Mola Mola Tambaqui Roon vs Separate Streamers

Hello,  I have enjoyed my Tambaqui for about a year now, streaming directly via ethernet with Tidal, Qobuz and local files on a USB  RAID drive attached to my nucleus + in another room.  I have added several small front end upgrades;  I added a better switch (Silent Angel Bonn 8) in front of my Nucleus. I added a HDplex Linear Power supply for the Nucleus and the switch. I upgraded my short ethernet cables to Supra Cat 8.  I also added an EtherRegen directly in front of my Nucleus.  I feel all these things added, especially the EtherRegen.

Then about a month ago I added an Auralic Aries G2.1 streamer in front of my Tambaqui.  It was a major improvement.  More organic, richer and lifelike.  I looked at  but did not audition other more expensive streamers, such as Grimm.  One thing I noticed  that the more expensive streamers have is a very fancy power supply.  

I have now ordered a Sean Jacobs power supply to mod the Aries G2.1  I have heard that this is again a very significant improvement.  

BTW, the Tambaqui is amazing, and easily the best DAC I have heard.  My DAC path was Bluesound Node > PSAudio Direct Stream > Auralic Vega G2 > (demoed Chord Dave) > Tambaqui.  No contest each time.

And, Qobuz sounds better.  I have both subscriptions, and the only reason I keep Tidal is because some things are not on Qobuz.  Every Time I listen to a new album, ROON defaults to a Tidal version, and I have to search Versions and switch it to Qobuz.  Given the same resolution, Qobuz always sounds better to me.   Also, (Yes I understand Tambaqui does not do last unfold of MQA) MQA on my system does not sound as good as even a lower resolution version on Qobuz.

Hope all that helps!   Ken

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).