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

[jarnopp]

Ah! I read that when it was posted as well, d’oh!

Thanks for the reminder and link.

I think it’s interesting Rob chose that OP stage vs the Hugo stage. There should be no logistical reason t9 switch from the H2 OP stag, so I wonder if it was to differentiate for some reason...but what?

 

[jarnopp]

Hi, no unfortunately I have not, just Mojo and Hugo 2.

Have you not thought about using the red filter with Hugo 2? The idea is that should give the Mojo tonality but with improved technical ability.

I tried the filters. I overall found Mojo totally better, and did not like the H2 filters, and didn’t find the red filter on H2 similar to Mojo.

Edit: maybe that is why the different OP stage of Qutest? Anyone who has all 3 (Mojo, Hugo 2 and a Qutest) and can compare an contrast?

 

[x RELIC x]

I think it’s interesting Rob chose that OP stage vs the Hugo stage. There should be no logistical reason t9 switch from the H2 OP stag, so I wonder if it was to differentiate for some reason...but what?

Hugo2 has noise shapers in the output stage that are present in DAVE but not in Mojo IIRC. I’m sure Rob has his reasons, and as he says the Qutest is not meant to drive headphones at all so perhaps the same complexity isn’t required.

Regarding filters on the Hugo2, I don’t hear the red/orange (16FS) as similar to the Mojo’s tonality (or DAVE’s on White/green). I hear the differences more as dealing with timing and attack. The tonality, as in frequency response, is not represented by the Hugo2 filters at all in my opinion but rather the timing and incisiveness of the music.

 

[jarnopp]

Hugo2 has noise shapers in the output stage that are present in DAVE but not in Mojo IIRC. I’m sure Rob has his reasons, and as he says the Qutest is not meant to drive headphones at all so perhaps the same complexity isn’t required.

Regarding filters on the Hugo2, I don’t hear the red/orange (16FS) as similar to the Mojo’s tonality (or DAVE’s on White/green). I hear the differences more as dealing with timing and attack. The tonality, as in frequency response, is not represented by the Hugo2 filters at all in my opinion but rather the timing and incisiveness of the music.

That makes sense. The tonality must me primarily a function of the output stage (choice of components, etc). It would be interesting to know the difference between OP in Mojo, Hugo2, and Dave and what Rob is thinking for the digital amps. If they have such an effect, maybe it would be possible to have a few options of OP to switch between in ththe digital amps, or a future Dave2.

 

[x RELIC x]

That makes sense. The tonality must me primarily a function of the output stage (choice of components, etc). It would be interesting to know the difference between OP in Mojo, Hugo2, and Dave and what Rob is thinking for the digital amps. If they have such an effect, maybe it would be possible to have a few options of OP to switch between in ththe digital amps, or a future Dave2.

But this is where it gets complex. If you’ve read Rob’s posts on the ying and yang of audio you may also get an insight to the complexities involved.

One such post is where he describes the Mojo’s warmth as a result of a coupling capacitor, but other factors that affect the sound as well:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...official-thread.831345/page-402#post-13608839

And there’s this from the DAVE thread regarding differences in sound during development:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-electronics-dave.766517/page-50#post-12097191

 

[lwells]

But this is where it gets complex. If you’ve read Rob’s posts on the ying and yang of audio you may also get an insight to the complexities involved.

One such post is where he describes the Mojo’s warmth as a result of a coupling capacitor, but other factors that affect the sound as well:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...official-thread.831345/page-402#post-13608839

And there’s this from the DAVE thread regarding differences in sound during development:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-electronics-dave.766517/page-50#post-12097191

Thanks for linking these!

I'd love to hear the Dave someday because I am routinely FLOORED by the depth I hear from just my mojo. I was using the mojo while watching a movie on my laptop the other day and kept being fooled by the depth. Some sounds felt as if they were so far in front of me that I thought perhaps my laptop speakers were on as well. I have yet to hear anything else do this to me with headphones. Keep in mind, I listen with iems.

I'm going to the High End audio convention/show in Munich next month. I believe Chord will have a booth. I'm really hoping to hear a Hugo 2 or Dave. Man, I need to start saving my pennies.

 

[miketlse]

Thanks for linking these!

I'd love to hear the Dave someday because I am routinely FLOORED by the depth I hear from just my mojo. I was using the mojo while watching a movie on my laptop the other day and kept being fooled by the depth. Some sounds felt as if they were so far in front of me that I through perhaps my laptop speakers were on as well. I have yet to hear anything else do this to me with headphones.

I'm going to the High End audio convention/show in Munich next month. I believe Chord will have a booth. I'm really hoping to hear a Hugo 2 or Dave. Man, I need to start saving my pennies.

Best to also start a fund for a digital amp, and a 2Go, just in case Chord are revealing them at the show.
Could be an expensive show for you.

 

[lwells]

Best to also start a fund for a digital amp, and a 2Go, just in case Chord are revealing them at the show.
Could be an expensive show for you.

I don’t want to paint any illusions that I can afford more gear, but I can’t emphasize enough that the combination of my mojo and Alclair studio 4 iem is so far ahead of anything else I’ve experienced that I think I’ll be content until I can comfortably afford a Hugo 2 (or 3 at that time :| ). I’d be perfectly happy just giving Rob a high five if he’s present.

I’ve been fortunate to hear some really great gear in the last decade too.

 

[Rob Watts]

I don’t want to paint any illusions that I can afford more gear, but I can’t emphasize enough that the combination of my mojo and Alclair studio 4 iem is so far ahead of anything else I’ve experienced that I think I’ll be content until I can comfortably afford a Hugo 2 (or 3 at that time :| ). I’d be perfectly happy just giving Rob a high five if he’s present.

I’ve been fortunate to hear some really great gear in the last decade too.

Yes air tickets and hotel rooms booked! I will be doing two talks there as well (Sat and Sunday)... So high five it is!

 

[Mython]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dezExwB8GCM

 

[lwells]

I will be doing two talks there as well (Sat and Sunday)... So high five it is!

Oh man! I'm bringing my notepad for me and a pillow for my girlfriend

Edited for accuracy.

 

[jarnopp]

But this is where it gets complex. If you’ve read Rob’s posts on the ying and yang of audio you may also get an insight to the complexities involved.

One such post is where he describes the Mojo’s warmth as a result of a coupling capacitor, but other factors that affect the sound as well:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...official-thread.831345/page-402#post-13608839

And there’s this from the DAVE thread regarding differences in sound during development:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-electronics-dave.766517/page-50#post-12097191

Thanks. And exactly my point. People have different sensitivities to the tonal balance. I want the detail of the better filters and the timing accuracy of the longer tap lengths. In the TOTL DAC, it should also be possible to give people a few choices of OP stage If not providing 2 or 3 options to switch among, then maybe modules that can be switched? The OP seems like the last mile and the most subjective part of the D to A conversion.

 

[maxh22]

Hey @Deftone,

Have you heard Qutest? I have not, but am encouraged by the Mojo output stage. I auditioned the Hugo 2 (tour unit) and appreciated the technicals, but preferred the Mojo tonality overall. I definitely will audition when they hit the States in volume.

If you like the Mojo tonality than Hugo TT might be up your alley. It has the same upper end smoothness of Mojo but sounds more linear and also has more height, width, and depth.

 

[Pimsilveira]

Guys, I just received my Mojo today and I started listening to it half an hour ago...
Well, I only have 4 words to describe it,
IN, CRE, DI, BLE
I haven’t been able to close my mouth!!!
How is this kind of quality possible with such a tiny little thing??
I am going to have to listen to my digital music collection all over again. It never sounded like this!!
This blows my old Oppo ha-2 and HRT microstreamer out of the water. It is in another league.
Thanks Chord, I am a very happy customer
And I haven’t started exploring his-res files yet....

 

[miketlse]

Guys, I just received my Mojo today and I started listening to it half an hour ago...
Well, I only have 4 words to describe it,
IN, CRE, DI, BLE
I haven’t been able to close my mouth!!!
How is this kind of quality possible with such a tiny little thing??
I am going to have to listen to my digital music collection all over again. It never sounded like this!!
This blows my old Oppo ha-2 and HRT microstreamer out of the water. It is in another league.
Thanks Chord, I am a very happy customer
And I haven’t started exploring his-res files yet....

Welcome to the club.
Many of us have found that the Mojo reveals previously unheard details/instruments in music tracks, and leads us to revisit our music collections.
Don't get distracted by chasing HiRes music yet.
Standard red book CD res files, will now reveal far more than you ever imagined possible.
Mojo even makes well recorded MP3 sound magical.
Inevitably Mojo cannot work miracles with low bitrate, or badly recorded audio, but that is just an acknowledgement of crap in: crap out.