The standalone version of Mola Mola’s well-known archival grade Phono stage features three single-ended inputs and one balanced input. It has a balanced output as well as a single-ended output. The Mola Mola Lupe phono stage with its dedicated power supply, k and the added “subsonic filter” provides the discerning record aficionado with the most accurate set-up for recreating the magic of the turntable as it was intended. The display of the well-known “half sized chassis” Lupe offers at a glance information on the settings.

What was conceived as a simple RIAA add-on for the Mola Mola Makua Preamplifier (also available in the Kula Integrated amplifier) has quickly spiralled into the quietest and probably most versatile phono stage ever built. Moving magnet and moving coil input stages are optimised for current noise and voltage noise respectively. Unlike the more common arrangement of an MC head amp feeding into the MM stage, the two stages are fully independent, realizing an equally short signal path for both. Input gain is switchable in 5dB steps over a 40dB range. Input resistance and capacitance are individually switchable. Available EQ settings cover practically all known cutting curves including 78 RPM.

All settings are software controllable, either on the fly using a smart-phone or tablet via the Mola Mola Remote app or directly stored under the preset buttons. Digitally controlled all switching is done in the analogue domain. The Lupe can be configured to route any of the four inputs through the phono stage, this allows you to have multiple turntables and/or cartridges connected.

Specifications

Input noise (MC): 0.35nV/rtHz
Input noise (MM): 0.9pA/rtHz
Sensitivity: variable from 30uV to 5mV
THD, IMD: not measurable
RIAA conformance: +/-0.1dB
Subsonic filter -3dB @20Hz
Dimensions (W x H x D) in mm: 200mm x 110mm x 320mm
Weight: 5.2kg

Available Loads for MM (Moving Magnet) cartridges:

Resistance

120kΩ
75kΩ
47kΩ
30kΩ
18kΩ

Capacitance

1kΩ
650Ω
400Ω
250Ω
150Ω
100Ω
60Ω

Variable Gain

45dB
50dB

Available Loads for MC (Moving Coil) cartridges:

0pf
50pf
100pf
150pf
220pf
270pf
330pf
380pf

Variable Gain

52dB
57dB
62dB
67dB
72dB
77dB
82dB
87dB