Chord Mojo 2 : A+ Sound Quality / B+ Build Quality

#ChordElectronics #ChordMojo2 #Audiophiles

A fair and balanced, unpaid review, of the new Chord Mojo 2, produced with my creative touch (which is one of the main aims of this channel). As ever, I compare to other products...

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Time Stamps :
0:00 - Intro Sequence
1:12 - What is it? What's a DAC?
2:48 - Brighton UK's tourist board...
3:28 - B Plus Elements
5:00 - Connections / M Scaler?
6:37 - Some Other Button Functions (Mute,X-Feed)
7:16 - Poly...Cable Choices......MQA?
11:16 - Headphone Choices / Bonobo Graphic
12:02 - Sound Quality (v AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt)
13:36 - Lossless DSP Tone Controls?
15:12 - How you select DSP Tone (Graphic)
15:56 - Use it in a Hi-Fi? and how does it rate versus Chord Qutest?
17:22 - Concluding remarks....

Notes:
**1 COMPARISONS OF UNREVIEWED GEAR : Please don't ask me how a product compares to another which I haven't reviewed, as it isn't possible to comment on such products I haven't tested. Check out my website for reviews of products I have completed instead (hit the review tag, and separate tags).

**2 MORE ADVICE : If you are asking me how does X product compare to Y that I HAVE reviewed, or how does something sound beyond comment in videos, or system advice, please sign up to Patreon (small amounts!) where I can offer more of my personal opinions about product A versus B etc... If viewers want this, where you benefit in this way, it is fair to ask for contributions, especially where my time is taken away from videos. Also I can't answer all questions on YouTube anyway.

**3 ABUSE POLICY : I encourage and like debate, and constructive criticism, but people who abuse or troll me, or my subscribers or commenters, post very negative and non constructive and uncorroborated comments designed to put me or others down (where they don't explain themselves), or they could be perceived as such, as well as aggressive comments / hate, or pit my subscribers against me, get their comments removed and I hide them from commenting again. I don’t need the hassle of these people for all the work I put in.

[kenjames]

Thanks Simon. There's just something about your videos that pull you in, keep you at ease and at the same time inform and entertain. I love the b roll you include in each one that give us a window into who you are. It makes you seem more real and relatable. I also enjoy your candor. Thanks for what you do. You are very good at it. By the way, why are you "Brits" so good at this ? P.S. You've (and admittedly Darko) already talked/guided me into a Qutest now for a streamer to go with it ???

[catherinelugg]

Simon, I really appreciate the artistic value of your reviews. You're careful not to do an immediate "data dump, " but instead carefully take the viewer through the product. Please take a bow. And yes, color me jealous about going out for coffee. I still can't quite do that in COVID-land.

[aceofspades]

This is the best review Ive seen thus far on the mojo 2! Very thorough and practical overview. Thanks for the content.

[rustygates]

Can confirm newer units have the acrylic balls built to higher tolerances within the chassis, mine doesn't jiggle at all.

[tonyt]

Thanks for your review. I own the Mojo vs1. Connected to my Bowers and Wilkins P9 signature they sound magical. After 5 years on I am looking forward to purchasing the new Mojo 2 to not only improve the sound of my P9 signatures, but my Hifiman Sundara. I feel the present Mojo vs1 is just able to cope with the Sundara. I use a software crossfeed on my android phone(usb audio player pro) which really improves the music on my P9 signatures, but not on the Sundara. A hardware setting of crossfeed will be better than the software one.

[ccdani]

Awesome ! I have the original mojo and was wondering if I should upgrade to a new mojo 2 or maybe smsl SU-9N+SH9

[Jimwa]

First I really enjoy your video's.I agree with most every thing you say except for the build quality grade. Yes the sticker I know is a cost cutter but does not affect the function or durability of the unit.Take a picture and store the info on your phone. And the button rattle really if that's all you can find wrong with this solid built little jewel Chord has done their job. Sorry just feel you went to heavy on these points. Carry on🙂

[bill]

In regards to your comments about the control balls "rattling". Have you not heard of: :)
Great review BTW, I just got my Mojo 2 after selling off my original Mojo first edition some years ago.

[peterlarkin]

Rattling teardrops. Lol that would annoy me. Plus, dust will find it's way in to those gaps.

P.S. great reviews, top quality.

[tg]

I just bought the chord mojo two and love it so far. I also have the RME and think it’s pretty exceptional as well. Thanks, Simon.

[dentboxhero]

You're way too generous to give it a B+ for build quality. Anything rattling on a portable device is a big NO NO regardless of what explanation Chord is giving which we all know it's BS. Rattles and in this case clacking are one of those things that you will never get used to, it will always call unneeded attention every time. Plus the use of dinosaur era inferior micro USB is beyond me when they already managed to have a USB-C fitted to it. Other than that, great reviews and lovely b rolls.

[tudorgriffiths]

Hi good video, what's the track you used in the coffee shop?

[cbmore]

I’m a little concerned with the opening of your video. The connections with depression are very concerning to me. There are a LOT of resources available to those that may need help.
Honestly I’m a bit confused as the rest of the video does not give that impression at all.

[gimig]

I've compared it to the output out of my 2014 MacBook Pro, I could not notice much difference with my Grado SR325 and when I noticed it, I'm not sure I preferred one version over the other. Searching on internet I noticed that I wasn't the only one. Have you done this test?

[pistopit]

The behaviour of the lights in manual was different to the behaviour of the lights on actual device. Oh man it is going to be a bit of a sudoku to solve.

[westernartifact]

Simon, another great video. I’m watching this about 3 days after getting my Mojo 2. I believe Your review is insightful and your observations are correct. First let me agree with your comments about the manual - it’s very much inadequate. I would go further to say that for the money it should come with proper cables or at the very least with simple, bold, and clear statements about what you must purchase to get it to work with one’s phone. It is ridiculous to have to struggle over such basic information and having to shop for a separate cable.

Second I would like to agree with you on its sound over good headphones. It’s pretty good. I’d take it further though. You didn’t mention (just said probably) about iems. I have some very good in ear monitors. The mojo2 is ok with them but simply doesn’t add much. For sure it doesn’t add $700 worth of benefits for an iPhone and Mac user with IEMs. This has been a major disappointment for me with it. I don’t always want to carry around my full size overears headphone gear. iPhones may be hopelessly bad for sq. I’ve never been able to fix the sound that comes from (Several) of mine. Not even with the Mojo2. I’ll keep trying though. (Btw, poly is hopelessly complicated and buggy so that won’t fix it either).

What you say about using the Mojo2 on a two Chanel system is helpful and consistent with my findings. A lot of distortion and hunting for acceptable gain level combinations between the Mojo2 and the pre amp. Btw, Mojo2 as a pre amp did not sound good for me at all through my amp and speakers. Much better with the pre- amp.

I never had the mojo (1) but had heard from people it was good as a pre-amp. I don’t agree that this works with the mojo2. On a resolving power amp/speakers system the good effects of the DAC (tone, soundstage, etc) are covered with a blanket of distortion.

[rodpinfold]

Great video again Simon, one I personally wouldn’t buy but still Chord are being nice to their fans with this one.

[NightAndDay]

Wow Simon, I love the aesthetics of your video presentation! Great content as well. You’ve got yourself a new subscriber.

[adrianmorrish]

Excellent review, thank you, I am a little concerned with volume matching as still quite new to this passion

[gerritfridericksohn]

Wow, what a tastefully done review. Muchos kudos.