Mola-Mola Makua User manual

Mola Mola
Kattegat 8
9723 JP Groningen
The Netherlands
[phone]
[email protected]
www.mola-mola.nl
Makua
the preamplifier
User’s Manual

Makua
Preamplifier
User’s Manual
R6
- 2 -
Please read this manual before operating the device
Packing list
Your product was shipped with the items checked below. Please verify that you find all
items mentioned in this list before you start setting up:
Item Qty Shipper’s signature
Preamplifier 1
Power Cord 1
Standard Remote Control Unit
Premium Remote Control Unit
Phono Option (internal)
DAC Option (internal)

Makua
Preamplifier
User’s Manual
R6
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Welcome
First off, congratulations! With the purchase of this product you have joined a growing
community of audiophiles who value truthful sound reproduction and who consider neutral
and transparent electronics a cornerstone in this pursuit. We at Mola Mola made it our
primary goal to build electronics capable of passing a signal with no discernible change at
all. Amplifiers make the signal bigger, converters turn the signal from a digital
representation into an analogue one. In all these processes we strive to add nothing and to
remove nothing.
Through our work designing professional audio equipment we have collected extensive
knowledge of how to achieve total freedom from colouration without having to resort to
minimalist circuitry. This allows us to build products that are purist without cutting back
functionality. So we decided that our preamp should be complete. Very complete.
The basic Makua Preamplifier is an extremely transparent gain stage and a programmable
routing matrix. The chassis has ample room to fit in optional extras, most notably a DAC
and a phono stage.
The 6 preset buttons are programmable via 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.
We wish you a lifetime of musical enjoyment with this product and thank you for your
custom.
Mola Mola Team

Makua
Preamplifier
User’s Manual
R6
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Table of contents
Welcome ....................................................................................................................... 3
Table of contents ........................................................................................................... 4
List of tables ............................................................................................................... 5
List of figures ............................................................................................................. 5
Important Safety Instructions .......................................................................................... 6
Connections & Controls ................................................................................................. 8
Rear ........................................................................................................................... 8
Front .......................................................................................................................... 9
DIGIN module (optional) ............................................................................................. 9
Setting Up .................................................................................................................... 10
Installation ................................................................................................................ 10
Connection ............................................................................................................... 10
Basic operation ............................................................................................................ 12
Factory Preset Mode ................................................................................................. 12
Front Panel Operation ............................................................................................... 12
Premium IR Remote Control Operation ...................................................................... 13
Standard IR Remote Control Operation ...................................................................... 13
Android® and iOS® ................................................................................................... 13
Advanced Control and Programming ............................................................................ 15
Signal Path ............................................................................................................... 15
Programmability ....................................................................................................... 16
The Mola Mola Remote app .......................................................................................... 17
Setting Up and Controlling the Phono Stage .............................................................. 25
Roon ........................................................................................................................... 29
DAC ......................................................................................................................... 31
Drivers and Updates ................................................................................................. 32
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................... 33
Audio performance data ............................................................................................... 34
Audio performance data Phono Stage ........................................................................... 35
Audio performance data DAC ....................................................................................... 36
Technical data .............................................................................................................. 37
Annex I: RC5 Codes ..................................................................................................... 38
Annex II: Serial Commands .......................................................................................... 39
Connection ............................................................................................................... 39
Command Format ..................................................................................................... 39
Command list ........................................................................................................... 39
Revision History ........................................................................................................... 41

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Preamplifier
User’s Manual
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List of tables
Table 1: Rear panel overview .......................................................................................... 8
Table 2: Front panel overview ......................................................................................... 9
Table 3: DIGIN module overview ..................................................................................... 9
Table 4: Digital source overview ................................................................................... 31
Table 5: Audio Performance Data ................................................................................. 34
Table 6: Audio performance data Phono Stage ............................................................. 35
Table 7: Audio performance data DAC .......................................................................... 36
Table 8: Technical Data ................................................................................................ 37
Table 9: RC5 Codes ..................................................................................................... 38
List of figures
Figure 1: Rear panel overview ......................................................................................... 8
Figure 2: Front panel overview ........................................................................................ 9
Figure 3: DIGIN module overview .................................................................................... 9
Figure 4: Sketch of the internal signal path. ................................................................... 15
Figure 5: The start-up page. ......................................................................................... 17
Figure 6: Home Page, Preset 1 is selected. ................................................................... 18
Figure 7: Preset Page, input 1 is selected. .................................................................... 20
Figure 8: About Page. ................................................................................................... 23
Figure 9: Phono Stage Page. ........................................................................................ 25
Figure 10: List of Phono Stage EQ Curves. .................................................................... 28
Figure 11: The Makua will show up on the Audio settings page in Roon ........................ 29
Figure 12: Fill in Zone Name ......................................................................................... 29
Figure 13: Click on Configure Device to go to the Makua webpage ................................ 30
Figure 14: The Makua webpage .................................................................................... 30
Figure 15: Firmware update tool. .................................................................................. 32

Makua
Preamplifier
User’s Manual
R6
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Important Safety Instructions
Mola Mola gaat er van uit dat u deze Engelstalige tekst volledig begrijpt. Als u hier
moeite mee heeft kunt U contact opnemen met Mola Mola. Op verzoek sturen wij u een
vertaling toe.
Mola Mola geht davon aus, dass Sie diesen Englischen Text völlig verstehen. Wenn
notwendig, nehmen Sie bitte Kontakt auf mit Mola Mola. Auf Wünsch wird Ihnen eine
Übersetzung zugeschickt.
Mola Mola suppose que le lecteur comprend parfaitement le texte en Anglais ci-
dessous. En tout cas de doute veuillez contacter Mola Mola. Une traduction sera vous
envoyée sur demande.
Mola Mola da por supuesto que el texto en versión Inglesa no ofrece ninguna duda de
interpretación y se entiende integramente. Si este no fuese su caso rogamos contacte
con Mola Mola quien, a petición, se encargaría de enviarle la correspondiente
traducción.
Throughout this document, some aspects of operation that have a potential impact on
safety or reliability are noted with the words “Warning” and “Caution”. Take particular care
reading and understanding these items. Paragraphs marked with “Warning” explain safety
measures required to maintain your personal safety. Paragraphs marked with “Caution”
pertain to danger to the equipment itself or to connected equipment. Please follow these
precautions when using this product:
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Follow all instructions.
4. Heed all warnings.
5. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Use only attachments or accessories specified by the manufacturer.
7. WARNING: Dangerous voltage is inside this apparatus. Opening is only allowed
by qualified service personnel.
8. WARNING: Do not defeat the safety purpose of the safety earth connection. Use
the provided three-prong power cord to ensure the product is connected to safety
earth. If the provided mains cord does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

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Preamplifier
User’s Manual
R6
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9. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
10. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of
time.
11. WARNING: Do not use this apparatus near water. Do not expose the apparatus to
dripping or splashing. Do not place objects filled with liquids (flower vases, drink
cans, coffee cups, etc) on the apparatus. Do not use this apparatus out of doors.
12. WARNING: Clean only with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth. Do not spray any liquid
cleaner onto the cabinet, as this may lead to dangerous shocks or malfunction.
13. CAUTION: This device runs slightly warm when operated normally. Operate in a
normally ventilated area.
14. CAUTION: Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. Avoid
exposure to direct sunlight.
15. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table designed for use with audio or music
equipment. In any installation, make sure that injury or damage will not result from
cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting.
16. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the
apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the power-supply cord
or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
17. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this
apparatus to rain or moisture.

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Preamplifier
User’s Manual
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Connections & Controls
Rear
Figure 1: Rear panel overview
# Function Notes
1
Analogue inputs, balanced
5 stereo pairs
2 Analogue inputs, unbalanced 5 stereo pairs
3 Analogue Outputs 2 parallel stereo pairs for bi-amping
4
Trigger Outputs
4 programmable outputs
5
Mains power input
6 Chassis ground terminal For turntable grounding
7 Option module void cover
8 (Un)Balanced toggle switch One for each input pair
9
Serial control port connection
Table 1: Rear panel overview

Makua
Preamplifier
User’s Manual
R6
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Front
Figure 2: Front panel overview
#
Function
Notes
1 Volume control knob With indicator LED
2 Power LED 1 LED, white or dim red
3
Preset indicator LED
6 LEDs, white
4
Presets
6 push buttons
Table 2: Front panel overview
DIGIN module (optional)
Figure 3: DIGIN module overview
# Function Notes
1
AES/EBU
2
Optical (Toslink)
3 USB type B USB audio + firmware updates
4 Network Only functional when network module is fitted
Table 3: DIGIN module overview
1
2
3
4

Makua
Preamplifier
User’s Manual
R6
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Setting Up
Installation
This product relies on free convection of air along the sides and top for cooling. Avoid
placing magazines, books or other objects on top of the product as this acts as thermal
insulation. Installation inside a cupboard is permissible provided at least 30cm (12”) of free
space above the product and 10cm (4”) around the sides is respected. Operation in closer
quarters requires some provision of forced convection (fan) to be installed inside the
cupboard.
Connection
CAUTION: Whenever you are plugging or unplugging cables, make sure that the volume
control is turned fully down. Failure to take this precaution may result in pops or bangs
in the loudspeaker. Use properly shielded interconnects with reliable connectors.
AC Power Input
Connect the supplied power cord to the AC input receptacle on the rear panel. Do not
connect the power cord until all the audio input and output connections have been made.
It is usually best to plug the product directly into a wall outlet. Avoid the use of extension
cords. A heavy duty multi-tap power outlet strip may be used if it and the wall outlet are
rated to handle the total current demanded by the components connected to it.
Your preamplifier has a universal input power supply, allowing it to operate anywhere from
90V to 240V mains.
If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time such as a month-
long vacation, it is a sensible precaution to unplug electronic equipment. Do the same as a
precautionary measure during thunderstorms. No amount of surge protection or mains
filtering will save your equipment from a lightning strike in the backyard.
Input Connections
Your preamplifier accepts both RCA and XLR type connectors. If your sources have both
RCA and XLR outputs, it is exceedingly likely that using the XLR connection sounds best.
Depending on which you choose, set the toggle switch to the corresponding input.
Grounding Post
Connect any turntable ground wires to the grounding post to minimize the chances of
capacitively induced hum on the phono cartridge from the turntable.