CHORD Mojo 2 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp)

[100hz]

Ok so the tap-count is more a marketing-number thing that I prob wouldn’t notice in real listening. The steep filter matters less for what’s above 22kHz (inaudible anyway) and more for time-domain accuracy near the top of the audible band, but I’ll grant that’s the more contested part of the WTA claims.

For me then it’s less about the filter and more two practical things: UK servicing/warranty; and my chain the Mojo 2 (potentially) → xDuoo TA-26 (as preamp) → Beolab 3 actives. I know feeding a tube preamp, DAC-level transparency differences are going to be well below what the TA-26 itself contributes tonally — so I’m less fussed about squeezing out the last few dB of SINAD than I am about clean gain staging into the TA-26. That’s actually where E50 II’s selectable output levels (2.6V/5.6V) might suit better than Mojo’s fixed ~4.3V max + DSP volume — so considering a look if I go that route instead. (For the last 2 months I was using my muse m6 but that went dead and it’s been sent back for ‘repair’ - not too confident where that’s gonna go..)

 

[Jimster480]

Anyone thinking this or Topping E50 II? I’m in the UK so for servicing mojo2 feels more comfortable. That 40k+ tap filter is persuasive

There is no difference in sound quality.... if anything the E50 II would be better. Servicing literally isn't a thing... I've had devices for a decade already and there has never been any need for service.

The Mojo 4.3V isn't even a standardized value.

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

I am a contented Qutest user. However, there is no way, it's cost, and that of the other Chord siblings, is worth it, compared to the Topping! Just my opinion.

 

[100hz]

Good to know. As I’m in the UK the mojo 2 v1 is reduced to clear stock for the updated version, which makes it competitive. I also feel a bit stung on the chifi side as my muse m6 failed after only 2 months (and others have reported issues when going through the returns process) -my old hifiman dap also had issues. I realise any brand could have random issues (inc Topping!) so dealing with a UK manufacturer is going to be easier for me (Amazon does have a good returns policy but lasts at most for a month and even then it’s sometimes directly through an overseas agent) ..hence one of my considerations.
If in the end I feel Topping value is worth the plunge, E50II or D50III ?

 

[TheGoldRush]

Hello,

yesterday i received a Mojo2 4.4 and its been charging since yesterday eleven pm. Received it with the battery indicator light at orange and listened until the battery died. So it's charging for about 12 hours now. Im using a capable charger (30W) and the micro usb cable it came with and the menu button is illuminated white, what means fastest charging.

It's like this: Its turned off and charging, the battery indicator light is pulsating orange. When I disconnect the charger and switch it on, the battery light turns green. And when I put the charging cable back in the battery light turns to pulsating orange again. And stays that way for an about an hour or so. Then it turns to green and I keep it charging for about another hour (with still green light pulsating)....then, i disconnect the cable, switch it on and a few moments later its back to orange light. (when I put the charger back in directly after switching it on, it instantly goes back to orange light).

Can't be normal, right?

cheers

 

[100hz]

I don’t have one, but have you contacted Chord directly? I’ve also found Claude (or ChatGPT helpful for trouble shooting)

 

[TheGoldRush]

Not yet, as im looking for quick answer at the moment. Dont know how fast chord responds.

Wanna ask people, not AI. But thank you.

 

[100hz]

If you’re in the UK, think it’s worth a quick email to Chord while you’re waiting here (would be interesting to see what level of customer service you get). In any case, just instinctively, I think what you’re seeing seems a bit buggy..sorry for stating the obvious

Hopefully someone who owns one will reply - good luck!

 

[100hz]

Final thought and then I’ll shut-up
I think you have a faulty battery, ie dead one
Hopefully Chord will remedy this for you

 

[TheGoldRush]

I wrote to chord, should reply in the next 48hours.

But yes, as its still not fully charged theres definetly something wrong .

 

[100hz]

FYI:
UK consumer rights Act 2015 (You’re protected if you bought from a UK trader/retailer):
• If a fault appears within the first 6 months, the law presumes it was present at the time of purchase — the retailer has to prove otherwise.
• First 30 days: full refund if faulty (short-term right to reject).
• 30 days–6 months: retailer gets one attempt at repair or replacement first. Only if that fails, isn’t possible, or takes unreasonably long do you get a refund (which can have a small deduction for use, though rarely applied this early).
• 6 months–6 years: same repair/replace/refund ladder applies, but now you have to show the fault was inherent at purchase (not wear and tear or misuse).

UK retailers cannot make you jump through hoops to prove your issue is accurate for the 6-month window.

Let us know your journey

 

[TheGoldRush]

The journey is over

Bought it a german store (i am austrian). Was offered to send it back and they gonna refer it to the german distributor, for repair. But i dont wanna deal with that, as im not gonna wait for a new purchased product to be repaired (and i fear that this could takes weeks during summer and vacation time etc), so i asked for a refund.

Gonna buy another one as i really liked it so far. Those glowing button codes seem overwhelming, when you read the manual for the first time, but its really simple and straight forward. And i love that theres no app needed to change settings.

It might be to expensive in the USA, for example, but here in europe you can get it for 420€ new. And i think thats ok for what it is.

 

[100hz]

That’s great! So you’re gonna buy from the same store? Which retailer? That price is cheaper than here in the UK as the GBP is strong currently. I might take advantage and have it shipped to a friend in the EU

 

[100hz]

Hell, at that price I’d have change left to get a Topping e30ii just to compare and do an Amazon return if it’s not so remarkable

 

[stefanovesa]

Is the device becoming hot during use? I'm asking because my hi-res dongle without inside battery is hot after some time and I have concerns when it is inside my bag

 

[aptx78]

Bought the 2026 model. Charging this device is not easy- quite fussy about which charger is used. But the sound is quite something. When I play this through my speakers (KEF LS50 Metas), I lose track of soundstage, depth, width, etc, I just get mesmerized by the smoothness- its difficult to describe it but its like listening to very high resolution vinyl. The combination of vinyl smoothness with the benefit of high res sound.

 

[aptx78]

The journey is over

Bought it a german store (i am austrian). Was offered to send it back and they gonna refer it to the german distributor, for repair. But i dont wanna deal with that, as im not gonna wait for a new purchased product to be repaired (and i fear that this could takes weeks during summer and vacation time etc), so i asked for a refund.

Gonna buy another one as i really liked it so far. Those glowing button codes seem overwhelming, when you read the manual for the first time, but its really simple and straight forward. And i love that theres no app needed to change settings.

It might be to expensive in the USA, for example, but here in europe you can get it for 420€ new. And i think thats ok for what it is.

If you face this issue again try using an older ipad/ iphone charger with the supplied cable. Should be ok.

 

[mocenigo]

Bought the 2026 model. Charging this device is not easy- quite fussy about which charger is used. But the sound is quite something. When I play this through my speakers (KEF LS50 Metas), I lose track of soundstage, depth, width, etc, I just get mesmerized by the smoothness- its difficult to describe it but its like listening to very high resolution vinyl. The combination of vinyl smoothness with the benefit of high res sound.

Interesting, especially in light of the fact that high-resolution vinyl does not exist ;-)

 

[AudioSceptic]

Bought the 2026 model. Charging this device is not easy- quite fussy about which charger is used. But the sound is quite something. When I play this through my speakers (KEF LS50 Metas), I lose track of soundstage, depth, width, etc, I just get mesmerized by the smoothness- its difficult to describe it but its like listening to very high resolution vinyl. The combination of vinyl smoothness with the benefit of high res sound.

Interesting, especially in light of the fact that high-resolution vinyl does not exist ;-)

Also with a SINAD > 100 dB and flat response, I'd expect it to sound like any other good DAC. Might there be some effect in connecting a HP output to a line input?

 

[staticV3]

Also with a SINAD > 100 dB and flat response, I'd expect it to sound like any other good DAC. Might there be some effect in connecting a HP output to a line input?

A HP output is like a Line output except even less sensitive to the input impedance of the connected Amp.

Definitely no weird effects there.