If you’re reading this then chances are you’ve probably read a lot of other Chord Mojo 2 tests and reviews about how great it is (or original Mojo) and perhaps you’re also considering buying one.  Right off the bat, this isn’t meant to be an in-depth review, but a practical point of view in a very common use case.  Is the Chord Mojo 2 worth it, and specifically how it stacks up against an older internal DAC from a quality integrated amp –in this case my Naim Uniti (1st generation)

You’re probably aware that most bloggers tend to gush over this little device and the vast majority give it stellar reviews. ie: “The Chord Mojo 2 is an absolute game-changer”, “I’ve never heard my headphones sound this good before”, “The Mojo 2 is a must-have for any audiophile – the improvement in sound quality is night and day.” etc.  I’m typically skeptical when I hear this kind of over-the-top praise, but given the sheer magnitude of these gushy reviews, I was intrigued.  At just under $800 USD, this certainly isn’t a cheap piece of kit for most, but the deal with myself was that if I can achieve a clear step up in sound, even a small one, I’d keep it, otherwise it would be heading back.

BTW, if you’re still not fully clear on why having a DAC is crucial in today’s modern stereo systems you might want to start with this article from a little while back: Improve your music in three letters: DAC. 

The Chord Mojo 2 Basics

The Chord Mojo 2 is a “portable” DAC (digital-to-analog converter), plus a headphone amp, that allows you to connect your digital devices either on the go or in a home stereo.  It utilizes Chord’s advanced FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) technology, which allows it to deliver a rich, detailed sound that Chord claims to be “true” to the original recording.

The Mojo 2 also has a high-power output, making it capable of driving even demanding headphones with ease. In addition, it has a variety of connectivity options, including USB, optical, and coaxial inputs, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, making it a versatile device that can be used with a wide range of devices.

There’s a plethora of great detailed technical info out there. particularly on Chord’s website –assuming you already know the basics we’ll spare you from more re-hash of the same!

Initial Unboxing and Impressions

The Mojo 2 has a compact, but solid-quality feel and design, with dimensions of approximately 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches by 0.9 inches and a weight of around 6 ounces. It has a smooth, curved aluminum casing with a glossy finish.  The front of the device has a small display screen and a row of buttons for navigating the menu and adjusting settings. The back of the device has a variety of connectivity options, including USB, optical, and coaxial inputs, as well as a headphone jack and a line output.

The Mojo 2 comes with a USB-C to USB-A cable for connecting to a computer or other device, as well as a user manual.  Normally I would toss aside the manual, but in this case, rest assured that you’ll be frequently going back for reference on any number of cryptic button combos to utilize certain features and decyphering those colorful buttons.  In short, it’s going to take most people some time to get familiar with it.  Yes, it looks cool, but not the most user-friendly interface –particularly for those planning to use it in a home setting.

A small sample snippet of the colored light pannel instructions and legend. Cool but confusing.

Chord Mojo 2 vs. internal DAC in my 12-year-old Naim Integrated Amp (Uniti Gen.1)

I’ve enjoyed the hell out of my Naim Uniti over these 12 years, but I started to wonder how much better could things get with a modern high-quality DAC, particularly one as hyped as this.  Surely DAC technology must have had serious advancement in more than a decade right? Again, as much as I love new tech, I’m holding true to the deal I made with myself was that I’d ONLY be prepared to keep this $800 little box as long as it gave me a noticeable sonic upgrade –yes, I’ve become a more practical and pragmatic audiophile over the years.

I used a few different tracks for the comparison, from the likes of Dire Straits, Radiohead, Air, to Miles Davis, among others, all originating from Apple Music in lossless format (Still waiting on Spotify HiFi for how many years now?!).  The hardware was my iPhone 13  fed Airplay into my Wiim Mini which then fed into an optical digital input via an average $20 amazon cable.  The Wiim Mini, a recent addition replacing my older airport express, is probably the best streaming HiFi bargain out there and I highly recommend it (See our full Review of the Wiim Mini here) — I’ll do a future post on that very soon.  Finally, I was using my trusty Totem Staff speakers which have kept me rocking with a smile for many years (these Canadians really know their speakers).

Above: My trusted Naim Uniti (1st Generation) going strong for well over 12 years. Can its internal DAC stand up against the modern Mojo 2?

Cutting to the chase:

the Mojo 2 sounded great, it was filled with all the airiness and detail I was used to with a rich punchy bass that I’ve been accustomed to (Thank you, Naim and Totem).  The sound signature was only slightly different than my amp’s internal DAC, but was it better?  I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions too soon, but after a few minutes of switching back and forth between the various albums, the conclusion was clear–I was about to save myself $800 and had a newfound appreciation for what I already owned! (I love it when that happens).

As I initially qued up Dire Strait’s Ride across the river (a favorite), the track’s signature gut-shifting bass notes kicked paired with those sparse but potent tomtom drum slaps hit with precision, heft, and lively presence.  I thought the Mojo 2 was a clear winner, but our brains are funny things –perhaps staring at the cool little pastel-colored lights together with the intoxicating scent of new high-end electronics in the air created a brief placebo effect, or simply made everything seem a little better than it was.

After a quick switch back to my own internal DAC, I was again in awe of the same sonic highlights of the same great song.   After another hour or so of testing with various other tracks, from electronic to acoustic, my impressions were the same again and again.  Both sounded superb, or at least my stereo sure did. The Chord did have an ever so slightly warmer tone, but barely noticeable.

Final verdict and thoughts:

1.) My Naim Uniti’s DAC quality certainly stands the test of time, and perhaps it’s a similar story to other high-end integrated units that have an existing DAC.  Yes, technology generally improves with time, but clearly, there’s more to it than that

2.) This is in no way a knock on the Mojo 2.  Naim gear is excellent and meeting, (not necessarily, beating) that sound is a win in my book, so, is the Chord Mojo 2 worth it?  Well, If you’re running a quality amp without a DAC, then this should definitely be a contender, particularly if you want something for serious mobile use.

3.) I will continue to double down further on the importance of a great amp and speakers as the most critical factors.  A DAC is unquestionably a vital component, but you aren’t generally going to experience the same bang for your buck in this area as you will with the others.  I would liken it to a vodka-tasting vs. Steak comparison.  Good luck deciphering a half-decent vodka to another, differences are subtle at best, but low-end steak vs. the good stuff is truly night and day.

So, Is the Chord Mojo 2 Worth it?

Just because you’ve got something older, don’t assume new tech, even when it comes to DACs, no matter the stats and numbers, is going to be a sure thing.  Listen critically, compare and let your OWN ears do the deciding.  I’ve grown so tired of seeing people across online forums asking others to justify their buying decisions on something so personal.  So is the Chord Mojo 2 worth it?  Yes, it’s quirky, but a quality product that deserves a listen.  For those with mobile Hi-Fi listening in mind, with an ample budget, then this easily becomes one of the best options out there; however, for my situation, I didn’t get a sonic uplift that would warrant dropping that kind of money to replace my very already capable internal DAC so this one is going back.

Now, where’s that darn box…