Mola Mola Tambaqui Roon vs Separate Streamers

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.

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

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

@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).

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.