Add a pre-amp to Mola Mola Tambaqui?


In your experience is it worth it to add a preamp to the tambaqui?

I have a lumin u2 that features leedh processing

after listening to the tambaqui I am dead set on it. however, im wondering if i should get the makua pre-amp and add the tambaqui module ($20,700 retail) vs 13.5k retail tambaqui stand alone

I could also potentially use a different pre-amp maybe with a tube input stage.

however if i can avoid the pre-amp it would be preferable as that is a significant cost

i would be connecting to a krell duo 300 xd amp which feed kef blade speakers

 

does anyone have experience with this particular dac with/without preamp. How about preamp pairings?

questforhifi

I have owned a Tambaqui and at the same time had a customer consign a Makua with the DAC built in. Unless you are dead set on conserving space, I would opt for a separate preamp and use the full Tambaqui unit. While the preamp is very clean, it did not offer good harmonics, and its effect on the Sonics left it a bit dry and processed sounding compared to many other preamps I’ve tried. 

I’ve also posted in other threads about DACs and their analog stages and have mentioned that after testing, I would never run a Tambaqui direct to amp. Its built in volume control is abysmal for a $14K unit. You will absolutely gain much (pun intended) by adding a quality preamp to the chain. 

Honestly, a wonderful and affordable tube preamp that would pair with the Tambaqui and has a small form factor is the Audio Mirror Linea. It is barebones but at $3K better sounding that Vinnie Rossi solutions that cost over $10K. 

thanks very much for all the feedback. I am now looking at these recommendations.

The reason I am leaning toward a warmer preamp is because I use a pair of stealth audio silver speaker cables that use helium vacuum dielectric. The dielectric constant is close to 1.0... So in terms of speed, these are as fast sounding as they get. They are a good match with the blades as it amplifies all the strengths of the speakers. lots of subjective "air" from the cables combined with the uni-q design of the blades already gives an ultra detailed, transparent, and holographic presentation

So I’m very much worried about a clinical sound signature. I dont want something that would spoil the sound I’m getting and be dry

I can very much afford something more analog sounding as I’m sure the presentation will still be ultra detailed

 

One of the main attractions to the Tambaqui to me is that it doesnt sound very digital.

It’s all about system matching

also, and i dont know if this is allowed on the forums, I dont know ultimately where to buy the tambaqui. The only online seller I can see is the music room. I would prefer to buy direct from a dealer. I live in Illinois if that helps. thanks

How do you know the Tambaqui doesn’t sound “digital “ if you never heard it?
TMR will take it back if you don’t like how it sounds. Not all local dealers will offer this benefit

I heard it but I don’t own it

i have friends.... i would just go to the same place he bought his except he bought a used unit and i cant seem to find one..

i check this website every day and never see it drop on the market