Chord Mojo

Baggins_451 · 27 Apr 2019 at 14:38

Hi all, I’m thinking of picking up a Mojo and wondered if anyone here has experience with this dac and would share their thoughts

I like the portability of this dac, I could hook it up to the living room NUC, the office PC, my laptop, use it in the camper van etc etc.

I listened to one a few years ago when I was looking for something portable ( ended up with a Questyle QPR1 ) and was impressed by its performance but would have another listen before buying.

Anyone have any opinions?

TALON1973 · 27 Apr 2019 at 20:09

The mojo has been on my radar the last 2 years. Serious looking piece of kit. Built like a tank.

gEd · 30 Apr 2019 at 01:38

I have owned one for 3-4 years, It's a really excellent DAC and headphone amp.

Lartyconshayo · 30 Apr 2019 at 07:09

Mojo user here. Only gripe is it can't be used while charging. But otherwise love it.

PapaLazaru · 30 Apr 2019 at 15:49

Do any of you use it solely as a desktop amp? Are there any downsides? I kind of wish they would release one without a battery.

gEd · 30 Apr 2019 at 22:42

Lartyconshayo said:
Mojo user here. Only gripe is it can't be used while charging. But otherwise love it.

well I can with mine...

Lartyconshayo · 1 May 2019 at 01:41

Isn't it advised against doing it in the instructions ?

Ryanr1987 · 1 May 2019 at 10:35

Overall it's okay. You can get better sound from a Modi 3 + Magni 3/Vali 2 or SDAC + Liquid Spark for almost half the price though.

Mojo is compressed, lacks dynamics but warm and extended at both ends and a little weird in the treble. I like the Mojo for some headphones but it's overpriced.

gEd · 1 May 2019 at 22:27

Lartyconshayo said:
Isn't it advised against doing it in the instructions ?

We recommend charging with Mojo switched off. Charging with Mojo switched on and playing is possible, but the time taken to fully charge will be considerably longer and depending on volume level and headphone load the battery. It is possible that, when using headphones of high load, the battery may take extremely long to fully charge. It is normal for Mojo to become warm when charging especially if switched on and playing at the same time.

gEd · 1 May 2019 at 22:56

PapaLazaru said:
Do any of you use it solely as a desktop amp? Are there any downsides? I kind of wish they would release one without a battery.

If you mean to drive speakers and use as a DAC only (not headphone amp), I don't think it's the perfect device.
To set the output level to 3V ( line level ) for connection to a preamplifier press both volume buttons together when switching on the unit. Both volume balls will illuminate light blue. This mode is not remembered so when you switch off it will reset back to the previous volume stored for safety reasons.

When driving my Harman Kardon Sound Sticks, I found the 3V output too high (2V is more typical) and this caused some distortion which I was able to fix by reducing the gain (in the digital domain) in the Roon playback software that I use.
As a portable headphone DAC, I am not sure if there is anything better. You need to decide what features are most important to you.

Lartyconshayo · 2 May 2019 at 08:06

gEd said:
We recommend charging with Mojo switched off. Charging with Mojo switched on and playing is possible, but the time taken to fully charge will be considerably longer and depending on volume level and headphone load the battery. It is possible that, when using headphones of high load, the battery may take extremely long to fully charge. It is normal for Mojo to become warm when charging especially if switched on and playing at the same time.

I stand corrected said the man in orthopedic shoes