CHORD ELECTRONICS Mojo 2

SETUP: Headphones: Moondrop Variations IEM (~$520) Source: TIDAL (Mac Mini M1) -> Mojo 2 Cable: stock Variations, but used balanced when possible... which made no diff aside from volume COMPARISONS: 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 8/17/2024 In 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.

This is going to appear somewhat redundant so I'll try approaching this from a different direction. Allow me to provide a baseline. I am fortunate to own some good gear. I'll stay focused on amp's and dac's. I chose to use the Beyerdynamic DT1990 for this review as it's an excellent performer that can be punishing on less than stellar gear and attainable without taking out a second mortgage. I currently own three systems I primarily use. The Burson Conductor and Composer with swappable OP Amps. The Schiit Bifrost 2/64 paired to a Woo Audio WA7 with tube upgrades. Also started this journey with the Arist R2R Dac paired with the Cavalli Tube Hybrid and LCX+LDAC. The Burson setup and Woo/Bifrost setups are excellent performers but quite expensive. I have read much about Chord Mojo2 and decided to pull the trigger for a portable option. I was expecting good sound from the many reviews but certainly did not expect this small device to elevate the listening experience to the level it does. I won't go into detailed descriptions of the sound quality impressions as that is easily available. What I will say is if you're thinking of investing in an end game system that will cost you four figures save some money and just buy the Mojo2. This little device literally comes to within 90% of the performance of the $2K+ systems mentioned above and easily outperforms the very good MassDrop gear. Chord and reputable reviewers aren't exaggerating when they say you'll have to spend well over $1K to get anywhere near this quality of sound. I am perplexed at how Chord got this miniature device to decode with such sophistication and dynamic power. There is no discernible level change when connecting two similar headphones to the unit at the same time. The first impression I got when unboxing was, "Wow, this is smaller than I thought". The size is misleading. It is solid enough to not get dragged over the desktop too much. It sounds just as good connected to an iPad as it does connected to a PC. This is not the case with the Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt which is good but nowhere near the Mojo2. The AudiQuest sounds much better connected to a PC than a mobile device mostly due to available power. This takes a lot away from it's portable performance which is it's primary function. I could live with this as my main system. The Mojo2 is not inexpensive but I assure you that you will gladly make payments on this. Thumbs up to Chord.

Seller sent me a used second hand unit, not a brand new one! Packaging box has yellow dis colorization and glue marks. Unit charging port has scratches indicates it has been used. That is totally unacceptable for am item that is over $600. Stay away from this seller, it's a scam! Besides all that, I was able to test this unit, and it is really an underwhelming audio product. Menus are nightmare to navigate, whoever came up with this menu system should lose his job. Maybe for kindergarten children it's fun to play with but for serious audiophiles it's really a joke. And what about the audio quality? It's really nothing special, I don't get the rave reviews. This is a really mediocre audio product, there are 100 times better options are available. To me it sounds pretty average, nothing extraordinary about it's sound signature. It definitely doesn't worth $620. You can find better DAC/AMP combos for much less. It's a waste of money and time to deal with the idiotic color spheres menu system.

TLDR: this thing is the best all-in-one DAC I have ever heard. It is synergistically perfect with the Sennheiser HD800S to the point where I wonder if that is what they targeted in development. WOW! I bought the Sennheiser HD800S a few years ago and thought it was great, but felt it was not living up to its potential. I knew it had potential in part because I have had the Senn IE800 in ears for a long time. (Senn graciously replaced those for me after my first set broke after a few years (and this was a grey market pair - how is that for customer service)). I was shooting for my end game headphone. I had just moved and had sold my Gallo Reference 3.5 speakers, McIntosh MC275 and Benchmark DAC 2. I was bummed, to say the least, that the sound was not living up to what I hoped it would. I bought a number of well-reputed all-in-one DACs to run the Senns with, including high-powered ones, and was never quite satisfied. I was blaming then Senns - watching all the YouTube videos of experts claiming various engineering/tonal deficiencies in the Senns, etc. I had the Chord Mojo OG, and thought it was amazing with my Focal Massdrop headphones. Very, very good, until I smashed the Chord around enough on my work commute to break it. So, I took the plunge and tried the Chord Mojo 2, after a few years, at full price mind you (which has come down from the original). This is worth every penny. If you have "serious" headphones and a hi-def streaming service or network, then you owe it to yourself to try this DAC. I am grateful I did, because I was about to go into the whole try the Hifima this, Utopia that, etc. game (not that those are not awesome HFs), and am glad to finally hear great music out of my Senns. Now, if I can buy back that McIntosh and get some KEF Blades after winning the lottery, then I can put these HFs down.

I have an Eversolo A6 streamer with high-res music installed this by far surpasses the Eversolo A6. My stereo is audio file grade. this is now my desktop dac. Superior product audio research d130 amp adcom GFP 750 preamp Ariel A6 Tower speakers REL storm III sub

I've used the Mojo 2 for a month now and feel ready to give it an honest review. My mobile setup consists of an Iphone 13 pro, connected with the apple camera connection cable tethered to the Chord supplied micro-usb cable. IEM mostly used were the Unique Melody Mest MK2. Music steaming services used, Tidal masters app and Amazon Music hi-res streaming app. I've had zero issues connecting the Iphone to the Mojo 2, using Tital Masters and Amazon Music unlimited. I'm comparing the Mojo 2 against CEntrance’s DACportable, a great DAC/amp that I've owned since they were first developed, the DACportable is half the price, not as versatile but it absolutely holds it's own as a strict moble DAC/amp. The Mojo 2 is slightly more musical than the DACPortalbe overall, the biggest difference is with vocal clarity and detail. For me the Mojo 2 wins as a mobile device in a big way for excellent treatment to vocals. The Mojo 2 also wins over the DACPortalbe for having better DSP functions, where the DacPortable has an on/off switch for it's bass and treble adjustments the Mojo 2 has much greater adjustment for you to play with. The other major win for the Mojo 2 is the crossfeed function! I've been looking for this since Audioforge Labs Inc. Equalizer offered it for Iphones. Sorry Audioforge, I told everyone I knew with Iphones to get your app. I still love my DacPortable and will continue to use it until she dies but the Mojo 2 is just too much of a step up in the DAC/amp world to pass up. For Mojo 2 battery life I don't know if I get six hours of playtime but definitely, 4-5 hours solid. Now as a desktop DAC/amp hooked up to my windows 10 PC connected via Toslink Fiber-Optic Cable straight out of the Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus, the Mojo 2 is a completely different beast. In a desktop setup the Mojo 2 streaming the same Tidal and Amazon music into the same UM Mest MK2s wow! the Mojo 2 scales up bigtime with a better source feeding the data. Everything that is good about the Mojo 2 as a portable device is now better, the bass, dynamics, soundstage, vocals, instrument separation are all so much better than how the Mojo 2 sounds as a mobile device. The biggest plus for me personally in desktop mode is the crossfeed function. Sometimes when using the Mojo 2 with the Iphone, the crossfeed didn't sound good enough even when set to the max setting. Using crossfeed connected to the PC is awesome and I find myself using this function of the Mojo 2 more. I've had the Centrance DACMini as my primary desktop device for years now and the Mojo 2 will be taking it's job until further notice. I think the Mojo 2 is a solid purchase if you own lower impendence headphones and iems, love all kinds of music and you listen to music primarily at home or work on a PC with a strong clean audio signal feed. Honestly I will most likely be using my Mojo 2 strictly at home/work as my desktop unit and leave the mobile duties to the DacPortable, unless I'm going to CanJam, then I will definitely be taking the Mojo 2 with me. Final words, if you want to get the best out of the Mojo 2 in any configuration, mobile or desktop give it the best/strongest data signal you can and you will not be disappointed.

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.

Es de los mejores dacs portátiles del mercado. El sonido es excelente y aún mejor la variedad de ajustes de ecualización y crossover. Los botones por color pueden ser confusos al principio pero te adaptas muy rápido. Lo único que no entiendo es para qué le pusieron 2 salidas de 3.5mm, nunca las utilizarás al mismo tiempo a menos que tengas dos audífonos iguales porque es el mismo volumen de salida. Lo más útil hubiera sido 3.5 y 4mm como el modelo actualizado. Vale la pena por el tamaño y sonido, pero búscalo en oferta porque si está en el rango (muy) alto de precio

Sonido nítido y un punto cálido. No llega a transparencia del Hugo 2 pero este es mucho más barato.

Is it a huge upgrade over original Mojo? Nope. It is slightly different, trying it side by side on my 800s, LCD-3 and other cans I can say that they sound great, the bass is definitely different and weaker by default from the original, maybe more accurate. Overall it might be marginally better, but to my ears it's a small upgrade so if you're already happy with your original Mojo and your battery life is still good no groundbreaking reasons to upgrade. + Sound Quality + Lossless EQ Adjustments + USB C + Smart Desktop Charging Mode is a nice addition - Tacked on USBC cutout in otherwise beautiful design looks weird

Ich höre gerne und viel Musik. Die Musik steht dabei klar im Vordergrund. Es geht mir nicht um HiFi des HiFi-Willens wegen, sondern um mehr davon zu bekommen, was der Tonträger hergibt. Ich habe eine echte DAC Odyssee hinter mir. Es sollte nämlich auf jeden Fall eines mit Kopfhörerausgang sein, denn ich muss in späten Abendstunden auch auf den Rest des Hauses Rücksicht nehmen, möchte aber nicht auf Mahler nachts um elf verzichten müssen... Das grenzt die Auswahl schon etwas ein. Außerdem möchte ich als Quelle auch mein Telefon verwenden können. Das RME ADI-2 DAC FS war mir zu steril, das DacMagic 200M ohne Seele (sorry...), die DragonFlys zu flimsy, die Pro-Ject Head Box S2 ging, hat aber nichts in mir bewegt. Am furchtbarsten waren aber die Topping Sachen; nach zehn Minuten machte sich in mir ein Gefühl arger Nervosität breit und ich wollte nur noch ausmachen. Ich dachte dann, ich lasse es einfach bleiben und akzeptiere, dass mir nichts gefällt. Zumindest nichts bis 1500 €, was so mein gedankliches Limit war. Dann kam das mojo 2 heraus und ich habe es bestellt. Dachte, ich werde es ohnehin zurücksenden... Schon beim ersten Hören sprang aber der Funke sowas von über! Welch eine Freude! Es klingt einfach sehr musikalisch, ich würde sagen fast analog obwohl einige Reviews der Meinung sind, es sei mehr auf der analytischen Seite. Ich finde es vereint beides. Sehr warm, alles über 6kHz wenig aufdringlich, null nervig aber fein im Detail. "Untenrum" eher tight und kurz, leicht punchy aber eben auch in Maßen und nicht aufdringlich. Erst von mir ignoriert, bei manchen (weniger guten) Aufnahmen aber ganz toll vor allem im Kopfhörerbetrieb ist das crossfade und der EQ; damit kann man einfach auf ein gutes Steak noch einen Hauch Salz aus der Mühle geben um eben noch mehr davon zu haben... Nach ca. einem viertel Jahr bot sich neulich bei leerem Haus die Gelegenheit in Ruhe das mojo auch am Hörplatz auszuprobieren. Ich wollte die Leningrader Symphnoie von Schostakowitsch hören, hatte schon begonnen und dachte, mal sehen, was das mojo draus macht. (Londoner, 1993, Haitink, DECCA, absolut empfehlenswert...) Der Versuch hat überwältigt. Ein unglaublicher Gewinn an räumlicher Tiefe, krasses tiefes Blech und butterweiche Streicher. Überwältigend der attack vom Schlagwerk. Die kleine Trommel lebt, die Hölzer zum Greifen nahe. Welch ein Genuss! Aber jetzt nochmal nachdenken. 600 €. Da kann man auch was anderes für kaufen, aber: Mega DAC, super Kopfhörerverstärker und sogar für zwei, herausragende Haptik, portabel, cleveres Batteriemanagement, einfache Bedienung (wenn man mal das Prinzip verstanden hat und sich nicht an Farbcodes aufhängt...). Wenn man das alles bedenkt ist das Ding echt preiswert, fast schon günstig. Eigentlich ist es ein nobrainer... Schade, dass ich es nicht schon früher hatte und so viel verpasst habe. Naja, muss ich halt die ganze schöne Musik nochmal hören - macht ja nix... :-)

Beaucoup de réglages mais un peu difficile de s'y retrouver dans les codes couleurs qui varient selon le menu de base. Une cohérence entre eux aurait été parfait.