CHORD ELECTRONICS Mojo 2

SETUP:Headphones: Moondrop Variations IEM (~$520)Source: TIDAL (Mac Mini M1) -> Mojo 2Cable: stock Variations, but used balanced when possible... which made no diff aside from volumeCOMPARISONS:no DAC (headphone out on Mac Mini M1, free)Qudelix 5k (portable, ~$100)iFi hip-dac3 (portable, ~$200)iFi Zen DAC 3 (desktop, ~$230)No DAC:Honestly, after the Moondrops burned in (they were *extremely* weak in sub bass for the first few days of listening)... I was impressed by how great they sound straight from the desktop. The problem is really down to the brightness of the upper treble... the Variations are incredibly-resolving, for better or worse, and the upper range is pretty fatiguing out of the box.Qudelix 5k:If you're looking for tiny, this is hard to top... and I did not dig into the software to EQ (disclaimer), but merely powered it up and listened. It took about 30 seconds to rule it out as a contender in my setup... I'm sure it's perhaps great at its price point, but compared to the iFi hip-dac3, it had a very confined and compressed sound, with a narrow sound stage. EQ won't solve that.iFi hip-dac3:Form factor was great/luxurious, while certainly heavy for its relatively compact size. One gripe was the need for a separate charge cable if using this as a desktop setup. Secondly, it has no feet, as it's primarily designed for a portable setup - so it would slide around around on the desk. Regarding sound, I needed the X-bass boost on the Variations to make up for the lacking sub bass (until broken in), and overall I was very impressed with the sound. It was warm, rich, with a wide, airy soundstage... if not super deep. It seemed to help tone down the treble brightness (perhaps the Burr Brown DAC?)... the problem stemmed from the fact that some songs really needed the X-bass boost, but others fell apart under the extra *strong* bass boost.iFi Zen DAC 3:Essentially the same warm, wide sound signature of the hip-dac3 (as you might expect), although with a more desktop-friendly stance, and certainly a bit more power. Pro is that this was driven easily with a single USB-C cable. This quickly became the head-to-head with the Mojo 2, with hours of critical listening spent between the two. I could easily recommend this DAC/amp at the price point, and some might certainly prefer its warmer/relaxed sound and really wide stage to the Mojo 2. Also, at around 1/3 the price, it's obviously a better value for the $$ than the Mojo 2, I think it's safe to say.Chord Mojo 2:Since this is the primary device we're looking at here, I'm going to break this into further detail. Overall, this is staying in my setup despite me hoping (for my wallet) that it would fail to stack up to the cheaper competition... sigh.Mojo 2 UI:The UI is... ridiculous(ly unintuitive). You can't even use it without a cheat sheet of color codes and button press sequences. Feels like a fun-RGB-glowing version of a 1990's thermostat when they started adding function keys. You get used to it, and once set up, you probably won't fiddle with it much... saving grace?Mojo 2 Build Quality:Regarding build quality, it looks like cheap plastic, but is really a CNC machined block of aluminum. It feels solid like a tank - but looks deceptively like a plastic shell.Battery:Can't comment as this will mostly be used in a permanently charging setup - but I've been listening to it for a couple hours now on the battery alone and it's doing fine. My ears will hurt from the IEMs long before the battery gives out, I suspect.Connections:Not impressed here, TBH. Only 3.5 connections on the front, so no balanced outputs (I didn't need the extra volume) or beefier jacks - but I guess widely compatible at least? There are two 3.5mm jacks, which is super nice I suppose if you want to share the music with someone else. On the back, you charge/power the thing with micro-USB. I thought this awful connector had died years ago in favor of USB-C, but here it is again. At least there's a USB-C input kinda jammed down into the bottom corner of the device?Features (EQ):This is actually really nice... and while of course you can argue that EQ software is free, it's nice that this EQ can travel with me (Qudelix 5k would also have this benefit if you didn't mind its sound). Plus I have enough software running in my setup - really didn't need another process permanently going. In my case, I used this to supplement a bit more sub-bass, and cut a few dB off the upper treble to cut down on that fatiguing sibilance of the Variations. This feature also helps (IMO) justify a bit of the price, given that it can easily adjust to new IEMs as those come and go... without suddenly becoming a bad match and (a costly) replacement fodder.Features (Cross Talk):This is supposed to add a bit of an enhanced stereo effect by feeding a bit of the left channel into the right and vice versa. The concept is sound, but in practice, I found this only muddied up the clarity of the sound without the effect it promised. I'm keeping it off.Sound Stage:I would describe this as decently wide (a bit less wide than the iFi Zen DAC 3 at ~1/3rd the price though), but quite deep. Overall it could be better, but it's pretty decent, with great separation. A great test for this is Bubbles, by Yosi Horikawa, or SAD by 8D Audio. In particular, SAD (which is design to test Dolby Atmos surround I believe) was pretty incredible with the Mojo 2 + Variations.Sound:Obviously this is subjective, and after some mild EQ tuning on the Variations to better match the warm signature of the iFi DAC/amps... but the I would describe the difference would be like hearing a gorgeous-sounding speaker floating in space somewhere (iFi) versus... the actual person/thing in that same space (Mojo 2). It just sounded more "real". Now, that's not always to say "better"... you might really prefer the relaxed sound of the iFi... I certainly did on certain songs.In the end I just felt that the Mojo 2 did a better job of preserving detail and controlling messy parts of songs, and there's something chilling about that "realness" that some songs really capitalize on. It made things seem a bit more like a live performance, and less like chilling in a decked out listening room... which is what the best listening rooms strive for anyway.I never quite matched the smooth laid-back sound of the iFi DACs, so I would overall call this a more analytical DAC/amp, but with incredible control. In the end I did feel like it preserved more texture in the vocals and bass, where the iFi seemed to lose some of that in the overall warmth and wide "flatness" of the presentation.Conclusion:If this is in budget, I'd say definitely give it a listen. It has some really cool perks (name its sound & EQ), and a few quirks (buttons, inputs... maybe looks?)... but I would highly recommend pitting it against another DAC/amp or two to be sure. Ideally ones a bit cheaper to see if you can save some money!Recommended?Yeah, with reservations mostly around price.UPDATED 8/17/2024In the end, the Mojo 2 went back and was replaced (for now) with a desktop DAC/amp, the S.M.S.L. RAW-MDA 1 (a clunky, dedicated desktop device).Why?The Mojo was more finicky than I realized about cables, sources, etc - resulting in an international flight where I couldn't even use it. For the price, I expected reliable desktop AND travel usage. While I never had the overlap of the SMSL and the Mojo to do a proper A/B comparison, I can say confidently that the SMSL likely holds its own (or surpasses) the Mojo - at half the cost. I certainly prefer the Mojo size/form-factor/design, but that's it.

The Chord Mojo 2 is a remarkable upgrade to an already legendary portable DAC and headphone amplifier. It’s designed for audiophiles who demand uncompromising sound quality, and it delivers in spades. After spending time with the Mojo 2, I can confidently say it sets a new standard in portable audio.Pros:Exceptional Sound Quality:The Mojo 2 delivers an incredibly natural and detailed sound. The improved DAC architecture provides a wide soundstage, excellent clarity, and precise imaging. Bass is punchy yet controlled, mids are lush and engaging, and highs are crystal clear without being harsh.Advanced DSP Features:The new UHD DSP system is a game-changer. It allows for subtle but impactful EQ adjustments without degrading sound quality. This feature is perfect for tailoring the sound to your preferences or compensating for headphones with specific tonal characteristics.Improved Battery and USB-C Charging:The upgraded battery life is impressive, lasting up to 8 hours on a single charge. The addition of USB-C charging makes it more convenient and future-proof, though it retains Micro-USB for compatibility with older setups.Compact and Durable Design:True to its predecessor, the Mojo 2 is built like a tank with a sleek aluminum chassis. It’s compact enough for portable use yet robust enough to withstand everyday wear and tear.Crossfeed Feature:The new crossfeed function is ideal for creating a more speaker-like experience when listening with headphones. This is particularly enjoyable for long listening sessions.Versatile Connectivity:With inputs for USB, Coaxial, Optical, and an enhanced USB-C option, the Mojo 2 is highly versatile. It works seamlessly with smartphones, laptops, and other audio sources. Dual headphone outputs are also a nice touch for sharing.Cons:Price Point:While the Mojo 2 offers exceptional performance, its premium price may be a barrier for some. However, considering the build quality and sound performance, it’s a worthy investment for serious audiophiles.No Bluetooth:In an era where wireless connectivity is becoming standard, the lack of built-in Bluetooth may disappoint some users. That said, the Mojo 2 prioritizes sound quality, and wired connections ensure no compromise in audio fidelity.Steep Learning Curve:The multifunction buttons and color-coded system can be confusing at first, especially for newcomers. However, once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.Conclusion:The Chord Mojo 2 is a stellar portable DAC and headphone amplifier that exceeds expectations in both sound quality and functionality. It’s an ideal choice for audiophiles who value portable hi-fi performance and are willing to invest in uncompromised audio. Whether you’re at home or on the go, the Mojo 2 is a sonic powerhouse that will enhance your listening experience.

I spend a lot of time editing and mixing audio with DAC/amps and headphones when I'm away from my studio monitors. I own lots of this kind of gear. The Mojo 2 is the best portable unit that I've ever used. It does not have a typical off the shelf Burr-Brown or ESS chip. Chord designs its own and it is advanced, unique, and sounds amazing. The user interface is fantastic. You only need to understand that the menu button's null setting is either unlit or white, and the multi-function/volume up and down buttons are unlit in the null setting. Once you figure that out, it's easy to memorize the menu and muti-function sequence if you attended a decent public school. The beauty of the interface is that you don't have to read a tiny OLED screen, and the colors show up in all lighting conditions including direct sunlight. They can be dimmed for night use. The shelving and notch EQ's are calibrated at the perfect frequencies for most headphones and they are totally lossless. Ditto for the crossfeed feature which goes from very subtle to aggressive. One of the coolest audio products I've bought this year.