[Sunstealer]

Morning all.

I've been through a clearout of my stuff recently and now have just a Zen DAC V2, with a Zen CAN on the way for the HD58X. I like the Ifi house sound but am wondering if the Mojo 1 might offer something different, either by itself or hooked up to the CAN. I would be using the Mojo as a desktop device only, so would probably take the battery out.

Anyone have any experience with these two DAC/Amps they could share? Or is there something else that might fit the bill as a desktop DAC? Ideally it should be either slightly warm or balanced rather than neutral or bright.

 

[WorksUnit]

I have had both for a while now.
Tend to think of the Zendac2 as throwing as much at you as possible, whereas Mojo is more nuanced and subtle when the music calls for it.

 

[Sunstealer]

I'm selling some gear to fund a second-hand Mojo 1 so will take it from there. Cheers.

 

[WorksUnit]

Ideally it should be either slightly warm or balanced rather than neutral or bright.

Like the Mojo with my brighter IEM more than ZenDac2...
Good time to buy one as well

 

[trondav]

I have had both. Mojo 1 for sure. Very warm and nice sound. Much more detailed than the Zen Dac V2. The only problem with an "old" Mojo 1 is the battery - but it is easily changed by yourself in 10 minutes. Cost about 20 USD.

 

[Sunstealer]

I think I'll try one out. Can always hook it up to the Zen Can if I want more power. I've taken apart and serviced PlayStation 3s so debatterying a Mojo shouldn't be too much of a problem

 

[surfgeorge]

I think I'll try one out. Can always hook it up to the Zen Can if I want more power. I've taken apart and serviced PlayStation 3s so debatterying a Mojo shouldn't be too much of a problem

Good choice! Love my Mojo...
If you take out the battery for desktop use, maybe consider adding a supercap like shown here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-mojo-dac-amp-☆★►faq-in-3rd-post-◄★☆.784602/post-16240660

Additionally there has been some really interesting discussion with Rob Watts, the developer behind the Chord DACs, where he stated that he found good switching power supplies to be better than linear power supplies. The explanation was that switching power supplies generate noise which is very easy to filter out, while linear power supplies allow random noise from the grid to pass through, and that, according to Rob Watts is almost impossible to filter out.
Good for us - makes it cheaper to get a good power supply for desktop mode

 

[the1andonly]

Mojo can power a lot of stuff, it takes 2X power at any volume level to add 3db, so gains of 1600mw vs 600 mw @ 32ohms is less than 6db gain is volume, I think around 4.5db... I do like the iFi stuff for bass boost, but if you don't need the switches and don't need the extra power consider selling. the Mojo is just better sound quality.

 

[Sunstealer]

Well, I back-to-back evaluated both the ZEN DAC V2 and Mojo 1 with and without the CAN. The Mojo is warmer compared to the ZEN, which I had thought warm in itself! There is greater clarity and separation with the Mojo; the sound is fuller compared to the ZEN (using 4.4mm balanced). The Mojo has great synergy with the HD58X, more so than the ZEN stack.
Adding the CAN rounded out the DAC V2 sound slightly but it wasn't night and day unless I was using the HD58X, which is to be expected. Adding the Can to the Mojo via a 3.5mm line out actually made the sound a little more neutral and drier, more like the ZEN house sound. As has been pointed out, the Mojo didn't need amping really. The DAC V2 is being returned. I will hang onto to the CAN as it might come in handy in the future if I decide to get a different standalone DAC.

 

[surfgeorge]

Well, I back-to-back evaluated both the ZEN DAC V2 and Mojo 1 with and without the CAN. The Mojo is warmer compared to the ZEN, which I had thought warm in itself! There is greater clarity and separation with the Mojo; the sound is fuller compared to the ZEN (using 4.4mm balanced). The Mojo has great synergy with the HD58X, more so than the ZEN stack.
Adding the CAN rounded out the DAC V2 sound slightly but it wasn't night and day unless I was using the HD58X, which is to be expected. Adding the Can to the Mojo via a 3.5mm line out actually made the sound a little more neutral and drier, more like the ZEN house sound. As has been pointed out, the Mojo didn't need amping really. The DAC V2 is being returned. I will hang onto to the CAN as it might come in handy in the future if I decide to get a different standalone DAC.

Thanks for sharing!
Glad you like the Mojo!

 

[iFi audio]

Well, I back-to-back evaluated both the ZEN DAC V2 and Mojo 1 with and without the CAN. The Mojo is warmer compared to the ZEN, which I had thought warm in itself! There is greater clarity and separation with the Mojo; the sound is fuller compared to the ZEN (using 4.4mm balanced). The Mojo has great synergy with the HD58X, more so than the ZEN stack.
Adding the CAN rounded out the DAC V2 sound slightly but it wasn't night and day unless I was using the HD58X, which is to be expected. Adding the Can to the Mojo via a 3.5mm line out actually made the sound a little more neutral and drier, more like the ZEN house sound. As has been pointed out, the Mojo didn't need amping really. The DAC V2 is being returned. I will hang onto to the CAN as it might come in handy in the future if I decide to get a different standalone DAC.

It's very cool how you handled that hardware change! If it works for you, that's all that matters and keeping an amp "just in case" doesn't hurt. As for your ZEN CAN, ideally it would be happy about seeing a balanced signal, but will work well with SE DACs too. Enjoy

 

[WorksUnit]

keeping an amp "just in case" doesn't hurt.

Yup. I am keeping my Zendac2 because as a dac plays well with my tube amp.

 

[the1andonly]

It's very cool how you handled that hardware change! If it works for you, that's all that matters and keeping an amp "just in case" doesn't hurt. As for your ZEN CAN, ideally it would be happy about seeing a balanced signal, but will work well with SE DACs too. Enjoy

iDSD BL is still better for desktop use, it's not even close, love the DAC switch on that thing, it has saved many a sharp headphone, including my DEKFEN Ananda, and it let's me dial in my tubes exactly how I want (not to mention bass boost set in pre-amp to try to counteract the low end rolloff) a bit sad to see the Signature replace it.... Is there some parts shortage or what will be happening with the portable iDSD switch-monster lineup, honestly I saw a iCAN pro on here and was about to pull the trigger on my first full sized iFi desktop amp (not considering the Zen CAN) but really miss all those switches.....

 

[Sunstealer]

iDSD BL is still better for desktop use...

I had an iDSD BL for a little while but just didn't like the form factor, volume dial or lack of a balanced output. The sound was too thick and warm for me, from memory. Although the Mojo is sort of similar in form factor, I plan to debattery it once that goes and use it as a desktop unit only.

I liked the Neo sound, which is better with a CAN. Waiting for that tech to trickle down into a lower tier of Ifi's lineup.

 

[iFi audio]

Yup. I am keeping my Zendac2 because as a dac plays well with my tube amp.

Thanks! I'm sure that many tube amps would appreciate its company

a bit sad to see the Signature replace it.... Is there some parts shortage or what will be happening with the portable iDSD switch-monster lineup,

As a manufacturer we're always doing our best to up our own game by making products that sound better and better. That said, we also listen to all the feedback and move from there to then keep things that work for most our customers and scrap those that don't. Parts shortage doesn't factor in here