Mojo Audio Mystique EVO Pro Z vs. Mystique X SE NC Z - a comparison and mini-review

I have finished comparing the Mojo Audio Mystique X SE DAC (unit with nano crystal chokes and AD-1862N-Z DAC chips, aka, Mystique X SE NC Z) with the Mojo Audio Mystique EVO Pro DAC (which also has the AD-1862N-Z DAC chips, aka, Mystique EVO Pro Z.   

My review set-up consists of a SGC sonicTransporter i9 Gen4 (using Roon to play stored music files and to stream Tidal and Qobuz) that is connected to an optical switch and then via optical fiber cable to a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical, with a USB output to a Singxer SU-6 DDC and then via S/PDIF (coax) to the two DACs (the SU-6 has two coax outputs so no cable changing was necessary on the digital side).  Both DACs were tested using the same analog interconnects out of their balanced XLR outputs into my amplification chain and then speakers, so everything into and out of the DACs was exactly the same.  However, at this time, I have not compared the two DACs through their USB inputs or through their single-ended outputs.

Last year, I compared the Mystique EVO Pro Z with a “regular” Mystique X SE DAC (i.e., without the nano crystal chokes or Z chips) that I previously owned.  After spending almost a year with both DACs, I concluded that I enjoyed the sound of the Mystique EVO Pro Z more, so I sold the Mystique X SE and used the funds toward a Tambaqui DAC (a rabbit hole for a different post).  At the time of that initial comparison when I chose to keep the Mystique EVO Pro Z over the Mystique X SE, I was not aware that the Pro model I owned contained the AD-1862N-Z chips, which I only found out about later when I looked inside after talking with Benjamin Zwickel (designer/manufacturer/proprietor of Mojo Audio) about the benefits of the Z chips in his DACs.  Those are a  special version of the AD 1862N chips that were apparently produced for high-end Denon DACs, and are said to sound better.

To summarize my impressions from my current comparison between the Mystique X SE NC Z and the Mystique EVO Pro Z, they are both obviously cut from the same cloth, being organic, tonally rich, and vibrant sounding with a naturalness that is arguably more reminiscent of a live music performance vs. digitally reproduced music.  I would characterize the Mystique EVO Pro Z as having a comparatively sweeter, fuller sound and the Mystique X SE NC Z as having a more incisive and impactful presentation that may portray the perception of being slightly more detailed.  As with most things in this audio hobby, the end result is subjective so I can only speak to my own impressions and will not try to judge which of these components is “better” than the other in an absolute sense, or which of them another listener is likely to enjoy.

Specifically, I perceived the Mystique X SE NC Z as being more dimensional (articulate positioning of musicians) while the Mystique EVO Pro Z was more homogeneous (musicians in the mix).  In the high frequencies, the Mystique EVO Pro Z seemed slightly more fluid and sweeter while the Mystique X SE NC Z seemed more precise and energetic (although neither are what I would consider edgy).   Both have relatively powerful bass with the Mystique EVO Pro Z sounding big/full in the bass frequencies, while the bass from the Mystique X SE NC Z seems a bit more impactful and defined.  These comments reflect small’ish sonic shadings within an overall palette of similarities, as both DACs provide a sonic result that I enjoy and could easily live with. 

Are there any benefits to the NC chokes and Z chips?  To that question, I would say yes and as a result I found the Mystique X SE NC Z to be an improved version of the “regular” Mystique X SE.  Comparatively, I recall perceiving the regular Mystique X SE as having a very slightly dryer presentation in the upper midrange and possibly a very small touch of roughness when the music became complex.  I did not perceive any roughness, dryness, or congestion issues with the Mystique X SE NC Z, and certainly not with the Mystique EVO Pro Z, which is overall sweet and pleasing to listen to.  I suspect most audiophiles would find the Mystique X SE NC Z to be a good blend of drive, dimension, tone, smoothness and richness, in short, a very good sounding R2R DAC.  I find the Mystique EVO Pro Z to deliver all of that while trading off a bit of drive, incisiveness, and pinpoint dimensioning for a richer tone and a bit sweeter, maybe more forgiving, presentation. 

Clearly, I enjoyed both of these DACs, and would choose either over all of the other DACs I have owned, including the “perfect sounding” Tambaqui, the great-measuring Benchmark DAC3 HGC, either of the top Metrum DACs (Pavane or Adagio), Ayre's QB-9 DSD, and finally SMc Audio’s DAC-2 GT-24 that I still have here.  Of all the others, the SMc DAC-2 is interesting and satisfying to listen to because of its engaging tonal qualities and more than competent performance in every other area.