[thePhones]

Folks, how big is the gap between the Mojo2 that I currently have, and the Dave, which I dream of having one day?

I have not heard Mojo 2, I own Hugo 2 and have used it a long time with M Scaler, TT2 auditioned only for a short while.
And to me Dave is something different to the other dacs. Every step up till TT2 is a little bit more refined but the pure emotional reaction I have when listening to M scaled Dave is not the same with Hugo 2 or TT2. From the start I was always on a search for the best recordings so the revealing quality of Dave fits that goal. If you like poor or medium quality recordings it might be a bit too honest. If money is a concern get the M Scaler first as it will lift the performance of every Chord Dac fivefold imo.
If you are very sensitive to tonal balance I would listen to all of them before buying as there are slight differences. Dave sounds neutral to me, Hugo 2 a bit bright, TT2 a bit warm.

 

[harris4crna]

I own the dave and have for several years,I love it but acknowledge readily that there are tons of great DAC's that I could be happy with...making this into a sport with rooting interest is so silly

What is your favorite amp/dac combo with your ZMF Calderas? I am an owner of Chord products.

 

[harris4crna]

A few days ago I did some tests to see how much difference there was by switching the entire system back to normal power with stock cables.

Since I started using batteries, first with the M Scaler, followed a few months later by the streamer and much later by the DAVE, I had never brought the system back to the mains.

Then DAVE original network cable, m Scaler original power supply and Lumin U1 mini reconnected to its internal switching power supply.

To give the final blow, I also put stock USB between the streamer and the M Scaler.

I was shocked, I thought I would find small nuances, but instead the change was drastic.

I then tried reconnecting the batteries and doing another test.

Practically, while streamers and M Scalers undergo a notable change if left connected to the charging circuit, the DAVE does not suffer from changes in sound even during charging.

So in summary, the complete isolation of a digital system from the home AC current undergoes a drastic improvement in the sound, noticeable on all audio frequencies, becoming completely free of harshness on the higher frequencies and with a noticeable increase in overall focus.

I am going to be lazy. Are you saying I connect my system to a lithium battery like a Blue Yetti and the sound is better than connecting to a home outlet. I am not an electronic engineer, so I understand Barny electronic talk.

 

[jlbrach]

What is your favorite amp/dac combo with your ZMF Calderas? I am an owner of Chord products.

at the moment I am enamored with the dave/blu2/envy combo with caldera

 

[harris4crna]

at the moment I am enamored with the dave/blu2/envy combo with caldera

Yes, the Envy....Hope to hear this combo soon. Thank you.

 

[Ards]

Folks, how big is the gap between the Mojo2 that I currently have, and the Dave, which I dream of having one day?

Did @Triode User post his test conclusions yet?

 

[SecretAgent]

Did @Triode User post his test conclusions yet?

Can't wait

 

[miketlse]

Did @Triode User post his test conclusions yet?

I don't recall seeing them.

 

[harris4crna]

I swap listening sessions between the MM2 and MDave all the time. On a scale of overall sound to include detail, transparency, resolution and sound stage I would put the gap as minimal to moderate. The MDave is definitely better to my ears in everything. If the MDave was a 10, I would put the MM2 at a 7. I have owned most Chord products. The M2-->TT2 all have a similar house sound. The Dave's sound signature is just different, and many would say better. Now, with this said, the metric the MDave and MM2 do not differ much is listening pleasure. Despite the Dave having a better sound characteristics, I enjoy listening to both close to the same. If I had to decide what to sale between the Dave, Mscaler and Mojo 2....I would personally keep MM2 over just have the single Dave for simple headphone use. Naturally, I use the Dave as a DAC for my BHSE and 2 channel system. So I keep all.

 

[ZappaMan]

Special album, mixture of styles, relaxing jazz, a bit crazy, but special.

It's called, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace

 

[Meridian7]

Folks, how big is the gap between the Mojo2 that I currently have, and the Dave, which I dream of having one day?

I think most/all people agree that there is a gap between (M)M2 vs (M)Dave.

The complication is: how much does person X care about that gap, or a gap in general.
E.g. my friend acknowledge a canyon wide gap between his 500€ blaster and my setup but he frankly doesn't care and so goes on enjoying what he has.

So an metric of a gap ain't really important here.

Reformulating your question would be: how much do people care about a given gap? That is complicated.

I find myself sensitive to such gaps, enough to head forward and on the condition that I don't become hurt financially.

If I find myself in a smooth apreciating vibe, I would even love to listen mojo1.
If I want to be emerged in an engaging sound bath, then MDave it is.

The "gap" is subordinate to differences in personal interests and what fluctuating vibe a person has at a given moment. Sometimes I mind the gap, sometimes not.

 

[harris4crna]

I think most/all people agree that there is a gap between (M)M2 vs (M)Dave.

The complication is: how much does person X care about that gap, or a gap in general.
E.g. my friend acknowledge a canyon wide gap between his 500€ blaster and my setup but he frankly doesn't care and so goes on enjoying what he has.

So an metric of a gap ain't really important here.

Reformulating your question would be: how much do people care about a given gap? That is complicated.

I find myself sensitive to such gaps, enough to head forward and on the condition that I don't become hurt financially.

If I find myself in a smooth apreciating vibe, I would even love to listen mojo1.
If I want to be emerged in an engaging sound bath, then MDave it is.

The "gap" is subordinate to differences in personal interests and what fluctuating vibe a person has at a given moment. Sometimes I mind the gap, sometimes not.

My sentiment 100% and the point I tried to convey. You did it so eloquently. The technical gap may or may not be vast, but who cares. Plus, I too, keep my Mojo 1 around for those nostalgic days when I want to hear that warm cloudy sound. I sold my Hugo and TT2 because I want the gap to cater to mood and taste that the Mojo 1/2 provides.

 

[GuiltyRocker]

I think most/all people agree that there is a gap between (M)M2 vs (M)Dave.

The complication is: how much does person X care about that gap, or a gap in general.
E.g. my friend acknowledge a canyon wide gap between his 500€ blaster and my setup but he frankly doesn't care and so goes on enjoying what he has.

So an metric of a gap ain't really important here.

Reformulating your question would be: how much do people care about a given gap? That is complicated.

I find myself sensitive to such gaps, enough to head forward and on the condition that I don't become hurt financially.

If I find myself in a smooth apreciating vibe, I would even love to listen mojo1.
If I want to be emerged in an engaging sound bath, then MDave it is.

The "gap" is subordinate to differences in personal interests and what fluctuating vibe a person has at a given moment. Sometimes I mind the gap, sometimes not.

At some point we have to stop and just enjoy what we have. I really enjoy the M scaler with TT-2, I paired it with an amp and preamp that makes it shine even more and speakers that truly gel with Chord, now I'm just enjoying music. The chase is over.

 

[Meridian7]

...The chase is over.

"That" chase is over
I would not call it a human condition, rather a human property to curiously investigate zoning into whatever stuff crosses our path and especially men have a triple dna string for that

 

[JTbbb]

I think most/all people agree that there is a gap between (M)M2 vs (M)Dave.

The complication is: how much does person X care about that gap, or a gap in general.
E.g. my friend acknowledge a canyon wide gap between his 500€ blaster and my setup but he frankly doesn't care and so goes on enjoying what he has.

So an metric of a gap ain't really important here.

Reformulating your question would be: how much do people care about a given gap? That is complicated.

I find myself sensitive to such gaps, enough to head forward and on the condition that I don't become hurt financially.

If I find myself in a smooth apreciating vibe, I would even love to listen mojo1.
If I want to be emerged in an engaging sound bath, then MDave it is.

The "gap" is subordinate to differences in personal interests and what fluctuating vibe a person has at a given moment. Sometimes I mind the gap, sometimes not.

I occasionally sit down for a nice music session and think oh oh there is something wrong here. After checking all knobs, dials and switches are correct…..I realise it’s ME!