Chord Mojo 2 Thread ___ [product released January 31, 2022 -- starting on page 95 of thread]

[nothelle]

My mojo 2 just arrived. Using it mainly for its desktop mode, connected to a 18 Watt usb charger. Manuals says the left indicator will light purple when in desktop mode.
Mine indeed turn into purple, but immediately when turning on, it becomes white-purple-ish, or when powering off the charger and immediately powering up the charger again will turn into white.
https://ibb.co/G2F0X6D
https://ibb.co/tZ5yQFw
Initially i thought the neighboring blue indicator causes this, but change different color turn out the same
https://ibb.co/v1Rw2cK

Any idea whether this is normal?

 

[BS5711]

My mojo 2 just arrived. Using it mainly for its desktop mode, connected to a 18 Watt usb charger. Manuals says the left indicator will light purple when in desktop mode.
Mine indeed turn into purple, but immediately when turning on, it becomes white-purple-ish, or when powering off the charger and immediately powering up the charger again will turn into white.
https://ibb.co/G2F0X6D
https://ibb.co/tZ5yQFw
Initially i thought the neighboring blue indicator causes this, but change different color turn out the same
https://ibb.co/v1Rw2cK

Any idea whether this is normal?

The power/menu button will show different things at different times.

Obviously it can only show the desktop mode when it isn't showing something else.

When turned, connected to a source and no other menu functions are being used it will show the sample rate.

When you power it off and back on it logically will take a little time to establish what is going on and will eventually show purple again if no other input or function is making it show some other colour.

 

[nothelle]

The power/menu button will show different things at different times.

Obviously it can only show the desktop mode when it isn't showing something else.

When turned, connected to a source and no other menu functions are being used it will show the sample rate.

When you power it off and back on it logically will take a little time to establish what is going on and will eventually show purple again if no other input or function is making it show some other colour.

I ran it normally to my integrated amp, still showing like the 2nd/3rd picture, not pressing the menu button for any other function. The first (purple) picture is literally when it is in power-off state, 2nd/3rd picture is immediately after turning it on and let the checking cycle finish. I've run the Mojo 2 for hours and keeps that white-purplish state.

The sample rate i believe is the right most button furthest from the menu/left most button and that one indeed changes as the sample rate change.

 

[BS5711]

I ran it normally to my integrated amp, still showing like the 2nd/3rd picture, not pressing the menu button for any other function. The first (purple) picture is literally when it is in power-off state, 2nd/3rd picture is immediately after turning it on and let the checking cycle finish. I've run the Mojo 2 for hours and keeps that white-purplish state.

The sample rate i believe is the right most button furthest from the menu/left most button and that one indeed changes as the sample rate change.

I beg your pardon you are correct regarding the power button showing the sample rate not the menu button, my mistake.

 

[daveya]

My mojo 2 just arrived. Using it mainly for its desktop mode, connected to a 18 Watt usb charger. Manuals says the left indicator will light purple when in desktop mode.
Mine indeed turn into purple, but immediately when turning on, it becomes white-purple-ish, or when powering off the charger and immediately powering up the charger again will turn into white.
https://ibb.co/G2F0X6D
https://ibb.co/tZ5yQFw
Initially i thought the neighboring blue indicator causes this, but change different color turn out the same
https://ibb.co/v1Rw2cK

Any idea whether this is normal?

It will change from magenta when you turn it on to show you the volume range you are in. White is the higher half. And you have two brightness levels, in low brightness there is probably some leakage from the neighboring button. Mine is white, as I'm always in the higher range and I use the brighter setting so it's bright white

 

[Kentajalli]

My mojo 2 just arrived. Using it mainly for its desktop mode, connected to a 18 Watt usb charger. Manuals says the left indicator will light purple when in desktop mode.
Mine indeed turn into purple, but immediately when turning on, it becomes white-purple-ish, or when powering off the charger and immediately powering up the charger again will turn into white.
https://ibb.co/G2F0X6D
https://ibb.co/tZ5yQFw
Initially i thought the neighboring blue indicator causes this, but change different color turn out the same
https://ibb.co/v1Rw2cK

Any idea whether this is normal?

Keep it switched on.

 

[nothelle]

Keep it switched on.

yup, already on, usb power connected and checked, it is in high brightness setting and higher volume range. Everything is working, no anomalies observed so far, just curious on how it is supposed to be in desktop mode.

On another note, i do not notice significant difference when comparing against mojo 1. Using it for desktop mode as DAC to my integrated only. If any difference then it's very subtle, a little bit detail and smoother, but not sure whether it's all in my mind convincing myself for justifying the purchase.

Setup as follow:
Bluesound node 2 > DAC Mojo 2 > Electrocompaniet ECI-1 Integrated Amp > Dynaudio EMIT 10, using Nordost white lightning on speaker cable, Chord Clearway for 3.5mm to RCA and Coax 3.5mm to RCA Coax plug from some custom Taiwanese cable. Music service either Qobuz or Tidal hi-fi.

 

[568812]

I am absolutely bowled over how much enjoyment this little item gives me.

Its difficult to put a finger on what exactly it is that it does so well. Rob Watts has his own technical explanations but to be honest, they are going over my head.

It is so coherent and ... complete that I usually forget to analyse music and just drift away with it.

I would not call it super analytical but in its own way it is. It's just that this is not done in the usual dry, lean and super widely spaced way rather it is all packed in to a wonderful 'compact' whole that has pin point staging, filigree detail, no harshness, lovely dynamics and just flows.

I think it was Currawong on Youtube that said that the remarkable thing about it is not the 'darkness' between notes but the way the Chord fills this in.

It is not Headphone or system agnostic. Although I do not have really expensive Headphones it drives them all and it does it well. Same as Stand alone DAC in my systems.

I love the 'balls' (they are not balls anymore). I find them entirely intuitive and enjoy that they are different. I take that anytime over a cramped, tiny display.

Build quality is first class.

Not so good things; As discussed many times elsewhere, Micro USB belongs in another era. Chord carried it over for use with its Poly but it's a pain. It was done for cost reasons but the Poly has been out for years so a slight re-design to USB C would not have done it any harm.

The case, although real leather and nicely made, was nearly 50 quid. Nothing gets cheaper and there are no alternatives (there is one on Amazon but it is till around £40) so I bit the bullet. Nicely protects the unit.

There are no nice accessories included. A rudamentary plastic case, even a bag and a few nice cables (ala iFi) would have been nice.

 

[568812]

Just listening to

Roon 44khz/24 bit (Tidal)

Through MacBook USB out to Mojo and this time my lowly but lovely 58X Jubilee.

Oh my. The warmth, clarity, impact and dynamics are so nice, it takes me to a New York Studio, September 17, 1962.

High hats have an incredibly long reverb trail until they eventually disappear into thin air and there is no 'digital grain'. Drums hit hard and the double bass has that lovely wooden resonance. The music has body and dare I say ... soul.

This combination costs just over £600, source and subscriptions excluded.

There is no Hifi system in the world that probably would even approach 40% of this, probably less for this price.

It makes me wonder what the rest of Chords DAC's/HP amplifiers can do but with the Hugo TT2 costing close to £5000 I'll never find out.

I re-iterate, just how Chord can sell this for £500 (not made in the PRC) I really don't know.

To put the above in to perspective, my experience/knowledge of HeadFi is limited.

I have a Grado, Beyerdynamic, Meze, Hifiman and the above Sennheiser. I don't have any other 'specialised' Headphone amplifiers other than the Chord but both my Hegel and Cyrus amplifiers are said to have excellent Headphone stages as has my MacBook Pro M1 14 2021. None of them quite have the SQ of the Mojo though. Individually they do good things but all lack in areas.

Hope this helps anyone on the fence on whether to get this little Chord.

Of course, we all like different things but I can't imagine too many objecting to the balanced but fun signature of the Mojo 2.

Ergonomics may be another story but this user likes it, a lot.

 

[daveya]

I agree. I just use an old Pixel 3 with UAPP and Qobuz, Mojo2 and Hifiman Amanda SE.

1500 quids worth and no hifi, just sits on a little table next to the settee.

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

Just listening to

Roon 44khz/24 bit (Tidal)

Through MacBook USB out to Mojo and this time my lowly but lovely 58X Jubilee.

Oh my. The warmth, clarity, impact and dynamics are so nice, it takes me to another place.

High hats have an incredibly long reverb tail until they eventually disappear into thin air and there is no 'digital grain'. Drums hit hard and the double bass has that lovely wooden resonance. The music has body and dare I say ... soul.

This combination costs just over £600, source and subscriptions excluded.

There is no Hifi system in the world that probably would even approach 40% of this, probably less for this price.

It makes me wonder what the rest of Chords DAC's/HP amplifiers can do but with the Hugo TT2 costing close to £5000 I'll never find out.

I re-iterate, just how Chord can sell this for £500 (not made in the PRC) I really don't know.

To put the above in to perspective, my experience/knowledge of HeadFi is limited.

I have a Grado, Beyerdynamic, Meze, Hifiman and the above Sennheiser. I don't have any other 'specialised' Headphone amplifiers other than the Chord but both my Hegel and Cyrus amplifiers are said to have excellent Headphone stages as has my MacBook Pro M1 14 2021. None of them quite have the SQ of the Mojo though. Individually they do good things but all lack in areas.

Hope this helps anyone on the fence on whether to get this little Chord.

Of course, we all like different things but I can't imagine too many objecting to the balanced but fun signature of the Mojo 2.

Ergonomics may be another story but this user likes it, a lot.

I always appreciate when high end companies offer a quality product that anyone can afford and it’s not a cash grab on the brand name, Mojo is the best example of that in my opinion.

 

[MarkParity]

I always appreciate when high end companies offer a quality product that anyone can afford and it’s not a cash grab on the brand name, Mojo is the best example of that in my opinion.

Shh, don't say that, Mojo 3 will be 1000+

 

[donkashyap]

That’s what I did. Mojo2 + Mest2, IE600 and S12. I am all set.

I’m contemplating mest 2 + rs6 or mojo 2. Anyone tried both? I’m heading more toward Rs6 due to the convenience of DAP but mojo 2 with iPhone wouldn’t be too much either.

Would appreciate feedback

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

Shh, don't say that, Mojo 3 will be 1000+

Hah if it comes to that then there’s always gonna be a Mojo 1/2 on the used market.

 

[Knee Deep In Epoxy]

Just want to check that there isn't something wrong my unit... may just my ears... but is the crossfeed designed to impact the sound EXTREMELY subtly? or is it something that is more apparent on speakers than headphones?

So far I've tried it with Etymotic ER4XR and AKG K361. I only notice a slight difference in the jump from full cross to crossfeed off, but barely notice a difference when going from level 1 to 2 to 3. I'll try other headphones eventually (when I have access to them again) but just going off my first impressions. I expected something like the ifi 3D / XSpace setting but those are far more obvious. Is that how it's supposed to be?

The Sub-bass boost is also very subtle but I do find my headphones more fatiguing if I overdo it so I'm confident that works.