Chord • DACs
Chord Mojo 2
Open pageSix years after the original defined the category, the Mojo 2 updated Chord's FPGA-based portable DAC/amp with finer filtering, the lossless UHD DSP tone system, 32bit/768kHz support, and 600mW of output at £449. Approved reviews agree the sequel earns the name: Headfonics hears a more accurate, more energetic presentation than the V1 with the DSP applied seamlessly (no dynamic-range or volume penalty) while MajorHiFi and Headfonia treat it as the transportable benchmark for musical, dense, analog-flavored sound. Standing criticisms: the polychromatic button interface remains famously cryptic, there is no proper desktop-charging thermal comfort, and phone-stack ergonomics lag dongle rivals.
Strengths
- Class-reference musical density and timbre from Chord's FPGA approach
- Lossless UHD DSP tone controls with zero dynamic-range penalty
- 600mW drives IEMs and most headphones with authority
Weaknesses
- Cryptic color-coded sphere interface still needs the manual
- Bulkier and less phone-friendly than modern dongles
- Battery management and heat remain the platform's weak spot