Mola Mola
Mola-Mola embodies the idea that once you've removed everything that isn't the music, what remains is the music.
This is radical. Today's high-end audio has become all about mixing circuit topologies and parts to make a sonic blend that the designer thinks “sounds about right”. Their approach is completely different and the result - something never before heard of in high end audio: amplifiers and converters whose output signal cannot be distinguished, by ear, from the input signal. So what does that sound like? In a few words: natural, nimble, rich and musically enthralling.
Tambaqui DAC
"This DAC’s incredibly revealing, impressively lifelike sound was beyond reproach..." is it one of the best DACs I’ve ever heard?
Yes, yes, it is.
Soundstageultra
Kula Integrated
Across the musical spectrum this amp belies all its cleverness with a sparkling yet weighty presentation that's effortlessly enjoyable, and hugely impressive.
HiFiNews
Makua & Kaluga
They are about as close to neutral as I've heard, coming really close to no signature. Those audiophiles who want the gear to step aside and value fidelity to the master tape should take note.
Positive-feedback
KULA Integrated amplifier £9,999
MAKUA Pre-amplifier £7,749
KALUGA Mono Power Amplifier, each £5,449
TAMBAQUI DAC £8,999
Plug-in Boards: PHONO OPTION For MAKUA / KULA £1,799
DAC OPTION For MAKUA / KULA (Roon Ready) £5,999
Mola Mola Makua Pre Amplifier
All five inputs are switchable between XLR and floating RCA connections, and all can be assigned as either phono or line. All stages in the Makua use discrete amplifier modules in a little known topology called “single-ended driven differential”. Compared to doubly executed signal paths, this structure prevents noise from propagating all the way through. The Makua is amazingly immune to influences like mains quality and choice of interlinks. The relay-based volume control directly controls the gain of the output stage. Dynamic range and linearity of this arrangement is much greater than those of stepped attenuators. Operation is smooth and entirely glitch free.
Features:
I/O
-
5 balanced and 5 unbalanced inputs, selectable by switch and software
-
2 parallel balanced outputs for bi-amping (XLR)
-
Mastering mode
-
4 programmable trigger outputs (3.5mm Jack)
-
All inputs routable through optional processor boards like the phono stage
-
Processing balance and input gain offset
-
Phase invert and mono sum
-
Full software control of routing and processing
-
Maximum input/output level: 20dBu (7.75Vrms)
-
Unweighted noise voltage at unity gain: 1.9uV
-
Input impedance: 100kohm
-
Output impedance: 44ohm
-
Distortion at maximum signal level (THD, IMD): not measurable, estimated around -150dB
-
Bandwidth >200kHz
-
Gain range: -70dB to +15dB
-
Gain resolution: <1dB, better than 0.2dB over normal listening range
-
6 programmable presets
-
(premium) Remote control
-
Mola Mola Remote app
-
RS232 (SUB-D)
-
Add-on
-
Mola Mola Phono stage
-
Mola Mola DAC
-
Dimensions and weight
-
420mm (W) x 110mm (H) x 345mm (D). Depth includes volume knob and connectors.
-
11kg
-
£7,749
Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC
The converter is a two board stack. On the first board, all incoming digital audio is upsampled to 3.125MHz/32 bits and converted to noise shaped PWM. On the other board are two mono DACs, in which a discrete 32- stage FIR DAC and a single-stage 4th order filtering I/V converter, convert the PWM into analogue with a breathtaking 130dB SNR. This is near the theoretical limit for 24-bit files and far beyond that of even quad-speed DSD. Uniquely, distortion remains below the noise floor even for full scale signals.
With the addition of a lossless digital volume control and headphone outputs, it is also the ideal control hub of a minimalist audio system for music lovers who have moved on to a digital sources only system. This DAC, combined with a pair of Mola Mola Kaluga monoblocks constitutes the finest digital replay chain available, irrespective of price.
Key Features:
Operating principle
PWM DAC with 32-stage discrete analogue FIR output stage. Avoids “sigma delta” tones and “R2R” glitch and low-level linearity errors. Asynchronous upsampling to 3.125MHz/32 bit. 7-th order noise shaper clearing 80kHz band. Each input rate has an optimized upsampling filter chain.
I/O
-
Optical (Toslink)
-
S/PDIF (Cinch)
-
AES/EBU (XLR)
-
USB type B
-
Ethernet (Roon Ready)
-
Bluetooth (SBC, AAC, APTX, LDAC)
-
I²S over HDMI
-
Balanced output (XLR)
-
Headphone output (6.3mm Jack, Balanced XLR 4pin)
-
2 programmable trigger outputs (3.5mm Jack)
-
Processing balance and input gain offset
-
Selectable output levels
-
Phase invert
Supported formats
-
PCM up to 384kHz/32 bits (>192kHz and >24 bits via USB and Roon only)
-
DoP and Native DSD up to quad speed (USB and Roon only)
Performance
-
Full-Scale Output Level (XLR): 18dBu
-
Full-Scale Output Level (headphone): 18dBu
-
Signal to Noise Ratio: 130dB
-
THD, IMD: not measurable (estimated -140dB)
-
Bandwidth: Up to 80kHz (apodizing response)
-
Integrated jitter: <1ps from 10Hz upwards, <300fs from 1kHz upwards Jitter rejection: >80dB at 1Hz after 20 seconds of loc
Control
-
Front button source selection and volume setting
-
4 programmable presets
-
(Premium) Remote Control
-
Mola Mola Remote app
Dimensions and weight
-
200mm (W) x 110mm (H) x 320mm (D)
-
5.2kg
-
£8,995
Mola Mola Kula Integrated Amplifier
Kula is an a la carte modular design creating a fusion of highly technical previous accomplishments. The chassis itself is borrowed from the acclaimed Makua preamp, as is the line stage section and its optional phono stage with independent adjustable settings and up to 6 separate inputs. The optional DAC section which also is available in the Makua, is identical to the world-class Tambaqui stand-alone unit and features 5 digital inputs including Roon endpoint and Bluetooth. Additionally, the Kula incorporates a Mola Mola exclusive amplifier which boast an output of 150 Watts @8Ω, doubling into 300 Watts @4Ω. Clearly enough power to drive any speaker with ease.
-
3 balanced and 3 unbalanced inputs, selectable by switch and software
-
2 Pairs of Furutech binding posts. Directly connected to the amplifier PCB using Kubala·Sosna cable.
-
All inputs routable through optional processor boards like the phono stage
-
Processing balance and input gain offset
-
Phase invert and mono sum
-
Full software control of routing and processing
-
Mastering mode
Performance
-
Maximum input level: 20dBu (7.75Vrms)
-
Input impedance: 100kohm
-
Unweighted Signal/Noise Ratio: 113dB
-
2x 100W/8R @0.0005%, 2x 200W/4R @0.00075%, 1kHz
-
Output Impedance: 2mΩ – 7mΩ (20-20kHz) (measured directly on binding posts)
-
Bandwidth 50kHz @ -3dB
-
Gain resolution: <1dB, better than 0.2dB over normal listening range
Control
-
6 programmable presets
-
(premium) Remote control
-
Mola Mola Remote app
-
Roon Ready (if DAC option fitted)
Add-on
-
Mola Mola Phono stage
-
Mola Mola DAC
Dimensions and weight
420mm (W) x 110mm (H) x 370mm (D). Depth includes volume knob and connectors. 11kg
Standard £9,995 - with Phono stage £11,798, with DAC £15,998
Mola Mola Kaluga Mono Power Amp
The amplifier board is a Mola Mola specific design. The audio circuitry is trimmed to the bare bones and board-to-board connectors are eliminated in favour of soldering star-quad cables directly into the circuit board for the cleanest, lowest impedance connection possible. The input stage is implemented on a separate circuit board that uses the same discrete buffers as those found in the Makua. The output filter sports monolithic capacitors whose dielectric stability is reflected in an impressively neutral and poised rendition. The days of compromising power efficiency for audio performance are finally over: the Kaluga delivers definitive audio performance with power efficiency thrown in as a bonus.
Key Features:
I/O
-
Balanced and unbalanced input, selectable by switch
-
2 pairs of Furutech binding posts. Biwired directly to the amplifier PCB using Kubala·Sosna cable.
-
Trigger input (3.5mm jack)
Performance
-
400W/8 ohm, 700W/4 ohm, 1200W/2 ohm
-
Gain: 28dB
-
Unweighted Signal/Noise Ratio: 128dB
-
Distortion (THD, IMD): <0.003 % (all frequencies and power levels)
-
Input Impedance: 100kohm
-
Output Impedance: <0.003 ohm (DF>4000), all frequencies
-
Bandwidth: >50kHz
Dimensions and weight
-
200mm (W) x 110mm (H) x 335mm (D). Depth includes speaker terminals.
-
7kg
-
£5,449 (each)