![]() Our direct-coupled analog output stage has no output capacitors or transformers to limit bandwidth or color the sound. Per the Mojo Audio website: “Our ultra-purist R2R topology has no digital filters, noise shaping, upsampling, oversampling, or error-correction. Depending on whether the Mystique has balanced and single-ended outputs ($7555) or only single-ended outputs ($5555), the price is based on what’s not there as much as what features are included. Features are limited: three inputs (USB, coax, optical), with three buttons on the front panel allowing the user to select the desired input, and LEDs indicating which one is selected. The Mystique v3 (hereafter referred to as the Mystique) was possibly the simplest DAC I’ve seen-just a somewhat hefty black chassis of folded metal with dimensions of 17.5″ by 3.25″ by 12″ that weighs 23 pounds. Virtually all recordings are available in 192kHz or lower-resolution PCM versions, even if they were mastered at a higher resolution, so it’s not like you’re going to be limited in the availability of the latest recorded albums. After all, what matters more is how it sounds, not the type of input file. If you’re willing to accept these limitations to realize extraordinary playback of Red Book and medium-high-resolution PCM files, then the Mystique v3 DAC may be right up your alley. It also allows the consumer to do as much or as little of these processes as they want as opposed to locking them into one company’s obsolete technology.” This allows the heavy lifting to be done by a more powerful processor and allows for the upgrading of software to assure the most advanced decoding, digital signal processing, and digital filtering. But we believe these functions are best performed in the software of a music server. We could have easily put an MQA and DSD decoder as well as up/down sampling algorithms into our DAC. For optimal performance we believe that digital signal processing and linestage functions should be performed by other components. Benjamin Zwickel, owner of Mojo Audio, explains: “Our DAC is a purist product, much like a dedicated phonostage. One might ask why Mojo Audio chose to limit a new DAC in this way when most other new ones seek to expand the latest technology envelope as far as possible. That means it only plays PCM files up to 192kHz sampling rate/24-bit word length, and no DSD or MQA. ![]() ![]() ![]() Others might pay more attention to reducing electronic noise and vibration.īut here’s another DAC for your consideration, the Mojo Audio Mystique v3, which focuses on delivering the basics as well as possible rather than trying to push the digital envelope. Some DACs focus on implementing the fastest sampling rates or on the latest file format or technology, e.g., MQA, DXD, and DSD256. What does it take to build a good-sounding DAC these days? In general, it requires a mixture of the latest technology plus engineering practices that have stood the test of time. ![]()
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