iFi iDSD GR 2 MT and Chord Mojo 2 Comparison Review

As portable DAC/Amplifiers go, few names ring as loudly as the ever enduring Chord Mojo 2. Its compact build and staggering power have made it the go-to device for many years, even receiving a recent revision with USB-C charging and a 4.4mm jack. A few months ago, fellow UK company iFi released the iDSD GR 2 as a worthy competitor with onboard Bluetooth and smart tech capabilities. iFi then doubled down on this design with the brand new iDSD GR 2 MT, collaborating with Grammy and Brit-Award winning producer Steve Levine to better hone its sound potential. Where the original GR 2 had an edge as a more affordable option, the GR 2 MT now boasts a higher price than the Mojo 2. Are these new improvements enough to give the GR 2 MT a definitive leg up?

These black rectangles may appear similar on the surface, but they carry significant aesthetic differences. With its colored sphere controls and wistful font, the Mojo 2’s presentation is a lot more whimsical. It also carries a smooth, reserved black finish, cleverly drawing more attention to its standout control scheme. The GR 2 MT opts for a far more industrial design, with angular UI fonts and a sleek ribbed shell to illustrate a serious product. Speaking of the GR 2 MT's shell, it feels denser and sturdier than the Mojo 2, at the expense of some extra weight.

As was true with the original model, the GR 2 MT is notably larger than the Mojo 2. As portability goes, this might be a preemptive death sentence for the GR 2 MT. However, the GR 2 MT grants users access to Bluetooth listening with aptX Lossless and LDAC codecs, keeping it competitive for on-the-go listening. The Mojo 2 can do Bluetooth using the Poly peripheral, but that comes with the inconvenience of buying and managing additional hardware, whilst increasing its size to a comparable length. 

While certainly novel in a vacuum, having the Mojo 2’s entire control setup handled by four color-changing buttons is a bit unintuitive if you attempt to use its other features. With a screenshot of the manual on hand, it is certainly manageable, but the UI on the GR 2 MT is far more legible. Using self-explanatory pictures with additional text for more specific features make its diverse toolbox more inviting out of the box. Having a volume dial with numbered levels is also more user-friendly than the color levels of the Mojo 2.

Alongside analog conversion and amplified sound, each DAC/Amp has additional tricks to customize their respective sounds. The GR 2 MT is significantly more robust in this regard, offering a wide array of iFi’s typical tricks alongside aforementioned Bluetooth capabilities. These include their “XBassII” and “XSpace” modifiers, gain and input modes, and two Steve Levine signature filters. Users also gain access to the iFi Nexis application, providing further controls and firmware updates to the GR 2 MT. 

Even if comparatively lacking, the Mojo 2 still has a few unique features that keep it competitive. Most notable for the sake of comparison are the dedicated EQ settings. While certainly not universal in range, it provides modification to more frequencies than the GR 2 MT's modifiers. Specifically, you receive adjustment capabilities at 20 Hz, 125 Hz, 3 kHz, and 20 kHz. As I mentioned previously, however, putting this larger EQ behind four color-changing control buttons makes it a bit less intuitive than your standard band slider.

The GR 2 MT and Mojo 2 carve distinct but dominating lanes in the path of portable DAC/Amplifiers. As their contrasting design philosophies are suitable for different on-the-go device experiences, deciding between the GR 2 MT and Mojo 2 depends on which kind you prefer.

Through its utility belt of features, connection opportunities, and analog tonality, the GR 2 MT pushes its predecessor to a noticeable premium. The GR 2 MT is a far more robust product for listeners looking for varieties of ways to listen, especially when moving around without their home setup. While the GR 2 MT lacks a dedicated EQ, this is far more easily substituted than its unique filters and modifiers would be for the Mojo 2.

As an overarching enhancer, the Mojo 2 remains one of the powerhouses of its class. Boasting staggering power and polished sound, the Mojo 2 grants room to better experience headphones in their standard tunings. If you are unimpressed by the GR 2 MT's modifiers and exclusively desire a wired experience, I find few options better than the Mojo 2.

The iFi iDSD GR 2 MT and Chord Mojo 2 are both available at Audio46.