I purchased the X SE in Oct 2022 and had it upgraded in January 2024 with the AD1862N-Z chips and Nano Crystal Chokes. The upgrade brought an already very good sounding Dac to the exceptional level. More body, sound stage depth/expansion, realism, and separation. The difference was immediately noticeable and has gotten better with time. I have about 600 hours on it now and the music is more engaging than with the stock Dac. I only listen to CD from a transport so I can’t comment on the USB input sound. I’ve owned multiple dacs over the years and the NOS dacs sound best to me in my horn system. The Mojo Mystique XSE with the upgrade sits at the top of the heap.
Glad to see the new Y NC Dac is continuing the trend.
Mojo Audio - Mystique Y NC DAC
It's hard to describe the size and scope of the leap this DAC has delivered. I don’t have years of experience with the ability to hear or articulate micro audio details yet so it takes macro for me sometimes.
“Huge improvement” is a good start. I'm just stunned. Had no idea. Thought all DACs were more or less the same until a couple months ago.
Everything is much fuller, bigger, deeper and smoother. I didn’t know this was possible. I was already very happy.
Music I wasn't playing much because the sound was "meh"…that I dismissed as poor recording… is way better and my favorites just kill. From mid-bass to mid-treble is more wholesome...and not just a little. Deep bass is tighter and reaches lower with nothing muddled. Individual instruments and voices have improved clarity and definition. Separation between musicians is noticeable and I now hear black space around and behind them. It's like my speakers are on steroids.
The 3D image has exploded. It got much deeper and a little wider (and taller?). I have heard about and read about systems where the speakers disappear into a holographic soundstage. For the first time, I am in that....like finally walking through an unmarked alley door into the secret club.
It will take me a few weeks to digest this magic black box. I have a couple speaker cable upgrades and some better pre-amp tubes on hand to try out but I have to wait until my brain and ears settle again.
I'd quantize this as a 25% improvement…like a big lunar leap from the top of great speakers.
Eversolo DMP A-8 > Mojo Mystique Y NC DAC (via USB) > Rogue Cronus Magnum III > PureAudioProject Trio15 Classics.
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This should be a fun thread, since I purchased an X SE with AD1862N-Z chips and Nano Crystal Chokes just a few weeks ago and I am currently comparing it with my EVO Pro that also has AD1862N-Z chips. I previously owned a regular X SE (non Z, non NC) and preferred my EVO Pro. Based on what I have heard of the upgraded X SE so far, this is a far closer comparison, yet similar characteristics. |
@mitch2 Just checking in on your New Mojo DAC compared to the old one. I called Mojo Audio yesterday and was talking to Benjamin about some of his DAC's. How did you get the Z chip? I thought he had already sold all his stock. |
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