Old phones as streaming sources

I stream from a iPhone 7 to Chord Mojo to headphones. I have also read many reviews of the Mojo, some purely subjective and some with measurements. I also have a TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Type C. Mojo delivers a less technically correct sound that is relatively easy on the ears, robust and smooth. I bought the tempotec based on it being a good value based on a stellar review and measurements. It is more detailed, crisp and dynamic sounding than the Mojo. You hear all the details with the Tempotec with no sugar coating. Which sounds better? As usual, that is a subjective determination and YMMV based on personal preference. I would probably go with the Mojo for an easier listening experience but the tempotec in order to hear everything on a recording the way it was intended to be heard ie more of a “monitor” kind of sound. I mean that as a compliment. Neither is offensive in any way nor could the sound be deemed bad. As the old analogy goes they are like two very different yet very lovely ladies. Again this is with headphone listening and Each might choose differently. I’ve tried the Mojo as a source in my good hi system and it did well there but it has been awhile and I have not revisited that. Someday I may try the tempotec there and see though it is really intended mainly for use with headphone. Never the less, I have yet to be able to confirm that “higher end” necessarily means better as opposed to perhaps a different flavor of sound case by case and that such judgements are anything more than subjective as a whole, though no doubt there are some very good sounding DACs at all price points these days compared to years past. As always YMMV.

“A friend of mine mentioned that Aurender said somewhere in their literature that the streamer accounts for 70% of the sound quality of a system vs 30% DAC…”

I don’t mean any disrespect, and I am sure your system sounds great, but that’s absurd (unless the DAC design leaves the DAC completely vulnerable to jitter and other noise).  Of course Aurender would make that argument!  Their comparative advantage, particularly from a branding and marketing perspective, is in streaming.  If someone were to believe that the streamer is less important, they wouldn’t get an Aurender.  So it is axiomatic that Aurender would make that claim.  

'A friend of mine mentioned that Aurender said somewhere in their literature that the streamer accounts for 70% of the sound quality of a system vs 30% DAC.'

I have found the following excerpt (opinion) on  Moon Audio's website:

'In our opinion, the DAC will account for about 70% of the sound quality, with the streamer accounting for the other 30%. So spend more money on your DAC (if you're buying one). But know that both are important.'

Now what?

This leads to my conclusion that every one who is interested in this topic needs to find out for himself where the truth lies. Like many other comments on various topics in this forum, I would assume 'it depends'.

I for myself prefer to use the time needed to find the answer to above for listening to music instead. That said, I found a very nice recording just this weekend of the Willis Jackson Quintet,  'Cool Grits'.

I needed to start this title right now after realizing that it seems that I am a bit overwhelmed.. 'Cool Grits' does some good soothing..

This statement is not ment to be sarcastic.

Cheers! to all of you

@eagledriver_22 …”This leads to my conclusion that every one who is interested in this topic needs to find out for himself where the truth lies. ”

Yes, very true. For me, I have been really amazed at how much the streamer makes a difference. But of course an inferior DAC will compromise the sound as well. The moral of the story is that everything matters. 

@ghdprentice "The moral of the story is that everything matters."

Yes, I do agree. Maybe some things more than others.

I still have to buy a streamer to find out if it would offer a better audible sound quality to me compared to my actual setup. Due to budget constraints, this is not going to happen very soon.