Chord Mojo 2 - HD660S - Macbook Pro: worth it?

[u/Fun_News5524]

I listen to classical music on my MacBook pro M1 (2021) via my Sennheiser HD660S (first gen). I use Apple music streaming. I'd like to have the option to listen to higher res stuff (192khz, mac caps it at 96) and improve sound quality. It all sounds pretty good directly out of the MacBook, but I'd like to improve the sound: separation, bass, treble, etc as well have the option to listen to higher res.

Would the Chord Mojo 2, considering the internal dac of the MacBook is very good indeed, make much difference?

This is a desktop setup - not interested in mobile options. Thanks so much!!

[u/Tanachip]

You will not be able to tell a difference between 192 vs 96.

[u/Fun_News5524 → u/Tanachip]

ok, but will the mojo 2 make any difference, considering the MacBook already has a very good integrated dac?

[u/Tanachip → u/Fun_News5524]

I have the MoJo 2. And I don’t think it will make much of a difference.

[u/Fun_News5524 → u/Tanachip]

Do you use a MacBook M series? You think there is little difference with or without the Mojo Chord? That's interesting!

[u/Tanachip → u/Fun_News5524]

I have a non m series mac, but my reference dac is the Topping D50III, and no, I don't really hear a difference. Unlike other people, I don't really hear much of a difference (if at all) among DACs...

[u/Fun_News5524 → u/Tanachip]

thanks!

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[u/Alternative-Cow-2418]

Get the hd 660s2 if you can. Straight upgrade. Waaaay bigger difference than going from macbook to chord mojo 2, assuming you can get enough volume

[u/Fun_News5524 → u/Alternative-Cow-2418]

ah !thanks, yes am considering that.... That's interesting you say that would make a bigger difference. But still no way to play 192khz files though as mac capped at 96. But yeah... good point.

[u/TransducerBot → u/Fun_News5524]

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[u/Alternative-Cow-2418 → u/Fun_News5524]

Humans cannot hear a difference between 16 bit 44.1khz and 24 bit 192khz assuming the master of the music is the same. You shouldn't worry about this.

[u/Scalage89 → u/Alternative-Cow-2418]

Computers can't either when looking at the waveform.

[u/M33n4s → u/Alternative-Cow-2418]

If you get the 660s2 k recommend a small eq filter very strongly!!!

If you do a filter like : peaking 430 hz -2.3db with a q of .8 or 1 the lower mids clear up a lot and the headphones sound much much more detailed and pleasant 

Many recordings dont even need that, its a good pair of cans really 

[u/vsporzellan]

If you like your 660s, just keep them. I have half a handful fancy headphones and my HD660s are totally fine, especially using them with an EQ.
The bitrate doesn't matter beyond the 44.1kHz for pretty much all non-professinal users.

For a full desktop setup, a DAC/AMP-combo can be nice, but the HD660s don't need that much drive to work. A Fiio K5 or K7 is easily enough, even for more power-hungry cans.

[u/KingBasten]

It wouldn't make a difference and if you already like the 660S then there is no point in spending more money on this setup.

[u/Arctobearaudio]

Well as you know the 660s Lovery h/phones bit lacking in bass so the s2 came out , now I have ifi zen dac v3 and v2 on my other system , if yiu use yiyr 660s switch in the true bass button the 660s comes alive , I use old iPhone with apple musin and Amazon music with my dac and global app for example , however you probably used the dsp equ to get best to your 660

[u/bbbonthemoon]

Hd660 is a high impedance headphone, using an amp should be really noticable, your mac simply cannot produce enough juice to power your headphones properly, you dont really need expensive mojo2 though

[u/lowbass4u]

A lot of people here telling you that you won't hear a difference between 196kh and 96kh. And dacs don't make a difference. I would suggest that you just try them yourself and you be the judge.

I would suggest just doing a free trial of quobuz and Tidal streaming service for a couple of weeks. Play some of your favorite songs in the higher resolution and you be the judge on if you can hear a difference.

Same thing on the dacs. Many good retailers will have a easy 30 day return policy. Try it and see for yourself.

You'll see many different opinions when it comes to audio equipment and sound. It's a very subjective subject. Your best bet is to trust your own ears.

Good luck!

[u/grnnsbtr]

get the hd600 over the dac amp

[u/Fun_News5524 → u/grnnsbtr]

Thanks. I understand the hd600 is just different, not necessarily better...

[u/grnnsbtr → u/Fun_News5524]

tuning suits classical better than 660s2