High Tech Mola-Mola Makua Preamplifier Has Equally High Tech MM/MC Option

Netherlands based Mola-Mola describes its Makua as a "transparent gain stage and a programmable routing matrix". We might call it a preamplifier but that would be selling it way short.

The high tech preamp has both a DSD DAC and programmable phono option that will be of interest to analogplanet.com readers.

Fully independent MC and MM stages are optimized respectively for current and voltage noise. Input gain is variable over a 40db range. Resistance and capacitance are individually switchable and most significantly, available EQ settings cover "practically all known cutting curves ever used, including most 78RPM. This is done by allowing adjustment of the two time constants and the bass shelf that can be set for RIAA or whichever others you wish to use.

Since the preamp can route any of its six inputs through the phono stage, only one phono stage is required since you can connect more than one turntable to the Makua and route the selected one through the phono section at the press of a touch screen.

Speaking of which, all phono preamp settings and all Makua settings can be remote control set via an iPad as seen in this picture showing designer Bruno Putzey's reflection.

The base price is $10,000, with phono and DAC options extra. Imported by On a Higher Note.

COMPANY INFO
On a Higher Note
info@onahighernote.com
(949)544 1990

COMMENTS
firedog55's picture

Possible connection to multiple turntables with massive choice of EQ curves - great idea for serious and rich vinyl lovers.

Paul Boudreau's picture

all of this equipment is seriously cool. It does make me wonder, though, how many of these manufacturers survive, say for five years, given the small, wealthy market for their offerings. Not a sour-grapes comment, just curious.

Michael Fremer's picture
Having attended these shows for decades, I keep seeing the same brands, the same esoteric brands, the same brands you'd probably think had a short shelf-life and would disappear but they don't. In fact were you to go to the Munich show you'd see dozens of brands you never heard of bigger than the ones you know. For instance T+A barely registers in America. They are big in Europe. I visited their factory and it is a FACTORY. I should post pictures in the Gallery section. You'd be amazed. Right now the top end is thriving and the bottom end in thriving. The middle is hurting, mostly because what's being produced at the bottom is so damn good. Guys like these Mola Mola guys probably did well in tech or in other fields and this is their hobby and passion. Happy to have them aboard!
Paul Boudreau's picture

hobby/passion angle makes sense. I think maybe T&A would need to change their name to sell in the US! Unless it means Time and Attendance, of course.

Michael Fremer's picture
T+A is not the same as "T&A" except in your mind Mr. Boudreau (and mine).
Paul Boudreau's picture

let the inner teenager out once in awhile!

readargos's picture

At least some dealers are calling it "T plus A". FWIW, what I've heard of theirs has been very good.

Toptip's picture

Twenty years ago, during a lull in my career, I thought, may be, I should pursue my hobby, my passion, hi-fi, as a career. Now conventional wisdom says that is a bad idea. But then conventional wisdom also says you should avoid all teachings of conventional wisdom.

Still, looking at the numbers, it seemed, even if I could make $1000 net-net-net on each unit sold, I would need to shift 100+ a year before I could pay one kid's schooling expenses. It was daunting. Most hi-fi sold for less than the profit I was seeking.

Today there is a new paradigm. On the one hand mainstream brands have priced themselves into oblivion: a Sony HTIB can be had for a few hundred dollars, comes with five speakers plus a subwoofer and can play anything on earth, from streaming services to SACD and sounds damn good.

Specialist audio, on the other hand, starts at 10X that amount. But how many units can they shift? I look at manufacturers at audio events. They all appear stressed out.

Probably still a bad idea. And a hobby.

AJW's picture

Eddie Murphy was asked why he bought a Ferrari, his reply: "Girls see it and want to f--k me". Ladies see your $10,000 preamp and head for the hills.

Toptip's picture

That only really works if the Ferrari comes with multi million dollar real estate. Otherwise it is about as effective in the ladies department as a boron cantilever.

AJW's picture

Audiophile: "Wanna take a ride in my Ferrari to my mansion on the hill to see my $50,000 tube amp? " Girl: "It's OK, I'll walk home."

Michael Fremer's picture
:-)
AJW's picture

The right channel on your $20,000 cartridge just went out, and so did your girl.

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