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.
An 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…
Operating Principle
- PWM DAC with 32-stage discrete analogue FIR output stage.
- Avoids “sigma delta” tones and “R2R” glitch and low-level linearity errors.
- Asynchronous upsampling to 3.125MHz/32 bit.
- 7-th order noise shaper clearing 80kHz band. Each input rate has an optimized upsampling filter chain
Specifications
| I/O: | Optical (Toslink) |
| S/PDIF (Cinch) | |
| AES/EBU (XLR) | |
| USB type B | |
| Ethernet (Roon Ready) | |
| Bluetooth (SBC, AAC, APTX, LDAC) | |
| I²S over HDMI | |
| Balanced output (XLR) | |
| Headphone output (6.3mm Jack, Balanced XLR 4pin) | |
| 2 programmable trigger outputs (3.5mm Jack) | |
| Processing balance and input gain offset | |
| Selectable output levels | |
| Phase invert | |
| Supported Formats: | 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) | |
| Performance: | 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 loc | |
| Control: | Front button source selection and volume setting |
| 4 programmable presets | |
| (Premium) Remote Control | |
| Mola Mola Remote app | |
| Dimensions and Weight: | 200mm (W) x 110mm (H) x 320mm (D) |
| 5.2kg |
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