High-end DAC OFF! Mola Mola Tambaqui vs. dCS Bartók

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Camera: Olaf von Voss | Editor: John Darko | Motion GFX: John Darko
PATREON: / johndarko ← track IDs & music playlists are here
Backstory and context:
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Mola Mola Tambaqui (€9990/£8999):
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Bruno Putzeys podcast interview:
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Also seen in this video...
dCS Bartok (£14449):
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JBL L100 Classic (US$3999):
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Mytek Brooklyn AMP (US$2495):
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PS Audio BHK Signature (US$5999):
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Meze Empyrean (US$2999):
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AudioQuest Rocket 88:
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AudioQuest Water:
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#dac #molamola #tambaqui
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Опубликовано:

4 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 386

@MichaelScheerer-jh4ti 3 месяца назад

If I would upgrade my system I‘d first go for better speakers, than for a better amp, followed by a better source. DAC came at last place, maybe even after new cables. I listened to three or four DACs in different price categories. Sound difference was tiny, tiny tiny. I now use an Italian AADac. Beautiful device and not overly expensive as I got a demo model from my dealer. The Tambaqui is a very much hyped product.

@alexnicholls2069 4 года назад

Good point at the end. I’m in to mountain bikes and you can spend £10k + on those. It’s my hobby and I enjoy it ,so I will spend my hard earned money on what I like. People are always shocked and say the same thing - you can buy a car for that? But my car gets me to work and back, it’s not my hobby. The same with stereo equipment, it’s there for you to enjoy Thanks John.

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

Yeah, I've got a mate who has three very expensive road bikes. It's HIS money so he decides what he does with it.

@MartinIrwin 4 года назад

I have a silly car and a large MD collection. And a motorbike. Those are my passions. No bicycle even! Enjoy your bikes, I understand the passion.

@johnnixon2504 4 года назад

Yeah, I would have a “higher end” audio system if I didn’t have the vette, the triumph and If cared to work harder 😂.

@NeilLavitt 4 года назад

You can’t take it (the money) with you...

@neilfisher7999 4 года назад

@@DarkoAudio question, if you had 10k to spend on one element of your system to upgrade, would it be a new pair of speakers, a new amp, or a new DAC? Which element would make the most impact?

@Harald-MacGerhard 4 года назад

I was at a hi-fi show in Horten (Norway) where Andervik Audio of Norway was running a full Mola Mola rig with the Swedish Response speakers, It was so insanely incredibly nice that grown-up people were sitting there crying, the music was so beautiful ........ say no more :-))

@phantomplastics6582 4 месяца назад

The Tambaqui is incredible without a streamer or preamp - just direct network into the DAC. That's as long as you have a really good network switch set up with optical isolation and good clokcing, e.g. a set of LHY SW-10 switches and Finisar SFP modules. I got way more clarity than via a Holo Red streamer.

@n.lyndley.9889 Год назад

I actually prefer reviews on the higher-end gear.

@tango_gru 4 месяца назад

why no mention of T+A Dac200 and Weiss 501 ???

@Cocteau61 3 года назад

dear John your reviews are always top shelf pro excitements but THIS one is on a still higher level. Your descriptions and observations are sooooooooooo perfect. You really nailed it !!

@stephenfleschler9682 4 месяца назад

I did not hear either of these. I heard a Lampizator Horizon with my amps and speaker. I couldn't afford that unit plus I needed to upgrade my pre-amp. So, I purchased the Poseidon. (Westminster Labs Rei & Von Schweikert VR9 SE Mk2 plus upgrades). I have 14,900 CDs (28,900 LPs/7,000 78s/200 R2R). I guess I will never be comparing more DACs in my system. I wanted to hear the Mola Mola as I dislike ultra resolution at the expense of musicality. I mostly listen and perform acoustic music rather than electronic music (although I have 100s of classical and Yello recordings as well). My prior DAC is a radically altered powered Emotiva XDA 1 (2010) which is their only one with a fully discrete analog board (installed 5 Sparkos regulators at $47 each over 50¢ regulators for example). No feeling of digital anxiousness with this either when using a Jay's Audio Cdt3 Mk3 transport. Sounds much like his description of these two DACs.

@stephenfleschler9682 4 месяца назад

I like the auto analogy. My wife sold her IRA to buy her last car, a Genesis G80 3.5 turbo (I convinced her NOT to buy a Tesla S). I drive 2002 and 2004 Lexus LS430s and spent my money in the last two years on upgrading my audio system. I'm very healthy but 68. Besides my charitable contributions, I decided to finally spend money on a big upgrade on my last audio system (I hope so). I switched from tube power amps to solid state. I have great tube amps but they are custom and tweaky. No more, just turn on and enjoy without worrying about output tubes drawing too much current and blowing the voltage regulation. Plus my wife has minimal work to turn on the equipment as well.

@biwah 4 года назад

John, you have an intriguing approach, balancing your passion for sound with a panache for the techy stuff - a balance of your joyfulness in the music with the challenge of expressing the role of gear and environment that went into your experience - and providing a service to us other gear and music aficionados along the way. Your self-deprecating sense of humor through all of that process makes it enjoyable to tune in again and again.

@paznewis107 4 года назад

I'm never going to spend 10large on a DAC. But I'll stick around to see what you think 😸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🐙

@sc51153826 4 года назад

I had a tea and watched the video at the same time 😋 I think I'm happy with my own DAC for now (Denafrips). Hopefully technologies will trickel down in the future.

@CostaBatis 4 года назад

He thinks you shouldn't...

@Coneman3 4 года назад

Sounds too foreign to me 😂

@ChrisMag100 3 года назад

John, I think I’ve listened to this video ten times. I’m very tempted to get one of these DACs.

@svenmuilwijk9952 4 года назад

The Tambaqui actually uses a circuitry technology thats radical to all DACs. It limits distortion to levels so low that it can't even be measured. I often hear it at my local high end store and the owner has found it to be the best DAC on the market!

@labalo5 4 года назад

You brought your game today JD! This is what I’ve been waiting for...

@yogiwp_ 4 года назад

I once thought I'd never spend more than 1000 for an audio equipment but look where I am now!

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

That's right. My very first speaker purchase in Australia (2004) was a pair of Krix Equinox (A$599). For fun, I auditioned a pair of A$1200 Dynaudio's but never thought I would *ever* spend that kind of money. When I bought a Peachtree Nova in 2010 for A$1600, it felt like I'd spent my life's savings.

@yogiwp_ 4 года назад

@@DarkoAudio Yeah. At this point definitely not going to buy a 10K DAC alone, but never say never...

@yogiwp_ 4 года назад

Also, holiday funds are sort of just sitting there this year.

@2013brzsubaru 4 года назад

@@DarkoAudio geeesh, 30 grand in now, but I love the hobby!

@2013brzsubaru 4 года назад

oh and love music!!!

@ph0real444 4 года назад

35 degrees outside, airconditioning on full blast, still wearing a long sleeve shirt for consistency. Thats commitment.

@BuduAndrei 3 года назад

For some reason, this video make me want to listen to music, right away ! TY

@Revelator2025 Год назад

Two years on, many would love to see in 2023 how the T+A DAC200 stacks up against the Tambaqui.

@rustygates3367 Год назад

I wouldn't say the TA200 competes, it's a great DAC but clearly outclassed in technical proficiency of the Tambaqui by design, as a DAC.

@5333092 4 года назад

Your stereo system dont justify the dac period. Looking forward to the headphones review of these, that will make more sense.

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

I said excatly this IN THE VIDEO.

@johnrobins795 4 года назад

Terrific review as always....thank you for your efforts :)

@jeffreystaley5266 4 года назад

You are doing a great job with this topic. Always learn something from each video.

@nickmoys22 4 года назад

I don’t have a budget that would allow me to spend that much on a DAC, but as someone interested in sound quality, it’s always good to hear what you might get for that kind of money. Well described, as always.

@brianmoore581 4 года назад

I obviously don't know your situation, so I write this to others reading and not necessarily to you, personally. Don't say "I can't", rather say "how can I?" If you don't have enough money for something you want, how can you get the extra money? What is it, $10,000? Would you be willing to take a second part time job for six months or so? Deliver some pizzas? Do some handyman work? Could you sell some things you no longer want? If it was $100,000 I would agree it's out of reach for the average person, but you can save up $10,000 if you really want to. And consider that your neighbor who bought the Harley-Davidson didn't pay cash for it... If you really want something, you can have it.

@AlphaJB 4 года назад

Exactly the same price as the Moon Audio 680D streaming dac... this dac dropped my jaw and completely changed the sound coming out of my speakers (Spendor Classic 100’s) for the first time in a very long time, I felt that ‘wow’ factor and the price almost seemed reasonable. Tidal MQA, wireless as well as build quality and looks were the deciding factor. Amazing video, it’s extremely difficult to review and describe at this price and performance point 👍🏻

@harrybrandt6553 Год назад

I really like your comments about priorities. We all can decide for ourselves what is a good value. I'm amazed that somebody with an expensive wristwatch would criticize someone for buying expensive dacs and headphones. It's just judgmental and silly. Love what you do and your descriptions of components. Helps me a lot.

@clivewilliams9460 2 года назад

I was never much into Darko Audio. The more I look , the more I like how John does it. I will have to go over to New Jersey to listen to the Tambaqui. I have a DAC in the 11K price range. Good to know I can hook up my CD transport to it and really enjoy music. I will check it out.

@xfloodcasual8124 2 года назад

Finally heard the Tambaqui on a demo loan. Was not really impressed. Was missing a ton of musical content...glare on the highs, acoustic music not very engaging to listen to. Instruments didn't sound very realistic. The noise floor was a bit lower than what I'm used to, but when you cut out so much information, you can give the illusion of it. If you want to hear whats possible with DACs, listen to Audio Note. They are so far beyond anyone right now..

@rustygates3367 Год назад

I've heard a DAC 4.1x at a speaker audition once (didn't ask for it, didn't know about it previously, the shop just had it there) and didn't think much of it at all. When I did some research on it, it uses crummy AD1865 DAC chips and analogue filters which inherently add phase distortion (skewed group delay). I think whatever system you had it hooked up to, is not up to scratch for the Tambaqui; not only is it the best measuring DAC out there with a filter that's perfectly well balanced in freq and time domain response, but subjectively it's one of the best across the board (99+ percentile), tying with the dCS Rossini Apex for Stereophile component of the year runner up 2022.

@crion88 2 года назад

Well done illustrating the differences and what the Mola Mola gives. I understand! :D

@Tre7we88 4 года назад

Another awesome review. If there was an award for the most eloquent and knowledgeable RU-vidr... John would win it hands down. You’ve opened my ears fella and I’m going to dip my toes into the cool stream of the audiophile.

@LOUDERthanU 4 года назад

The Mola Mola certainly looks the business. It must be tough giving this stuff back after reviewing it. ‘Dear Mola Mola, i sent your Dac back but it appears to have gone astray in this covid fueled chaos’.........

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

Please ensure your comment is 1) on topic, 2) advances the conversation, 3) free of URLs, 4) devoid of conspiracy theories and, most of all, 5) civil.

@Another_Audiophile 4 года назад

If you are ever in Amsterdam check out the headphones auditions shop. For us is a great chance to audition these high end products including the Sennheiser HE 1

@willchung8416 4 года назад

Just getting into upgrading my set up and wanted to know if the power node 2i is worth waiting for over the node 2i and maybe something like an emotiva bas-X amp? Which would be a little cheaper than the power node 2i but I wanted to know if using separates would be worse than the combined amp?

@darreng279 4 года назад

A nod to Olaf for his focus pull on the air conditioner towards the end of this video. Priceless.

@mmdusa 4 года назад

I'd love to have a dcs. Maybe one day. But I wouldn't know how much I want one without your fantastic reviews. Thank you John for another great review. And thank you for introducing us to Mola Mola!! I am positive they will see increased interest because of your thorough review. Cheers from TX.

@ontheroad579 4 года назад

It is (or was at some point) the best measuring DAC by audio science review. That and the fact that Bruno Putzeys is behind it says much more about it to me.

@IsaacChew 4 года назад

Awesome John. Thanks for telling us what you really think. It is very helpful.

@ericlofroos2405 2 года назад

Excellent review. Thank you! I’ve been debating whether to get a Lina DAC, or the Tambaqui for my Klipsch La Scala horn speakers. I think you just helped me choose the Tambaqui. Thanks!

@labalo5 Год назад

I was in the same boat and my finger was already hovering over the Buy button for a DCS Lina but decided to stick with my gut and went with tambaqui. This is the right choice. I’m also using horns, deville SQs.

@rustygates3367 Год назад

If you want a re-packaged, cut down Bartok (which doesn't even get the software 2.0 update with the new mappers and higher speed ring DAC operation) for more $$$ than the Tambaqui, then go for the dCS!

@pennfootball71 4 года назад

If you think this thing is nice try their Kaluga Monoblocks. I did and purchased them after used becasue the new ones were too high but used oh hell yes yes YES. I also love the Tambaqui.

@faiosung 4 года назад

maybe 10k on power amp or speakers instead, as dacs improving much more year by year?

@xstensl8823 4 года назад

i agree, speakers and amps age better

@philipdaniels6584 4 года назад

Another amazing video John . Your production is top notch. Thx for the info.

@Supperconductor 4 года назад

I think it's mandatory to at listen to DACs at this price level for perspective, whether or not they're in your price range. I can't justify that much because there's been so much advancement in DAC's that I feel more comfortable in the $2,000 or less category. The only thing I have against the Mola Mola is the lack of physical controls. I always worry that someday the app won't get updated and it won't work on future mobile devices. Thanks for another great review!

@flohmann 4 года назад

I was wondering about this, too. I suppose there are two answers. First, for many users, controls on DACs are superfluous -- after all, if you do most of your listening from a single source, and you have a preamp for volume (as John does here), then you really don't need any physical controls. Second, for Roon-first users, you likely will rarely use the Mola Mola app at all. This leaves one big question, which John didn't mention -- does the unit automatically choose between active inputs? If so, then you really don't need the app...

@rasardo1 4 года назад

I have the Weiss 202 and I am not expecting to upgrade. I had it for an excelent price and until 5000 Eur it is very difficult to beat. I wish I had the Mola Mola to compare, because Bruno is one of the most bright minds in Audio today.

@chewy560 3 года назад

I have Weiss dac 202 / network bridge and Bartók. Bartók is quite a step ahead imo, but both very good.

@marcus1970 4 года назад

When I first saw pictures of the Mola Mola Tambaqui I thought it had beautifully designed casework... But would need to sound incredible to be worth it's cost... Turns out..... It probably is.... Great video 👍🏻

@jinwang4905 3 года назад

I'm very interested in this DAC vs. Chord Dave + M Scaler ==. would it be possible for you to do a comparison video between the two setups using RAD0, LCD4 and Meze E please!!! thanks.

@k-doggy1762 4 года назад

Everybody: The UK (and most of the world) is going into the worst recession in history. dCS: I'll just increase the price of Bartók by a couple grand.

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

Have you considered the economic impact of Brexit?

@k-doggy1762 4 года назад

@@DarkoAudio I doubt Bartók buyers are affected much financially by Brexit or Covid-19 for that matter. Hence the price hike.

@Goddess_Freia 4 года назад

I know it wasn't the main point even slightly in the video but the point about crossfeed was so interesting to me that I had to try it out for myself, and even if I have to resort to using a DSP for it I'm coming to find that it really does just sound quite good for certain songs due to their mastering process. Thank you for opening my eyes to yet another thing within the lovely sphere of HI-FI sound.

@SmallRoomAudio 4 года назад

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this video, so beautifully put together, eloquent and informative. As a fledgling content creator myself I have to say you inspire me John - just fantastic!

@jarms40 4 года назад

Roon has a crossfeed feature. Obviously, it's operated in software rather than hardware. My headphone amp also has a hardware crossfeed feature like the dcs DAC's. Both Roon's software crossfeed implementation and my amp's hardware implementation sound the same to me. Having said that, my headphone amp isn't as illustrious a product as the dcs Bartok. However, folks who don't have access to a headphone amp/DAC with hardware crossfeed option MAY find Roon's software crossfeed implementation as satisfactory alternative.

@MrBonger88 4 года назад

I was hoping for a comparison from John

@davidfriedman5154 4 года назад

Surprised to see that the Brooklyn amp landed a spot in this pairing. I have one because it's kallax fi and in my budget and is able to drive my speakers. In a previous 3 amp shoot out the best praise you had for this amp I recall was its control of low end boom and being "squeegee clean" if that's a complement... I'm interested that you found this unit revealing enough to tease out the differences in these Uber high end dacs. I'm eagerly awaiting receipt of a new updated Brooklyn amp Plus from mytek. I enjoy seeing that you found this amp relevant enough to keep around.

@fzolhayat 3 года назад

Thank you a ton for such informative reviews. As a matter of fact, I just began to enter the Hi-Fi and Audiophiles world first by purchasing the Schiit Audio Jotunheim plus the True Multibit DAC module; then I got the Chord Electronics Qutest plus the Rupert Neve RNHP Precision AMP and the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro; Now I just got the Campfire Audio Solaris 2020, and I listen to that with my good old AudioQuest Dragonfly Black (latest version), sometimes with the RNHP and the iFi IEMatch. I also use AudioQuest Cables for the necessary connections. I hope one day I can move on to such higher-end gears.

@user-tk7kz1fl2r 2 года назад

Really nice review.

@miguelbarrio 4 года назад

Couple of comments: 1- Roon has Crossfeed as a DSP option, works great; 2- The soundstage width is, in my experience, a question of frequency response in the high frequencies. The higher the more separated. Just pointing out that the top end resolution you hear is the reason for the extra width of the soundstage. 3- I really would love it if all DAC reviews compared how redbook sounds for different DACs.

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

1. Yes, Roon does have crossfeed but their algorithm doesn't sound as 'well organised' as that which dCS have put directly inside their Bartók. 2. That's a bold claim for someone who - presumably? - hasn't put the Bartok and Tambaqui side by side in his own system. It could also be different distortion profiles or something to do with phase errors. I'll be the first to say I don't know why. I've heard very well extended DACs (like the Chord Mojo) that don't extend as wide as the Tambaqui or the dCS. 3. Most of the music I use for reviews is Redbook. I have very little hi-res in my library.

@miguelbarrio 4 года назад

@@DarkoAudio Very interesting. Thx John, great review.

@JasonDominus 4 года назад

For me, inky black sounds like the music is shooting out of nothingness and there is nothing interfering with hearing everything in the track. The details in the track are immediately recognizable. Equipment with a higher noise floor will veil the sound in some way depending on how high the noise floor comes into the audible range. Detail might be there, but you have to put effort to critical listening into finding it. A clear indicator is a track you have heard 100 times, know it intimately, but you are hearing things you've never heard or noticed before. As you mentioned the Tambaqui provides clarity and truth. This makes sense to because it's one of the best measuring DACs available. It's technically impressive being built by some of the best engineers. Subjectively you covered it. Great review as always John.

@jacquesprevert6276 4 года назад

An honest musicphile scoop his heart out for us to better understand this expensive little guy, mola mola. bravo!

@michaelhartman4725 4 года назад

I just saw Plugg... that just blew my mind. Great album 😬

@ajuyal 4 года назад

You nailed it!!

@rotaks1 4 года назад

Great episode! I am enjoying the new music (for me) that I am discovering from your videos.

@lookbacktime9422 4 года назад

Thank you! You have done a very good job with this review!

@damien1090 4 года назад

Great music in this video! All of it!

@gzubeck3 4 года назад

We need reviews like this because this is close to an end game dac and probably competes with $20,000 dacs. Guess what when mr. millionaire unloads this dac for the newer version a few years from now we can pick one up used for $4000-5000 grand and be totally stoked because we heard about it in your video. I found a pretty good youtube video with a good demo if you have a good pair of headphones. do a search for mola mola on youtube.

@dinfreitas 4 года назад

It’s so weird to watch this review knowing that you have a Chord Dave! and you didn’t even mentioned it. Are they that much far apart from each other?

@kaiwenwu8148 4 года назад

dave is too overpiced in my opinion

@poppemall 4 года назад

@Diego Freitas This was my thought as well, both devices are in the same price bracket. I believe when he reviewed the DAVE, it was loaned out. I could be wrong. But as far as comparison goes, I definitely would like to hear how they differ.

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

Actually, it's mainly because I'd already felt that the dCS had outclassed the DAVE when I did the Bartok review last year: more 'meat', more drive, better headphone amp. That made the Tambaqui the closest rival to the incoming Tambaqui. People would've 'complained' had I not done THAT comparison. Whatever I choose, there will always be people wanting more. From a purely entertainment POV, that's a good thing. Furthermore, the DAVE isn't a streaming DAC; and the two DACs in this video are. The Tambaqui and Bartok are functionally closer. Another reason to choose the Bartok.

@chrisbarber4744 4 года назад

John Darko How does it compare DAC only to the Terminator which I own and like a lot? I’ve also had the Dave and was unimpressed. Was considering the Terminator Plus until I became aware of the Tambaqui. Your thoughts appreciated keep up the entertaining work.

@draztiqmeshaz6226 4 года назад

I'm never gonna buy a Bugatti, but I watch those videos too. I like to see what cost-no-object engineers are up to

@magicmulder 3 года назад

Then by all means check out the new Linn Klimax DSM.

@tommyov1 4 года назад

Will do..

@AdrianBond 4 года назад

Hmm, the manufacturer seems to have misspelled Moula Moula.

@hidjedewitje 4 года назад

The name refers to the fish, the mola mola. The name was chosen because it is one of the biggest fish in the sea

@thomaslee6957 4 года назад

Nice review John

@netnakul 4 года назад

If there's a market for it, they'll price it that way. When it comes to luxury segment, sometime it has to be expensive to sell

@bynahelemaal 4 года назад

Never gonna spend 10k on a dac, so... this is kinda like window shopping?!

@DueM 4 года назад

If you have a system to match it'd be worth the price as an "end game" dac, then again the actual audible differences between dacs is nominal at best regardless of the chosen chip set. most differences come about from the choice of output components imo.

@joerglemann 4 года назад

Thanks for another very interesting and revealing review, John 👍🏼

@chipsnmydip 4 года назад

Man, it's hard for me to imagine a DAC sounding wider or more detailed than the Bartok. To me it is already a little bright-ish, and going further in that direction seems like it could be too much. But I also really do love being able to hear the sound of the room, reverb tails etc.

@borisbobowski628 2 года назад

The Bartok is midfi

@ThePuka 4 года назад

Love that Plug album

@alexisappecorina7107 3 года назад

At least it measures (and it seems it sounds), very, very well.

@connorduke4619 2 года назад

Great review, I thought the Mola Mola would beat the dCS actually. Another reviewer found the even cheaper Holo May KTE to beat the dCS. The Holo May KTE also generates a lot of attention on audiophile forums, was Sterophile's product of the year in 2020, and has the advantage of dual LPSUs located in a separate chassis, etc. Would you be able to arrange a showdown between Mola Mola and Holo May KTE?

@rustygates3367 2 года назад

The Tambaqui was compared to the Holo May AND the Bartok in Stereophiles Gramophone Dreams #55 last year, Dec '21. Herb Reichert and Ken Michallefs opinion was it squarely beats out the Holo May (and the Bartok). Herb Reichert: "Is the Tambaqui better than my forever-favorite HoloAudio May Level 3 DAC? "Better" is not a word I often use, but the Mola Mola makes music bigger, clearer, more solid and rousing than the May. The Tambaqui encourages me to listen longer and more closely than I do with the May. That's what "better" means to me, so yes, it's better."

@Maver1ck911 Год назад

@@rustygates3367 only had to spend more than twice the may serene stack 🤣

@rustygates3367 Год назад

@@Maver1ck911 ? Holo May + Serene is essentially the same price as a Tambaqui in Australia. Anyway, the Tambaqui is proportionally better than the May in SQ as it is to the increased price.

@Unavintage 4 года назад

My vintage setup is limited to get any comparison with different DACs. I am very comfortable with my NAD D1050, but I think I cannot feel major difference with my Nad and a 4000 DAC.

@alishaheedmuhamad 4 года назад

I don't understand the lack of ST fiber glass output especially on such an expensive dacs.

@latzelsperger 4 года назад

I'll continue to watch videos about 10k equipment for the same reason I watch shows about expensive cars (that I can't afford either) like The Grand Tour. First, I really like the presentation of it (kudos John), the video composition etc, and second, I like looking at and learning about high-end, well engineered and absolute top-of-the-line stuff and simply marvel at it.

@brianmoore581 4 года назад

Of course the $10k audio equipment is more obtainable than any new car, even the ones you wouldn't want. But I got the point.

@latzelsperger 4 года назад

Brian Moore in absolute terms, yes of course. But most people gotta balance expenses. If a dac was the only thing I needed to spend money on, the picture would change for sure. I think John’s point was that a) money and cost is relative and b) you can enjoy content about stuff you‘re never gonna buy

@vagomaniac 4 года назад

The real question when you already own very expensive gear for any hobby is if the better more expensive is worth the difference. Sure there must be aspects which is superior than the one you have, but is it say 5000 superior? When you are in the high end range, a big amount of money is needed to realize a small even insignificant difference.

@unol 4 года назад

I'd love to see what kind of DAC Bruno could design to take on the budget end of the market. He's done it with amps already.

@marcus1970 4 года назад

👍🏻That would shake things up for more people than a Tambaqui will

@flohmann 4 года назад

At the lower end, I'm guessing it's hard to compete with the ESS-based DACs, just like it's hard to compete with Bruno's Hypex modules in amplifiers!

@michelmeunier406 4 года назад

I will never spend that amount of money for a DAC, but I really like to watch your video.

@raymondkarl 4 года назад

Yep. $topped watching.

@palmeadia 4 года назад

Mmm Selecta! Drum 'N' Bass for Papa

@AlphaJB 4 года назад

Thank you for introducing Luna Penthouse. For me finding new, interesting and different types of music, bands and genres is more important than the actual system and quality of sound it’s played through. I wonder how many people watch your hardware reviews to actual find new music? Good tastes 👍🏻

@ragecandy 4 года назад

So are these insanely expensive dacs doing some kind of magic post processing to the sound? That’s about the only thing I can think could justify them, some kind of upscaling or downright re-mixing dsp thing, there shouldn’t be that much difference if it’s just interpreting binary and then sending it through cables, hell even at 1 to 1 fidelity with the indie stuff you listen, I’m prety sure the musician’s equipment would become the bottle neck...

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

Upsampling could be it, yes, but so could lowering distortion.

@neilfisher7999 4 года назад

I really enjoy your reviews. I think it is important to review super high-end product like this once in awhile. To me it is sort of like watching a car review. I own a Porsche Boxster, and I like to watch reviews of much more expensive sports cars, just to see what they can do compared to what I own. If I had the money I would probably have a hundred grand invested in my audio gear. Since I don't have that kind of money, I buy the best stuff I can get within my budget. It is always interesting to see what is possible if you had the money to spend on it.

@Tre7we88 4 года назад

I loved your contextualisation of priorities. If I had the means then I’m sure that would drop £10k on a DAC

@normally624 4 года назад

Looked up the price in Australia for the Mola Mola $18.5K

@abelfonseca 4 года назад

I am the type of person that says that I will never spend that amount of money on a dac, but I enjoy the video anyways.

@behemothinferno 4 года назад

They really should have called it Moula Moula given how expensive the thing is!

@tupuhumuhumunukunukuapuaa3093 4 года назад

I wish I could try out one of these $5-10k DACs and see what that gets me over the one I spent $600 on. I got huge gains just with that upgrade. I really enjoy your content.

@osemeosobase1487 2 года назад

John, step it up a notch. Please review the VITUS AUDIO SD-025 AND MP-D201 DACs. And maybe the Tidal Audio Camira DAC.

@brianmoore581 4 года назад

Don't apologize for reviewing expensive gear. The price is not unreasonable given the effort that went into the design and manufacture of the product. I know people who own motorcycles and sailboats far more expensive than that DAC. I know people with cameras and lenses more expensive. I know people who spend more on telescopes, table saws and other woodworking equipment, even rare books. Hell, you could read the same thing on the internet; why have a first edition from over a hundred years ago? It matters to some people. It's their money. And the people I know certainly aren't rich. Never apologize for whatever you deem fit to spend your own money on. If all we deserve out of life is basic food and shelter, then why bother working at all? No, whatever money you earn is yours to spend as you please.

@DarkoAudio 4 года назад

Brian - I mention all of this because in the online world of audio - probably like the online world of cameras - comments sections and FB groups are riddled with self-appointed wardens trying to 'save' other people from themselves; they (literally) try to police how others spend their money.

@brianmoore581 4 года назад

@@DarkoAudio I know RU-vid is crawling with self righteous people who think they know how to spend someone else's money better than the guy who earned it. I just think it's better to tell them to f#÷k off than to try to justify your purchase to those people. That's an exercise in futility.

@NeilLavitt 4 года назад

Great video - not strictly on topic but I couldn’t help but notice a NAD M33 unit hanging out your apartment/studio shelves. Looking forward to your impressions on that one.

@ridingdreamer Год назад

My problem is I love cars, motorcycles and audio, now you know my situation 😥😀. BTW nice review. Tambaqui is in my list.

@craigio8137 4 года назад

Interested in the RING DAC which certainly appears to me be a similar design as R2R, but also combined to FPGA.

@interesting7906 4 года назад

Although it's a special proprietary DAC and that's cool, I don't like the form factor, I don't like the luckluster software support and don't like the price.

@cleanerpath94 4 года назад

great video

@brandonburr4900 4 года назад

Hmm this video makes me think of how much I have invested into my system and sadly more than the mola mola and approaching the dcs bartok. Thanks for making us audiofools reflect on out discretionary spending. John, another solution to those with a high end dac that only stream would be dcs network bridge. That would be a nice investment and bring up the performance of many high end dacs you pair it with. And for those that still enjoy their current dac. Perhaps it's time for a follow up on the new features that dcs is implementing with their dcs bartok. Thanks john!

@magicmulder 3 года назад

Sweet video. Do the Linn Klimax DSM next please.

@crissnickers_frog6689 4 года назад

i like the song "Cortez the Killer"(2016 Remaster)...........thx

@chewy560 3 года назад

Maybe time for DCS to upgrade firmware to Rossini version?

@Alan-Zorro 4 года назад

This DAC is excellent with PCM files but struggles to play DSD files. I hope it will improve with a firmware upgrade.

@Eagle-kc4ge 2 года назад

Thanks for the great review, John. You're one of the few folks to have reviewed my DAC, the Resonessence Mirus Pro. I'm very keen to know how does Tambaqui stack up, soundwise, against it? Any comments appreciated. Thanks. Ian

@JKJK-id2lz 4 года назад

I don't see how people can say a Topping for a Denafrips can better this, unless they are tested together (and also, with appropriate gear that can showcase the differences). Plus, how can one tell if something as good as this will be available at a much cheaper price in the future? However, I do think that it is interesting to see how the current high-end DACs compare with the high-end DACs from 5 or 10 years ago, and see how they have advanced. Is it fair to say that we have seen more advancements in digital components over the past decade than analogue components? I, for one, wouldn't mind buying older speakers/amps, but would hesitate to buy an older DACs (though I am not sure if that is justified or not). Let's not forget that John raved about the Cambridge Audio CVX (V2) - which I own and (to me) it's terrific. Plus I have nothing against Denafrips. I own the Ares II and love that too. My gear is good enough for me to enjoy my music, and not too heavy on my wallet.I don't get too caught up watching expensive gear reviews, just like I don't get caught up watching Top Gear presenters driving Bugattis. Each to their own.