Chord Mojo(1) DAC-amp ☆★►FAQ in 3rd post!◄★☆

[Rob Watts]

Its a brain issue, and is (mostly) down to two technical problems - one being noise floor modulation, one being timing uncertainty. With timing uncertainty, when the sampled digital data is converted back to a continuous signal, the DAC creates timing errors. These timing errors then interfere with the brains ability to actual perceive the starting and stopping of notes - and when the brain can't easily recognise something, it has to work harder to make sense of what is going on. Its a bit like one being in a party trying to understand somebody speaking with a lot of noise - your brain has to work harder to understand the voice, and its tiring. The noise floor modulation problem, means that the brain has greater difficulty separating sounds out into individual entities. What people forget, as we take hearing for granted, is that the brain is processing the data from the ears, and separating things out into individual entities, and also putting a placement tag onto that entity. Noise floor modulation makes it more difficult for the brain to separate things out into individual entities, so the brain has to work harder to make sense of the music. And when it has to work harder, you get listening fatigue.
 
Now the timing issue is a unique problem with digital audio, and noise floor modulation is about ten times a larger problem than with amplifiers, so you can see why listening fatigue is a particular problem with digital.
 
Rob

 

[music4mhell]

 

  Same for Oneplus One, I don't use any other app other than Google music or Spotify.

I have the OnePlus One as well and if you want to play bit perfect tracks you'll need a 3rd party app.

I am just a noob,
what's a bit perfect track ? I listen to only 320 Kbps or Flac files, no DSD, do i need to install 3rd party app ?

 

[x RELIC x]

I am just a noob,
what's a bit perfect track ? I listen to only 320 Kbps or Flac files, no DSD, do i need to install 3rd party app ?

Bit perfect refers to no extra DSP / up / down sampling happening to the file before it is sent to the DAC. What ever the format is do not convert it before sending it to the Mojo as the Mojo will be more capable to handle the data.

 

[Ra97oR]

Currently Android should resample everything to 48kHz without a bypassing app like UAPP if I am not mistaken.

 

[Antihippy]

No, Android upsamples every music I have to 192khz.

 

[PhilW]

Currently Android should resample everything to 48kHz without a bypassing app like UAPP if I am not mistaken.

depends on the phone/Android version. Some upsample to different sample rates annoyingly when not using a driver.

 

[Skyfall]

On my S6 yes, Mojo Jojo works natively without the need for additional apps.

 

  I have the OnePlus One as well and if you want to play bit perfect tracks you'll need a 3rd party app.

 
That's very good news it overcomes the limitation of the UAPP which only does Tidal so far ..no Spotify, YT etc.

 

[Skyfall]

  Currently Android should resample everything to 48kHz without a bypassing app like UAPP if I am not mistaken.

Don't have Mojo yet but Hugo otg with my Note 3 playing songs from Tidal at "high quality" always shows orange light.
Red      =44.1Khz
Orange =48 khz

 

[GreenBow]

  I am just a noob,
what's a bit perfect track ? I listen to only 320 Kbps or Flac files, no DSD, do i need to install 3rd party app ?

 

Bit perfect refers to no extra DSP / up / down sampling happening to the file before it is sent to the DAC. What ever the format is do not convert it before sending it to the Mojo as the Mojo will be more capable to handle the data.

 
Talking of bitperfect, my JRiver trial recently expired and I had been using WASAPI with it, and the Mojo.
 
On being made to use Media Go again I felt music sound changed. It was now a little colder, a little less detailed, but something wrong with soundstage. I recall Rob Watts telling us that if you don't use bitperfect, use the max outputs on you PC. E.g. in Media Go have max volume set and max volume on the windows slider. Even this didn't cure my listening woes.
 
I googled for "direct sound vs WASAPI, ASIO". The general idea was that there was no preceptable difference.
 
Anyway after re-adjusting to non-bitperfect for a few days, last night I extended the JRiver trial. I found it more dynamic and the depth of soundstage from rear to front was better represented. (Without bitperfect it was to be honest a bit of a mish-mash.)
 
(I experienced something similar with my Meridian Explorer and WASAPI when using the JRIver trial. I have an album by Sacred Spirit called Chants and Dances of the Native Americans. When listening in bitperfect it was clearly different. Sounds had their own clearly defined places and had better textures. I felt like I was almost listening to the album anew. Without bitperfect the sounds were almost like a layer of sound with less clear placing.)

 

[masterpfa]

.
The MOJO didn't find a headphone it didn't like.....but it did perform better out of my
computer than my smartphone until i got usb audio pro software, then it rocked my portable
world also......will I buy one...?  pass the Ramen noodles.........im cutting back on food.....
anyway here is my summary of my experience:
 

I also found UAPP was the Eureka moment with my Mobile
 

  I got the fiio x5, looking for alternatives tht can use spotify/dual slot/android/removable batt(high capacity)..... lastly a cheap price (doubt it would happen)

Another alternative will be a decent mobile with a single Micro SD and an arrangement using a 512GB SD card 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

such as here 
 
The ultimate DAP! 550GB storage, 10,000mAh battery, features of Note 4, 32bit 382kHz / DSD, Wi-fi support!
This is how you can build a dream DAP based on Samsung Note 4!
 
 
TOOLS NEEDED:
 
Samsung Note 4 Snapdragon Variant(Note 4, S4, and S5 have the best compatibility with portable USB DACs. It can run them without an external battery or a Y cable!) - Only snapdragon version can read 512 cards!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-note-4-4g-cell-phone-charcoal-black-at-t/8766009.p
 
10,000 mAh battery case for Note 4      - $60
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q7C6FTA/
 
SanDisk 512GB SD card  - $599 (or a 256GB SD card  - $100)
http://www.adorama.com/IDSDSDXPA512.html
http://www.amazon.com/PNY-Elite-Performance-256GB-Speed/dp/B00FF90EZM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420454960&sr=8-1&keywords=pny+256gb+sd+card
 
MicroSD to SD adapter  -  $10
http://linitx.com/product/ablytech-sdmicro-to-sd-card-adapter/11922
 
USB Audio Player Pro or Hiby Music Player (Free) - $10
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudioplayerpro&hl=en
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hiby.music
 
A portable DAC such as Geek Out 1000      -$299
http://www.amazon.com/Geek-Out-1000-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00JD0CV3M
 
A list of standard USB DAC reportedly interworking with the Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note4:
stock Samsung Galaxy Note4 > digital USB audio out >> USB OTG cable (ID pin grounded) >> USB DAC >> amp >> headphones
http://goo.gl/gnmvuf
 
Recommended: Geek Out 1000, Meridian Explorer 2, Sony PHA-3, Oppo HA-2 (coming soon), Calyx F (coming soon), Chord Hugo, iBasso D55.
 
Geek Out works with Samsung Note series without an external battery or a Y cable!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/711267/light-harmonic-geek-out-em-1000-impressions-thread/480

 
Samsung S4 + Meridian Explorer 1 DAC (works!!)

 
 
(Optional) If you need more than 512GB, you can try to use a 2TB Wi-Fi HDD. They work with cellphones.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Wireless-Portable-Built--STCK1000100/dp/B00AQRUW4Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420453699&sr=8-3&keywords=wireless+hdd+2tb+seagate
 
http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Wireless-Mobile-Storage-WDBDAF0020BBK-NESN/dp/B00M9B4482/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420453724&sr=8-1&keywords=Western+digital+2tb+wireless
 
------------------------------------------------------------------
 
You can simply put a 512GB SD card with an adapter inside the battery case of Note 4.
After that, you can start using USB Audio Player Pro or Hiby Music app to play music through a portable DAC!
 
This setup proved to be working fine and it will provide you with 10,000 mAh battery, 512GB + 32GB of storage, sound quality of a chosen portable DAC, and UI of Note 4!
 

 
 

 

 


 
 
 

 
 
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/general/half-terabyte-phone-tank-phone-550gb-t2987826
 
 
This is much better and cheaper than AK240. It will provide you with more than 24 hours of playback! 
No external battery or Y cable is needed!  
There's no UI bug, size issue, SD card loading time issue, battery life issue, and sound quality issue.
 
Geek Out 1000 sounds nearly as good as AK240!   http://www.head-fi.org/t/746183/geek-out-1000-vs-ak240
This set up works fine for Galaxy S4 too:   http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/5865#post_11120441
FYI, Oppo HA-2 and Calyx F 32bit 382kHz portable DACs are coming within the next three months! http://audio-head.com/the-new-oppo-pm-3-and-ha-2-rmaf-2014/
 

 
 
Maybe no need for the whole 10 Kagillion AMP battery, but with a case or different back for something like the Samsung Note 4
 
 
 

  Don't have Mojo yet but Hugo otg with my Note 3 playing songs from Tidal at "high quality" always shows orange light.
Red      =44.1Khz
Orange =48 khz

These issues may be due to Android default sampling rate

 

[mediabox]

drbluenewmexico
 
Quote:

The Mojo Chord dac made me smile with a touring set of FLC8s triple driver hybrid IEMS, with the great new
Panasonic HD10k headphones.....
 

I am planning to buy the HD10 as a travel unit. What is the SQ with Mojo like in more detail pls

 

[vince741]

I imagine it would work. Try it and report back for others.

My (soon to be) mojo is in transit, but I sent a message to lavricables to build a micro-usb -> usb A in data (+ground) only.
I'll keep you in the loop.

 

[AllenShrz]

This is my first post on head-fi, I had to do it since trying finally the mojo.
 
Keep in mind I pair it with the se846  with custom tips made in japan and iphone 6s+, that being my main form for listening to music.
 
Unfortunately it was a let down trying the mojo, specially after rearing all the hype from it. Maybe with other more demanding headphones the mojo will shine but not with the se846.
 
There was an improvement in audio, yes, but not at all a 600 euro improvement. 
 
If I were to quantify the improvement, I would say it was 10% at max (while really looking for the difference) to almost nothing on other types of songs.
 
In fact I would say I was more impressed with the JVC SU-AX7 with some others genres of music while being much cheaper.
 
Im not sure how is in other countries but I live in Japan and here the electronic stores allow you to try all kind of audio equipment, rows and rows, from amps to headphones, cheap to expensive, as much as you want and after hrs unfortunately the mojo didnt win me over.
 
Im not saying is bad , Im just cautioning people if they intent to buy it and use them along the se846, dont expect great results.

 

[Carl6868]

 
Im not saying is bad , Im just cautioning people if they intent to buy it and use them along the se846, dont expect great results.

 
Naïve is that you

 
Sorry couldn't resist
 
Seriously though I think you are in the minority with that last statement as nearly everyone else thinks the Mojo/SE846 combination is superb

 

[Currawong]

  This can seem like a dumb question, but can I use a data only cable for the micro input and a dedicated +5v cable for the usb charging port or does the mojo only take cable with both power+data at the same time?

 
That wont work, as the USB circuit needs to see 5V to activate. This is how the Mojo figures out which input is connected. 
 

  This is my first post on head-fi, I had to do it since trying finally the mojo.
 
Keep in mind I pair it with the se846  with custom tips made in japan and iphone 6s+, that being my main form for listening to music.
 
Unfortunately it was a let down trying the mojo, specially after rearing all the hype from it. Maybe with other more demanding headphones the mojo will shine but not with the se846.
 
There was an improvement in audio, yes, but not at all a 600 euro improvement. 
 
If I were to quantify the improvement, I would say it was 10% at max (while really looking for the difference) to almost nothing on other types of songs.
 
In fact I would say I was more impressed with the JVC SU-AX7 with some others genres of music while being much cheaper.
 
Im not sure how is in other countries but I live in Japan and here the electronic stores allow you to try all kind of audio equipment, rows and rows, from amps to headphones, cheap to expensive, as much as you want and after hrs unfortunately the mojo didnt win me over.
 
Im not saying is bad , Im just cautioning people if they intent to buy it and use them along the se846, dont expect great results.

 
Nice to meet another person living here. The thing that made all the difference for me with the Mojo and other Chord products was just the greater resolution as how much more natural music sounded compared to other DAPs and DACs I'd owned or tried. Granted this wont be much use for someone not interested in a lot of acoustic music. Aside from that, headphone or IEM synergy with one's preferred choice of music is the most important thing. That is where the really big differences are for sure.
 
Next time I'm in the city or when I go to the Tokyo headphone festival I'll have to give that JVC a go. They are a brand that doesn't get that much attention here and I tend to like AK-based DACs.