07-Sep-2023, 20:39
So the Tambaqui and Kaluga monoblocks have arrived and I had a quick 30 min test.
Keep in mind these are brand new so I'm not sure if and how the sound will change over time.
Very early physical/usage impressions:
- The Mola Mola app is pretty good. It connects to the Tambaqui via bluetooth, finding and connecting to the DAC in two seconds. The app allows you to configure and rename the four inputs, activate and deactivate the headphone output, update the firmware, change gain, speaker phase, playback volume etc.
- Build quality of the units is fantastic. I like the fit and finish.The volume level is easy to ready on the Tambaqui's screen.
- The units are all ⅓ size of a full sized component so they don't take up a massive amount of space.
- The remote is a solid aluminium wand. It allows you to power on/off the devices, change input and volume. The Devialet still has the upper hand as far as remote is concerned, just a pity that it is a finger print magnet. I also battled to keep the amps clean - even though I dusted them 3 times a week, walking past them when the sun's rays shone through the window onto the amp highlighting the fine layer of dust which drove me mad. The one 220PRO amp (that I bought used) had some fine scratches on the top surface. My OCD suffered with the shiny finish of the Devialet.
- The Roon integration is definately more stable than with the Devialet. Roon detected the Tambaqui immediately on the network. Controlling the song selection via the Roon app on my iPhone results in an immediate start of the next selected track. I sometimes battled to get the Devialet to not stutter which required a complete restart of the router and amp and when I got it going, selecting the next track skipped the first few seconds of the track.
Listening impressions:
- There is A LOT of power. The Kalugas are rated at 400W into 8ohm. They definitely seem to have more control over the Vivid Giyas.
- I have never heard the Giyas go so low. The bass definitely goes deeper, the Devialet did not go that deep (no SAM) but where it was lacking in depth, it was tight and clean.
- The background is super quiet. Small sounds and background noises in the mix are more easily discernible.
- Male vocals are definitely richer. One of my favourite tracks is The Fairfield Tour - These Bones and the baritones' voice is strong, rich, powerful and big.
- Female vocals tonality sound on par with the Devialet.
- Soundstage width and imaging accuracy is on par with the Devialet.The extra power on hand definitely pushes the sound further into the room making vocals more intimate and giving it more of a "being there" sensation.
I will post more thoughts / impressions as I spend more time with the DAC / amp.
Keep in mind these are brand new so I'm not sure if and how the sound will change over time.
Very early physical/usage impressions:
- The Mola Mola app is pretty good. It connects to the Tambaqui via bluetooth, finding and connecting to the DAC in two seconds. The app allows you to configure and rename the four inputs, activate and deactivate the headphone output, update the firmware, change gain, speaker phase, playback volume etc.
- Build quality of the units is fantastic. I like the fit and finish.The volume level is easy to ready on the Tambaqui's screen.
- The units are all ⅓ size of a full sized component so they don't take up a massive amount of space.
- The remote is a solid aluminium wand. It allows you to power on/off the devices, change input and volume. The Devialet still has the upper hand as far as remote is concerned, just a pity that it is a finger print magnet. I also battled to keep the amps clean - even though I dusted them 3 times a week, walking past them when the sun's rays shone through the window onto the amp highlighting the fine layer of dust which drove me mad. The one 220PRO amp (that I bought used) had some fine scratches on the top surface. My OCD suffered with the shiny finish of the Devialet.
- The Roon integration is definately more stable than with the Devialet. Roon detected the Tambaqui immediately on the network. Controlling the song selection via the Roon app on my iPhone results in an immediate start of the next selected track. I sometimes battled to get the Devialet to not stutter which required a complete restart of the router and amp and when I got it going, selecting the next track skipped the first few seconds of the track.
Listening impressions:
- There is A LOT of power. The Kalugas are rated at 400W into 8ohm. They definitely seem to have more control over the Vivid Giyas.
- I have never heard the Giyas go so low. The bass definitely goes deeper, the Devialet did not go that deep (no SAM) but where it was lacking in depth, it was tight and clean.
- The background is super quiet. Small sounds and background noises in the mix are more easily discernible.
- Male vocals are definitely richer. One of my favourite tracks is The Fairfield Tour - These Bones and the baritones' voice is strong, rich, powerful and big.
- Female vocals tonality sound on par with the Devialet.
- Soundstage width and imaging accuracy is on par with the Devialet.The extra power on hand definitely pushes the sound further into the room making vocals more intimate and giving it more of a "being there" sensation.
I will post more thoughts / impressions as I spend more time with the DAC / amp.
Devialet 440PRO CI/ Mola Mola Tambaqui + Kalugas / Vivid Audio Giya G2
Cape Town, South Africa
