Denafrips Mola Mola or Chord

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I have had many questions about which of these DAC’s was the best to buy. I always try to produce reviews that do not make hard statements like this since whether a DAC is the right choice for you, depends on many factors. But let’s help you a little further here.
Contents of this video
00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Start of program
00:59 - The Denafrips
02:15 - The Mola Mola
04:03 - The Chord
04:45 - Sound quality
07:42 - About upsamplers
09:13 - The ones I reviewed
10:36 - So what’s the best?
12:16 - The wrap
Manufacturers:
Denafrips: www.denafrips.com
Mola Mola: www.mola-mola.nl
Chord Electronics: chordelectronics.co.uk/
Mytek: mytek.audio
Auralic: us.auralic.com
Relevant videos:
Denafrips Terminator-Plus: • Denafrips Terminator-P...
Mola Mola Tambaqui: • Mola Mola Tambaqui str...
Chord DAVE: • Chord Dave FPGA DAC
Mytek Brooklyn DAC: • REVIEW: MYTEK BROOKLYN...
Auralic Sirius G2.1: • Upsampling: Auralic Si...
Chord TT M Scaler: • Chord Hugo TT M Scaler...
Syntaxx Xtreme power supply: • Syntaxx Xtreme Perform...
Ferrum Hypsos hybrid power supply: • Ferrum Hypsos 5 to 30 ...
Description Ayre Acoustic AX-5 Twenty amp: • Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Tw...
About my reference setups: • About my reference set...
Relevant link:
A Hierarchical Approach to Archiving and Distribution: www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?...
If you like my work, support it through:
My Patreon page: / thehbchannel
Paypal: www.paypal.me/theHBchannel
My book: • File Based Audio aka S...
My links:
My site: www.theHBproject.com/en
My channel: / thehansbeekhuyzen
My Facebook page: / hansbeekhuyzen
My Google+ page: www.google.com/+TheHansBeekhuyzen
My Twitter: / hansbeekhuyzen
My reference sets:
About Questions: • About questions
Q&A: Which device is better?: • Q&A: Which device is b...

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5 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 150

@PavelErmoshkin 2 года назад

Accidentally found this channel. As an engIneer I was immediately bribed by the technically flawlessly competent presentation of the material.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

🙏🏽

@Currawong 3 года назад

I have the DAVE and MScaler here on loan at the moment, and at least one time with headphones I thought my speakers had been left on! Crazy resolution.

@DJJEZ 3 года назад

I have the dave on loan as well and already have an mscaler. The combination is mind blowing isn't it

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

👍🏼

@JingoLoBa57 2 года назад

The DAC in my ARC Ref CD9 SE is an amazing DAC taking Tidal etc via coaxial from a Pioneer N70ae SE.

@grahamc1511 3 года назад

Thanks Hans, always enjoy your reviews, informed comment and your care to remain balanced with your opinions, always well grounded in fact and logic. Keep up the great work!!

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

🙏🏽

@Falcone-en4wl 3 года назад

You read mind, Hans. I appreciated the three reviews and had plenty of questions about and this video is the answer. Thanks again

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

My pleasure!

@goahead3995 Год назад

I love the Mola Mola's build quality. So beautiful! These are out of my budget. I am happy with the Denafrips Venus II. Thank you for the great review.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Год назад

Good choice!

@petergregory7199 3 года назад

Thanks Hans, all help is golden, yours especially so since you speak with the voice of experience.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

🙏🏽

@hershbagelstein545 2 года назад

I have tolerated a similar issue for 73 years for which there is no resolution. An inherited disease. So, I could not be any happier for you that there is a bright light for your quick recovery. Go in there with a positive attitude, follow the doctors instructions and the results, hopefully, will meet your expectations.

@CaptainCrunch823 3 года назад

Great video as always! Loved the outtakes at the end😊

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Yay, thank you!

@Maccaboy1984 3 года назад

Fantastic review as always!

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it!

@MarkSpreitzer-ut8pt 10 месяцев назад

Your reviews are so articulate and your communication style is very calculated and precise. You definitely helped me to make my purchase decision. My favorite comment though is your advice to just enjoy the music and avoid anything that will frustrate the experience.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 10 месяцев назад

Awesome, thank you!

@davidwiltshire6188 Год назад

Thank you again for a clear, concise assessment of the gear. Number 1 source for me

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Год назад

Much appreciated!

@shanestephenson8423 3 года назад

Nice work Hans very interesting and very funny at the end🤣🤣🤣

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Many thanks

@giuseppelazzarotto2749 3 года назад

Now we've a new reference dac and a reference you tube hiend channel. My compliments. This is the best hiend channel. Thanks!

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Wow, thanks!

@rajnishcmohan 2 года назад

Hi there, the finale put a smile on my face.By the way top notch review.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

👍🏼

@90123jf 2 года назад

I bought the terminator plus because of your review. The machine is really really awesome.Thanks you very much Hans

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Enjoy the music!

@saverioricchiuto5386 3 года назад

Thanks for the bonus content at the end! 😂 BTW I counted a couple of smiles during the video…a clear sign your summer break is getting closer! Any plans to come back here in Italy this year too?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I’m in Umbria right now😁

@greencraig8570 2 года назад

Now THIS is interesting! I had been wondering about all these DACs. Hans is an acquired taste, but I really like his reviews now. "And on that bombshell..." Classic!

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Welcome!

@markdoherty2750 2 года назад

I would love to own the Chord Dave!!! 😍🎶

@pierregendulphe 2 года назад

Hi Hans, thanks for sharing your passion and bringing some highlights. Appreciated. If I may, I had a question: I don't recall why you selected the Denafrips over the Audio-GD R2R H7 with (or without) the Regenerative power supply. Did I miss something onto an earlier video ? Thanks, and keep up ! :)

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

For a very simple reason: it was still in the house.

@supabayes3284 3 года назад

Wow, this is the flagship dac comparison review that I enjoyed most in 2021. Thanks

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

👍🏼👍🏼

@markwilliford7471 Год назад

Hello Hans - great to hear your reviews again. I have been away in a long hike and a good bit of that time I was thinking about the future direction of my system with regard to streaming,

@markwilliford7471 Год назад

Sorry - to continue I am curious about the Weiss 501/2 and whether or not you have or will review this streaming DAC. More globally important to your audience, could you please explain the difference between a streaming DAC and feeding a DAC - for instance using Roon - from a PC? Thank you Hans

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Год назад

I haven't reviewed the Weiss yes and I don't think I will at short notice. A streaming DAC is a DAC with built-in streamer. If the streamer is of equal quality to the DAC, it's an elegant and simple solution. If it's not, a separate streamer of sufficient quality is the better way.

@markwilliford7471 Год назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you Hans. Once the new PS Audio DSD comes out I plan to trial it head-to-head with the Weiss, and with the modular DA2 that came with my McIntosh C2700. Both should be better, based on price, but I want to make sure there really is a difference that I can justify/appreciate in my system. Thanks very much for your reviews. As a fellow engineer I love your straight-forward approach and your explanations of the tech.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Год назад

Two other good ones: Molamola Tambaqui and Chord Dave.

@geraldtoh535 2 года назад

Really enjoyed this review! I've been looking at the Mola Mola for a while and have also considered the Aqua Formula XHD. Would love a review of the Aqua one day.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

I'll check it out.

@geraldtoh535 2 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks Hans! Looking forward to it!

@sumeetlal6564 3 года назад

Wow! If I were to draw an analogy here, "these super premium DAC's are for those people who are trying to draw out the very last drop 💧 from an empty bottle" - bravo!

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

Well put. And you wouldn’t believe how nice these last drops are!

@sumeetlal6564 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Well, it all depends how thirsty one is after finishing the entire bottle... 😂😂

@masonsafari3412 3 года назад

Thanks, nice show as always… one question , will I get any benefit adding Gaia to Auralic Aries G1>>>Chord MScaler >>>Chord Dave ?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I haven’t tried but my guess would be that for instance exchanging the Aries G1 by the G2.1 would be a better upgrade

@webersteve1547 3 года назад

As always I appreciate your work. What would interest me, is if such high end DAC make a noticeable difference in lesser systems too. I tested some years ago highly regarded DAC from Luxman, Teac etc in my system and didn't find a reason to upgrade from my also very good electrocompaniet. Maybe my overall system (Tannoy Kensington with SE tubes) was just not good enough?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

To get the optimal result all components should of equal quality.

@kenmcglown6642 Год назад

When I was in the market for a new DAC, I had the opportunity to hears both of the DACs being discussed here, and they were both outstanding! However, I opted for the, just as outstanding, IMHO, Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty DAC, and never looked back. There's a plethora of wonderful DACs out there on the market today, at all price points, and it's simply impossible to hears them all. The Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty DAC and I shall never part ways

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 11 месяцев назад

👍🏼

@presidentpotato222 3 года назад

Yippppeeeee .. Thank You Hans ..wonderful

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Enjoy!

@neilparnell2089 3 года назад

great review....I thought you were having a seizure at the outtakes..all the best

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

😁

@orionn6306 2 года назад

Hello Hans, thx for the clear review. Could you pls review Metronome DAC ?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

I will look into it.

@johnreed6495 Год назад

Mr. Beekhuyzen did you use the Chord Dave/MScaler combo when you reviewed the Grimm MU1 or did you just your the Dave. Thank you.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Год назад

I tested both but the MScaler in the chain reduced the sound quality slightly. That is why it's no longer in my reference setup 1. That doesn't mean that the MScaler can't be a valuable addition to your digital front-end. It's just that the Grimm Audio MU1 is even better.

@joseauger1353 3 года назад

Is there a possibility that you do a review of PS Audio's Direct Stream DAC? It is an FPGA based DAC. There is a new version coming soon and it would be great if you could review it. I highly regard your reviews and contributions. After seen one of your reviews I acquired an Auralic Aries G2.1 and it sounds wonderful. In addition I acquired a Denafrips Gaia and it helps quite a lot.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I can’t get my hands on a review sample of the Direct Stream DAC. Sorry.

@rktrkt-tw8nd 3 года назад

Simply using FPGA is not enough. Type of algorithm and amount of processing power used in real time is important.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

Absolutely correct. And often an FPGA is used very different than in the PS Audio, Chord and MolaMola DACs. Like in the denafrips R2R DACs.

@TheMcinto65 3 года назад

Hi Hans, which HAT & cable for rp4 can I use to link to my chord mojo for quality sound . It will mainly be used for headphones. Budget is not a problem. Thanks, Mark.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

Go for the Allo USBridge Signature (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GV03z6kQq7w.html). I don’t do cable reviews but I use an AudioQuest USB to microUSB cable that is modified by AQ for use with the Mojo.

@TheMcinto65 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you.

@drplot1 Год назад

Would you consider reviewing the Ayre QX-5 Twenty DAC?- would love to know what you think about this unit compared to the ones you have already reviewed

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Год назад

I can't get a review sample. Sorry.

@iepdeklein1701 3 года назад

Thank you Hans for this clearification. I wood like to contact you about the Eno Lan filter and wood like to ask you to double test it on an other location becouse of the broadcast antenna within 300 meters.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

Sorry, that would not fit my schedule.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

PS You can buy the system and return it when you don’t like it.

@christiantessier6599 Год назад

Gréât description

@4thewin759 3 года назад

CN we review the PS Audio direct stream DAC? Also FPGA but upsamples to 10x DSD within the DAC. Very good reviews from many high budget audiophiles

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I can’t get my hands on a review sample. Sorry.

@Stephenwongdirectimaging Год назад

I have listened both. ..I prefer denafrips terminator plus

@tigertiger1699 3 года назад

Lol why the single thumbs down😂 what’s that about😂 Great vid as usual 🙏

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

👍🏼

@HPMIKE55 3 года назад

@The Hans Beekhuyzen channel great job & what Dac that has a remote and a sub out can I use for a powered speaker and a sub?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I know of no DAC that has a sub out

@HPMIKE55 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel what can i us? the speaker is a good one but no sub out.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

Look for a matching pre-amp. I have not reviewed these though.

@HPMIKE55 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you very mush and keep up the great job!

@klaymoon1 2 года назад

Great comparison review! I wish you review Holo May DAC. Some reviewers liked it better than Dave & M-Scaler at less than half the price.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

I don't. I did review the Holo May here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iAj_0WZT5Eo.html It's a great DAC though.

@mesonto Год назад

Only with software upscaling... personally I was able to test both during a 1 week period including the Term+... a few friends and thought that the may kte won out. (I cannot remember the prices of all of them) But to each their own as they say.

@redrockdejan2507 5 месяцев назад

Hello Hans, have you had experience with listening to the Exogal DAC? Thank you .

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 5 месяцев назад

Sorry, no.

@jeremygoh879 3 года назад

I wonder if Dave is fully balanced or single ended......and just having dual xlr out as compatibility

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

It’s truly balanced. You could have concludes that from the fact that the output voltage of the balanced outputs is twice as high as from the single ended outputs.

@stefanoferioli8721 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel DAVE is a single ended DAC and the RCA outputs are preferable to the XLR outputs as they have an extra opamp that amplifies the signal.

@alex42884 2 года назад

@@stefanoferioli8721 Good info!

@is1dre 3 года назад

Great review Hans! I traded my Dave and Mscaler (which are amazing) for a used dCS Rossini and would not go back! dCS is a clear step up.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I believe you, and rather be for the money. 😊

@Lipjam 2 года назад

@13:33 Is that a wider variety of ways to misspeak variety😂

@wojciechczupta9185 2 года назад

I had a pleasure to have Dave+Mscaler and Mola Mola in my system one after another replacing my old good Yggdrasil. Disclimer: I had them for a couple of days only and not in the same moment. Rest of my system is ATC SCM100 active and Freya+ pre. I use also Minidsp SHD studio to pacify modes of my room. First impression: both are clear improvement over Yggy in sound clarity and imaging. However if your ears are sensitive to timing the winner is Dave+Mscaler hands down. Mola sounds pretty, but Dave+Mscaler sounds almost like live music. Astonishing. It was hard to walk away from it. Mola in contrast I have no discomfort to switch back to Yggy as it is much faster (PRAT). Mola will charm you but it will not give you the feeling of live music. There is this subtle feeling that sound is always a fraction of second behind. I'm actually amazed reviewers don't mention this difference. Dave stand alone - don't even think about it - Without Mscaler no wow effect. They should put it in a single box.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Thanks for sharing

@magicmulder 2 года назад

“A fraction of a second behind”, behind what?

@wojciechczupta9185 2 года назад

@@magicmulder I'm not talking measurments here. I'm trying to depict the feeling in my sense of hearing. Do you get the difference between live sound and playback? Mola is playback, Chord is live. The attack notes are not in the place they should be. The attack is streached too much accross timeline. My system is based on active speakers, which naturally reveals any deficits in this department.

@ericelmore2742 10 месяцев назад

Thanks for comparison.. have you heard the Weiss Dac? Trying to achieve Dave and Mola Mola sound for a more budget price . The Weiss is supposed to have a studio reel to reel sound.

@morespinach9832 8 месяцев назад

Dave and Mscalar are over twice the price..

@Revelator2025 Год назад

Wondering after a year how a DAC like the T+A DAC200 would fare against the Mola Mola. Eventually there will be. DAC unit that takes these more out of reach DACs to task. Looking forward to that day (if I’m still around!) :)

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Год назад

I wouldn't put up hopes too high. Making a high end DAC still involves using very difficult t make components that hence have a high end price.

@MrBoomtheroom Год назад

T+A DAC200 meant to be better than the may?

@borisbobowski628 7 месяцев назад

@@MrBoomtheroom t+a isnt high end

@aerofart 3 года назад

@00:30 Are these product images to scale?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

It is an attempt to scale correctness😕

@aerofart 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I'm not sure I understand your answer, Hans. The question was not meant in jest, only to determine if the size of each DAC unit relative to the other is accurate as depicted. I think knowing this would be a valuable bit of information to add to your videos.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I did not precisely scale the DACs. Put in the original reviews I show the precise measures. See the show note for links.

@aerofart 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you

@gene8933 3 года назад

Hans if you get a chance review some different Schiit.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

Sorry but Schiit doesn’t answer my request for a review sample.

@ChrisMag100 3 года назад

I haven’t heard the Denafrips. I have heard the Chord Dave and Mola Mola in my system. I bought the Tambaqui. I found the Mola Mola more natural sounding. I agree though Hans, the bass definition of the Dave was very impressive. I did not audition Dave w/m scaler. Too many boxes, especially when you consider the need for a separate streamer.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

You made your right decision using the right arguments for you. That is exactly what I try to achieve with my reviews

@ChrisMag100 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Your review and those from other well known channels were helpful with my purchase decision. Thanks Hans.

@ColocasiaCorm 3 года назад

what about holo may l2?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

That was not included.

@ColocasiaCorm 3 года назад

🙄

@yasirsendi922 2 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel is it because it is a Chinese product?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 2 года назад

Of course not. But I can’t do all of them at the same time. I did do the Holo May…

@ColocasiaCorm 4 месяца назад

Holo is inferior to frips

@allansh828 3 года назад

Would you include dCS Vivaldi?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I will try to get a review sample….

@puciohenzap891 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Might be difficult, I suppose dCS couldn't be damned about reviews, having been in the biz for so so long already they have almost a cult following in certain audiophile circles. I've had the Debussy and it was extremely good though.

@colanitower 3 года назад

I guess these three DACs are one high-end level above the Holo Audio May DAC?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

As I have mentioned several times, I reviewed the Holo on the previous amp in my setup 1 and therefore can’t compare it to the three DAC’s mentioned in this review.

@colanitower 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I noticed that, but you chose one of these to upgrade setup 1, not the holo. I guessed that says something, but maybe that was a guess too far 😉

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

Sometimes it is but this time I’m not sure at all.

@beslemeto 2 года назад

@@colanitower Actually most people prefer Holo May over Chord Dave+M Scaler!

@MaciekP2 3 года назад

…and DCS Bartok?

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

As I have mentioned several times, other DAC’s in this price range will follow, provided I can get a review sample on loan.

@mingming9670 3 года назад

Well done!

@guystpierrecomposer Год назад

Hi Hans! Thank you for the comparaison. I did not have the chance to listen to those dacs. I saw the Audioscience (Amir) review of the Dave... Is this guy crazy? Or everybody else are fools...? How can he put those measurements if the are false?

@jamesstruble1 3 года назад

Are you ok, I am missing this weeks video, you are like clockwork

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I have announced that I take a 2 week leave. You must have missed that.

@blainerivera9733 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I missed that, too. Been worried.

@zachariahadams 3 года назад

I don't think DACs are keeping up with moors law.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I think you are totally wrong there. Especially with FPGA DACs.

@zachariahadams 3 года назад

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel maybe to the extent of the technology but I was focused more on the cost of the two year old counterpart.

@rktrkt-tw8nd 3 года назад

Wait how can that be possible ? A chord dac is your reference ? There are more chord haters than lovers. R2r, nos brigade has mindwashed people so much for so long believing into inferior r2r tech thar people spends so many $k to listen to nos distortion.

@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 3 года назад

I trust my ears, not the angry mob on the web that rather shout than listen😉