MOJO AUDIO MYSTIQUE X

analytical mind snapped me out of it and I stopped playback to rewind. Lesser converters do not nudge me into that immersive headspace. Speaking of lesser converters, I am compelled to compare the Mystique X SE to my beloved exaSound e22 Mk II for, without sonic comparisons, it’s devilishly difficult to discern strengths and weaknesses. At half the price and ancient by today’s standards, the ESS–equipped oversampling e22 DAC has served me well. I was not prepared for what I was hearing…a muddying of timbre, soundstage shrinkage and loss of that elusive character detail even at crazy high sample rates. Through the Mystique X SE, there was simply more “there” there. I now feel it’s time to up my reference DAC game!

When asked what it is that gives his DAC a uniquely even–handed, organic sound, Zwickel points up his combination of peerless old and new engineering, his technology crème de la crème. He cites the best of 100 year–old choke input power supplies, 40 year–old 20bit NOS (new, old stock) R-2R DAC chips, and modern additions including SiC (silicon–carbide)

“zero–recovery” Schottky diodes, industry–standard USB receivers from XMOS, Vishay ‘naked’ resistors, and Lundahl amorphous core chokes for power, in along with Lundahl amorphous core input transformers for the AES audio inputs “…to get the natural and neutral sound you are hearing.” I have to applaud Zwickel for bringing together a package that had me reassessing everything I knew about digital–to–analog conversion in the home. Until Ms. Mystique slunk in on her sinuous gams, I had held Berkeley Audio Design’s† as the approach to take when looking for accuracy with musicality. Now, I have another more affordable choice among peers. The Mystique X SE combines the eternal precision of digital with the immortal soul of human performance. I concede, Benjamin’s karate is better. If you’re shopping for a “mid–tier” digital audio converter, you owe it to yourself to make a date with Mystique.

Mystique X SE D/A Converter

$9,999 direct Mojo Audio Inc.

Albuquerque NM www.mojo-audio.com

† — Berkeley Audio Design was formed in 2006 by the founders of Pacific Microsonics Inc., the inventors of the HDCD process. Their legendary Model 1 and Model 2 digital audio converters were, for several decades, the reference by which other pro audio converters were judged. If I remember correctly, the Model 2 was the first commercial converter set (A/D and D/A) to support the 4x, 176.4 and 192k sample rates mandated by the then new DVD-Audio standard. At the turn of the century, Pacific Microsonics and their HDCD process was acquired by Microsoft and, as is the case with much pioneering tech, summarily buried by the disinterested new owners.

Vinyl? We got you covered TA 0.5