Features + Tech specs
Mojo was designed for the music loving Smartphone owner. With iDevices you will need a CCK and on Android you will most likely need a “player” that allows you to use “USB-Out” like USB Audio Player Pro. On an Apple computer you don’t need to install any drivers but you do on a Windows based platform.
According to Chord you can use any pair of headphones with Mojo, from 4Ω to 800Ω, and I really does play nice with harder to drive orthos and high impedance dynamic headphones indeed. Mojo’s “DAC” plays all files from 32kHz to 768kHz and even DSD 256. Setting up the Mojo for ASIO playback is quite easy, it’s even explained in the Mojo manual.
TECHNICAL SPECS:
Output Power @ 1kHz
600 ohms 35mW
8 ohms 720mW
Output Impedance: 0.075 ohms
Dynamic Range: 125dB
THD @ 3v – 0.00017%
Sound
Mojo’s sound signature is flowing, musical and easy to like and it’s no wonder why so many people fall for it. Compact size, versatility and good sound: it has everything it needs to be a hit. While I personally still prefer Hugo over Mojo (more on that later), this unit simply lets you enjoy music on-the-go. This isn’t really always the case for the Hugo as a lot of people find it almost too good for on the go: too analytical, too precise, maybe too bright and too correct, especially with IEMS.I’m not one of them. Mojo for a lot of people works better in this regards with a more in your face kind of presentation and a full bodied musical presentation that works extremely well with IEMs.
Mojo has that full bodied sound from bass to highs and it doesn’t really put any parts upfront or in the back. Bass, treble and mids are treated equally and the total presentation just is right. You get a faster type of sound with good attack on a fully black and silent background. The Chord Mojo doesn’t really shine in one specific thing area, it does everything at a good level and exactly that is why it’s such a win: its total package and sound delivery just is spot on for a lot of people. Mojo is more than just the FOTM in audiophile land.
Mojo has a very good level of detail from bass to highs but it might be a little stronger in the mids and bass department compared to the treble. Treble is energetic yet still relaxed and detailed but it at the same time doesn’t fully extend. Hardly anyone will find the Mojo’s treble lacking though, it’s more than good enough. Mojo is clean, clear, dynamic and transparent. It to me also is a little more compact sounding with a touch of darkness, especially compared to the Hugo. I find Mojo’s depth and width good but not as impressive as the on the Hugo, which has better layering by far. While Mojo’s mids sound engaging, the overall presentation to me still is more on the digital side, especially when compared to Hugo which sounds more analog. That’s my main point of criticism for Mojo as this is something that the Hugo does a whole lot better.
Bass is punchy and tight with a good amount of body; in fact Mojo just might have gotten the bass part exactly right. The way Mojo brings bass simply pleases everyone: it has the right amount of body for the normal listener and even the bass fans get just enough of it. Bass appears when needed depending on the type of music you’re listening to and especially with IEMs, bass is very engaging. The level of layering and depth is quite good but it’s not near the level of the Hugo.
Mojo’s mids flow perfectly up from the bass and are a little more spacious than the bass part. Just like the bass the mids are musical and engaging with that right amount of body and presence. Vocals are really nice and sound pretty realistic although I find them to be even more natural sounding on the Hugo. The instrumental separation in the mids section is pretty good but the mids aren’t the widest or most airy either. That means you’ll get good detail and a sense of naturalness but it isn’t the most airy sound, and that’s exactly why I’m inclined to say the sound is more compact or concentrated.
Digital Input
The sound signature of the Mojo slightly changes based on the digital input used. To test this we’ve hooked up the Mojo in four different ways:
- Optical (AK380) – Using Hugo’s original short optical cable
- USB (AK70/PC) – Using the ALO CDM USB cable/ALO Green line USB
- Coaxial (DX90) – Using a mix of Fiio and iBasso cables
- USB Android (Samsung S4) – Using the ALO CDM USB cable
I’ve used the optical input for a very long time when the AK120II and AK240 were still in my collection. Now that the AK380 has the USB out function I actually prefer that over the optical one. While the differences are limited I do find the optical input to sound lighter and more analytic. The amount of body in the bass and mid region seems to be slightly less, especially compared to the USB and Coaxial input. Size wise the AK70 connected to the Mojo over USB with a short OTG cable (it connects 1 out of 3 to 4 times) is the ultimate portable stack, but it’s still a stack. Basically you get the same quality and type of sound as when you’re connecting the Mojo to your laptop by USB. The above mention description of sound is valid for the AK70 as well. This setup is so small in size and it delivers a top quality sound. The AK70 isn’t the cheapest DAP to just use as a source, but it has a great UI and it’s an excellent DAP on itself (with a warmer, thicker and more fun presentation with more bass).
It continues on Page 3, after the JUMP
CL
thanks for the review and out of curiousity, would an amp like the Violectric V100 or a portable like ALO’s National/International give the mojo more “juiciness” (organic, earthy mids)?
I’m currently using the mojo with the audeze LCDX and HD650, and ALO greenline throughout.
looking forward to your feedback!!
Lieven
thank you. For both those headphones I fully recommend getting the V100/V200 and I’d stay away from portable gear. Mojo can still be used as DAC with the Line Out connected to the desktop amp. I find myself using the Hugo very often like that
CL
thank you for your prompt response !! btw, do you have any idea if the Lake People 109 would be an affordable alternative for the violectric in terms of tonality? or you do get what you paid for.
Lieven
Check out our 109 review. It’s basically the V100 in a pro costume
CL
thank you
David Mayhew
Excellent review. My only dap is the Sony ZX2 and I have found that I prefer the sound coming directly out of the ZX2 using my balanced Noble K10’s. However I have a pair of Audeze Sines which the ZX2 simply does not drive very well and it is then that I turn to the Mojo to provide the power. Just wish there was an alternative as there are not many cable options to hook up the ZX2 to the Mojo. I suppose i could change the dap but I like the sound of the ZX2 so maybe I need to change the amp?
Lieven
I’m glad to see you prefer your K10s on the DAP output over the Mojo. The Sine, yes, that’s another story 🙂
RC
Many thanks for the excellent review. I have recently acquired the Oppo HA-2 (which I believe you have reviewed as well) and using it with the DT990 Pro and AT70Mx. Wonder whether you could do any comparision to the Mojo…
Lieven
Nathan did the HA-2 review and I did the Mojo, it might be best to ask him in his article
http://www.headfonia.com/review-chord-mojo-the-chosen-one/
RC
Seems my question became obsolete. Someone asked it in there already. Nathan’s answer was: “Better in every way.”(meaning the Mojo…) 😉
dale thorn
The HA-2 ain’t bad, but for sound it’s more like a $150 amp than a $300 amp. It certainly looks nice and mates well with a similar-size phone.
Bryce Morgan
The original AK100 is a perfect fit sizewise and with 32GB + 2 slots (SanDisk 200GB) = 432GB. Not bad for small portable stack. I switched to an AK120 Titan – a little bit taller but it has 128GB internal storage for a total of 528GB.
Lieven
That’s a lot of storage! I’ve seen quite the number of AK100/Mojo stacks as well. Seems to be a good combo 🙂
Clarence
Great and spot on review. I too prefer hugo over mojo a lot. I’d like to know more about the HD800(S)/HUGO combo as l’m looking for a headphone to pair with my hugo. Does hugo has enough power to drive HD800(S) its full potential?
I had demoed the hdvd800 and quite like its sq. How do u compare them?
Thanks
Lieven
It seems we’re the minority though. Mojo is loved by a lot of people. I wouldn’t say Hugo has the same ability to power the HD800(S) like a full sized desktop ss or tube amp but the synergy with the Hugo is there. Hugo makes it sound more like a tube amp makes the Senns sound, but I like it very much. Full potential, I don’t think so.
I’m not a fan of the Sennheiser amps. they’re not bad at all, but they have nothing special going for them either. Just “another” amp.
Edward
Lieven, I think it’s only appropriate now to ask how you would compare this Mojo to the AQ Dragonfly’s 🙂
dale thorn
I don’t have the Mojo, but since there’s not a lot of info on comparisons, I figured I’d add this – my new DragonFly Black sounds very similar to the Oppo HA-2, except the HA-2 has more treble ‘splash’, being possibly brighter or maybe having more distortion. In any case I like the DF Black better. But I also have a AR M2 music player in the house that beats both – very smooth treble with just as much detail as the DF and HA-2, but less irritating. The DF Black is a super deal compared to the HA-2 which costs 3 times as much, so if the DF Red is better than the Black, the Red might make a good comparison to the Mojo.
ReizeiMako
Can you please compare Mojo with Fiio X7 / Fiio X7+Picollo? My headphones are ATH-M50X and Fidelio X2. Thank you.
Lieven
They can’t directly be compared as the X7 has different AM modules. Unless you go X7 without AM module to Mojo. Personally I’d use the X7’s dac and the Picollo
Barun C
Nice article Lieven. For me the MoJo would’ve been hot if it’s price was at around $400 or so, especially since the Celsus Sound Companion One is now available at $349 and it’s wireless. I hope more manufacturers follow that route.
Lieven
I agree, it’s a tad too expensive for the SQ but it it very versatile and small.
Jeffrey
was going to sell my ifi IDSD (paired w Ether Cs) and decide between Mojo, Hugo or ALO CDM as the total solution-not a combo of any of the foregoing. With your reviews, I lean now more toward the Hugo (wondering if they would modify to decode higher-res files tho?) now that the price has dropped, or ALO CDM with the Mojo in 3rd place….I go mobile with android/ USB/Tidal frequently but just as frequently use the DAC between my PC (Tidal source) and my full size Classe amp/preamp and Sonus Fabers in my office setup. In one simple recommendation-which would you pick for those multiple uses without going crazy? (also-I wont tube roll, EVER) once I get it right, Im kinda done….
CL
Hi Jeffrey
Unless you are looking for a “colder tonality” Mojo and CDM would be preferable to Hugo, my experience was validated by Dan (MrSpeakers) who said on headfi that Mojo is much better than Hugo when paired with the Ether C.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/777735/mrspeakers-ether-c-review-announcement-a-new-closed-back-planar-magnetic-flagship-from-mrspeakers/3675#post_12522924
Good luck
Lieven
Also, there’s the WA8. But Hugo is always a winner (to me)
Perrin
I probably will be one if the few to buck the trend when comparing the Mojo to other DAP’s and or other DAC’s
My introduction to this level of audio equipment came about while researching my potential purchase of the Oppo HA-2. I had been looking for a DAC/AMP for my Android Nexus 6 at the time.
The only problem was all the reviews I read up until then were mentioning something called the Chord Mojo and how it was a DAC to be considered. My interest was piqued. A few further reviews but now primarily on the Mojo git me doing something I very seldom do, purchasing blind.
Personally I have not regretted my decision once. I have owned my Mojo since November 2015 and at the time the TOTL DAP was the AK240. I had since purchasing my Mojo compared as best I could side by side the Mojo and Nexus 6 with the entire AK range at one sitting and personally preferred the Mojo especially when taking into consideration the expenditure £399 v £2500. During this sitting I compared headphones from the Grado SR325e, Audeze EL8, Shure SE535, Sennheiser IE800, Audeze LCD2 and Sennheiser HD800 with the Mojo performing amicably with all.
I have since tried not only many other headphones and in-ears monitors as well as comparing with other DAC’S including those in the Chord range and I still believe the Mojo to have been the right choice for my needs, Hugo I did not find to be vastly superior
All things considered, SQ alone I have found very little to better the Mojo and I have to include the later AK players which I since listened too. For me it’s the sound stage, imagery and details provided that has not been artificially widened but IMO a truer 3D image of the music as was meant to be.
Simon
Thanks for the review.
If anything it justifies my love of the Mojo (at 3-4 times the cost an AK380 is way out of the question) but I’m now also very interested in a Hugo for my brother. I was worried that the added cost wouldn’t be worth it, but I think from this review you seem to say it still is. Heck, if I was loaded I probably would’ve got the Hugo instead but the Mojo was at the upper limit of what I could afford and justify and I’m still very happy with it, especially because I don’t mind a darker or more congested sound and I plan to use it with IEMs mostly whereas my brother is mainly interested in full size.
So thanks again.
Mateo
How to compared with X7 + Am2??
JohnC
Am I right in thinking the lights can’t be turned off while the unit is on? Thanks.
E.T.
Another great review Lieven! I enjoyed the read. Been toying around for a while about getting a simple 2nd setup since there are a couple of used Mojo’s going for decent prices over where I’m at. Although I can’t help but think about the Hugo. In your experience, how is the Hugo with very sensitive IEMs? In terms of gain / noise (quiet background).
Lieven
thanks!. SQ wise I prefer the Hugo but the Mojo is easier to use. It also is more silent with very sensitive iems, that’s disadvantage the Hugo unfortunately has. What IEM do you think will be an issue?
Jeff
How many more times can you tell us the Hugo sounds better? I’m not stupid, I didn’t think Chord were having a laugh by charging £1000 more for the Hugo. But if people’s budget is £400 they don’t want to constantly hear that it’s not as good in this way and that way or the other,this only spoils the excitement and makes it seem like they are purchasing an inferior product.
Lieven
About 11
Kenny
Lol..
Btw Jeff, Lieven just said Hugo better in some regards, he did not say Mojo was a inferior product, so don’t take it seriously.
One thing Lieven didn’t mention and Mojo really shine over Hugo. Mojo is a much much more portable/mobile dac, only about 1/3 of Hugo size.
Jeff
????????
Andrea Bolognesi
Hello and thank you for this review , i have one question , i have the ak 70 , i have connected it with the Mojo by an micro usb but when i play my dsd they became 176… why?
Mark
Hi
Donyou think the Mojo is a good match for the Audese LCD-XC? And what about the Hugo with the XC?
Lieven
XC and Mojo not really, but with the Hugo it is very nice!
Fredrik
What is best headphone combo with Mojo? I have mojo with DT770 AE. I think with DT770, mojo don’t show it’s full potential.
dale thorn
I hate to just recommend a higher price, but in this case it makes perfect sense. The new Beyers like the DT1770 and the Amiron are “Tesla 2.0”, and will give you a clear, smoother sound with a tighter bass. I have the DT1770, which complements the closed-back DT770ae very well, although the Amiron is open-back.
Fredrik
Thanks for the advise, i also consider to buy DT1770. But i still curious how planar sound. Is it good combo with HE400i or maybe with more expensive HE560 ?
Lieven
I think you’ll enjoy the HE400I most with the Mojo
Lieven
I couldn’t tell you which is best because that depends on a whole lot of factors. I think it’s rather a case of Mojo’s sound signature, if you don’t like it on the Mojo you probably want something warmer with bigger bass. An Amiron could be better with the Mojo
Fredrik
Thanks for the advice. Really appreciate it. I will try to audition the Amiron and HE400I.
Joaquín
Hi,
Can you please suggest the best DAC/amp or DAP for Shure SE846?
Thanks.
Herbie Vos
Hi lieven,
Got a Mojo with the beyerdynamic DT1770 and I think it’s hard to find a better combo for the ????. I know €1000 is a lot of money for the most people, but it’s worth every penny. Mojo vs Hugo is not a fair comparison, €1790 vs €499 is a big gap. But they have the same DNA.
Greets Herbie
Benoît
Hi
First at all thank you very much for all your very interesting reviews.
Do you think the Mojo is a good match with my Ultrasone Edition 8 ?
If not, do you have a another suggestion ? I use a Galaxy S7.
Best regards.
Lieven
Thank you. Honestly, the Ultrasone isn’t for me at all. So I can’t really recommend anything for it.
Michael Feehily
Comparing DF red & mojo as I have both .DF red is great ,nice full sound & good separation but mojo is more than double in price and is better in every sense by a good margin.A far more audiophile device.
Jagan
Have u compared or ur opinion on Mojo with Cypherlabs solo dB + Cypherlabs Duet with respect to sound quality (mainly in highs), separation , depth
Jagan
And also the pairing Audeze LCD X with both the setup
Joelparisi
Hello I’m from Indonesia. I want to ask about your opinion. Is a smartphone or portable player more suitable combined with Chord Mojo? I personally often use iPhone and AK 70 when using Chord Mojo as a daily device.
Is there a difference in sound quality if I use a different source outside the file I use?
Lieven
Sound will indeed be different depending on the source. IT might not make sense but try and hear the difference yourself 🙂
Joelparisi
Thankyou for the response. I honestly ask like this because I am arguing with my friend. According to him there will be no difference in sound because it will still be the same. The difference is the last output, whether we use iem or headphones. But I disagree. Because in my opinion there are still different voices through the iPhone or DAP. For iem, which is more compatible with Mojo, is it Layla or Kaiser Encore? Please give your opinion.
Gary Brewer
Lot of people now having issues with the Mojo.
Battery seems to die just after12 months.
Mine will not output sound .
Seems to be a lot of complaints around the same issue.
Response from Chord Is woeful