The Perca is a Class D stereo power amplifier from Mola Mola, the Dutch company in Groningen whose parent is Hypex Electronics, built in Mola Mola's half-size chassis. In the range it serves stereo systems, next to the Kaluga mono amplifier, and it shares its amplifier platform with the Kula integrated amplifier. Mola Mola names the Makua preamplifier and the Tambaqui DAC as sources that can switch it on through its trigger input.
Key specs that matter
Output is 2 x 150 W into 8 ohm and 2 x 300 W into 4 ohm, and the manual gives 125 W per channel as a typical figure into 8 ohm with both channels driven on 230 V mains. Gain is switchable between 22 and 28 dB. Signal to noise ratio is 128 dB unweighted, and THD and intermodulation distortion are typically 0.0003%, with a maximum of 0.0005%. Input impedance is 100 kOhm, output impedance 2 mOhm and the damping factor about 4000. Bandwidth runs from DC to 100 kHz at -3 dB. Balanced and single-ended inputs are selected with a toggle, and the speakers connect to two pairs of Furutech posts. A 3.5 mm trigger input accepts 2 to 15 V AC or DC. The amplifier draws 0.45 W at idle and up to 800 W, measures 215 x 110 x 340 mm and weighs 5.25 kg.
Engineering and use context
Power amplification follows the Hypex NCORE concept, a self-oscillating Class D design with extensive feedback. This feedback keeps the output impedance extremely low, so the amplifier behaves almost as an ideal voltage source regardless of the loudspeaker load. Ultra-low-distortion Class A input stages sit on a separate board with their own voltage regulation. The Furutech binding posts are wired directly to the amplifier board to keep the output path short. Mains input switches automatically between 100 to 120 V and 200 to 240 V. Cooling is by free convection without a fan, and Mola Mola asks for 30 cm of free space above and 10 cm at the sides when the amplifier is placed in a cabinet. The switchable gain lets the amplifier match both low-output and high-output preamplifiers and DACs.
Pairing
The Perca has no level control of its own, so its signal comes from a preamplifier or from a source with variable output, and Mola Mola's own Makua and Tambaqui both provide volume adjustment alongside the trigger link. Since its output doubles from 8 to 4 ohm, it drives most loudspeakers, including low-impedance designs.
Alternatives
The Mola Mola Kaluga is the mono power amplifier with 400 W into 8 ohm for larger systems.