Chord MOJO 2 Review: Is The Latest Revision Worth The Hype?

For DACs and amps, Chord Electronics has proven time and again that they offer the best products in the business. Whether it's something transportable like the HUGO 2 or a desktop piece like the Alto, Chord truly delivers powerful sound that can adapt to any listening setup. Their most popular portable DAC/Amp is the MOJO 2, which was released back in January of 2022. Now, four years later, we have an updated revision of this amplifier that appeals to every audiophile's needs. 4.4mm headphone port and USB-C charging are the two notable features, but has the sound quality been upgraded as well? This review will dive into all the details of this updated device to see if it lives up to the hype. 

The new MOJO 2 looks essentially identical to the original. Hardly anything has changed in design apart from the addition of the 4.4mm port and a little charging symbol above the USB-C port. Other than that, the MOJO 2 stays the same dimensions and has the same control buttons. The MOJO 2 has been known for its compactness and easy portability, and the new release honors that feature. It was easy to have this sitting on my desk and hook it up to various headphones during my testing. The controls and connectivity were just as easy as the original, which made upgrading all the more seamless. 

In terms of features, the Chord MOJO 2 does come with a few fancy tips and tricks. The new MOJO 2 builds on existing features and takes them to the next level. You still have the standard features of crossfeed, sample rate adjustment, and equalizer with a few clicks of the menu button. All the menu options are identical to the first, so previous MOJO 2 owners won't have to worry about navigating a whole new interface and color code. 

Connecting to the MOJO 2 also does not change much. You have the same dual-output design, only this time you don't need an adapter if you want to use 4.4mm. Both ports can be used simultaneously, so you can listen to two headphones at the same time. Additionally, the input options stay consistent. You have USB-C, coaxial, dual-data coaxial, optical, and micro-USB. Since these elements stay the same, the Chord Poly is still compatible with the updated MOJO 2. You'll have Bluetooth capabilities and the option for SD card memory in whichever model of the MOJO 2 you choose. 

There are two features of note in this updated version of the MOJO 2, which have already been mentioned: a 4.4mm headphone connection and USB-C charging. Before, the MOJO 2 had two 3.5mm connection points for two pairs of headphones. This was a great feature to have in an amplifier, though some audiophiles wished for the 4.4mm termination. There was a clever adapter by ddHifi - the DJMOJO44 - that allowed you to sum together the two separate ports and use 4.4mm. Now, the updated MOJO 2 has a 4.4mm connection and a 3.5mm connection to adapt to any headphone. You can still listen with two headphones at once, and you may be able to skip the adapter step. 

On top of the lack of a 4.4mm port, the original MOJO 2 also had micro-USB charging. This outdated plug was a bit inconvenient, as finding a proper cable was sometimes hard despite being provided a cable by Chord. The new MOJO didn't abandon this charging plug; instead, they adapted another port. The USB-C data plug now also supports charging, so you can use the same wire as your phone or computer to charge the amplifier. 

Because you can now either connect your source or charge via the USB-C, Chord added another menu option so you know what mode the USB-C port is in. If the status is green, it is meant for charging. If it is red, it is meant for audio data. 

• Five Digital Inputs: 
  • Coaxial
  • Dual-data Coax
  • Optical 
  • Micro-USB 
  • USB-C
• Dynamic Range: 125.7 dB A wt.
• Noise: 2.7 uV A wt., no measurable noise floor modulation
• Distortion & Noise: 0.00027 % at 2.5 V 300 ohms
• Power Output 1% distortion:
  • 90 mW 300 ohms (5.2 V RMS)
  • 600 mW 30 ohms (4.2 V RMS)
• Output Impedance: 0.06 Ω
• 118 dB Stereo Separation 1 kHz 300 ohms 2.5 V

How the MOJO 2 interprets sound isn't much different from one model to the next. Each headphone I tried with the device sounded honest to its original signature without much influence from the MOJO 2. The Chord amplifier does a great job of giving your headphones a boost in the right direction on all fronts. You're hit with the familiarity of the Chord sound signature, as well as added power and detail that you might find in a desktop amplifier. Punchy, detailed, and full: these qualities are all great additions to any piece of gear you add to the MOJO 2.

I used a lot of different headphones and IEMs with the MOJO 2, ranging from open-back headphones to in-ear monitors. Among my favorites were the Abyss JOAL and the Campfire Audio Bonneville, both fun and entertaining signatures that just got better with the enhancement from the MOJO 2. The wide soundstage of the open-back headphone was granted a little more spaciousness with the extended highs, and the punchy bass in the in-ear monitors was another great quality. The MOJO 2 kept frequencies smooth and distinct, and the separation that appeared in other headphones like the HD 650 was even more noticeable. The MOJO 2 brought a lot of great headphones to life with its natural enhancement qualities.

Chord Electronics has always done an excellent job at giving a high-quality audio experience, and the latest revision of the MOJO 2 is a fine example of that fact. They made sure to keep things almost identical, not messing with the perfection that many audiophiles already love. Instead, they listened to consumers and updated small things to make listening sessions more seamless and cleaner. Gone are the days of multiple cables and tricky adapters; instead, you have everything you need in one device and a USB-C cable. 

You can find the MOJO 2 at Audio46.