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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
1,500 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
4,008 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
1,500 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.  

mitch2 OP
4,008 posts
 

@verdantaudio 

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. 

I agree with you, which is why I am interested in hearing from anyone who has tried the Deja Vu and compared it with a higher level Antipodes server.   I am not interested in a lateral move, but I do have this upgrade opportunity window and would be interested in the possible advantages of upgrading through the Antipodes line, where they are focused solely on providing the best servers possible, while Mojo has been more focused on DACs lately.

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