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The Mojo I would describe as similar to the Hugo but a tad warmer. I would say it's still on the analytical side of neutral. It has a kind of intimate sound to it than the Hugo but it isn't as resolving. The Hugo is more spacious, better detailed and better in every way. This isn't s bad thing as its 4 times the price.
Compared to the Dragonfly 1.2 they are a similar sound with the DF being on the warmer side. Both have s detailed sound but the DF is a bit more musical and run sounding where the Mojo is s bit more analytical. I wouldn't say one is better than the other and they are both pretty much equal. I don't know if thei makes the Mojo overpriced or the Dragonfly amazing value. The Mojo has more functionality so this could be s deal breaker.
Yesterday spent a few hours comparing the Mojo, Hugo, and a HiFi-M8. The HiFi-M8 was in the mix because it is the unit that
I am considering decided to replace. I think there is a larger gap between the Mojo and the DF 1.2. My short summary would be that the HiFi-M8 (and every other portable DAC I have listened to including the Meridian Explorer, DF 1.2 and the IFI Micro) is a step behind the Mojo when driving a pair of HD800. I hear the differences when even casually listening. Based on reviews I have read the only portable DACs which
might be in the same price/performance league of the Mojo would be the Geek Out V2 which I will be comparing to the Mojo in the next week or two.
I found that I preferred the Hugo to the Mojo when it comes to SQ. When casually listening I noticed there were differences but I wouldn't have been able to tell you what the differences were. When critically listening I would say the Hugo was more spacious, better detail, and slightly more neutral tonal balance.
I would characterize the Mojo as 90% of the Hugo SQ at 1/4 the price in a much more attractive package. I think you would be hard pressed to find a desktop or portable, separate DAC/amp or integrated unit which would sound better than the Mojo for less money. The Hugo is hugely overpriced unless you needed everything it provides or you need the very best sound quality in a portable package.
As a reference point, 1.5 years ago I considered purchasing a Hugo as a second desktop DAC (and I would use it as a portable unit as a bonus). I wrote on my experience comparing the
Hugo with a Lavry DA-11, GS-X mk2, and HD800. At the time I decided that the Hugo's ROI didn't make sense for me. There are several DACs I preferred to the Hugo at a <$2500 price point, and that the amplifier in the Hugo while good, it didn't compare to my desktop amplifier.
