Which Chord Dacs for desktop with external PSU?

[pmcuk]

Which of the Chord Dacs can be used as a permanent desktop Dac with an external linear power supply?

I'm not clear about how the battery is used in the Mojo and Hugo......... Can these models be used with an external linear power supply?

What about the other models (not Dave)?

Can anyone explain?

 

[BalooToo]

I have been looking into the Mojo 2 and that definitely can be used plugged in all the time, but not the first Mojo which does not have the battery saving circuit. Cannot tell you about the others as out of my price range and not looked at them.

 

[pmcuk]

I have been looking into the Mojo 2 and that definitely can be used plugged in all the time, but not the first Mojo which does not have the battery saving circuit. Cannot tell you about the others as out of my price range and not looked at them.

Thanks. So how does the original Mojo work? You have to keep recharging the battery?

Says it has a "1amp Micro USB Charging Port Input". So when connected, does the DAC run off the charger?

I watched a YT video about replacing the battery, and it is attached with a 2 pin connector to the Dac circuit. I was wondering if that connector could be brought outside the case and connected to a linear power supply. If the voltage is the same + adequate current it should work, no?

 

[pmcuk]

May be even simpler to use the Mojo as a desktop:

"Now that I'm a daily "desktop Head-fi" user, it's been sitting on the shelf mostly.. I don't really have time or the need for much transportable stuff in my day to day. So, the Mojo apparently doesn't love being plugged in to a power source all day every day. Users have mentioned that the battery life suffers as a result, and some have even experienced the battery swelling up inside the unit (that sucks). So, using a tiny little hex key, it was super easy to open the unit up and disconnect the battery. It's literally just a small plug that sits right on the main board. Simply pull it out and leave it unplugged. I now have a Chord desktop DAC that I can use with my fullsize/desktop gear, that I can leave plugged in and turned on 24/7 without worry about affecting the battery life. Awesome. Mojo is back in the game - I have a DAC to use on my desk at work. Neat! The unit now has 2 x USB cables permanently plugged in. One for power, one for audio."

More information on another thread I found...

https://www.hifiwigwam.com/threads/chord-mojo-when-to-charge-battery-chords-response.92545/page-2

 

[BalooToo]

No need to do that just disconnect the battery as above if you do not intend to use it as a portable DAC

 

[DomT]

There are so many desktop DACs does it have to be a Chord?

 

[pmcuk]

There are so many desktop DACs does it have to be a Chord?

Good question, Dom. I just liked the reviews saying the sound was very smooth and detailed with no edge in the treble. Haven't heard any of them.

Also I like the idea of an external PSU because I can build a very nice linear one.

Do you or others have any better suggestions up to £400-ish?

 

[DomT]

Some people love Chord and some hate them. From memory I demo headphones at a dealer on a Hugo TT2 and it sounded ok to me. I used a Benchmark DAC1 for 12 years and now use a DAC2. The Benchmarks have got a very good headphone amp. But again some people love and some hate Benchmark.

Literally just remembered that I will be selling my Luxman DA100 (and all of my gear) and the Luxman has a class A headphone amp. Both Benchmark DAC1 (look on eBay) and my Luxman will be under your budget. Using Meze Empyreans the Luxman has a more relaxed sound than the Benchmark.

 

[griffo104]

If using a Mojo why do you need to use it with a power supply? Just charge it overnight and use it direct from the battery during the day. You can use it whilst it's charging but it can get hot to the touch and long term it may screw the battery up but you can use it.

I'm not the Mojo's biggest fan, it does have a very relaxed sound though with plenty of detail but it adds a bit too much bloat in the bass and the treble is rolled off. However, depending on the headphones used it can sound very nice, I prefer it with the Senn IE300 but with the Senn HD600 and the Denon AH-D5200 that warmer sound is too much and it becomes bogged down. The Mojo 2 would be better as the sound is more neutral due to being able to use the EQ to adjust it.

I prefer something like the Topping DX3 Pro which is very nice all in one dac/headphone amp ad this does improve when you and an LPS to it, and it doesn't have those stupid balls and it comes with a remote which is pretty pointless as you'll be sat right next to it but it's the thought that counts. I also prefer the Sabaj A20d/h combo which is more detailed and neutral and much more flexible.

 

[JamieMcC]

You can always connect the mojo up a inexpensive rechargeable battery power bank if wanting to extend play time the mojos internal battery will be tiny in comparison and you' should get a couple of days of play time before having to recharge the power bank.

 

[eastsoutheast]

I used the original Mojo in the way you want, 1st permanently connected to a charger and then connected to a LPS. I removed the battery to preserve it for future use and to avoid any damage. My son now uses in exactly the same way and loves it.

I now use the Mojo 2 and this has intelligent battery charging tech to preserve the battery. It’s a definite improvement vs the original Mojo and in my opinion well worth the £400 it costs and to be honest I wouldn’t be disappointed had I paid double or more.

 

[Nestor Turton]

Which of the Chord Dacs can be used as a permanent desktop Dac with an external linear power supply?

I'm not clear about how the battery is used in the Mojo and Hugo......... Can these models be used with an external linear power supply?

What about the other models (not Dave)?

Can anyone explain?

Chord supplies the correct PSUs for its products. It may not sound as good with a noisy linear PSU so I would use what is in the box. Moreover, the Chord warranty is invalidated by using a third party PSU. That said if you want to use an expensive well engineered LPSU then it should sound just as good as it does with the supplied PSU.

The Chord Hugo TT2 is its current desktop model (TT stands for Table Top), I have only heard it once and thought it was excellent.

I use a Hugo portable and Blu2 DAVE in my music room. If you go for a Mojo 2 or Hugo 2 then simply charge it when not using it and disconnect when in use. They are superb DACs for the money. No LPSU required.

 

[Drummerman]

I used the original Mojo in the way you want, 1st permanently connected to a charger and then connected to a LPS. I removed the battery to preserve it for future use and to avoid any damage. My son now uses in exactly the same way and loves it.

I now use the Mojo 2 and this has intelligent battery charging tech to preserve the battery. It’s a definite improvement vs the original Mojo and in my opinion well worth the £400 it costs and to be honest I wouldn’t be disappointed had I paid double or more.

That. Fantastic unit and an absolute bargain. Not many of those around anymore.

 

[pmcuk]

I now use the Mojo 2 and this has intelligent battery charging tech to preserve the battery. It’s a definite improvement vs the original Mojo and in my opinion well worth the £400 it costs and to be honest I wouldn’t be disappointed had I paid double or more.

The charging and power supply is one aspect but not the only one. From what I read the Mojo 2 has the same basic circuit but with modifications. For instance it eliminates the output capacitor. That alone should give it a cleaner sound.

You can use the best possible linear PSU with the Mojo 1, and it will sound good, but the Mojo 2 should still sound that little bit better. People say that makes it better value for money, but it's another £200 or thereabouts.

 

[tuga]

If you are looking for a new desktop DAC then maybe getting a Mojo only makes sense if you want to get a taste of the Chord sound, it’s likely to be compromised for main system use.
You can probably sell it without much loss and if you like the Chord sound it might be worth saving for a Hugo or Qutest.
I agree with @DomT that it might be worth exploring other brands as well, although it looks to me as you’re also interested in the Mojo for its upgrade/modding fun potential.

 

[Nestor Turton]

Yes there are other DACs and I have heard a few, but the Chord DACs always stood out for me. In the end you have to decide or go on and auditioning.

The only challenger for me is Linn and that is because of its clever parametric equalisation called Space Optimisation, but if you simply compare the DACs then my preference remains Chord. I use JRiver Studio do the parametric equalisation.

 

[tuga]

Yes there are other DACs and I have heard a few, but the Chord DACs always stood out for me. In the end you have to decide or go on and auditioning.

The only challenger for me is Linn and that is because of its clever parametric equalisation called Space Optimisation, but if you simply compare the DACs then my preference remains Chord. I use JRiver Studio do the parametric equalisation.

You won't know what you prefer until you compare a few different makes and models.

Space Optimisation is a nice thing to have but won't replace measurements.

 

[DomT]

Just a thought. I was reading up about the Fioo

Yes there are other DACs and I have heard a few, but the Chord DACs always stood out for me. In the end you have to decide or go on and auditioning.

The only challenger for me is Linn and that is because of its clever parametric equalisation called Space Optimisation, but if you simply compare the DACs then my preference remains Chord. I use JRiver Studio do the parametric equalisation.

I listened to two Linn Selects at a dealer last week. One with the Katalyst and the other with Organik DACs they sounded strangled. Each to their own.

 

[Nestor Turton]

You won't know what you prefer until you compare a few different makes and models.

Space Optimisation is a nice thing to have but won't replace measurements.

Compared DACs: TEAC, Naim, PS Audio, Schiit. Over many years had different components, but happiest with Chord Choral + Harbeth for CD/rips/downloads and Linn + Spendor for records. Lost interest in alternatives. Once I found what I was looking for then it was time to lie back and enjoy it.

 

[tuga]

Compared DACs: TEAC, Naim, PS Audio, Schiit. Over many years had different components, but happiest with Chord Choral + Harbeth for CD/rips/downloads and Linn + Spendor for records. Lost interest in alternatives. Once I found what I was looking for then it was time to lie back and enjoy it.

So you agree that the OP should also compare a few DACs.