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Review of Mojo Audio Mystique V3 DAC

Purchased the Mystique V3 DAC months ago to replace a Naim DAC V-1.  Okay, the Naim certainly is not in the same league, but is no slouch for the money either.  The Mystique however is multiples better....and much more expensive.  Go figure.

The Mystique is set on a Quadraspire Reference X stand and has a scratched VPI DB5 Magic Brick on its head.  The DAC sounds wonderous of course.  It is fed by a Naim UnitiServe (powered by a custom external PS) through a Nordost Valhalla 1 digital cable.

In my system, I’ve never heard such resolution, dynamics, soundstage and micro-detail.  Mojo has really pulled out the stops regarding power regulation and it shows.  The soundstage is so stable and full.

All of this is fed through a Manley Neo-Classic 300B (Takatsuki tubes) preamp onto ATC 40 active floorstanders with Gaia II footers.  Decware ICs, Patrick Cullen Crossover II PCs, WireWorld Silver Eclipse 8 ICs pre>ATCs.

I just installed a Perfect Path Tecnologies The Gate, so we’ll see how that goes in addition to the other upgrades.

My therapist gave me written permission to explore my inner audiophile child.  She said it was healthy....at least that is what I heard.
celtic66
veroguy
139 posts
 
I'm still loving my v3, Bill.

I've done extensive upgrades on my digital front end as well as other system tweaks, and with each one, I feel like I'm unlocking more of the v3's capabilities.

2 things:

I confirmed with Ben at Mojo that the Schoeder Method double IC's will not damage the v3.  I've confirmed that with your cables.  Sounds awesome.

I tried an Omega Emat+ under the v3.  Maybe the mats don't play well with the 5 choke power supplies, or the EMI/RFI barrier in the chassis, but the sound went a bit flat and compressed, and I pulled it out after a day.  This mat had been in the breaker box for about a day before going underneath the Mystique.  I probably should have been more patient, and I'll probably try a mat under there again once all my mats get to 14 days in the breaker box.

Anyways, would love to hear your impressions of the Mojo DAC.  I've always wanted to compare it to a Lampizator (as well as Audio Note, MHDT and SW1X)

VeroGuy
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Mojo Audio Mystique V3 DAC In my system, I’ve never heard such resolution, dynamics, soundstage and micro-detail. Mojo has really pulled out the stops regarding power regulation and it shows. The soundstage is so stable and full.
Mostly due to them using R2R Multibit dacs, it’s what they do, "make music sound real", warts and all if a bad recording.
And how it should be, not to neuter the best recordings by making the bad recordings sound more listenable.

Cheers George
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,519 posts
 
Thanks @veroguy. George, I tend to like R2R NOS dacs more the more I compare them to other dac designs. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,519 posts
 
The V3 dac sounds wonderful.  Very enjoyable dac that simply sounds so right and musical.  Loving it! 
facten
2,884 posts
 
@grannyring 

Any initial impressions of the V3 versus your 2 modded DACs?
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