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

[miketlse]

Is anybody able to use the Windows 10 Creator's Update driver (dated 6/2017) or found a way to use it? It's unsigned and won't install on the latest build.

There are many posts about problems with that driver and Mojo https://www.head-fi.org/search/1982286/?q=Creator's&t=post&o=relevance&c[thread]=784602. The issue seems to be cured by reverting to the previous driver, but it is not the ideal solution.
The same search on the Hugo 2 thread, also flags up some users experiencing issues, but this post is interesting, suggesting the driver changes the default output to speakers instead of DAC. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...official-thread.831345/page-376#post-13594616

 

[Music Alchemist]

Long story short I purchased my Mojo used and have been leaving it plugged in and using it as a fulltime desktop DAC,which isnt the suggested use.The past few weeks my Mojo has been shutting down frequently,having degraded SQ and distortion from one of the line-outs.

Does this mean we shouldn't use Mojo as desktop DAC anymore?

Maybe just don't leave it plugged in, charging, all the time.

Chord have stated in the past that it's fine to use the Mojo as a desktop DAC.

Perhaps the equipment you used to charge it was not optimal. I had a 5V 2A wall charger permanently connected to the Mojo with no issues.

https://chordelectronics.co.uk/supp...ct-battery-mojo-hugo-hugo-tt/usb-charger-buy/

Once it reaches a certain charge level, it stops charging. It's best to have it charged to full before playback so it trickle-charges, which puts less stress on the unit and keeps it cooler since the power draw isn't heavy.

Mojo doing awesome job driving speakers too.

Those are active monitors, so it's not actually driving them. (Though the Mojo can drive sensitive passive speakers with the right cable.)

 

[Monsterzero]

Chord have stated in the past that it's fine to use the Mojo as a desktop DAC.

Perhaps the equipment you used to charge it was not optimal. I had a 5V 2A wall charger permanently connected to the Mojo with no issues.

https://chordelectronics.co.uk/supp...ct-battery-mojo-hugo-hugo-tt/usb-charger-buy/

Once it reaches a certain charge level, it stops charging. It's best to have it charged to full before playback so it trickle-charges, which puts less stress on the unit and keeps it cooler since the power draw isn't heavy.



Those are active monitors, so it's not actually driving them. (Though the Mojo can drive sensitive passive speakers with the right cable.)

There seems to be some conflicting info going around,as I too was told by Chord staff at CanJam NYC that using the Mojo plugged in and used fulltime was okay to do.
Apparently leaving the battery plugged in full time severely reduces the battery lifespan,and once that battery is dead the Mojo will no longer work,plugged in or not. At least thats the way im understanding it after 25+ emails with Chord and three phone calls to their official repair center in L.A.

Maybe @ChordElectronics would like to jump in and clarify?

 

[x RELIC x]

Maybe just don't leave it plugged in, charging, all the time.

Been saying this from day one...

The issue is remaining at a high state of charge (over 4.10V) for extended periods of time for all lithium batteries. This can be more stressful and detrimental to overall lifespan than cycling. If not using it just unplug the the thing.

 

[jdpark]

By the way, I wasn't getting my DSD to work with the white light over the power button when playing DSD128 files through Foobar2000 until I changed the SACD settings to DSD. Weirdly, the default is PCM, and it seems to limit the output to 44.1. After installing the foo_dsd_asio component, which is for SACD and DSD I had to make sure to click on the SACD under preferences -> output -> tools -> SACD, and then now with my Beethoven's Fifth I'm seen some gorgeous numbers (it sounds pretty good, too):

 

[Zojokkeli]

Those are active monitors, so it's not actually driving them. (Though the Mojo can drive sensitive passive speakers with the right cable.)

Right you are, poor choice of words on my part. Point was, Genelecs sing beautifully out of Mojo.

 

[Music Alchemist]

Right you are, poor choice of words on my part. Point was, Genelecs sing beautifully out of Mojo.

I was going to buy some Genelec monitors, but went for Klipsch floorstanders instead, which were the last thing I used with my second Mojo before parting with it. Now I'm in the "How much should I spend on transducer upgrades before getting back into high-end DACs?" phase. hehe

 

[DieHappy]

Hello HeadFi,

I got a Mojo and Samsung S8 OTG with UAPP bit perfect. Sounds realy good. I know the Mojo very well on PC - optical - Foobar WASAPI.

Is ist possible, that an Iphone CCK + Mojo sound a little bit better than android OTG + Mojo?

Because... i think there is something "magicle" in den Apple Player. Many Androids sound terrible, but an Iphone for me sound purer, clearer an so on.
Maybe it is the: Apogee UV22HR Dither thing in the IOS player that mentioned in the Phone, i dont know.

Please tell me your experience between Apple CCK vs. OTG UAPP into Mojo with normal LAME mp3.
Thanks very much.

Have i mentioned, that i love the sound of this little Mojo beast ?!

 

[miketlse]

Hello HeadFi,

I got a Mojo and Samsung S8 OTG with UAPP bit perfect. Sounds realy good. I know the Mojo very well on PC - optical - Foobar WASAPI.

Is ist possible, that an Iphone CCK + Mojo sound a little bit better than android OTG + Mojo?

Because... i think there ist something "magicle" in den Apple Player. Many Androids sound terrible, but an Iphone for me sound purer, clearer an so on.
Maybe it is the: Apogee UV22HR Dither thing in the IOS player that mentioned in the Phone, i dont know.

Please tell me your experience between Apple CCK vs. OTG UAPP into Mojo with normal LAME mp3.
Thanks very much.

Have i sad, that i love the sound of this little beast Mojo?!

Welcome to the thread.
You seem to be sorted regarding Android and PC via optical.
Regarding using Apple devices:

• cables are one of the biggest sources of problems for users, especially recently with the Apple iOS upgrade stopping DACs working. Read the section in the FAQ in post #3

Spoiler: Connecting Mojo to iDevices

• Many users try and use third party cables, but some seem rather fragile and fail to work after a short time. Other times there are issues with iOS updates stopping cables working so be careful to avoid pouring money down a bottomless pit.
• By default Apple converts files to 48k, which may not worry you too much if using MP3s, but it does mean the signal is not bitperfect. To ensure bitperfect data, and/or play hires files, the preferred music players are HiBy and Onkyo HF Player

Hope this helps for a starter, but there are plenty of Apple users who can help answer any questions that you have (or alternatively use the search this thread functionality).

 

[DieHappy]

Thanks miketlse, this helps a lot!
You made my day. OK, i will stay with my lovely Samsung S8 and enjoy the fantastic sound quality with the UAPP into Mojo.

The fact, that the IOS Player convert to 48kHz is a no go for me. I didn't know that the IOS Player + CCK is NOT bit perfect.
And maybe the volume control is not disabled like in the UAPP?! No bit perfect.

I had a little hope, that there is still a little bit more sound quality then UAPP - OTG - Mojo. I am wrong.

 

[DieHappy]

Interesting for me was, that there is a different sound signature between UAPP + Mojo via USB and Windows 10, Foobar, WASAPI optical into Mojo.

Rob Watts says, "darker is better" and vote for optical. S8 UAPP + Mojo are realy a little bit brighter i mean, BUT also a little bit more clear and pure and more 3D and more micro details via USB. VERY little difference for sure, but i think so.
I believe i hear a little bit more micro detail than with the PC config above. I have to hear more.

You have to hear this album / concert in a cave with Mojo:

https://www.amazon.de/Mtv-Unplugged...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PGWCN3MB4B5BJ4E172A6



What a killer bass and the cave sound atmosphere.

 

[almarti]

There are many posts about problems with that driver and Mojo https://www.head-fi.org/search/1982286/?q=Creator's&t=post&o=relevance&c[thread]=784602. The issue seems to be cured by reverting to the previous driver, but it is not the ideal solution.
The same search on the Hugo 2 thread, also flags up some users experiencing issues, but this post is interesting, suggesting the driver changes the default output to speakers instead of DAC. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...official-thread.831345/page-376#post-13594616

You need to go to Windows 10 Advance configuration (enable it) and in next restart found there and enable the feature of installing unsigned drivers, and you get last Mojo Windows 10 drivers working properly as you had in Windows 7.

 

[miketlse]

Thanks miketlse, this helps a lot!
You made my day. OK, i will stay with my lovely Samsung S8 and enjoy the fantastic sound quality with the UAPP into Mojo.

The fact, that the IOS Player convert to 48kHz is a no go for me. I didn't know that the IOS Player + CCK is NOT bit perfect.
And maybe the volume control is not disabled like in the UAPP?! No bit perfect.

I had a little hope, that there is still al little bit more sound quality then UAPP - OTG - Mojo. I am wrong.

Phones do generate RFI, and Apple phones are regarded as among the worst offenders. RFI causes crackles etc, plus the low level electrical noise tends to make music sound 'brighter' - using optical removes the RFI, but the result is that music can sound less bright. Some people prefer that slight brightness using USB - it is all personal preferences.
I started with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, plus UAPP plus a ferrite choke, to remove virtually all the crackles, but the music still felt brighter than when using optical.
I now use a Shanling M1 for the music transport (no phone signal pollution), and that faint brightness to the music has gone. Now USB from the M1 and optical from my computer sound the same, for both the Mojo and Hugo 2, so I shall not return to using a phone.

[edit] For choral music

• Optical provided the sensation of listening to a very clear recording of a music performance
• USB with the faint brightness, provided the sensation of listening to the actual live music performance

So yes it is possible to hear subtle differences between the different inputs

 

[DieHappy]

OK, i use the S8 only in flight mode to listen music and with a big ferrite choke. Thats all i can do.
Do you think this is the same like Shanling M1?

 

[miketlse]

Interesting for me was, that there is a different sound signature between UAPP + Mojo via USB and Windows 10, Foobar, WASAPI optical into Mojo.

Rob Watts says, "darker is better" and vote for optical. S8 UAPP + Mojo are realy a little bit brighter i mean, BUT also a little bit more clear and pure and more 3D and more micro details via USB. VERY little difference for sure, but i think so.
I believe i hear a little bit more micro detail than with the PC config above. I have to hear more.

You have to hear this album / concert in a cave with Mojo:

https://www.amazon.de/Mtv-Unplugged...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PGWCN3MB4B5BJ4E172A6



What a killer bass and the cave sound atmosphere.

That video is unavailable in france -so not everyone may be able to hear it.
Try listening to what the Mojo treats the really moody bass at the start of this

There are also two threads where some of us have posted a few gems, for you to explore:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-music-that-i-shall-use-to-test-my-hugo-2.842494/
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mojos-greatest-hits.802832/