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The Mola Mola Makua preamplifier is an extremely transparent gain stage and a programmable routing matrix. The chassis has ample space to accommodate optional modules, a DAC and a phono stage. The 6 preset buttons are programmable via RS232 or Bluetooth to access any combination of channel, processing and routing. In a system with mainly digital sources, the preset buttons would be programmed to select between them. Vinyl lovers on the other hand might want to use several buttons to select the same turntable but with different EQ settings to suit their large collection of historic LP’s.

All five inputs are switchable between XLR and floating RCA connections, and all can be assigned as either phono or line level. All stages in the Mola Mola 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 Mola Mola Makua is 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.

Specifications

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)
Mola Mola Phono stage
Mola Mola DAC
Dimensions (W x H x D) in mm: 420mm x 110mm x 345mm
Weight: 11kg

Optional DAC Module

The converter is a two board stack that fits into one of the option slots in the preamp. 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 breath taking 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. A quick look at current and historic trends of high-end IC’s indicates that for the foreseeable future this kind of performance will remain unavailable to manufacturers forced to rely on the same ‘chip du jour” that also powers their competitors’ products.

Even by today’s exacting standards, extraordinary care has been taken to deal with jitter. Mola Mola’s DAC uses a home-grown asynchronous upsampling algorithm whose input frequency measurement slows down rapidly until after a few seconds of lock, the frequency ratio measurement is frozen. Frequency stability is then wholly determined by the internal clock, a laboratory grade 100MHz SC-cut oscillator. This is effectively an atomic clock sans the physics package (which contributes nothing to spectral purity but quite a lot to cost).
Optional DAC Specifications:
AES/EBU (XLR)
Optical (Toslink)
USB type B
Bluetooth (SBC, AAC, APTX, LDAC)
Ethernet (Roon Ready)
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)

Optional Phono Module

What was originally intended to be a simple RIAA add-on for the Makua Preamp has quickly spiraled into the quietest and probably most versatile phono stage ever built. MC/MM input stages are optimized 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 used, including most 78RPM.

All settings are software controllable, either on the fly using a smart-phone and tablet via the Mola Mola Remote app or directly stored under the preset buttons. The preamp can be configured to route any input through the phono stage, this allows you to have multiple turntables and cartridges connected.
Optional Phono Stage 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
Weight 13 kg
Dimensions 550 × 500 × 180 mm
DAC Module

No DAC Module, With DAC Module
Phono Module

No Phono Module, With Phono Module
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