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Mojo Audio Deja Vu vs. Antipodes K50 or K41

Have any of you actually heard Mojo Audio’s Deja Vu music server and either the Antipodes K50 or K40/41 in the same system running Roon/Tidal/Qobuz and stored audio files? If so, what did you hear, which sounded better to you, and why?

I still own an Antipodes DX3 as well as the Mojo Audio Deja Vu, which is what I have been using as my music server for over a year now. I need to make a decision, which could include:

  1. Sending the DX3 to NZ for the Oladra upgrade, which would leave me with two servers so I could maybe use the DX3 in another system but more likely would just have something else sitting around,
  2. Trading the DX3 in on a newer Antipodes K-series unit, which would be expensive and leave me with two very good servers, so I would have to compare and decide which to keep and which to sell, or simply
  3. Selling the DX3, which is still a very good sounding server, particularly when used with an outboard renderer/player such as the Metrum Amber, Sonnet Hermes, Bricasti M5, or similar. In that case I would simply continue using the Deja Vu in my system.

I really like the sound of the Deja Vu, but Ben at Mojo seems focused on DACs and Antipodes seem to keep pushing the digital server/player capabilities forward, although at steeply rising pricing (i.e., the Oladra is $25K). I have read all the reviews but any direct feedback about the sonic comparisons between the Deja Vu and Antipodes K50/40/41 would help me figure this out. I already own a Metrum Amber and a Bricasti M5, and I am using those as players/renderers with either the Deja Vu or the DX3 so, if I purchase a new Antipodes unit, it would probably be the K41 server only, which I could then use with the Bricasti M5.

Thanks for any feedback.

mitch2
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 

I have never heard the Mojo server and can't comment.  I have spent a lot of time with the K40 and K50 along with the Bricasti M5 and the network card from Bricasti.  I am a dealer for both brands.  I would agree their is wisdom in going with just a server (K41) and the M5.  The M5 is brilliant and although I think it is a step down from the player and clock in the K50, it is a very small step and given that it was not a blinded test....

The advantage of the Antipodes servers is the direct stream capability so your M5 is connected to the K41 via ethernet, not through a router or any sort of switch.  

mitch2 OP
3,718 posts
 

Thank you @verdantaudio.

I used the DX3 the same way, through the ethernet connection with my Metrum Ambre and then I2S to the Metrum Adagio and then later AES/EBU to the Mojo EVO B4B21. Mark from Antipodes has indicated that with the older DX3 technology, it may be better to relieve that server from the "player" responsibilities and I heard some improvement using it that way.

After I purchased the Mojo Deja Vu music server, I first used USB directly from that server to the EVO DAC, and then later tried the Ambre again so I could use AES/EBU to the EVO DAC. Honestly, I cannot really hear a difference that I could easily point out, but the music sounds slightly more natural or real when taking USB out of the chain, IMO.

FYI - the Mojo Deja Vu music server has a direct Ethernet output (just like my DX3 or the K41) that I use when using an outboard player so the router and any switches occur before the server, not after, just as they would with the K50 or K41. Also, I do not have the M5 yet but am supposed to receive it tomorrow. I have researched the many positive accolades and look forward to using it. I will input Ethernet directly from the Deja Vu and plan to output AES/EBU to the EVO B4B21, but the M5 also allows me the option to at least try their USB output to the EVO B4B21, which I can’t do with the Ambre, which does not output USB. I needed a player for a second system so will keep both the Ambre and M5.  Therefore, I will have the opportunity for a direct comparison between the Ambre and the M5.

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 

I would be shocked if the USB is your preference coming out of the M5.  The AES is the best connection. 

I would agree with Mark and say it is definitely better to relieve the DX3 of player duty.  The CX and S40 very directly benefit as well.  

I am not sure how much of a difference you would hear between the Mojo and the K41 in that scenario.  If there is a difference, I am sure it will be relatively small.  I am biased heavily toward Antipodes so I would like to think they would outperform the Mojo.  But without a direct compare it is tough.  

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