What's like a Chord Mojo, but better?

[buke9]

Micro iDSD Black Label. I own both and love the Mojo and use it for portable, but the Black Label is just completely superior, in sound quality and with between the switches 12 different combinations of sound alteration (24 if you count polarity, I heard a difference but would rather stay the same).... The only possible way the Mojo is better for me is if you prioritize smooth and warm over everything else.

If I didn't own thousands (probably over 10k considering what is not pictured) in source gear, if I would have never gotten the itch for proper hi-fi gear and I heard the Black Label vs just about everything else I would probably have stopped buying more. It doesn't replace anything I have by any means sound quality wise, not even the mojo (considering size only, and again smaller, the Black Label is usable for portable but too big for my taste as long as I can afford the Mojo, others are OK with it) but for $ to performance it beats even the Monoprice 12249 which I would have consider one of the best dac/amp combos for $500 while still being made, and is soo much sound quality for so cheap, it gets closer to gear that is stepping it's foot into hi-fi than it should....

Again only way you prefer the Mojo if you absolutely at any cost prefer smoothness and warmth, the iFi BL has 12 different options via 3 switches 2x2x3 (bass boost on/off, 3D on/off, DAC mode switch - all respectively) and 24 if you count the polarity (2x) so there is a great chance you can set it to some sound you like.

You had me at Angels Envy ; )

 

[iFi audio]

I found an ifi micro iDSD black label at a good price so I'll let you know what I think once I have it.

Please do! Even though it's been a while since micro iDSD BL's release, it's not too far off from our micro iDSD Signature. If you can get the former for a reasonable price, go for it! Thanks!

 

[Todd R]

The micro iDSD BL came today. Just had a short listen. (FYI, I'm using Roon with the DACs connected to an iMac)
Definitely different than the Mojo, the iFi is much brighter and more detailed. However it is probably went too much in that direction. I wanted a bit more clarity and openness, but the iFi has been a bit too aggressive on some songs.

Using Campfire Audio Andromeda phones and their cables as well.
I switched from my Pure Silver Litz cable to the Silver plated copper Litz cable and it's calmed down a little.
More on this story as it appears.

 

[iFi audio]

The micro iDSD BL came today. Just had a short listen. (FYI, I'm using Roon with the DACs connected to an iMac)
Definitely different than the Mojo, the iFi is much brighter and more detailed. However it is probably went too much in that direction. I wanted a bit more clarity and openness, but the iFi has been a bit too aggressive on some songs.

Using Campfire Audio Andromeda phones and their cables as well.
I switched from my Pure Silver Litz cable to the Silver plated copper Litz cable and it's calmed down a little.
More on this story as it appears.

Thanks! I can't recall when was the last time idSD BL was considered as bright, but maybe in comparison to Mojo it is? In any case, thanks again and please keep us updated!

 

[the1andonly]

The micro iDSD BL came today. Just had a short listen. (FYI, I'm using Roon with the DACs connected to an iMac)
Definitely different than the Mojo, the iFi is much brighter and more detailed. However it is probably went too much in that direction. I wanted a bit more clarity and openness, but the iFi has been a bit too aggressive on some songs.

Using Campfire Audio Andromeda phones and their cables as well.
I switched from my Pure Silver Litz cable to the Silver plated copper Litz cable and it's calmed down a little.
More on this story as it appears.

The iFi BL isn't bright overall trust me, the mojo is just that smooth and warm in comparison, I have listened to multiple tube amps that the Mojo makes sound neutral in comparison.
I would advise you to set the "Filter" setting to "Standard"

 

[Todd R]

Yes, standard filter was the easiest to listen to.

 

[the1andonly]

Yes, standard filter was the easiest to listen to.

Curious if your keeping it, either way it would help to give you some more recommendations. It's honestly not super bright, but a lot of the "cheap but measures well" will likely piss you off, it's much more unforgiving, it pisses me off and I am nowhere near as sensitive I think (but the headphone factors in).... Lots of people here like that who want a bit of smoothness, maybe at the cost of the last 2-3% of detail, for me that is the definition of "refined". For me the BL's standard switch is like ooh la la @iFi audio .... You might honestly want to try out tubes, don't think it's a requirement but I would consider jamming them in if you do 1-2 more amp purchases in the future. Anyway there are amps (and DAC amps) like the Mojo but desktop size with a lot more detail while cutting the tops of the highs and generally being warm.

 

[Todd R]

Curious if your keeping it, either way it would help to give you some more recommendations. It's honestly not super bright, but a lot of the "cheap but measures well" will likely piss you off, it's much more unforgiving, it pisses me off and I am nowhere near as sensitive I think (but the headphone factors in).... Lots of people here like that who want a bit of smoothness, maybe at the cost of the last 2-3% of detail, for me that is the definition of "refined". For me the BL's standard switch is like ooh la la @iFi audio .... You might honestly want to try out tubes, don't think it's a requirement but I would consider jamming them in if you do 1-2 more amp purchases in the future. Anyway there are amps (and DAC amps) like the Mojo but desktop size with a lot more detail while cutting the tops of the highs and generally being warm.

Still auditioning but it's looking like it needs to go
When cymbals or certain notes on a sax shoot through your eardrum like an icepick, that is unacceptable to me.
I need something that falls between the Mojo and iFi.

I'll catch you up on what's been happening here:
I HAD a Chord Hugo 2 which I used for IEM's as well as feeding my ZMF Pendant amp which is for my full size headphones (ZMF Verite Closed and Hifiman HE1000V2).
I tried a Sonnet Morpheus DAC which I ended up preferring and sold the Hugo 2. Even though the Hugo 2 was fantastic with the Andromeda, I couldn't justify having 2 expensive DACs here.
Since the Pendant is a tube amp that is not made for super sensitive IEMs (too noisy) I needed another amp or amp/dac. I had the Mojo in the past so I gave it another try, but found it needed a bit more clarity after living with the Hugo 2.
I also auditioned a few different amps that were suitable for full size as well as IEM phones but the Pendant beat all of them so far.

 

[the1andonly]

Still auditioning but it's looking like it needs to go
When cymbals or certain notes on a sax shoot through your eardrum like an icepick, that is unacceptable to me.
I need something that falls between the Mojo and iFi.

I'll catch you up on what's been happening here:
I HAD a Chord Hugo 2 which I used for IEM's as well as feeding my ZMF Pendant amp which is for my full size headphones (ZMF Verite Closed and Hifiman HE1000V2).
I tried a Sonnet Morpheus DAC which I ended up preferring and sold the Hugo 2. Even though the Hugo 2 was fantastic with the Andromeda, I couldn't justify having 2 expensive DACs here.
Since the Pendant is a tube amp that is not made for super sensitive IEMs (too noisy) I needed another amp or amp/dac. I had the Mojo in the past so I gave it another try, but found it needed a bit more clarity after living with the Hugo 2.
I also auditioned a few different amps that were suitable for full size as well as IEM phones but the Pendant beat all of them so far.

Having a hard time thinking of anything smooth + portable

the xCAN is on sale, you would have to ask iFi but I think it's about the same level of Neutral

https://www.headphones.com/products/ifi-audio-xcan-portable-headphone-amplifier-with-bluetooth?

Besides that there are protable class A amps by Aune that are reasonable and probably fit the sound signature but I doubt the quality is going to be amazing

B1, B1s, BU1, BU2

They might make a tube amp as well but I am not sure, just don't think they really beat the Mojo

Since it seems like your serious though best case is going to be portable tube amps, there is a generic one called something like the "little bear".

Then there is stuff that can beat the Mojo from Woo Audio, they are not cheap, but I have a WA7 which is a sort of "looks amazing" type deal.... with a discrete DAC hooked up it's actually really really good, punches above it's weight even the guys at Abyss recognize the 3rd gen which is balanced but uses the same amp section with a beefed up SABRE DAC

https://wooaudio.com/amplifiers/wa8
WA8 is the tube amp

https://wooaudio.com/amplifiers/wa11
WA11 Class A, Woo Audio doesn't make many non-tube amps if any besides this I am aware of so I would venture it's very close to the sound signature you want and probably beats the mojo

if you are looking at any of these I would also consider browsing the classifieds here for a good deal used, a lot of the people are going to post prices around 10% off since they aren't paying an extra 10% to other marketplace sites ask for, and you don't have to pay tax, which on a ~$1000 item starts to add up.

 

[HONEYBOY]

I too found the ifi micro iDSD black label to be on the bright side. However, its treble didn't bother me too much so I suspect you are a tad more sensitive to the treble than I am. I still wholeheartedly recommend that you try to get your hands on a Mojo 2. I have the original Mojo and the Hugo 2. The Mojo 2 with some IEMs and headphones is in my judgment a substantial upgrade over the original. The clarity and detail you're yearning from the Mojo is now there. The only other thing I can potentially recommend is the CEntrance HiFi-M8 V2. That has a nicely refined sound with a black background but I still found the Mojo 2 to be better.

 

[iFi audio]

For me the BL's standard switch is like ooh la la @iFi audio

Noted, thanks!

I too found the ifi micro iDSD black label to be on the bright side.

Thanks! Although micro iDSD BL isn't considered as a bright sounding DAC/amp package, it's a matter of one's reference point and sensitivity I think, so I imagine that some users might see it as such and that's all good