Mojo Audio - Mystique Y NC DAC

You can now find my impressions of the two DACs here.

@brbrock 

Hello.  I purchased most of the Mojo Audio DACs I have owned new, except for the two I have now.  The EVO Pro, I purchased from a reviewer and I don't believe either of us knew it had Z-chips in it.  My more recent purchase of the X SE NC Z DAC was from the original owner.

The comparison has been interesting and ended a little different than what I expected it would.  I do have a write-up but need to find time to go through it and then will post, hopefully by this weekend.  

Before I found the most recent X SE etc. DAC, I too contacted Benjamin and learned he was out of the Z-chips, so I had decided to wait and use my EVO Pro, until he developed something new (rumors of a DAC with BB PCM chips, maybe in 2025?).  However, when I saw the X SE DAC for sale with nano-crystal chokes and Z-chips, I didn't pass it up.  

As a short summary, I believe the X SE I have here is an improvement on the regular X SE that I owned previously.  Unfortunately, I cannot say whether the improvement is because of the Z-chips or the nano-crystal chokes, since it has both.

@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.

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.

In my (never ending?) upward quest into the unknown realm of what’s possible, I’ve arranged to demo a Mystique X NC next to my Y NC. My sense, and Benjamin’s, is that I might really like the slightly more organic and laid back nature of the X. Listening begins this weekend. 

Good stuff. I think we’re with the right guy. 

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. 

Thanks for your detailed reply. For some reason, I had a feeling that was going to be the presentation of the X SE.

@ken6217 - I have owned all four (v3, B4B21, PRO, and X SE) and IMO, yes there is. The EVO B4B21 is the second to highest culmination of Mojo Audio DACs starting with the Mystique v3 and ending with the PRO. The X SE IME was more forward and traded off a bit of the organic tone and body of the previous DACs for more resolution and drive. Both are from the same lineage for sure, but two different presentations.

Not exactly on topic, but is there a marked difference in SQ between the EVO B4B21 and the Mystique X SE?

Thanks, @mitch2 .  That's one difference I didn't notice:  "Y" uses 1865, and my EVO uses 1862.

I remember you mentioning your Z chip a while ago an being intrigued.  Going to ping Ben to see if he has any available, or if a choke upgrade might make more sense.

A slightly different presentation in the Y is probably a good strategy for Ben.  Not everyone engages with his natural, textured, organic signature.  The stereophile reviewer was amazed, but the measurements guy was, "meh".  

Here ya go, in the words of the mfg:

The X24 NC with Z chips is going to be the best of all worlds of our DACs with the AD1862 DAC chips IMO.

Then again, the Y NC does things with the AD1865 DAC chips that none of our DACs with the AD1862 chips can do...the speed and transparency are amazing…The X24 NC with Z chips sounds a bit softer, sweeter, textured, nuanced, and organic. 

I am sure they both sound great although offering different presentations.

For me….the Y NC dac sounds so much better than the internal dac in the Eversolo DMP A-8.
 

The Y NC does have the nano crystal core chokes. 
 

From Benjamin and another guy that have heard the Y NC and the X SE, I’m told the Y NC has a slightly more forward presence. 

@mfisher702 - Is "NC" the Nano Crystal Core Chokes version?

Did Ben state any opinions on how your version compares to the X SE?

It sounds so much better than....what?

@mfisher702 - I started with Benjamin modifying my Mac mini years ago and have owned his Mystique v3, B4B21, EVO PRO, and X SE.

I have kept my EVO PRO which has the (more highly sought after) Z-version of the AD1862 chips and sold the others. However, I would like to hear an X SE with my Z-chips in it to compare.

I would also like to hear the Mystique Y NC DAC since Benjamin speaks very highly of it but unfortunately I am not sure a DAC with only a USB input would work well in my system. Based on what I have heard from his other DACs, I am sure it sounds great. Enjoy!

I’m so happy to have almost literally stumbled into Ben and Mojo Audio at the Southwest AudioFest. I was right place right time although he has asserted that there are no coincidences in the universe. 

Benjamin makes a great DAC.  I've the Mystique' 3 and it is beautifully musical as you described your DAC.  There is a simple rightness about his sound.  Enjoy.

Yeah. Thanks. I’m looking forward to a streamer upgrade someday but I need to rest on this rung of the ladder for a while. I’m getting into thin air with bigger dollars. 

Congrats on a great DAC.  A better streamer from Aurender, Innuos, etc. will get you even more.