Read our full Chord Mojo 2 review The best USB DAC And what about existing Mojo owners? Honestly, Chord has left us no choice but to recommend the upgrade. iFi also offers a cheaper option with its GO Blu, which has the added bonus of a Bluetooth connection between it and the source.īut for those who are after a primarily portable or desktop DAC solution in this price region (and cannot triple their budget to Chord Hugo 2 territory), we believe the decision to Mojo 2 or not to Mojo 2 is far easier. While from a performance point of view the Award-winning Mojo 2 can just as confidently raise a hi-fi system’s game too, some of those looking for a system boost might reasonably prefer a dedicated system alternative with more suitable connections, such as the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M. And while those familiar with Chord’s most affordable product will see from the accompanying image that the aesthetic hasn’t exactly been overhauled for the sequel, significant progress has been made elsewhere to protect its position as the pinnacle of portable DACs. ![]() The fittingly named Mojo 2 is the long-anticipated, re-engineered replacement to the 2015-released original Mojo, which burst onto the scene as a real benchmark-setting game-changer in the then-fledgling world of portable DACs/headphone amps. Read our full iFi Zen DAC V2 review The best portable DAC The Zen Air DAC is even more affordable, but we're yet to put that one through its paces. Offering a significant upgrade over computer sound quality in an era where people need it most, the Zen DAC V2 is another feather in the cap for iFi’s budget Zen series. ![]() At the other end is another Pentaconn balanced output, which sits alongside the more conventional 6.3mm socket. This budget DAC, which can be USB or mains powered (though a mains adapter doesn’t come in the box), is excellent in both the features and performance department for the money.Īt one end is a USB Type B input, plus RCA line-level and 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced outputs. The output of the Zen DAC can be switched between fixed and variable, meaning the iFi can operate as a digital preamp if you so wish. ![]() They pay off, as the DAC's current What Hi-Fi? Award-winning status demonstrates. It’s what iFi has done with its budget home DAC and headphone amp offering, with the original Zen DAC now making way for a ‘V2’ model that offers improvements in terms of processing, MQA decoding and circuitry. But at the same time we realise that in a competitive industry such as hi-fi, making the best even better off your own back isn’t necessarily a bad idea. Paris nicely with all the headphones I tried, from IE900 to ZMF VC.The ‘if it ain’t broke…’ saying isn’t lost on us. Pairs absolutely splendidly with Cayin C9 and Woo Audio WA8 amps, both amps give expression to the Mojo 2's technical chops. Leather case is quite nice, though seams at the back slightly conceal USB ports. USB-C placement feels a bit comical you do get the sense it was just stuck on to appease a certain demand.ħ. Clearly a preference to any kind of software DSP, aside from Roon.ĥ. EQ function is well-designed, well-implemented, if slightly fiddly. Mojo 1 is more laid back, slightly smoother.Ĥ. Overall presentation is slightly more forward. Chord have done well to avoid the timbre from being overly dry and analytical.ģ. ![]() Less warm than Mojo 1, but overall clarity is more engaging to me. Not Hugo 2 level, but very impressive for a small and affordable unit.Ģ. Clearly a step-up from Mojo 1 on a technical level.
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