherwise, and that is right in the middle of my wheelhouse! YAY! 🔥🔥🔥
That's the way I would describe my Voyager GaN amplifier. It just is... open, natural, notably when the recording is too. It doesn't manufacture a sound
As usual very casually direct and informative, even if I’d never pay that much for any device , but it’s an exotic earful learning experience what technology can bring us towards so called perfection. Thank you , like watching formula 1 . Btw I find your musical recommendations sensational . Being a long time casual musician and full time music lover I’d love to see your frequent records/ cd’s recommendations listed . I find now I’d better stop the video and write them down . Your enjoyment and humility involved in the music process is priceless .
This Mola Mola uses a DSP, don’t know if that is equivalent to FPGAs used in other Dacs Could be the dsp is applying an “analog” sounding transform filter to the digital stream before d/a output
My Jay’s Audio DAC2 signature uses FPGA, dual AK4497, etc. Pretty good for under £3k. If I had to choose another I’d probably opt for a Holo Audio May DAC. R2r seems to be the best way to go.
@@keplermission4947 Whatever dood. Just some audio chit chat that’s all I have no audio ego to bruise or aggrandize. FWIW I sold my Topping D70 for the Bryston. Just normal buy/sell banter among audio geeks While I do like Canadian audio gear, having PSB speakers since the late 90s and currently using T2’s for my primary 2ch setup with Klipsch RP600m and BW 601 s2’s for other rooms, I would sell any of them or the Bryston tomorrow if I audition something that performs better I’m willing to pay for. An fpga or r2r dac may be next on my list
Wouldn't complex symphonic pieces w/ a variety of solos and w/ great dynamic range and full on full blast performances be a better test of an audio component then the simple music of Trond Kalevag and CAN It certainly would be more enjoyable imho
@@jonathansturm4163 Compared Schiit DAC to Tambaqui you mean? I bet there are differences between these, but with an A/B XLR switch you can hear the actual differences clearly. You will be surprised they are probably smaller than you would expect.
This is an interesting catagory to try and rate value for the money. How do you feel about it in this respect? I bought a DAC for closer to $16k, two years ago and the audio quality is NOT on par with my sub $3k Denafrips Venus. However, my $16k DAC includes an integrated amplifier, speaker system, listening room and presumably, a DSP profile for the included room. It 'seats five' , but I can only fit 3 adults comfortably, as it turns out. For shipping purposes it includes 4 wheels and has a little over 100hp. With that power output, I suspect it is class D, which is also a little disappointing for the price. I changed the feet and the noise floor actually went up, however the autocross performance improved markedly. The Denafrips only as 3 feet and and they are very small, so I would be more concerned about stability and grip. I think this is a justifiable trade off under $3k, but I'm not so sure once you get over $10k or so :)
I wonder what Steve thinks of this DAC with the Jays relative to the Luxman D10x? He waxed lyrical about that product,so a comparison would be interesting.
@@thomasnoe1193 I’m on the same dilemma, seems ignored at this point. I would like to keep the boxes at minimal. If the lux performs just as well the separates. I will consider it.
Thanks Steve - clearly this DAC hit the spot with you as your Best (so far ;¬). Next comes the Chord Mscaler with the Chord Dave (or even with the Hugo TT2) for comparison with the Tambaqui. Try these with Paul Simon's Gracelands, or your favourite CD. So many visitors have said that they are hearing their favorite disc *as if for the first time*... Greetings to you and yours.
„Graceland“ happens to be the first track I audition audio hardware with. Dave plus M-Scaler costs a lot more than the Tambaqui. So far I know two people who compared the Dave (w/o M-Scaler) and the Tambaqui and the score is 1:1.
Reviewers never get negative feedback when they review a Ferrari / Lambo / McLaren but when Steve does a high end piece of gear all the budget barry's come out of the wood work. Hey man why would a sell my Toyota Corolla for a Bugatti? Is the Bugatti 150 times faster or better than my Corolla? nah...
@@mikepawntee2425 The hearing threashold of the human ear is beyound belief, the eardrum moving less than the diameter of a Hydrogen atom, that’s the threshold of hearing…. Our hearing is insane 😎
In a Stereophile review of this DAC, Herb used this dac as a preamplifier into the Elekit 300b which itself has a volume control. Can anyone explain how this can work well? I've always been under the understanding that this will distort the sound. Maybe the Elekit's volume control is just a passive?
The secret is upsampling to PWM witch is the native DSD format(32bit 3120 Mhz) I had a NAD C510 with Direct digital Zetex DAC/35-bit/844kHz up-sampling to PWM(Nativ DSD Format).
The good thing about this price level of equipment is, I don’t even begin to think about acquiring one; it’s the one’s that are just above my psychological comfort zone that make me nervous.
Hey steve i would really really love to know about DACS i really really want some reccomendations on dacs because theirs so many many good options of dacs which is so so good i really want to talk to you please reply back!
I really wish I’m gonna find this for a good price on the used market one day. This would be my dream setup feeding my Stax Lambda Signature (w/ Stax amp). No other devices needed.
Please excuse my ignorance, but I haven’t been into audios for a long time. What is the DAC used for? So it takes an analog sound and makes it digital? Isn’t that counter to what is so great about vinyls?? All abuse is acceptable 👍😂
Steve I know that this question that I have has nothing to do with the subject but I read 2014 article that you wrote about CCR revival Cosmo factory LP and you said it sounded compressed I believe you’re right because mine does and I also have a CCR Chronicle recording that sounds better. Have you found any CCR albums that sound great? If you have what print Number does it have?Sorry I am so far off what you are talking about at 64 old head we do jump off of subject like back in the 70’s party…….
I appreciate your take on more expensive dacs to offset the excellent reviews of budget gear. Would love to hear your comparison of this level of dac to your favorite vinyl rig. I know you still prefer vinyl, but how close are they getting at this level of digital?
Maybe I'm wrong here, but my digital section is actually my cheapest gear. Had a Schiit Bifrost, now use my preamp's built in DAC. I have a McIntosh preamp and power amp, with a VPI Prime and Tavish Adagio phono stage. I listen 90% to vinyl and "explore" on digital. I just find technology moves too fast to spend deep on a DAC. Have DACs stabilized to the point where a $5k investment in a good one won't be worthless in two years? Not that I could go Mola Mola for $13k, but even if I could, is it better spent elsewhere in your system? I don't know, thoughts?
Hi Steve great review. Is the difference between a dac like Denefrips Aeres 2 and the Tambaqui about the same as the Aegir v First Watt F7? That is a huge diff and worth every penny if you have it! JH
@@billiondollarbaby3276 thanks for the input in what aspect of the sound quality you like better from the esoteric? I own the Meitner dac as per Steves review back then but would like to know if I can improve sound quality going D10x or the separates as in this review. Would like to know Steve’s insight as he have them all at some point.
Likely a last minute naming change... Bruno should just own it, put that "o" back in. Marketing said no, just pull one "o" and make it Mola Mola. Bruno designed in as much transparency as possible.
This DAC has been on my mind for a couple of months now. Just wondering if it’s really worth the price. Not that if it’s good enough but dishing out that much makes me nervous. 🤣😂 Mola Mola needs mucho moola moola!
I bought one a couple months ago. It’s fantastic. For reference, it replaced a Yggdrasil A2. Talk to GTT or your local dealer about getting a demo unit to try. If it’s helpful, I also had a DAVE on loan for a bit. I preferred the Mola Mola.
@@ChrisMag100 That’s awesome that this dac is pushing forward the art and science. All audiophiles benefit as the cutting edge makes its way down in price points while the cutting edge keeps advancing.
I think the best part of this review were the album recommendations like Can, trond and niks for us poor mortals , thank you Steve!
The Mola Mola costs a lot of moola moola.
But, aparantly, delivers a lot of "whoooah, whoooah"
Hahahaha! Brilliant!
Nice
Im so happy you liked my album "Fengselsfugl" (prisonbird in Norwegian). What an honour🙏I would gladly send you a copy of my first album «Bedehus & Hawaii as well. It's with the same musicians including the legendary pedalsteel guitar player Geir Sundstøl who actually inspired the Cohen Brothers in the creation of the character Gaer in the movie Fargo in the 90s. True Story!
It was fun recording and mixing those albums. I tried to preserve the intimate sound without overprosessing it.
For those interested: on my channel there's some music videos from the recording of the album including link to buy the album in the description🙏
I just listened to Fengselsfugl on Tidal. The tiny gaps between tracks annoyed me so definitely ordering through the link you provided.
Yeah, streaming services don't take into consideration the fact that songs often overlap.. Wich is irritating. I wanted to tell a cinematic story about my work inside Oslo Prison during the pandemic only separated by a meter of concrete. It had a strange mood inside. Still it felt as though we all where Prison birds (Fengselsfugl in Norwegian) during the pandemic because of the isolation we had to go through.
@@TrondKallevag Excellent album indeed!
This album is so atmospheric and dreamy, I can definetely see this music be in a top tier-movie production someday
@@sofieogmarianne6958 Thank you so much Sofie and Marianne🤠
Maurice Jeffries here, Steve. We appeared together for the AXPONA reviewers webinar a couple of months back (along with Greg Weaver, Herb, and Jan). I have the Tambaqui in house for review paired with the stupid-good Audionet Humboldt integrated. I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of the Tambaqui: It is simply incredible. On an unrelated note, on a friend's recommendation, I just took delivery of the little Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M speakers that you seem to love, these hooked up to the electronics I just described. I know I'll catch shit for saying so, but this is one of the most communicative speakers I have ever heard, price no object. They are stunningly good! Let's share contact info and compare notes, reviewer to reviewer, sometime. Great work brother! Stay safe and good listening.
Hi Steve, would like your review of the Holo Audio May KTE dac
Steve, which sound do you prefer, A) the DCS Bartok or B) the Mola tambaqui? Excluding the price diff and features. Many thanks
The Tambaqui can be your Roon endpoint/streamer + DAC + volume control (no need for preamp). If this works for you, the price might seem more reasonable. As long as you clean up the ethernet signal before it enters the DAC, you get what Steve is describing from a transport. Really enjoy the music recommendations and I always find new music to try. I find that Steve's reviews are well-balanced and from someone who trusts his very good ears and knowledge.
Sold! Saving up! Loved the video when it first came out. Commenting now since I talked to GTT AUDIO and other sources.
The Wadia Digimaster X32, the first time I heard compact disc audio sound like MUSIC.
That getting the leading edge right is something I've only heard from Wadia products (the last being their venerable S7i) and the dCS Rossini WITH CLOCK.
Other DACs have come close, like the Moon 780Dv2, but I haven't had the chance to hear the Mola Mola.
If it can do that same thing the Wadia and dCS can do (you can hear it most clearly on piano note transients), that makes it quite a deal.
The reason may be the same reason Wadia got it right - a custom software algorithm rather than a DAC chip per se, and dCS takes a similar approach.
Mola mola way better
The best until next month...😆
BTW, your music recommendations are AWESOME 👌🏽
Glad you like them!
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I'm so glad you liked my album🙏 I think that audiophiles are the best audience, cause you listen through albums with great sound system sitting down and listening. In my mind the way music is supposed to be experienced. Let me know if you want me to send CD or vinyl of my previous record "Bedehus & Hawaii", also with the same musicians and with the same Cinematic Norwegian "Nordicana" vibe. Cheers from Norway!
You should at least try a tube DAC like Lampizator….such a lovely presentation.
Chord Hugo 2 line(!) output (attenuated by a separate preamp) is the best DAC I personally listened to.
And more affordable.
Steve, thanks for sharing and I always enjoy your passion
I was just listening and then you said "it is expensive" in my day back in the '60s $1,300 would be expensive but now its $13,000. Wow. Audio is not for the weak or low-income people. But when you reviewed the B&W 607-2 I bought them the same day for full retail - (had to short the cable bill) then I put the Klipsch 51m's I got for 200. back in their box. I am not disappointed in the least - for my application, I have increased my listening pleasure by 100%. I had to go back and get out my reference vinyl to make sure/ Thanks again, Steve.
I’ve seen this around $9,000 already, and a used one went for $7,000.
Just based on inflation alone, $1300 in 1966 would be $11,267in today's dollars. And that's not accounting for the astounding amount of technology that goes into a DAC.
Google "inflation"
Would've been a better comparison with the MSB or DSC dacs.... your previous Dacs are run of the mill...
He did mention in the video a few DCS too.
A DAC is missing from the history: Resolution Audio Cantata is the best I know
It would be neat if Steve would delve into pro audio a little bit to see how it compares to the boutique equipment. Pro audio companies have a much larger market and R&D money to ensure a company can capture the greatest share of their niche of that market. Thinking Apogee or RME or ???? For DACs that can be had easily under $5K, that use the most cutting edge chips. How about it Steve?
Hello all, I was auditioning an all Mola Mola system with Swedish Respons speakers at the largest Norwegian audio fair in 2019. The experience was simply out of this world, so beautiful music that grown up people were sitting there crying with tears in their eyes. Amazing stuff 😍
Could you review the Holo May & compare ? That would be really interesting.
I would love to hear that as well. I bought the May DAC (KTE edition) a month ago but they take a month to make so hopefully I should get it in a week or so...
There are many high end DACs. Mola Mola is just one of them. The Chord Dave, MSB DACs, Weiss, Ayre QX-5, DCS Bartok etc etc
the Gryphon Audio Designs Kalliope DAC would be fun to A/B test against this one.
I would love the kalliope dac, but i can't afford it.
Im using the dac module for the Diablo 120. It's great sounding
Also Playback Designs’ top DAC is best that OCD hifi guy has yet heard and he’s heard a lot.
@@keplermission4947 i don't even want to buy it if i had the money.
The gryphon diablo 120/dac is the best sound i ever had.
I enjoy music like never before 😉
@@keplermission4947 The Wadia dac was very good in the nineties.
But dac technology has moved on.
@@keplermission4947Hell yeah the General lee curtis is back to trolling
“Future Days” is my fave Can album.. Actually, just plain one of my favorite albums regardless of genre..
Tago Mago’s pretty damned good too :-)
And they made that almost 50 years ago ! Wow !
Yes future days, Ege Bamyasi and Tago Mago are all brilliant and the rest of their albums are pretty decent too.
Tambaqui is a kind of fish in my country. The name has indigenous origin.
Steve, great channel! Have been enjoying your “shows” since years.
If you were to match the Mola Mola to an amp (integrated, pre and power combo or even just the power amplifier…) what would you get, with all the knowledge and experience you gained over the years? Which speakers would you match them to? Thank you
Amazing albums thanx even with mine Topping D10 it is life like.
If I bought this DAC I wouldn’t have anywhere to put because I would lose the house in the ensuing divorce. Maybe someday. Thanks Steve
Agreed
Though some of us may technically be able to buy, we are unwilling to pay 😎
@@alexxbaudwhyn7572 you’d pay twice. One for the unit and then for the alimony.
@@alexxbaudwhyn7572 Yeah, everyone has their financial and psychological ceilings, and I’ve run afoul of people who didn’t work by the same numbers as me. You do you, I say.
@@ricochet243 One solution is to continually sell off gear and build a $10K kitty for such gear purchases. Or build $5K and make up difference with acceptable expense amount, reducing cost with used, refurb, etc
Buy one used in five years...............the DAC I mean not the wife. 😋
Love your Show!
You’ll need moola moola to buy a mola mola.
Just sampled Nik Bartsch after you mentioned him. Wow! And that was through Amazon music on cruddy phone and cheap Bluetooth headphones!
Doesn't Chord also yse proprietary FPGA?
At this pricepoint is minum requirements the sound has no digital artifacts, my friend has just received one Tambaqui for test. Curious for the results.
Can! Excellent albums, well recorded. Try Ege Bamyasi too!
Hi Steve! Another excellent review. Thanks! I’m getting a pair of Klipsch La Scala’s. I’m torn between this DAC and the dcs Lina DAC. I’m also getting an Aurender N20, and Aurender ACS10, so I’m able to burn all my CD’s. Which DAC would you go with on my system, the dcs Lina, or Mola Mola Tambaqui?
Wonder how the Holo May stacks up. For many, it's the best bang for the buck DAC out there.
Great review as always Steve.
I know you haven’t reviewed them, but I’d be curious to see this compared to something like the MSB Select, the Nagra HD DAC X, the Goldmund Mimesis 20H NextGen, or the Esoteric Grandioso D1X. I realize these are in a different price range, but it would be interesting nonetheless.
Hi Steve, nice review. I recall you reviewed the DCS Bartok At this price range how does this compare to the DCS Bartok you reviewed previously using their newest update firmware? Bartok has the better headphone amp likely balanced Class A and could be the better DAC or hv better value if you can say that at these prices....
Keep in mind the DCS Bartok also has a very nice built in streamer and a very good quality headphone amp that's much better than the Mola Mola if you get that option. It will also FULLY unwrap MQA if you are into that!
@@dontcare563 Yes. Great to get feedback from someone who had used tested both. A bit pricey not to get what you really want for this.
@@dontcare563 The Bartok 2.0 should be compared with the Tambaqui.
HERE YOU GO, MUSIC LOVING AUDIOPHILES! THE NAME IS: Trond Kallevåg - Fengselsfugl (2021) 😂😂😂 Thanks for the tip on that one, Steve. I'll admit that, at almost $14k, this DAC is as far out of my range as a 1960s V-12 Ferrari, but I do also watch UA-cam videos about those cars, so... What the heck. What I almost always get from a really good audio gear review, though, is great pointers to music that I'd likely never hear otherwise, and that is right in the middle of my wheelhouse! YAY! 🔥🔥🔥
You buy Mola Mola you lose all your moolah moolah.
That's the way I would describe my Voyager GaN amplifier. It just is... open, natural, notably when the recording is too. It doesn't manufacture a sound
what a difference a year made!
What amplifier and speaker to use with thus DAC?
As usual very casually direct and informative, even if I’d never pay that much for any device , but it’s an exotic earful learning experience what technology can bring us towards so called perfection. Thank you , like watching formula 1 . Btw I find your musical recommendations sensational . Being a long time casual musician and full time music lover I’d love to see your frequent records/ cd’s recommendations listed . I find now I’d better stop the video and write them down . Your enjoyment and humility involved in the music process is priceless .
DACs implemented in FPGA do seem to currently be the best sounding, I.e. Chord’s models.
This Mola Mola uses a DSP, don’t know if that is equivalent to FPGAs used in other Dacs
Could be the dsp is applying an “analog” sounding transform filter to the digital stream before d/a output
My Jay’s Audio DAC2 signature uses FPGA, dual AK4497, etc. Pretty good for under £3k.
If I had to choose another I’d probably opt for a Holo Audio May DAC. R2r seems to be the best way to go.
@@alexxbaudwhyn7572 The programmable DSPs in the Mola Mola at similar in principle to an FPGA, different in terms of the coding language.
@@Coneman3 My coworker audiophile friend got his Holo May earlier this year.
I bought his Bryson BDA3 it replaced
@@keplermission4947 Whatever dood.
Just some audio chit chat that’s all
I have no audio ego to bruise or aggrandize.
FWIW I sold my Topping D70 for the Bryston. Just normal buy/sell banter among audio geeks
While I do like Canadian audio gear, having PSB speakers since the late 90s and currently using T2’s for my primary 2ch setup with Klipsch RP600m and BW 601 s2’s for other rooms, I would sell any of them or the Bryston tomorrow if I audition something that performs better I’m willing to pay for.
An fpga or r2r dac may be next on my list
Wouldn't complex symphonic pieces w/ a variety of solos and w/ great dynamic range and full on full blast performances be a better test of an audio component then the simple music of Trond Kalevag and CAN It certainly would be more enjoyable imho
wow: Have not seen Steve so enamored in a long time.
He always seems that way to me!
Have you ever done A/B comparison between two different DACs? It’s a humbling experience, you gotta try it out.
Substituted a Schiit for the DAC in my HTPC. No comparison...
@@keplermission4947 Not according to the objectivists, though fixing the power supply issue solved a heap of problems with my computers.
@@jonathansturm4163 Compared Schiit DAC to Tambaqui you mean? I bet there are differences between these, but with an A/B XLR switch you can hear the actual differences clearly. You will be surprised they are probably smaller than you would expect.
Would be great hear Steve’s views on the new Linn Klimax streamer with their own dac called Organik. It’s £30,000 in the U.K. though.
I hear they use ceramic fuses when they’re new. Is it possible that is a sound advantage that helps it sound better than most products out there?
Can Future Days. Sunday afternoon listen, cheers Steve. 😸🙏
This is an interesting catagory to try and rate value for the money. How do you feel about it in this respect? I bought a DAC for closer to $16k, two years ago and the audio quality is NOT on par with my sub $3k Denafrips Venus. However, my $16k DAC includes an integrated amplifier, speaker system, listening room and presumably, a DSP profile for the included room. It 'seats five' , but I can only fit 3 adults comfortably, as it turns out. For shipping purposes it includes 4 wheels and has a little over 100hp. With that power output, I suspect it is class D, which is also a little disappointing for the price. I changed the feet and the noise floor actually went up, however the autocross performance improved markedly. The Denafrips only as 3 feet and and they are very small, so I would be more concerned about stability and grip. I think this is a justifiable trade off under $3k, but I'm not so sure once you get over $10k or so :)
I think better clocking is what makes the air in the sound ...better again.
It does have a very expensive SC-cut OCXO running at 100MHz built into it. No "external clock" gimmicks from dCS here.
Id love to experience that dac at home.
Another great review! The Viewer System of the Day looks pretty sharp too 😉
Hey Steve...how does the Tambaqui compare with the Luxman dx10 sound wise?
I wonder what Steve thinks of this DAC with the Jays relative to the Luxman D10x? He waxed lyrical about that product,so a comparison would be interesting.
I, too, would welcome this comparison as I am looking at both units and know that Steve has done a review on both.
@@thomasnoe1193 I’m on the same dilemma, seems ignored at this point. I would like to keep the boxes at minimal. If the lux performs just as well the separates. I will consider it.
Thanks Steve - clearly this DAC hit the spot with you as your Best (so far ;¬).
Next comes the Chord Mscaler with the Chord Dave (or even with the Hugo TT2) for comparison with the Tambaqui.
Try these with Paul Simon's Gracelands, or your favourite CD. So many visitors have said that they are hearing their favorite disc *as if for the first time*... Greetings to you and yours.
„Graceland“ happens to be the first track I audition audio hardware with.
Dave plus M-Scaler costs a lot more than the Tambaqui. So far I know two people who compared the Dave (w/o M-Scaler) and the Tambaqui and the score is 1:1.
If someone had told me in the 1970s about future HiFi gear named Schiit, Mola-Mola or Denafrips, I would not have taken it seriously 😁
Just wait for 2070 when Bunghole Audio release the Ribbit Ribbit, the Toiletto and the Hornswoggle 2000.
I’d upgrade my Schiit Fulla except I just love what it’s called as well as how much better than the DACs in any of the computers I own.
You left out Kinki Studio!
Reviewers never get negative feedback when they review a Ferrari / Lambo / McLaren but when Steve does a high end piece of gear all the budget barry's come out of the wood work. Hey man why would a sell my Toyota Corolla for a Bugatti? Is the Bugatti 150 times faster or better than my Corolla? nah...
@@mikepawntee2425 The hearing threashold of the human ear is beyound belief, the eardrum moving less than the diameter of a Hydrogen atom, that’s the threshold of hearing…. Our hearing is insane 😎
In a Stereophile review of this DAC, Herb used this dac as a preamplifier into the Elekit 300b which itself has a volume control. Can anyone explain how this can work well? I've always been under the understanding that this will distort the sound. Maybe the Elekit's volume control is just a passive?
The secret is upsampling to PWM witch is the native DSD format(32bit 3120 Mhz)
I had a NAD C510 with Direct digital Zetex DAC/35-bit/844kHz up-sampling to PWM(Nativ DSD Format).
I don't need this kind of financial pressure Steve! ;-)
The good thing about this price level of equipment is, I don’t even begin to think about acquiring one; it’s the one’s that are just above my psychological comfort zone that make me nervous.
Man i'd love to get loaded at your's and drink some tea and listen to some psych records. Yes big love.
Hey man, thanks for watching!
Hey steve i would really really love to know about DACS i really really want some reccomendations on dacs because theirs so many many good options of dacs which is so so good i really want to talk to you please reply back!
Hi Steve. Please kindly review the VitusAudio Signature SD-025 DAC & SIA-025 Integrated Amplifier
That’s some waqui Tambaqui Steve ! Too much $$$ but I do appreciate your music recommendations 😂
You pay for quality unfortunately. Even the new (and excellent!) T+A DAC200 you’ll be paying $7k-plus.
I really wish I’m gonna find this for a good price on the used market one day. This would be my dream setup feeding my Stax Lambda Signature (w/ Stax amp). No other devices needed.
Please excuse my ignorance, but I haven’t been into audios for a long time. What is the DAC used for?
So it takes an analog sound and makes it digital? Isn’t that counter to what is so great about vinyls??
All abuse is acceptable 👍😂
I have three dac, so far i have no be able to notice any diference in between.
What about the DAC in the Luxman D-X10 cd player? That player had you on the clouds and I'm sure it wasn't just the transport mechanism.
Great Review Steve! Wish they had put the headphone output in the front.
Have you ever try Ayon Stratos DAC? IMO one of the best DAC, what do you think about it?
Three fantastic albums you use to review the DAC. I’ve added them to my playlist. Thanks, Steve.
Chord DACs use FPGA custom chips and they sound awesome.
Hi Steve the Tambaqui is a great DAC nice review I know Bill Parish good person.
They are missing a letter...at that price, it should be called Moola Moola
Well said!
😂😂😂👍🏻
Steve I know that this question that I have has nothing to do with the subject but I read 2014 article that you wrote about CCR revival Cosmo factory LP and you said it sounded compressed I believe you’re right because mine does and I also have a CCR Chronicle recording that sounds better. Have you found any CCR albums that sound great? If you have what print Number does it have?Sorry I am so far off what you are talking about at 64 old head we do jump off of subject like back in the 70’s party…….
I appreciate your take on more expensive dacs to offset the excellent reviews of budget gear.
Would love to hear your comparison of this level of dac to your favorite vinyl rig. I know you still prefer vinyl, but how close are they getting at this level of digital?
hope you get the chance to listen to the Holo Audio May Dac, How does it compare to the new Luxman SACD player ?
Maybe I'm wrong here, but my digital section is actually my cheapest gear. Had a Schiit Bifrost, now use my preamp's built in DAC. I have a McIntosh preamp and power amp, with a VPI Prime and Tavish Adagio phono stage. I listen 90% to vinyl and "explore" on digital. I just find technology moves too fast to spend deep on a DAC. Have DACs stabilized to the point where a $5k investment in a good one won't be worthless in two years? Not that I could go Mola Mola for $13k, but even if I could, is it better spent elsewhere in your system? I don't know, thoughts?
I laughed out loud when he said the price. My dog looked up, was wondering what was happening.
Mola Mola demands sacrifices.
@@keplermission4947 Trol!
En Joshi-Godrez beheadings 😁
When spending >$10k for a DAC being updateable is a must.
Now you have to review the DCS Bartok!
I did a few years ago
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac oh yeah, I forgot! You produce a lot of content! Bruno Putskey is a genius engineer for sure.
Well…I at least have the port hole on my Marantz AVR! 😂
Steve, THANKS for the music, and loved the vintage viewer-system(s)!
What about de cord hugo and the Holo may? Thats the competition at this moment I think.
The proper competition for the Tambaqui would be the Chord Dave, or even the Dave with the M-Scaler. The Hugo got nothing on the Tambaqui.
Hi Steve great review. Is the difference between a dac like Denefrips Aeres 2 and the Tambaqui about the same as the Aegir v First Watt F7? That is a huge diff and worth every penny if you have it!
JH
You're comparing Mazda (Denafrips Ares II) and Rolls Royce (Tamabaqui) it's that much of a difference.
How does it compare agains Holo Audio May?
I think when you say it doesn't sound "pushed" you're saying that the sound doesn't sound reproduced. It sounds like the music in and of itself.
The man who doesn't like bose. When you speak of quality audio equipment, everything is most expensive.
If it not r2r not delta sigma not fpga.. Wut is it sir? Elaborate pls.
Can you compare it to a DCS or Esoteric?
Hi Steve, wondering how the luxman d10x stacks against the tambaqui+jay audio transport? Will the separates gives better sound quality?
New Esoteric Spinners are better than the Lux D10...I own both
@@billiondollarbaby3276 thanks for the input in what aspect of the sound quality you like better from the esoteric? I own the Meitner dac as per Steves review back then but would like to know if I can improve sound quality going D10x or the separates as in this review. Would like to know Steve’s insight as he have them all at some point.
Tambaqui + a decent transport or dCS Batork AIO?
Both have built-in Roon endpoints. You need a network bridge or external device for other protocols with the Mola Mola though.
May be the best sounding analog output in a DAC, would be more appropriate way to put it.
Steve, I was wondering what the dimensions of your audition room? As a reference point for us.
I would like to try it.
Likely a last minute naming change...
Bruno should just own it, put that "o" back in.
Marketing said no, just pull one "o" and make it Mola Mola.
Bruno designed in as much transparency as possible.
This DAC has been on my mind for a couple of months now. Just wondering if it’s really worth the price. Not that if it’s good enough but dishing out that much makes me nervous. 🤣😂
Mola Mola needs mucho moola moola!
Better or different? Don’t pay more for different unless you know exactly how it’s different
@@stopthefomo better and different
I bought one a couple months ago. It’s fantastic. For reference, it replaced a Yggdrasil A2.
Talk to GTT or your local dealer about getting a demo unit to try.
If it’s helpful, I also had a DAVE on loan for a bit. I preferred the Mola Mola.
@@ChrisMag100 That’s awesome that this dac is pushing forward the art and science. All audiophiles benefit as the cutting edge makes its way down in price points while the cutting edge keeps advancing.
@@ChrisMag100 Wondering what the rest of your system is? Do you find the Tambaqui analytical at all?
what about the ps audio bhk dac?