- Find out if Chord Mojo 2 is still worth it today
- Discover the features of this popular DAC/headphone amp
- Find out if the Chord Mojo 2 is the best option for your needs
The Chord Mojo 2 is a convenient, portable combination DAC and headphone amplifier built on the legacy and technology of the first.
Two decades of research and development went into making the conversion better, designed to provide a much improved sound quality than the standard converters found in common laptop computers and mobile devices.
After winning multiple glowing reviews and awards, including two “Best DAC” awards at the What Hi-Fi? Awards in 2024, is it still worth it today?
Let’s explore what it does and what sets it apart, how it’s built, the features that make units like this so appealing, and why it might be the perfect DAC choice for your audio setup.
Is Chord Mojo 2 Still Worth it?
The price tag might be an immediate sticker shock for regular consumers.
Though it provides best-in-class conversion and headphone amplification in a small, light format unit, it’s understandable that most won’t get over the price tag.
But if you’re a true audiophile looking to invest in really good conversion, the Mojo 2 is still as valuable as it was on the first release.
Chord Mojo 2: Full Review
There’s no doubt that the Mojo 2 is a significant step up from the first version.
The two biggest factors in why MKII is still relevant today lie in the advanced conversion, DSP, I/O options, and improved power section.
Lossless DSP
British audio engineering has always had a reputation for being top-notch.
And the innovation that goes into the design of the Mojo 2 carries on that tradition, so we’ll start with one of the features that truly sets it apart from the pack, what Chord Electronics calls “Lossless DSP.”
In case you’re not aware, there are two types of digital audio files – “lossy” and “lossless.” Lossy files are compressed files, like MP3.
Lossless files are full-range audio files most commonly created in .WAV but include several other types.
To complicate things further, there are varying degrees of both file types. So just because an audio file is a “lossless” format doesn’t mean that there isn’t some compression introduced when it’s bounced down.
What the company refers to as an “advanced digital tone control,” the unit processes the audio internally without any loss of quality.
Built on a proprietary processing engine and through their UHD (ultra-high-definition) DSP, the Mojo 2 gives you superior conversion and acts as a balancer for the disparate types of playback devices on the market.
Advanced I/O
Much external hardware like this offers one or two simple ways to route the audio. The Mojo 2 offers users a few connectivity methods.
It’s got five digital inputs across high-speed USB-C, micro USB, coaxial, dual-data coaxial connections that operate at 768kHz, and a 96kHz optical input.
As for outputs, there are dual 3.5mm, ⅛” outs. You charge it through the micro USB format. It runs separately in the circuit, so you won’t have to worry about electromagnetic interference in the audio stream.
Features
Let’s get into some other features that round things out, like how it sounds, navigates, and builds quality.
Sound
An external DAC in this price range is a dedicated buying decision.
If you’re landing on one in this class, you’ve researched, made sure it offers the features you need, and determined it provides the sound quality you’re searching for. So audio fidelity is the best feature to start with.
Through Chord Electronics’ proprietary FPGA processing, they ensured the sound quality is as good as possible in an external DAC in this range.
Many people felt the first version offered more color to the sound, and the second version seems to have more of a neutral response.
With the onboard DSP, this isn’t an issue, as you can adjust the frequency curve to taste from the unit or your playback device.
Whether you’re using it through studio or consumer headphones, in the field, or integrated into your hi-fi system at home doesn’t matter. It provides a great sense of dynamics and imaging.
Navigation
The Mojo 2 offers an upgraded menu system the first iteration didn’t offer.
Through the four light-up, polychromatic “control spheres,” you can access parameters like mute, tone control, crossfeed, and button lock.
Version 2 rolled out a new menu system that offers more advanced navigation across features, including the UHD DSP.
It’s simple to dial in, and Chord Electronics did a great job of making the navigation system intuitive and simple.
Build Quality and Footprint
Having one more piece of hardware to carry around might not be immediately appealing. Still, the footprint of the aircraft-grade aluminum enclosure chassis couldn’t be more ergonomic.
And each device is handmade in the UK, lending a little bit of an artisan touch.
Sitting at 3.26” x 2.44” x .90”, you couldn’t ask for a more streamlined format, especially considering the converters pack’s audio punch and robust connectivity options.
You don’t have to worry about it being cumbersome in your carrying case, it comes in at under .5 pounds.
Better Battery Life
The battery section in version two is redesigned. It charges faster and shows a 75% reduction in power loss and a 9% gain in overall battery capacity.
You can charge it through USB bus power, and since it’s segmented in the circuit, even if you’re near 0% battery life, it won’t interfere with the audio stream.
Chord Mojo 2: Setup
Integrating your audio system through the robust I/O is easy.
You can connect it through USB, coaxial, or optical input connections. Dual 3.5mm auxiliary connections let you send signal out to headphones or a speaker system.
If you have your own recording setup, you can even use it as an alternate DAC for playback. The 3.5mm outputs add some complications to this, but you can check mixes on it at the very least.
Total Mojo
We’ve gone over what the Mojo 2 is, the inspired engineering that went into designing it, and the features that garnered it so much attention last year.
So, is the Mojo 2 still worth it? Absolutely.
The only downside is that it only offers 3.5mm outputs, but that’s an easy workaround.
Devices like these are for audiophiles who are always looking for the best sonic quality out of their devices.
Some might want to avoid investing in or carrying another piece of gear. But if you’re looking for a unique spin on an external DAC/headphone amp, the Mojo 2 is worth every bit that it was last year.
FAQ
What are the differences between the Chord Mojo 2 and the original Chord Mojo?
The biggest differences are the upgrade in converters, the battery life and how the charging function works, and how the menus are navigated.
Considering how old the original Mojo is, the second version is a significant step up in many areas.
What headphones are compatible with the Chord Mojo 2?
The Mojo 2 is designed to provide a balanced response with whatever type of headphones you use, from the best studio headphones to the lowest models on the consumer market.
Can the Chord Mojo 2 be used with smartphones and other mobile devices?
Yes. It’s ideal for use with phones, tablets, and other mobile devices to provide a much better conversion and sound quality than the stock DAC and headphone amps that come with these types of devices.
Does the Chord Mojo 2 support high-resolution audio formats?
Yes. It supports a 96kHz sample rate through the optical input and up to 768kHz through micro USB and coaxial inputs.
What are the benefits of using the Chord Mojo 2 for music playback?
Integrating it into your setup gives you the best-in-class conversion, multiple I/O points, and a significant improvement in overall audio quality.
How does the Chord Mojo 2 compare to other portable DACs?
Overall it stands up to the best external DAC competitors.
You might be able to find something for half as much that gives you an acceptable sound, but all things considered, it’s a great audio investment – if you’re looking to make one.
What are some common issues or limitations of the Chord Mojo 2?
It only comes with a few limitations. The first is the price tag.
It’s not cheap, but a lot of care went into the design to ensure it provides the best audio quality. The other big downside is that the only outputs it has are 3.5mm, but if this is an issue, you can always use adapters.
