By: Dipin Sehdev

Chord Electronics has officially rolled out the Chord Mojo 2 Gen 2, a subtle but meaningful refresh to one of the most beloved portable DAC/amps on the market. And while this update doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it finally corrects two of the Mojo 2’s longest-standing criticisms: the lack of a 4.4mm connection and the absence of proper USB-C charging.

Given that the Mojo 2 Gen 1 earned a 92% CE Critic Score, expectations for the Gen 2 model are understandably high. The Mojo line has built a reputation for its transparency, detail, and incredible FPGA-based digital architecture, making it a reference point for portable audiophiles and desktop minimalists alike.

The new features are welcomed—almost overdue—but the real question is whether anything has changed under the hood. For now, that remains unclear.

---

A Long-Awaited 4.4mm Output — But With a Caveat

The headline upgrade is obvious:
Mojo 2 Gen 2 includes a 4.4mm balanced-style headphone output, replacing one of the dual 3.5mm jacks.

However, this isn’t a true balanced output.

• The internal circuitry remains single-ended

• The 4.4mm output is pseudo-balanced, implemented at the socket itself

• You get cable compatibility—not a fully balanced signal path

Still, in the real world, the 4.4mm port solves the biggest compatibility pain point for modern audiophiles. Many high-end IEMs and full-size headphones ship with balanced 4.4mm terminations, making the Gen 2 far easier to integrate into existing listening setups.

Chord also added a welcome quality-of-life improvement:
each output now stores its own independent volume memory, meaning you can plug IEMs into the 3.5mm output and full-size cans into the 4.4mm without readjusting gain every time.

---

USB-C Charging: Finally Done Properly

The second major upgrade is USB-C charging with proper data support—a long-requested improvement.

While the Gen 1 technically offered USB-C data input, the Mojo still needed Micro-USB for charging, resulting in cable clutter and confusion. The Mojo 2 Gen 2 finally uses USB-C for both data and charging, switchable through the menu.

Notably:

• The Micro-USB port remains for full compatibility with the Chord Poly streaming module

• USB-C charging can be toggled on/off to extend battery life

• Intelligent Desktop Mode still allows the device to run indefinitely without degrading the battery

This is how the Mojo 2 should have behaved from day one—and it's a huge quality-of-life win.

---

What Hasn’t Changed — And What We Still Don’t Know

While the external upgrades are clear, the bigger question is what, if anything, has changed internally.

Unanswered questions:

• Has the FPGA code been revised?

• Has the UHD DSP engine been improved?

• Are there updates to the noise floor or output stage?

• Has Chord addressed firmware quirks or USB compatibility issues?

So far, Chord has not provided details. But based on early communication, the overall digital architecture appears unchanged.

One lingering concern: Apple M-chip compatibility

The Mojo 2 Gen 1 has had known issues with Apple M1/M2 chipset USB connectivity, requiring workarounds or adapters for some users.
It remains to be seen whether the Mojo 2 Gen 2 resolves this problem.

Until a teardown or official documentation appears, we’ll have to wait and see whether deeper improvements accompany the new hardware features.

---

The Core Mojo Experience Remains Intact

Even without internal redesigns, the Mojo 2 Gen 2 retains everything that made the original such a standout performer:

Custom FPGA DAC Architecture

• Designed by Rob Watts

• Advanced WTA filter (40,960 taps)

• Proprietary Pulse Array DAC

• Ultra-low jitter and exceptional microdynamics

No other portable DAC in the price range uses this level of custom architecture.

World’s First Lossless UHD DSP

• 104-bit internal processing

• Allows EQ adjustments with zero signal degradation

• Useful for taming bright headphones, boosting lows, or balancing older recordings

This is still one of the most impressive DSP implementations in any portable audio product.

Power Management & Battery Life

• ~8 hours of real-world playback

• Cooler charging and improved power efficiency

• Intelligent Desktop Mode prevents battery wear

The Mojo line has always been unusual in how well it transitions between portable and desktop use.

Build Quality

• CNC-milled aluminum chassis

• Made by hand in the UK

• Polychromatic control spheres for menus and settings

The Mojo 2 still feels like a premium instrument, not a mass-produced gadget.

---

Chord Mojo 2 Gen 2 — Full Specs

Digital Architecture

• Custom-coded FPGA DAC

• WTA filter (40,960 taps)

• Advanced Pulse Array DAC

• UHD lossless DSP (104-bit)

Inputs

• USB-C (data + charging)

• Micro-USB (data / Poly compatible)

• Optical input

• Coaxial input (dual-data mode for M Scaler)

Outputs

• 4.4mm balanced-style headphone output (pseudo-balanced)

• 3.5mm single-ended headphone output

• Independent volume memory per output

Power & Battery

• 8+ hour battery life

• Intelligent Desktop Mode

• FPGA-driven power management

• USB-C switchable charging

Features

• Four-level crossfeed

• Lossless tone control

• Mute

• Button lock

• Polychromatic menu spheres

Construction

• CNC-milled aluminum

• Hand-built in the UK

---

Price & Availability

The Chord Mojo 2 Gen 2 is available now.

Region	Price
UK	£395
US	$650
EU	Varies by dealer

Despite the upgrades, the price remains unchanged from the previous model—rare in today’s audio market and a welcome move for buyers.

---

Early Verdict: A Smart, Practical Refresh — With Some Unknowns

The Mojo 2 Gen 2 is not a reinvention, but it is exactly the refresh Chord needed to keep its bestselling DAC/amp competitive in 2025.

What’s good

• Long-requested 4.4mm output
• Proper USB-C charging finally added
• Independent volume memory
• Same reference-level FPGA architecture
• Same price as before
• Same excellent CE Critic expectations (Gen 1 at 92% CE Critic Score)

What’s still unclear

• Whether internal circuitry has been updated
• Whether Apple M-chip compatibility issues are resolved
• Whether DSP, FPGA code, or power stages were refined

The Mojo 2 Gen 2 feels like a “quality-of-life” refresh, not a sonic overhaul. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing—the original Mojo 2 was already among the best portable DAC/amps under $1,000, and its CE Critic score reflects that.

If the internals remain unchanged, many listeners will still be happy. If Chord quietly improved the digital or power architecture, the Mojo 2 Gen 2 could be an even bigger win than expected.

For now, the new hardware features alone make this a worthwhile upgrade—and a smart modernization of a portable-audio classic.