Mojo Audio Mystique EVO

The things I typically look at when judging value of this stuff include:

• Is the sonic performance well-respected by both reviewers and owners
• Is the build quality substantial for the price being charged (i.e., quality parts, solid power supply, quality casing and connectors)
• Do I like how it sounds
• Does it meet my needs and desires for connectivity and appearance 
• Does it compare favorably to similar-priced competitors

Of course I am not thrilled the price went up but, based on the build quality and sound of the Mystique v3 I have here, I believe the EVO B4B21 is still reasonably priced given its comparison to the above criteria.  I am also not thrilled at what it may cost to upgrade/replace my server, which will apparently be at least as much as the cost of the EVO.

@mitch2 Totally agreed, despite the above criticism.

Can't say I love the business model, but obviously what they're doing works and is allowing them to create a wonderful sounding product.  And certainly you can find higher priced gear that sounds worse.

Input source (’streamer’) quality really matters - no skimping here. I believe Ben has said somewhere in these forums to get the best out of the Mystique you have to have a comparable quality streamer otherwise you may be wasting your money. I found between my Lumin U1 and Luxman CD player the CD player through spdif coax was best, at least for 16/44.1 obviously. For kicks I tried an Oppo as a transport and it was terrible - so bad that you could barely tell the Oppo from the Mojo playing the same CD; thin and harsh sounding. I pulled out my cheap Roon laptop server from the closet and plugged it in directly to the Mystique via USB and it was so much better than the Oppo. And then the Lumin of course was that much better via any connection. I think something like the Aurender N series or above with their attention to spdif quality is in order -especially if using spdif connections.

How about just using computer and usb into the dac?

@jimmy2615 Interesting. Many years ago I bought an oppo for the same purpose. Ended up returning it during the demo period for the same reason you cite. I bought a macmini instead and it was much better.  I now have a dedicated steamer.