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

[sonickarma]

Any word on the silver mojo I saw a while ago?

 

[Tympan]

  Any news on the Mojo extension box? ... but the extension box would make it look so much better.

 
Very interested in extension modules too, particularly the Bluetooth module
If Bluetooth 4.1 Aptx is as good as red book CD (as some claim), for mobile application, I'd definitely use that option rather than the wired extension.
 
Until then, I'm too afraid of damaging the mojo's micro USB so it has stays home every time I go out.

 

[sharon124]

Fundamentally no. There's no point. Mojo's designed to be single ended and has much better measurements than just being balanced would get you. Now, you can add an amplifier that has balanced output if it accepts a single ended input, but unless it has a phase splitter (like the Cavalli Liquid Carbon) it's essentially the same as the cable you were looking at. The only thing besides drive power that an external amp will add to Mojo's output is perhaps a different colour to the sound, and more noise and distortions (which may or may not be audible
If you think balanced in itself is going to improve the audio then that is not going to happen by default.

Dear Relic,
Thanks so much for the cristal clear explanation.Now I got the point. Since I still didn't receive my hd800s from my dealer ,I use mojo with my se840.But I worry about wheter mojo will able to drive hd800s very well.
That is why I ask above question.

Anyway thanks again...

 

[Xacxac]

Dear Relic,
Thanks so much for the cristal clear explanation.Now I got the point. Since I still didn't receive my hd800s from my dealer ,I use mojo with my se840.But I worry about wheter mojo will able to drive hd800s very well.
That is why I ask above question.

Anyway thanks again...

I tried Mojo with HD800S. Mojo is able to drive HD800S. I really like the quality. However, Mojo surely can't beat $1000+ desktop gears. But then, you get portability with Mojo. As far as portable gear, Mojo is one of the tops.

 

[wahsmoh]

I think the Mojo can expose the DT880s weaknesses (it has very few). The DT880 is just a great can, but it has a slight 7k treble peak (depending on how your ears hear) and the lower midrange isn't quite on the target curve, it is lacking slightly.
 
Based on the Innerfidelity review, the DT880 600 ohm and 250 ohm are your best bets, Tyll said the 32 ohm is quirky and measures worse than the other two models. I personally think there is better driver technology available and I would like to see Beyer embrace that for a next generation DT880 using Tesla drivers (or something even better). That really is the only thing limiting the performance of the DT880 are the old drivers and tuning.
 
I prefer the bass of the DT880 to the HD600, but I find myself reaching out for the HD600 more because of the sweet midrange and linear treble. The TH-X00 though is a better headphone than both for enjoyment. The HD600 is best in class for certain music I like, but not good for everything like the Fostex are. DT880 is a little too dry and sterile for most of my music tastes, but I think it would do well with classical and orchestral pieces with the wide-open soundstage and circular (versus oval cups) of the HD600.
 
Okay enough mid-fi rant. I will test the DT880 on the Mojo when I get home tonight. I have them boxed up in storage and I was waiting to bring them out for something like this.

 

[harpo1]

Just tried playing DSD64 songs through Music Bee on my windows PC.  I have WASPI set but the mojo is displaying either orange or yellow hard to tell.  I believe it should be white.  Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Peter Hyatt]

Mojo w T1 is magical match.

The first gen T1 is a fantastic value right now. I wanted 2nd gen specifically for grandkids pulling on me but I've listened to both. I can't tell the difference.

 

[Torq]

   
Thanks for the thoughts.
 
Behavior is identical with, or without, Sysoptimizer enabled.  Peak CPU utilization during playback is about 1% for Audirvana, 2% total - the machine isn't taxed at all.  Other than system services, no other applications are loaded, let alone running.  I'm thinking the Logitech mouse receiver is doing something screwy on an interrupt level - may just switch it to Bluetooth mode and see if that helps
 
Really only posted to make sure there wasn't something peculiar to the Mojo that might be at issue - sounds like not, and that's cool as it's the one thing I didn't have a quick way to test!
 
Thanks again!

Quoting myself for continuity ... (DSD playback issues with Mojo):
 
At this point I'm thinking there is something wrong with my Mojo.
 
I've eliminated everything I can think of but the Mojo - which is the only thing I don't have a way to swap out currently (no other DSD-capable DAC on hand).
 
Different computers, all more powerful that most others seem to using without issue, all exhibit the same problem, and this includes a new Mac Book Pro that literally has nothing installed on it except for my library and the playback software and the only thing plugged into it is the Mojo.  I've tried different cables, all of which operate easily to spec.  Doesn't matter where the files are located (internal SSD, external SSD array etc.).  Changing buffer sizes, using direct or non-direct, exclusive or shared, integer (modes 1 and 2) has no effect.  I've tried music from different sources (HD Tracks, Native DSD etc.).  
 
It makes no difference whether the machines are running nothing but the media player, or I have them grinding hard on a video encode while running a couple of VM's including SQL Server and a big  compile.  I will get dropouts every couple of seconds, then normal playback, then a dropout, then an hour with no issues, and then a bunch of dropouts in a row no matter what the machines are, or are not doing.
 
And the problem persists regardless of whether I use Audirvana or the latest version of JRiver Media Center.
 
I can run any sample rate at all and have no issues whatsoever.
 
The moment I choose to output in DoP mode, the dropouts start and they're apparent at DSD128 and 256, with no apparent difference in frequency even with the lower bit-rate files.
 
So ... time to find either another Mojo, or another DSD-capable DAC, and see what that shows up.

 

[anm]

Torq - there is an issue in El Capitan because of which many DACs have started experiencing issues. My iDSD nano has also started doing the same. Schitt fulla works perfectly fine. However with iDSD nano there are dropouts, or at times complete black out. I pull out the USB and insert again, then it comes back for a while. 
Maybe the same issue with chord. 
HRT Streamer II works perfectly fine as well. 
 
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7253452?start=0&tstart=0
 
At the end of the thread, it seems it now works for some users. I will upgrade to 10.11.5 and report back if iDSD nano started working again. Haven't tried my nuforce yet - that too is reported in this thread to have problems with El Capitan.

 

[Torq]

Torq - there is an issue in El Capitan because of which many DACs have started experiencing issues. My iDSD nano has also started doing the same. Schitt fulla works perfectly fine. However with iDSD nano there are dropouts, or at times complete black out. I pull out the USB and insert again, then it comes back for a while. 
Maybe the same issue with chord. 
HRT Streamer II works perfectly fine as well. 

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7253452?start=0&tstart=0

At the end of the thread, it seems it now works for some users. I will upgrade to 10.11.5 and report back if iDSD nano started working again. Haven't tried my nuforce yet - that too is reported in this thread to have problems with El Capitan.

The Mojo isn't disconnecting. 10.11.5 doesn't make any difference. I can play 32/384 KHz PCM files all day long (which should be more demanding all-around than 1x DSD), even with the machine doing a ton of other demanding processing and I/O.

The moment I switch to DSD output (i.e. DSD over PCM, or "DoP" mode) ... the audio dropouts start. Switch back to PCM and all is instantly fine.

I've tried with Audirvana, Jriver and Roon now, on multiple machines, the results are consistent.

Between now and Thursday I'm going to grab another DSD DAC and another Mojo so I can try and eliminate (or confirm) an issue with my Mojo.

 

[music4mhell]

Any suggestion on Micro usb to Micro usb OTG cable other than Moon Audio, Penon Audio & the cheap black ebay one

 

[masterpfa]

  Any suggestion on Micro usb to Micro usb OTG cable other than Moon Audio, Penon Audio & the cheap black ebay one

This or This?

 

[music4mhell]

I have ordered the Silver one from Penon audio.
Can any1 tell which is better copper or silver usb cable ?

 

[Lohb]

Anyone using QED Performance Graphite Audio J2P 3.5" to RCA with MOJO line-out or any other recommended quality 3.5" to RCA cable ?

 

[jonstatt]

 
Quoting myself for continuity ... (DSD playback issues with Mojo):
 
At this point I'm thinking there is something wrong with my Mojo.
 
I've eliminated everything I can think of but the Mojo - which is the only thing I don't have a way to swap out currently (no other DSD-capable DAC on hand).
 
 

 
At the moment I am trying to troubleshoot the very same issue but with an iPhone 6s plus using NePlayer and DoP. I get a dropout with DSD 128 or 256 about once every 10 minutes. I have tried airplane mode, changing USB cables etc etc, and still get the dropouts. My Mojo is a recent serial number. If there is an issue, it's more likely a design/compatibility one than a fault that swapping your Mojo will rectify.