Chord Mojo 2

[RoA]

I am absolutely bowled over how much enjoyment this little item gives me.

Its difficult to put a finger on what exactly it is that it does so well. Rob Watts has his own technical explanations but to be honest, they are going over my head.

It is so coherent and ... complete that I usually forget to analyse music and just drift away with it.

I would not call it super analytical but in its own way it is. It's just that this is not done in the usual dry, lean and super widely spaced way rather it is all packed in to a wonderful 'compact' whole that has pin point staging, filigree detail, no harshness, lovely dynamics and just flows.

I think it was Currawong on Youtube that said that the remarkable thing about it is not the 'darkness' between notes but the way the Chord fills this in.

It is not Headphone or system agnostic. Although I do not have really expensive Headphones it drives them all and it does it well. Same as Stand alone DAC in my systems.

I love the 'balls' (they are not balls anymore). I find them entirely intuitive and enjoy that they are different. I take that anytime over a cramped, tiny display.

Build quality is first class.

Not so good things; As discussed many times elsewhere, Micro USB belongs in another era. Chord carried it over for use with its Poly but it's a pain. It was done for cost reasons but the Poly has been out for years so a slight re-design to USB C would not have done it any harm.

The case, although real leather and nicely made, was nearly 50 quid. Nothing gets cheaper and there are no alternatives (there is one on Amazon but it is till around £40) so I bit the bullet. Nicely protects the unit.

There are no nice accessories included. A rudamentary plastic case, even a bag and a few nice cables (ala iFi) would have been nice.

 

[RoA]

Just listening to

Roon 44khz/24 bit (Tidal)

Through MacBook USB out to Mojo and this time my lowly but lovely 58X Jubilee.

Oh my. The warmth, clarity, impact and dynamics are so nice, it takes me to a New York Studio, September 17, 1962.

High hats have an incredibly long reverb trail until they eventually disappear into thin air and there is no 'digital grain'. Drums hit hard and the double bass has that lovely wooden resonance. The music has body and dare I say ... soul.

This combination costs just over £600, source and subscriptions excluded.

There is no Hifi system in the world that probably would even approach 40% of this, probably less for this price.

It makes me wonder what the rest of Chords DAC's/HP amplifiers can do but with the Hugo TT2 costing close to £5000 I'll never find out.

I re-iterate, just how Chord can sell this for £500 (not made in the PRC) I really don't know.

To put the above in to perspective, my experience/knowledge of HeadFi is limited.

I have a Grado, Beyerdynamic, Meze, Hifiman and the above Sennheiser. I don't have any other 'specialised' Headphone amplifiers other than the Chord but both my Hegel and Cyrus amplifiers are said to have excellent Headphone stages as has my MacBook Pro M1 14 2021. None of them quite have the SQ of the Mojo though. Individually they do good things but all lack in areas.

Hope this helps anyone on the fence on whether to get this little Chord.

Of course, we all like different things but I can't imagine too many objecting to the balanced but fun signature of the Mojo 2.

Ergonomics may be another story but this user likes it, a lot.

 

[twinkletoes]

preaching to the choir my friend, i have chord qutest i like you love it. really does bring another dimension to music that other brands just cant match.

 

[suburbansky]

I'm willing to believe all that is said above... But the Mojo 2, for me, falls into the nomansland between my two ways of listening: Mobile (Tidal on mobile phone or FiiO player) and home (fixed stereo setup) - it's too much of a hassle as a mobile device on the one hand and isn't supposed to be used in a fixed setup on the other hand. Who exactly does Chord have in mind for their target audience of this?

 

[RoA]

it's too much of a hassle as a mobile device on the one hand and isn't supposed to be used in a fixed setup on the other hand. Who exactly does Chord have in mind for their target audience of this?

Why is it not supposed to be used in a fixed set-up?

 

[Al ears]

Why is it not supposed to be used in a fixed set-up?

because its designed as a portable and has an inbuilt power supply???? Perhaps.

 

[suburbansky]

Why is it not supposed to be used in a fixed set-up?

Chord advises strongly against leaving it plugged in permanently, because this will damage the battery. Also, the output is fixed to headphone level - it can be switched towards a more powerful output to feed into an amp but will jump back to headphone mode when switched off. All in all, not too fixed setup-friendly. The Qutest is aimed at that market but it cost about three times as much, and it doesn't have headphone section. I still don't understand why there isn't a "Mojo Home" version, with a headphone amp section and a level output to feed into an amp but without the battery - everything the Cambridge DACMagic 200 has.

 

[RoA]

because its designed as a portable and has an inbuilt power supply???? Perhaps.

No.

Extract from Chord Instruction Manual;

6.1 Connecting to power Mojo 2 can be used while constantly connected to power, or on the go.

A blue charge status LED indicates the maximum battery capacity range has been reached. If Mojo 2 is left constantly on charge, it will enter intelligent desktop mode to protect the battery from overcharging. This will be indicated by a purple battery status light.

 

[suburbansky]

No.

Extract from Chord Instruction Manual;

6.1 Connecting to power Mojo 2 can be used while constantly connected to power, or on the go.

A blue charge status LED indicates the maximum battery capacity range has been reached. If Mojo 2 is left constantly on charge, it will enter intelligent desktop mode to protect the battery from overcharging. This will be indicated by a purple battery status light.

Yes, I read that as well a few months ago, when on the lookout for a DAC for my system... but further research has revealed that Chord nonetheless advises against leaving it plugged 24/7.

Don't get me wrong: I'd buy the Mojo instantly, e.g. if I were a long-distance commuter or anything. But it's not really suited to be used at home nor for the quick pram-pushing stroll around the park or the 10-minute-ride busride to the city centre, for which it's too clunky for me, both physically and with regards to its controls.

 

[Al ears]

No.

Extract from Chord Instruction Manual;

6.1 Connecting to power Mojo 2 can be used while constantly connected to power, or on the go.

A blue charge status LED indicates the maximum battery capacity range has been reached. If Mojo 2 is left constantly on charge, it will enter intelligent desktop mode to protect the battery from overcharging. This will be indicated by a purple battery status light.

whatever, if it has an inbuilt battery is was essential planned as a portable device. It you want a device for inhouse there is little point in paying for that inbuilt battery. Simple as..
I never said it couldn't be used for either situation.

 

[RoA]

Do you have a link to this?

I use it both with my Hifi and for Headphones. No issue and the controls very quickly become intuitive and make a refreshing change from the usual fare from Shenzhen around this price.

Your mentioned Cambridge Audio looks good but I have not heard it.

Imho the Chord is a veritable bargain from a High End Manufacturer.

 

[RoA]

whatever, if it has an inbuilt battery is was essential planned as a portable device. It you want a device for inhouse there is little point in paying for that inbuilt battery. Simple as..

Not quite 'simple as'.

Why don't you hear (and use) one for yourself for a while and see what you think?

 

[Al ears]

Not quite 'simple as'.

Why don't you hear (and use) one for yourself for a while and see what you think?

You presume to assume I haven't already done so or indeed whether I might actually own one.
You appear to be such a fanboy you are not actually reading what I am saying.
i am not dismissing it as a good device in the right circumstance
However I restate, if it has an inbuilt battery it was essentially designed as a portable device, simple as...

 

[suburbansky]

Do you have a link to this?

I think it was this... but the page seems to have disappeared.

Your mentioned Cambridge Audio looks good but I have not heard it.

I like it but according to what you read it's inferior to the Mojo soundwise. Since I haven't heard the Mojo, I can't compare.

Imho the Chord is a veritable bargain from a High End Manufacturer.

I agree, probably. Just not tailored to my current needs.

 

[landco]

I have a bad experience with Chord Mojo. When charging there are extraneous sounds (whistle) this is a massive defect, many people complained about the same problems. In addition, adjusting the volume is dangerous; you can forget what level you set last time and go deaf. Well, the most convincing argument against it is that the sound quality is the same as from a smartphone, I didn’t see the difference, I tried it with different headphones.

 

[nopiano]

I have a bad experience with Chord Mojo. When charging there are extraneous sounds (whistle) this is a massive defect, many people complained about the same problems. In addition, adjusting the volume is dangerous; you can forget what level you set last time and go deaf. Well, the most convincing argument against it is that the sound quality is the same as from a smartphone, I didn’t see the difference, I tried it with different headphones.

What headphones are you using with the Mojo and your smartphone?

 

[Jasonovich]

The Mojo redefines idiosyncratic. I did originally considered this as my choice of DAC but l looked at it, how could something so small, with odd Pool buttons sound so good? It kind of defies logic?

This is it with the Chord, you take it or leave it and I guess, I could have lived with the styling but was put off, that it wasn't permanently stationary every time you pressed a button.

It is the Volkswagen Beetle equivalent of the DAC

 

[nopiano]

It is the Volkswagen Beetle equivalent of the DAC

I was thinking more Fisher-Price, my first DAC!

 

[Jasonovich]

I was thinking more Fisher-Price, my first DAC!

😂😂. Somebody give me a glass of water, I just lost all my tears from laughing!

 

[Mr. Reeee]

because its designed as a portable and has an inbuilt power supply???? Perhaps.

Look in the manual, they mention a desktop mode.

My Mojo 2 is happily connected to my MacBook Pro.
I listen with either Grado RS-1X or Etymōtic ER4SR buds.

I never listen to music walking around. I find it incredibly disorienting.
The Mojo 2 was a happy medium between a simple dongle DAC and a more hardcore hi-fi component type headphone DAC/amp.

 

[Mr. Reeee]

The Mojo redefines idiosyncratic. I did originally considered this as my choice of DAC but l looked at it, how could something so small, with odd Pool buttons sound so good? It kind of defies logic?

This is it with the Chord, you take it or leave it and I guess, I could have lived with the styling but was put off, that it wasn't permanently stationary every time you pressed a button.

It is the Volkswagen Beetle equivalent of the DAC


View attachment 5194

I just use it for volume and don't diddle around with any of the equalizer settings… FLAT is where it's at!
I do like the look, kawaii buttons and the different colored lights.

I must say, it is kind of an idiotic "user interface". Incredibly opaque.
They must've kidnapped some VCR designer from a nursing home to help them design this. 😛

 

[flouncer]

Mobile phones are also meant to be used on the go and have a battery and yet they are killing landlines all over. The battery also gives it a stable power supply.

 

[Mr. Reeee]

Just listening to

Ordered a copy of Money Jungle! Thanks for pointing the way!

 

[gitesh_b]

I recently brought B & W 706 s2 speakers but I find them bright for listening to streaming music on my stereo setup comprising of harman kardon 3380 stereo receiver , speakers and iPad . They are causing me ear fatigue though rest of the family is fine !!

I use my iPad directly connected to my Harman kardon 3380 stereo receiver to run the speakers . On the iPad I stream Amazon music .

I was thinking about some solution for brightness and I read about mojo 2 . My question is that can I use Mojo 2 equaliser connected to my iPad for reducing the brightness in my stereo set up .

 

[nopiano]

I recently brought B & W 706 s2 speakers but I find them bright for listening to streaming music on my stereo setup comprising of harman kardon 3380 stereo receiver , speakers and iPad . They are causing me ear fatigue though rest of the family is fine !!

I use my iPad directly connected to my Harman kardon 3380 stereo receiver to run the speakers . On the iPad I stream Amazon music .

I was thinking about some solution for brightness and I read about mojo 2 . My question is that can I use Mojo 2 equaliser connected to my iPad for reducing the brightness in my stereo set up .

What effect did your amp’s treble control have?

Are you still using the speakers on a glass table, as you mentioned in your own thread?