Mola Mola Tambaqui Roon vs Separate Streamers

Hi Tony,  I went all in with Realization power cord and USB to my Tambaqui.

All my other cables are Elation.  I did initially hook up the Aries G2.1 with stock power cord and a cheap usb just to hear the improvement with the nicer cables.  And I did!.  Now I am waiting on the Sean Jacobs power supply as discussed by David above.  I have also ordered a custom umbilical for the power supply from Kubala Sosna.  Ken

Hello,  I have enjoyed my Tambaqui for about a year now, streaming directly via ethernet with Tidal, Qobuz and local files on a USB  RAID drive attached to my nucleus + in another room.  I have added several small front end upgrades;  I added a better switch (Silent Angel Bonn 8) in front of my Nucleus. I added a HDplex Linear Power supply for the Nucleus and the switch. I upgraded my short ethernet cables to Supra Cat 8.  I also added an EtherRegen directly in front of my Nucleus.  I feel all these things added, especially the EtherRegen.

Then about a month ago I added an Auralic Aries G2.1 streamer in front of my Tambaqui.  It was a major improvement.  More organic, richer and lifelike.  I looked at  but did not audition other more expensive streamers, such as Grimm.  One thing I noticed  that the more expensive streamers have is a very fancy power supply.  

I have now ordered a Sean Jacobs power supply to mod the Aries G2.1  I have heard that this is again a very significant improvement.  

BTW, the Tambaqui is amazing, and easily the best DAC I have heard.  My DAC path was Bluesound Node > PSAudio Direct Stream > Auralic Vega G2 > (demoed Chord Dave) > Tambaqui.  No contest each time.

And, Qobuz sounds better.  I have both subscriptions, and the only reason I keep Tidal is because some things are not on Qobuz.  Every Time I listen to a new album, ROON defaults to a Tidal version, and I have to search Versions and switch it to Qobuz.  Given the same resolution, Qobuz always sounds better to me.   Also, (Yes I understand Tambaqui does not do last unfold of MQA) MQA on my system does not sound as good as even a lower resolution version on Qobuz.

Hope all that helps!   Ken

How is the Grimm?  Can you discuss ease of set up, does it need messed with each time? do you use usb to DAC?  Tambaqui?  Do you use Grimm software to play music or is Roon Core on Grimm or elsewhere?    Thanks

Hello, I am very keen on the Grimm / Mola combo, but for now have opted to upgrade my Auralic Aries G2.1 with the Sean Jacobs Power supply.  As davidyny states, it is a custom 3 rail power supply.  I have ordered custom K-S Realization umbilicals that replaces the IEC port and plug directly into the Auralic.   Maybe David and I should speak as I am having growing pains getting it all hooked up.

I have temporarily taken the Auralic streamer out of the loop and gone back to ethernet into my tambaqui.  Talk about going backwards and noticing things as Metaldektor and Calgarian said!  The Tambaqui without the Aries is still great, but not near the life and visceral experience as with the streamer!  

Hello jjss49,   No I am using wired ethernet into my Aries.   No???

jjss49, Thanks for those links.  

I am aware of the options and pros / cons of wifi vs wired.  Wifi has always been spotty in my house, but better now.  I have an Eero mesh system with three wired points.  I might try wifi to compare.  Currently my ethernet is wired through both an Ether Regen and a Network Acoustics Muon filter,

So here is a question:  A main advantage of wifi is by avoiding possible noise that ethernet cables can aquire.  To get wifi downstairs in my audio roo0m, I need th run a ling cable down there for a wifi extender, or a mesh wifi satellite.  Isn't the ethernet wire to the wifi station just a likely to acquire noise as the wire to my streamer?

@melm thanks,  Was that with an Auralic Streamer?

Yes!  Immediate noticeable improvement.  Blacker, more lifelike, Richer, fuller.

Hi @dayglow sounds awesome!  Let us know.  I have had my eye on the Grimm as well for my MMT!  Will you use USB?

Helllo,  @rolandas_stripeikis,  I have the Tambaqui and it is amazing.  But put it with a quality streamer and it is even better.  I have the Auralic Aries G2.1 and it improved everything.  Then, like you are thinking, I added an better power supply.  I went all in with a custom Sean Jacobs PS and it improved things yet again.  It should at its cost!  If you look at the Innuos Statement, that is what they have done, adding an upgraded power supply.  I now have my eye on the Grimm MU1 to use as a my streamer.  Contact me if you want to further discuss.  Ken

Hi @rolandas_stripeikis,  I have not compared Aries G1 series with Aries G2.  I know there is lots of trickle down tech in Auralic, but just assume the G2.1 is better, and that is what I have been told.

Someone once said this to me (paraphrased):   "You have a Lamborghini of a DAC and without a separate good streamer you are feeding it regular gas".

I think the Aries G1 would improve things, but I also think Tambaqui is so good it should have the Aries G2.1.  Like me, I think several people are upgrading again to the Grimm MU1 to pair with the Tambaqui. That is why you see the Aries G2.1 available.  I will likely list mine as well after the Grimm comes.

Yes he uses the Aries G2.1   I understand he now has both the Grimm MU1 and the Aries G2.1 in his showroom.

Hi @davetheoilguy , I have a Tambaqui and have use it with Network, USB and AES inputs.  All work well.  Some streamers are optimized one way or the other.  For me, AES works best with my Grimm MU1 streamer and is a match made in Audiophile Heaven.

good stuff @yyzsantabarbara ! Thanks.

What do you know of the new products by Master Fidelity, the Nadac D and Nadac C?  Reviews are over the top.