Does that for any digital processing, in this case the sample rate conversion.
Saves you losing bits in the math.
Yep, Saber NS1 is just the zone name. Its just the EMM NS1 streamer rename as Saber NS1 in Roon.
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I have become a fan of the MOJO Audio line of products, in particular the Mystique X-SE-ZNC DAC. Thank you @Souldriver for yet again allowing me to borrow, what i know is a cherished piece of equipment for a prolonged period of time to play with. Itās been three weeks now and iām getting allot of enjoyment out of this piece.
1- Itās a solid build, hefty for its size, being quite long but a very reasonable width. In length it will take up an average rack, it is 16 1/2ā long and add an inch for the protrusion of the inputs in the back. The tiny indicator lights in the front are barely perceptible and will not be a problem for individuals who dislike bright indicators.
2- It is vey straight forward and easy to use and Ben adds both power and USB ground lift switches for added versatility. All connections were solid and worked well.
Thus far every combination i have used it with has had tubes in the amplification stage, various styles and combos, so my comments are to be taken lightly and from a singular point of experience because the sound character is being colored and i cannot distinguish fully between the DAC & what my amplifiers are adding to the presentation.
In my larger room i plugged the unit in and used the AES input from my Innuos Pulse streamer via DH labs silver sonic D-110 cable.
First impression was that Low end bass presentation was exquisite, my initial desire was to turn back my subwoofers 1 or 2 notches on their gain but i held myself back and iām quite pleased i left the settings alone. Super fine details in the bass, absolutely stunning, i donāt know if i was more impressed in my subs or the ability of the DAC to allow for so much low end detail to present itself. I listened at slightly elevated volume levels but eventually had to turn things back down, vibrations in the house were getting out of control and that negates all the good stuff going on, itās not like a HT presentation where I necessarily want to feel the rumble and vibrations. Iām not sure if the gain output is just much increased beyond what my Berkeley Alpha Reference DAC is outputting but there was a strong impression made on me in the lower registers. 
i did not want to mess w/ my normal subwoofer settings and i did not want to limit myself on volume so i opted turn the 15ās off initially and then eventually turned off the 10ā subs too thus there were a few hours of listening w/ no subs at all and it was fun and absolutely worth the experience.
I loved the soundstage presentation, the height was a bit taller than my usual, thus causing me to think of a small venue where the stage is maybe 2 feet raised.
Instrument space and separation was as excellent as My Berkeley and i was able to well calculate depth and distance between instruments in particularly well recorded tracks where depth of stage really makes an impression
Left and right width was impressive, Peter Gabriels, Rhythm of the Heat was a joy to listen to, itās a track that can show weakness in a system. I went back multiple times to play the track both w/ and without subs and was always able to enjoy it w/ elevated volume levels. Spacing and depth in the background vocals was very realistic, and most impressive towards the end of the song when it turns into a wild cacophony of instruments, the drums on the right were thrown out wildly and well far out into the space of the room. The bean shaker things, kept high and left and just suspended in the air so nicely yet were forward of the other instruments. Anyway, this is just one example of many and a generic enough song i figure many are familiar with. The DAC will give you your moneyās worth in space and dimension and thatās the important take away here because itās not cheap. 
So my initial samplings of music above were done w/ SS power and my open baffles, 3 days of this were nice enough but i wanted more thus i connected my Klipsch K-horns and the little Alan Eaton 1.75wpc mono-blocks for a sampling 
@Souldriver , seriously if you ever want to trade with some cash thrown in for something, yeah I would be willing to let something go 
Iām going to re-iterate that the low end bass experience is exquisite, i pat myself on the back often knowing full well iāve done a damned good job blending my subwoofers in w/ the speakers in my main music room and testing out the MoJo is simply proof positive that it can be done and done really well 
This particular DAC really does a stupendous job on the low end and i am appreciating its capabilities. Again, take all i say w/ a pound of salt, Iām pretty sure at this point multiple factors are presenting in the finer details of sound character playback, but that in itself is high praise too. Anyway, we have impressive resolution that is being presented in a musical manner iām digging A very slight U curve, the bass/low end thus far has really blown me away, the clarity and character of the highs is just slightly forward of the midrange but itās presenting so very well and in just the right mix. Not every track is perfect to my mid-focused and biased ears BUT Iām really feeling the symmetry of this presentation. Iām not going to swear that itās the DAC alone but having now acclimated a bit w/ multiple set-ups Iām getting a pretty good feel for this piece and Iām pretty sure this is what Iām hearing in the presentation and itās good, really done well.
Iām using the EML solid plate 45ās in the mono-blocks which present dryer than their mesh plate brothers but i also decided to add the Psvane 300Bās into the mix which i know for a fact add a density and weight to the overall output i crave. (Between the pre and the amp we get very nice āholographicā or multi dimensional presentation that has nice space, depth, width and height in the room) We have a full wall to wall soundstage that has us roughly 2-3 rows back off a slightly raised stage, letās say 2 feet taller than our seating position, putting the presentation about 7ft high. All this is then combined w/ such great tone and a sweet slightly warmer character thatās just so relaxing and comfortable to listen to while never lacking in fine detail, or as much as my speakers are capable of (and i feel i have absolutely reached their limits of presentation and resolution abilty).
There are many fine DACās available for your enjoyment, the MOJO Mystique X-SE-ZNC and whatever the heck else BEN threw into this one performs damned well. Low/bottom end is impressively detailed and brought forth in my systems, the top end is a bit more forward in the presentation w/ great detail and the midrange right there but not in my face, just a wee bit under, a tap on the nose.
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Great write up! Thanks Nick.
Where does this unit sit on their product ladder?
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Really not sure, this is the unit Souldriver did the front page article on. Iām pretty sure it has all the bells and whistles Ben could add to a unit thoughā¦ 
I corrected the nomenclature to the proper Mystique X-SE-ZNC
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They keep changing names on their site. This would be Mojos TOTL (i think their site calls this the X NC 24) but, a little bit higher as it has the Z-binned DAC chips.
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Would anyone know if the mystique can be swapped from 110 to 230v by the user?
From the pictures in this thread, it looks like it depends on the model.
The picture of the Mystique X seems to show an internal switch, the other models do not.
So youād probably have to check the specific model with Mojo.
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Any of you heard the Mystique Y NC DAC?
Benjamin says the speed and transparency of the Y NC are āamazing.ā
I would take anything Ben says with some grains of salt. Not saying some things arent true but the new thing is always āthe best thingā
Not a fan of Benās USB input. If he says itās great, ask whatās different about this implementation over his other DACs. The reason he gave for going USB is because āthe majority of his customers ask for itā Iām in the minority.
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@Souldriver and @db_Cooper, I agree with both comments. Also, more chips are usually better so I plan to either stick with my EVO PRO with two Z-chips or maybe hear a X SE NC with Z-chips. I chose my Z-chip PRO over the regular (non-Z-chip) X SE that I also owned. I also prefer not to use USB so I run the USB from my streamer into a Singxer SU-6 DDC and then AES/EBU or S/PDIF into the PRO.
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As I begin to finalize my time with this DAC here are my last thoughts and observations on it.
The AES output seems to place a bit more emphasis on the lower regions of the frequency spectrum. I had to make some adjustments to my subwoofers to reign them in a bit. When I had it on its USB output I did not notice it running āhotā like the AES did. Quality of the bass was superb on both outputs, but it is of note that the AES at least presents a bit more āenhancedā lower end output. If your system already has some warmth in it the option to use the USB is good to have to keep things a bit more even so that the low end doesnāt become over emphasized. We are talking fine level adjustment here folks, nuance and personal preference level. The difference was not night & day but noticeable upon first impressions on systems, rooms and bass tuning Iām already intimately familiar with. I did not make time to play w/ the SPIDIF output, I have no comments on its character or performance relative to the AES or USB. Iām sure it too is impressive in its quality.
This is a quality piece of equipment, and should perform well no matter your system. My own opinion on how much the DAC should sway you past a certain level is starting to wane a bit towards a more neutral view. There are certainly price points and the technology itself to consider which play roles in certain characteristics that we consider but Iām finding more sway between the transducers, amplification and believe it or not the quality and style of your musical input.
Iām not here to debate or pontificate on my musings not related to the Mojo, I would own this DAC in a heartbeat, proudly, and it would do any combination of equipment justice. Itās a good size and should fit in all but the tightest spots, and it did not have any weakness which presented itself during the few weeks Iāve had it in hand.
@Souldriver should someday you ponder genuinely letting this unit go, I would be tempted to put a few of my tube based pieces up for sale to gather some money together to splurge towards this particular MOJO, Despite the fact that Iām starting to vary my own opinion on the importance of the DAC beyond a certain point, I KNOW this DAC played very well w/ my shit and at these price points I do happen to like the assurance that provides me
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@Souldriver , i fibbed just a littleā¦ your Mojo is not ready to get packed just yet, i went and dragged the Yamamoto amp downstairs because I desperately want to listen to this combo. I was not planning on nor expecting to have fresh speakers in the house when i borrowed your DAC, especially not these Lowther drivers and i want to experience as many combinations as possible
Iāve dropped the EML solid plate 45ās into the pre-amp and Iām running Radiotron 245ās along w/ same series 80 rectifier in the Yammy. I wanted to go in the opposite direction of the Alan Eatons, their sound character is well weighted, (goes stupendously well w/ Klipsch spkrs and the open baffles) These Charney horns though have a tuned low end weight built into the design 
The Mojo has what comes off as exceptional control over low end frequencies, thus Iām playing around to see what happens when i add a slightly leaner, tighter and ācleanerā tube signature into the mix. 
Iām hearing, learning, understanding other things better too. iāve been better enlightened on how the wood and cabinet build itself affects the sound and yet again changing an opinion formed initially purely of internet knowledge. Iām finding the flex in the cabinet design allows for resonance that makes the speakers feel so very much more āaliveā. This idea goes contrary to so much talk about deadening, stiffening, tightening up speaker cabinets. 
Itās a thought process and experience thatās new to me and only popped up in my head today as i was really working hard to listen to things. Iām babbling w/ too many thoughts in my head along with straining to listen for things Iāve not focused on before. We shall see where this thought process takes me.
Iām looking forward to putting the Berkeley DAC back into the mix to see if my opinion and ideas change and flop. Iāve truly spent the whole day purely listening to equipment, if you ask me to pick a single song that impressed me i canāt name a one, itās been all about the gear today.
Lol, you might have to send @Camus down to bop me on the head and pry the DAC out of my limp hands 
Iām having way too much fun w/ this.
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@Souldriver , Iām totally slutting out your DAC and just letting her pair up w/ everyone in the house 
We have moved up from 1.75 wpc. to 2 wpc. and this evening we are pushing a whopping 3 wpc. 
I was also able to use the volume on the amp as gain and turn it back until the very tiny bit of hiss in the speakers disappeared almost completely which allows for extremely pleasant low volume listening to various soft and simple albums that just ooze w/ detail and resolution all suspended in the air so vividly. 
I freely admit Iām just having fun w/ your DAC at this point, sheās so easy on the ears and in my set-ups has simply slipped right in and made herself comfortable no matter what comes after. Iām using a tiny and very inexpensive Line Magnetic LM 218ia mini. Iām so thankful i did not sell off this amp, especially since i blew up my Glow Audio II and sold off my Decware ZenUFO. I find the el84 tube a decadent little pleasure.
Ben has talent but his constant fiddling and swapping of components and using pieces of limited availability means you will get what you get when you get it. (The man has an ear for quality sound and puts together a solid product ) The last Mojo i borrowed was great but had a space/soundstage characteristic that depending on your use scenario might not be optimal for everyone. This Mojo on the other hand not only does no harm, but thus far has brought forth the best characteristics of each amplifier that follows it in my use case.
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Taking the plunge again - I have a Mystique X SE NC Z-chip DAC on its way here that I will compare head to head with my EVO Pro with Z-chips.
Very familiar with the house sound having started with Benjaminās Mac mini upgrades with outboard PS, and then his Mystique DACs, including:
- v3
- B4B21
- X SE
- EVO Pro with Z-chips (currently)
- X SE NC with Z-chips (just purchased)
This will give me an opportunity to hear Benjaminās two best DACs before he comes up with something new, like a DAC using Burr-Brown PCM58 DAC chips (a rumor).
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Yes, very curious to hear your take on THIS direct comparison.
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I have spent just a little time with it today and it is going to be a close call for me between the X SE NC Z and my EVO Pro Z. They both sound better through the AES/EBU input than through coax, IMO.
Right now, what I am hearing doesnāt seem all that different from when I compared the EVO Pro Z with the X SE I owned previously, X SE had a bit more drive and resolution while the Pro Z had a bit better body, color and tone. Sort of reminds me of when I owned two of the same CD players, one with Burr Brown PCM63 chips (EVO Pro Z) and the other with PCM1704 chips (X SE) - both good, but different. However, these are simply first impressions and I definitely need to give it more time.
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Great start, yes it is very difficult to make fine comparisonās especially w/ HiFi gear, variances in qualities can be very difficult to describe even when you KNOW you can hear a difference placing it is not particularly easy to describe for many of us. Enjoy all you have friend. 
A note, the input mounted to the board in the Pro is the same for both inputs and being a Pro youāve got the Lundahl transformer input choke. Any difference youāre hearing is probably difference in the cable or the digital source.
Itās probably the same on the SE variants but I didnāt 100% scrutinize that one.
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