Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC

The Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC is totally different from 'normal dacs' or even ladderdacs / R2R dacs. The Mola Mola is a PWM-DAC with a 32-stage FIR output stage. In short, all inputs are uploaded to 32 bit / 3.125 MHz and then passed through a 32 stage FIR (Finite Input Response) 'DAC'. Very complex, very special; we have not seen it before. Except in part with zetex's Direct Digital technology. We don't know if this is (partly) comparable. But Zetex also converts PCM to PWM. A also that sounds very clean. However, Bruno Putzys has taken this to the next level.

The Tambaqui dac has a series of inputs: USB, optical, aes, coaxial, Ethernet (ROON endpoint) and HDMI-I2S. There are both balanced outputs and two headphone outputs. So it's nice and flexible. The DAC has four buttons on the front and allows operation and configuration via Bluetooth. This is useful for the initial installation. There is an app for iOS and Android. 

A Ethernet port is provided to interface the Tambaqui with Roon music playback software, at which point the device stops being just a DAC/headphone amp, and becomes a complete music playback device as a Roon endpoint. The Tambaqui can handle digital sources up to 192kHz/24-bit via its S/PDIF inputs, this extending to 384kHz/32-bit via USB and Ethernet, and can also accept up to DSD512 via USB and its Roon connection. The DAC architecture is described by the company as a 'two board stack, in which all incoming data is upsampled to 3.125MHz/32-bit and converted to noise-shaped PWM on the first board, and then handled by two mono DACs on the second board'.

After spending real time with the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, it is easy to conclude that it is among the most engaging and full-bodied DACs we've had the pleasure to live with. It joins that small number of digital to analog converters whose performance transcends technology to present music with no strings attached…