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Retirement System Finally Completed: Impression of the Mola Mola Tambaqui

I have made the last upgrade to my system for enjoyment in retirement.  The Wyred4Sound 10th Anniversary DAC that has provided much musical enjoyment for almost 7 years was replaced with a Mola Mola Tambaqui (MMT).  While I find the 10th to be the best DAC at its price point, 3x the spend provides greater performance across the board.  I auditioned Mola Mola competitors from DCS and Bricasti but chose the MMT.  The decision to go with the MMT was based on the its ability to produce accurate timbre and organic/dense images with state of the art detail that is neither etched nor fatiguing.  The DCS was as detailed but with a more laidback presentation and less dynamic.  Also I personally found the MMT more true to timbre where the DCS had a colder presentation.  The Bricasti was a close second to the MMT IMHO.  The bass performance, organic/dense images and dynamics of the MMT made favor it.  To clarify, all three are phenomenal, differences minor, and choice should be based on personal preference.  I also chose the MMT based on my preference in SQ and system matching. The Burmester 032 IA and Vivid Giya G3s Speakers are consistent with the system design intent and the components complement each other in this regard.   To me, the sound is tube like liquid and sweet but with solid state transient speed, micro/macro dynamics, and clarity.  Aficionados of old school tube sound and ladder DACs may not like this system, but that is the beauty of our hobby - each of us can determine our preferences and build systems to our liking.  There will be no further changes now that I am on fixed income and I dare not propose any or the wife acceptance factor will go into the red danger zone.  Shout out to GTT audio and Bill for his patients and knowledge in working with me to get the MMT.  I will enjoy the system always with a good bourbon or cognac in hand for as many years as He permits.  Thanks to all the members of this forum who have educated me over the years to be able to establish my final system for retirement.  Pics updated in my profile.  

jsalerno277
Post removed 
devinplombier
116 posts
 

I honestly don't understand why @audiotroy gets dumped on so much in this forum. Yes he recommends products he sells, but he always discloses the fact that he is selling them so no one is being fooled.

Not to mention that his recommendations are quality products in their own right. It's not like folks are discussing good power amps and he keeps pushing NAD.

Honestly, if a person were shopping for an overpriced, underpowered PC they could do worse then consider 432evo as an alternative to Aurender.

From where I stand, the vitriol seems unwarranted and it is definitely off-putting. Just my 2 cents

 

toneranger58
132 posts
 

Congrats on the MMT and your retirement system. I retired 6 years ago and my system has given me many years of great listening pleasure, so glad I have it. The MMT has always intrigued me, but being retired does limit my interest levels in more Hifi gear. I’ve become a fan of R2R DAC’s and enjoy my Denafrips T2 very much, it works great with my Sopra 2 speakers and their beryllium tweeters, adding a nice degree of warmth to my system. Enjoy your retirement when you get there, best decision I ever made.

mitch2
3,968 posts
 

@devinplombier - This is a thread where folks are celebrating with a poster who recently retired and has already "made the last upgrade to my system for enjoyment in retirement".  The OP isn't looking for a new server so the unsolicited interjection of a sales pitch in this thread is, at a minimum, bad form.

Also, this has nothing to do with how good or not the products are that audiotroy is peddling, but rather that he chooses to relentlessly peddle them on these forums as if it were his own private marketing playground.  Also, it is usually doesn't go like, "hey, consider giving this a try", but more often a harder sell, like, "we have tried what you own and it doesn't hold a candle to the 432Evo Aeon," along with an implication that the sales target's substandard system needs their product in order to achieve some acceptable level of performance, i.e., "if you want to take your system's sound quality up a notch".  It usually comes across as audiotroy telling others what they need to do, and for self-serving reasons.

fastfreight
786 posts
 

Congrats @jsalerno277 !

I've had my Tambaqui for a bit now and it continues to amaze!  I also have Vivid speakers, Giya G2s2s and love them.  Plus, my electronics, Audionet, are similar to your Burmester in that they are clean, fast, resolving and non fatiguing!  I am curious do you run Roon or Conductor (if you are streaming through an Aurender)?  I am also pretty sure you heard the Grimm MU1 streamer with the Tambaqui if you were at Bill's.  My best sound running Roon is through the MU1 into my Tambaqui.  I have also upgraded the internal ethernet cable in the Grimm to KS Realization through GTT and that made a noticeable improvement.  .  enjoy the Tambaqui!!!

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