Mojo Audio thread, Mystique / Deja Vu / Illuminati

Camus · September 17, 2023, 8:17pm

Oh not at all, and sorry if it came across as pushback against you or anyone. I was chatting with a friend recently and we realized we really can’t go off someone using a near perfect set up as we all know that is not so easy to achieve in the real world. Takes years to get close enough to that goal, at a minimum one should be able to get a sense of a major component like a DAC or an amp, or even headphones.

Like you I hate gear swapping, especially trying to do it on the fly as I can’t get a good grasp of how that component eventually settles in.

Agree 100%, that is a lot of combos to try and the patience required to change components and capture the impressions is remarkable.

Your generosity to let some of us give it a whirl is commendable, and likely would not have had the opportunity to hear this in my own environment, so thank you for this!

SaberPunch · September 23, 2023, 5:26pm

@zachzach Ben helped me fix the issue! So, I had the same issue as you with the Boomslang AES. I talked with Ben and he told me this, “try switching the ground lift on the rear of the DAC (unplug it first).” Then, it got a lot better because I could hear the music, but with just a lot of noise. Then I downsample to everything to 44.1kHz and music works perfectly! You could try this method and see if you get the same result. You need something really skinny to switch the ground lift and I would wait probably 5 - 10 minutes after unplugging it to be safe.

The weird thing is that my Silver Sonic AES cable don’t really had issues like this before. Maybe the Boomslang AES cable made it more sensitive to power or something. For the Silver Sonic AES cable, I had to upsample to 176.4 kHz in order for it to work. The Boomslang AES was the opposite and I had to downsample and ground the DAC.

But yeah, try the downsampling method and try switching the ground lift on the rear of the DAC (unplug it first) and see if the Boomslang AES cable work for you.

1st impression for the Boomslang AES cable, its pretty dang good lol. Clarity is definitely better and music seems louder to my ears, but that could be that feelsgood effect after solving a problem.

I think for the Mystique Evo Model 2021, I think those model is pretty weird for the AES port and I wouldn’t recommend it for people specifically on the Mystique Evo Model 2021 if you use AES port unless you want to jump through hoops. I think using the spdif or USB is more user friendly and less of a hassle. Based on other users with the old 2020 Mystique Evo Model, or especially with the Mystique X, AES seems to work normally, so you probably don’t have to worry about the AES port being wonky.

Ground lift switch location

NickMimi · September 23, 2023, 7:52pm

My time w/ the loaned Mojo Mystique X is coming to an end and before i cradle her in some foam and box her up on to her next destination i wanted to take the opportunity to play some last minute games of Fuck around and find out🤣

Mojo direct to Bryston BHA-1 HP amp, all balanced system is really great with excellent texture and tone across the board. My GF was curious as to why i was locked up in my small room w/ no audible music playing so she peeked her head in to check up on me. I treated her to about 15 minutes of Cassandra Wilson smooth jazz and practically had to force the Rad-0 HP off her ears She had so many good things to say about the combo, i was really impressed She understands the qualities of music and speaks to them sooo much better than I. I wish i could get her to make an account here so she could take time to give her impressions of my various systems but alas that will simply never be… She thinks this is a silly hobby

Next up and where i think i shall end things before packing the MOJO away was using the LTA MZ3 as a speaker amp w/ the Spatial Audio Triode Master open baffle speakers
At 12 Ωhms and 93 db efficient despite knowing they really require at least 10 watts to really energize I have been having fun and enjoying them!
The Mojo has been fun to experiment with. I really enjoy its sound character and performance characteristics. If ever i manage to get my finances back in order and life expenses stop getting in the way I can see a Mojo variant fitting into a system combo in my home🤌

Thank you so very much @Souldriver for allowing me the opportunity to try various pieces with your thrice spare DAC. It’s In perfect condition and an absolute beautiful piece which really performs admirably!

Souldriver · September 23, 2023, 8:13pm

She is too pure anyway, cannot let her be tainted by keyswitch and stinky cheese talks.

NickMimi · September 23, 2023, 8:43pm

I must state that with the Mystique X I have had ZERO issues with both the USB input and AES. I have used quality cables, FTA Callisto, and Wireworld AES.

dB_Cooper · September 24, 2023, 4:01pm

Are you comfortable with the downsampling? I had the same issue and always 16/44 worked well with AES. But it was a particular issue and not really a problem with anything other than the AES source and the Mojo’s AES in not liking each other in anything hi-res.

SaberPunch · September 24, 2023, 5:32pm

Yeah, I think I am comfortable for now. I also recently found that I got actually play up to 96kHz. Anything above it seems to just give me tv snow. I think I decided to just use streaming to find new music/casual listening and do serious listening on a CD transport.

Edit: You will still get some noises actually above 44.1 kHz, just not as noticeable. I’m just going to leave it downsample at 44.1 kHz.

Camus · September 24, 2023, 7:43pm

May I ask why you don’t use the default? That likely could be the noise issue source the mismatch on the bottom half of your settings.

Edit: For clarification on my suggestion, disable the sample rate conversion all together on the left side.

SaberPunch · September 24, 2023, 8:38pm

If I disable it and there is a song over 96kHz, it will be all static. Even songs at 96kHz will get some static noises.

I talked with another Mojo Evo owner and its most likely a compatibility issue with the DAC and streamer. The AES cable itself just gets a weird outcome.

zachzach · October 22, 2023, 10:30pm

I finally had some time to test this myself. I switched the ground to the opposite position (on the right side of the opening now) and unfortunately still has the same results - red error light is on for the AES input of the Mojo. I used a two different aes cables, snake river and a generic one from Amazon, and it is still causing a red error light.

I tried the coax cable to check and and it still works perfectly

Looks like I’ll just need to find a different front end solution. Will likely move to a clean usb source to avoid any of these issues like a sonore unit

SaberPunch · October 22, 2023, 11:03pm

That sucks it didn’t work, I guess the issue is different or maybe it might be dependent on what device you are using as the streamer/ddc.

I think going USB or SPDIF is the best route as it’s guaranteed to work (at least I never had weird issues with those 2 inputs). Me myself, I thought about just doing an entire Mojo Audio setup. I’m just waiting for a used Mojo Audio USB server to go on sale in the used market and a rumor Mojo Audio CD Transport for late 2024. I also returned my snake river boomslang cable and just went back to my Silver Sonic AES cable so I can upsample my music again since I’m just going to a different route entirely away from AES anyway.

Also, part of me thought about going another DAC route, but listening to my Cayin N7 DAP and come back home to listen to the Mystique Evo, I really don’t want to get rid of this DAC. The Mystique Evo just sounds too addicting to switch to another DAC to make 1 input option work consistently for me. I rather just switch up my source and just keep this lovely Mystique Evo. I had a moment of weakness when the issue first arise, but learned that I can live without worrying about AES.

dB_Cooper · October 22, 2023, 11:12pm

I was not happy with the sonore USB out into the Evo Pro. At least for my solution. Instead I found the Sonore into a DDC in this case the Alpha USB added to much more. That said since the Alpha USB is only SPDIF or AES out, you still have the AES issue to contend with. Which IMO is the problem to begin with. The AES issue is not consistent and the testing I did using AES out from a Pi2AES worked like a charm but it didn’t work with the AES output of a dCS Bridge.

Instead of trying to continue to figure out the inexplicable my solution of Sonore OR into the Alpha USB worked just fine. Again, who knows but it’s why it difficult to blame one or the other since it’s chain dependent. That said, there is probably something the Mojo AES needs that not every input can provide.

zachzach · October 22, 2023, 11:32pm

Thanks for sharing your experience! I’ll try to see if I can line up a loaner to test to out first hand then.

I may just try to move on from the boomslang and go spdif, but I think if I hang onto the Alpha I need a cable that goes from bnc to coax which I think snake river offers (spdif BNC to RCA)…maybe a trade in is possible

Souldriver · October 23, 2023, 5:02am

They do, i have bnc from my antipodes to rca on the X. Works without issue, and i wish the X had bnc or that could be swapped in. But at this point i feel like i have to say YMMV.

dB_Cooper · October 23, 2023, 3:22pm

I’d be happy to swap my BNC/BNC Boomslang if you do keep it in exchange for your AES. All you need is a BNC to Coax converter. My Mojo had a BNC SPDIF but you can get quality converters. I’m actually looking to buy o trade at Capital Audio Fest when we go in a couple of weeks.

zachzach · October 30, 2023, 9:43pm

Drop a line in the Mojo thread if the boomslang works for you or not, fingers crossed you don’t have any issues! Congrats on the deal too

dB_Cooper · October 30, 2023, 9:47pm

I’m only going through with it because I already know it will work. I had a Voodoo Stradivarius AES before switching to the Boomslang. I’ll report back with a confirmation though for sure.

SaberPunch · November 3, 2023, 3:34am

I can finally talk about this since Ben finally revealed his latest creation, Mystique Y USB D/A Converter

https://www.mojo-audio.com/mystique-y-usb-d-a-converter/

I am really excited for this DAC release because this opens up a lot more options to all Mojo Audio owners because Ben introduces a new upgrade path for all his DAC!

Before I get too excited and talk about the upgrade path, let’s talk about the Mystique Y DAC first. I talked to Ben 2 month about this DAC and his other future plans. Ben told me that this is a value-priced with 3 vs 5 independent power supplies, built around the 18-bit AD1865 vs 20-bit AD1862 DAC chip, and will have only a single USB input. It’s basically an “affordable” version of the Mojo Audio DAC lineup. Its supposedly have the Mojo Audio House sounding and based on the webpage description, it’s supposed to be closer to the Mystique X in terms of design (sound-wise, gotta wait for someone’s comparison review).

Why am I so excited for Mojo Audio’s new affordable DAC? Because this DAC is the first DAC to feature Ben latest upgrade path for all Mojo Audio DACs, a new custom Lundahl nano crystal core chokes used in the analog power supplies. When I said all Mojo Audio DACs, Ben told me these specific DACs, “Mystique v3, EVO, or X”. Of course the Y DAC will have an optional custom Lundahl nano crystal core chokes upgrade as well, but for me, I am really excited about the new upgrade path for the Mystique Evo. Knowing I can still upgrade my Mystique Evo beyond the “Pro” version makes me super excited to stay loyal to the Mojo Audio Brand as they will continue to support their old DAC lineup and even continue upgrade options for them even if they are no longer in production.

I talked to Ben about 2 months ago about his plans and future product mapping. I also ask what does the new custom Lundahl nano crystal core chokes upgrades will provide in terms of improvement as they are about $1,750 - $2000 for the upgrades. Ben told gave me this analogy:

Comparing Lundahl ferrous core, amorphous core, and nano crystal core chokes would be like comparing roller skating in the street vs roller skating in a rink vs ice skating.

The more refined crystalline structure of the choke core allows the electrons to move faster, more evenly, and more uniformly, through the power supply.

The result is similar to OCC UniCrystal wire and those low-mass single-point connectors: the image is clearer, more in focus, more articulate, more in time, more in tune, etc.

Sort of like when you clean your eye glasses or a window and didn’t realize how dirty they were until you looked back through them.

Of course, I did mention that I talked to Ben about his future plans on his products and upgrades for previous models and all I can say is that late 2024 is gonna be HUGE for Mojo Audio.

I probably won’t make that upgrade until maybe 2025 because I’m on the fence. As much as I love my current Mystique Evo, that late 2024 product seems absolutely incredible and a beast of a unit. My options is either go for that Mojo audio beast product in late 2024 or settle for what I have and just refine the current sound I have with the new nano crystal core chokes upgrade. Most likely will go for refining my current DAC route as the Mojo Audio Mystique Evo is still my favorite-sounding DAC I have heard. 2nd place goes to SW1X DAC IV, but that might be because I am a sucker for 6V6 tube design. What makes the Mystique Evo number 1 for me is how it pulls more details in my music for all my headphones. At first, I thought the Susvara have burned in, but honestly feels like I’m pulling more details with all my headphones. The headphones I tested are the ATH-L3000, Onkyo A800, Sony MDR-MA900, and Mysphere 3.2. I also used different amps like the NITSCH Magni Piety, Allnic HPA-5000XL with no preamp, Allnic HPA-5000XL with 45 DHT preamp, and my Cayin N7 DAP. 2nd, the Mystique Evo give soundstage for me much more depth and the Mystique Evo help makes bass more tasteful to me. Regarding how the Mystique Evo affects bass for me to be more tasteful, I say it adds more bloom to my chain that I think is awesome. The soundstage having more depth is more noticeable with gears that are already amazing with the soundstage which is the Susvara, Raal SR1a, and my speakers, the Polk R200 near field position. Also, combining the Mystique Evo soundstage depth, Supratek 45 preamp I would say both height and depth, and the Allnic HPA-5000XL amazing 3D staging and instrumental placement. I am in soundstage heaven with my current audio chain right now. It could probably get a lot better if I use a higher tier gear, but why venture out when I could spend that time enjoying my current “utopia” of an audio chain right now. It could always get better, but since I don’t know that better, this chain is perfect for me right now. Typing all this positive stuff on the Mystique Evo, I think I am definitely going to choose the nano upgrade path and just refine my Mystique Evo further and call it a day.

Anyway, looking forward to any reviews on the new nano crystal core chokes upgrade. As I mentioned earlier in the post, I probably won’t do it until 2025, so reading someone’s impression of them will be my small little dosage to get me by until then. Super excited for all the cool stuff Mojo Audio is going to be doing this year and late 2024, the future is looking really exciting!

Souldriver · November 4, 2023, 4:18am

Thats a hard product to bite on. V3s and Evos are out there used for same or better pricing, and for not much more you can get an X from Ben himself. Both of which are more full featured and looking at his descriptions the “better” option. Which its odd Ben decided on usb only after many times saying usb is not great.

Imho these need to be $500-1000 less to hit that “Intro to Mojo” soft spot, or at least for the base one. There are still the v2s floating around that are an awesome value at sub $1500, come in a smaller package, and still deliver the Mojo vibe.

Unless maybe i am totally missing the point.

SaberPunch · November 4, 2023, 9:45am

I agree, I really don’t know who the targeted audience is here with the Mystique Y. Ben said about 80% of his clients uses USB, but I don’t anyone on this forum uses USB on his Mojo Audio DAC lol. I think most of us here at least uses a DDC if USB becomes involve. I don’t know what kind of emails he get from his other clients nor do I know where he even got that 80% from.

I feel like if you are a USB only person, $4000 is really high. When I first heard Mojo Audio was making a USB budget DAC, I honestly expected the price range to be around $2000. I guess the sell is that it’s supposed to be either as good or maybe better than a base X (to his eyes probably like $8750 MSRP) but half the price thanks to him “simplifying” it (which is $4000 MSRP). I think when he sell the Mystique Y used, it’s probably going to be that $2000- $3000 which is probably the more ideal price.

I don’t think Ben factor his older out of production product like the V series and the Evo series for used prices since they are getting pretty hard to find in the used market going forward.

Remembering the price of Ben new “TOTL” product that is coming out next year late 2024, the Mystique Y is kinda entry level price compare to that beast lol. So late 2024, Mojo audio lineup is going to be the Mystique Y which is $4000 and Ben new “TOTL” product which is also Ben most expensive DAC to date and is more than quadruple the cost of a base Mystique Y. So the Mystique Y is probably entry level in his eyes lol. I am not sure if he is going to keep the Mystique X in his current lineup, but I hope he does because there’s need to be a middle ground of the price between the Mystique Y and his new TOTL product because the price gap on those 2 is really huge.

So overall, I agree with you that the Mystique Y is a really hard sell and I do not know who the target audience is. But the used price for a Mystique Y (which I want to say it might go for most likely $2.5 - $3K used) might be a really good value if it do compare to a base Mystique X in performance and the user is USB only. That way, someone could get near TOTL performance for under $3K. The problem is, someone gotta buy the Mystique Y new and then sell it to the used market to get to that used pricing lol. And also, if the Mystique Y holds up in performance to how Ben describes it. If those 2 (used pricing and performance) are right, this might be a good value product, but it still feels too limited in my head with it being USB only and worth more than a $2000. I don’t think USB only DAC should be expensive, but I am also not too familiar with USB only DAC in the market.

Edit: After typing all this out and reading it out loud. I think Ben is aiming the Mystique Y being entry “TOTL” level, so maybe that’s why it’s price out like that. With the new line up of the Mystique X being former TOTL for his product (which started to be a budget Mystique Evo) and his new TOTL product in late 2024, the Mystique Y is entry TOTL and probably suppose to be something like his current Mystique Evo basic or something like that for people that don’t want to commit all the way on his line of products.