Mola Mola Tambaqui Roon vs Separate Streamers

@fastfreight 

i recall auralic was one of the few streamer specialists that favored wifi 

https://support.auralic.com/hc/en-us/articles/205863078-What-is-the-preferred-network-connection-

https://us.auralic.com/pages/wifi-or-ethernet

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

if you are looking at the grimm you should also consider the 432Evo Master

a reviewer in the netherlands listened to the master with The mola MOLA DAC and was thrilled with the combo

the reviewer was also keen with the multitude of filters and the analog like presentation of the Master:

With the last generation of the 432 EVO Master, Frederic Van den Poel has delivered his best music server to date. Both chassis look excellent and even though the web interface (mainly used for the filter settings and switching between Roon and Logitech) have some resemblance with the well known Vortexbox interface, everything else is so very different that it cannot be compared. This is a totally different machine, which is obvious from the enormous amount of custom features and their sonic impact. Because no other Vortexbox based solution from the recent past comes close to the performance of this high-end machine.

Even though the price is downright hefty, and a small minus is the fact that it only support USB connections towards a DAC, what we have here is a very special music server which within it’s price class, is among the best challengers today. Even though a top class CD transport still sounds substantially different in it’s own way and still is hard to beat on it’s own strong aspects, there is indeed a far-reaching analog sound. This makes the rendering smooth, airy, spacious and naturally realistic and moreover, also has exactly that right outlined and catchy character that is so typical of a good analog source. Nice work Frederic!

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

US importer 432Evo music servers

ken your auralic is running wifi (not wired ethernet) yes?

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!  

Calgarian

The Grimm and the Tambaqui are a special combination if you can make sense of the cost of the Grimm. Something about that AES output from the Grimm that the Mola just loves leaving it to DAC only duties. Metaldektor said it correctly, at this level of playback it's about subtlety that mostly is noticed when it is removed. That is the Grimm, you'll want it back in if forced to take it out. Rest of system needs to be dialed in to justify even the Tambaqui. The Grimm / Mola is all anyone would ever need for redbook...... 

To upgrade the power supply in the Aries, you can replace the power supply circuit board with the Hoer-wege circuit board, or the Sean Jacobs external power supply requires that you remove the power inlet and connect with 2 custom DC cables (the power supply requires 3 different rails, voltages) terminated with plastic Molex connectors.  Sean Jacobs will supply these cables.

But I’ve been using Kubala Sosna in the analog portion of my system for many years; upgrading from Emotion to Elation and now Realization.  Their cables share a common design philosophy and sound.  They are to my ears very neutral regarding frequency response.  But each generation significantly lowers the noise floor allowing much more musical information to be heard.  I started experimenting with their digital and DC cables about 4 years ago and have been similarly pleased with the results.  

Yes, the Grimm updates are super simple and because they run FPGA, the updates are actually very meaningful. The most recent update took the Grimm to an even more remarkable level. So when you buy it, you’re buying into a company that’s committed to continually improving the product — they’re working on their own software (a Roon alternative) and a DAC as well, which would make it a true one box digital front end.

Yes, it’s both a Roon core and endpoint. Just add DAC.

You need to use as AES cable into the DAC. DH labs makes good inexpensive ones, black cat makes great but more expensive ones.

I believe there are four US dealers last i checked, any should be helpful if there’s nobody in Canada. There’s Doug White in Philly who is an industry legend and super nice guy, there’s Kyomi in Chicago run by a concert pianist and music professor, and there’s Analog Audio which is run by another special dealer. I don’t know anything about the SF dealer. In other words, it says something when some of the best (best in the sense Of experience/knowledge and also customer service) dealers around are carrying this product.

@metaldetektor So the Grimm would get rid of my Nucleus since it's the core as well?  If so, how are the Roon updates....seamless?  That's one thing I really like about the Nucleus....set it and forget it!  I was watching the Hans Youtube review and it looks impressive!  I would need to purchase the AES connector as well.  Which dealer did you purchase from?  It wouldn't hurt to enquire.  There are no dealers here in Canada it appears.

@davidyny @fastfreight  How does the Sean Jacobs connect up to the Aries G2.1?  I did a Google search and I see an internal power supply upgrade (hoer-wege) upgrade but couldn't find out how the Sean Jacobs would be wired in.  The Sean Jacobs is around $7400US?   Yes, power cords and cables all make a difference!  I have experience with the Kubala Sosna Emotion XLR and Emotion power cords.  They're excellent, but I find them to be a touch warm.  I'm guessing the Elation and Realization lineups are more extended and neutral.  I've been very happy with my High Fidelity Cables (out of business now, unfortunately).  I've tried even compared my entry level Reveal lineup to the Nordost Valhalla, and they were a better match in my system.....Everything in this hobby makes a diffference!

Kubala Sosna Realization and Elation cables really do make a very easy to hear difference.  I use them throughout my system.  Some of these cables are made to order, we’re fortunate that K-S will do this.  

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

I started using an Aries G2 4 years ago, and upgraded to a G2.1, which does sound better than the G2.  My system includes a Nucleus => switch => G2.1 => Tambaqui (which I’ve had for 3 years).  The Aries makes a big difference versus connecting a DAC directly to the Nucleus via USB or to the switch via ethernet.  The Aries adds a lot of detail to the music, you notice the improvements immediately.  With this set up every small change makes a noticeable difference; from power cables for the Tambaqui and Aries, to adding an external linear power supply for the Nucleus and switch, to DC and ethernet cables, to the type of network switch.  My most recent upgrade was to add a Sean Jacobs ARC6 DC4 linear power supply replacing the power supply in the Aries.  I was able to A/B the modded Aries with a stock version and the improvement in detail and 3 dimensionality of the music was for me well worth the considerable investment.

@fastfreight the Grimm took me 2 minutes to set up. In many ways it simplified my set up, since it’s a server as well as streamer/renderer - in Roon terms, it’s both the core and the endpoint. The Grimm guys are working on their own software so for now it’s Roon only (a plus in my book). It also let me sell my Gigafoil and fancy Ethernet cables — they no longer made a material difference to me. Great clock so don’t even need to think about a reclocker. Only use AES into your DAC, don’t bother with the Grimm USB.

As far as how it is — for me personally, it puts a big smile on my face. I’ll leave it at that. Something you need to listen to, to appreciate.

Sorry If this takes the thread slightly off topic (OP seems more interested in Auralic)…but I have heard the Grimm and Tambaqui together, it’s a well tested combination in part because the Tambaqui designer used to work at Grimm (but didn’t design the MU1 as far as I know).

Hi Ken, 

Thanks for your reply.

I added the Silent Angel Bonn 8 and the HDplex Linear power supply as well.  Instead of the EtherRegen, I opted for the Gigafoil.  I upgraded all the DC power cords for the Nucleaus, Silent Angel, Gigafoil, and my router with Audio Sensibility cables.  Like everything in this hobby, each upgrade makes a small improvement.  

I'm considering the Lumin U1 or Auralic Aries G2/2.1 as my next upgrade.  I've read up on the Grimm, but I'm not sure I can justify the cost.  How are you connecting the G2.1 to the Tambaqui?  

Tony

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

Short answer is yes. Once you hear it, it’s hard to unhear it. This is not unique to the Tambaqui, any internal renderer will be surpassed by a quality separate renderer. Highly recommend the Grimm (home demoed that combo). More life and engagement factor. Have not heard the Auralic. The internal Roon renderer is nice though — can’t tell you whether the upgrade is worth the cost for you, you just need to try it yourself.

I ended up buying the Grimm.

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