iFi iDSD GR 2 vs. Chord Mojo 2: Portable DAC/Amp Head-to-Head
Posted by The Sound Organisation on Sep 22nd 2026
In the world of high-performance portable audio, both iFi Audio and Chord Electronics have earned legendary reputations. With iFi redesigning their popular xDSD Gryphon platform into the iFi iDSD GR 2 ($529) and Chord refining their iconic pocket powerhouse with the updated Chord Mojo 2 ($650), deciding between these two portable titans comes down to your personal priorities regarding connectivity, interface, and sound signature. Luckily, Major Hi-Fi recently did their own Head-to-Head comparison to find out which one you should invest in for your audio system.
Design & Build Quality
- Form Factor & Aesthetics: The Chord Mojo 2 takes the lead in sheer pocketability, featuring a noticeably smaller footprint housed in precision-machined, anodized aluminum. It opts for a playful, intuitive control scheme using glowing polychromatic glass orbs. By contrast, the iFi GR 2 adopts a sleeker, industrial design with an advanced capacitive color OLED touchscreen.
- Connectivity Convenience: The GR 2 includes Bluetooth 5.4 out of the box with high-resolution codec support (aptX Lossless, LDAC), enabling seamless wireless listening without additional dongles. For the Mojo 2 to stream wirelessly, it requires adding the outboard Chord Poly module. However, for strictly wired setups, the Mojo 2's compact size and physical orb controls make it exceptionally quick to deploy.
Hardware Architecture & Feature Set
- iFi iDSD GR 2: Built around a custom Burr-Brown PCM1795 chipset and a fully balanced Class-A analog output stage, the GR 2 delivers a massive 1,513 mW output into a 4.4mm balanced load. It includes built-in iEMatch circuitry for sensitive in-ear monitors, as well as hardware-based XBass and XSpace toggles to instantly expand low-end presence and soundstage staging. Controls can be operated via its touchscreen or through the companion iFi Nexis smartphone app.
- Chord Mojo 2: Powered by Rob Watts' proprietary Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA architecture (boasting a 40,960-tap WTA filter), the Mojo 2 delivers 600 mW into 30Ω and 90 mW into 300Ω. It focuses on pure plug-and-play simplicity with physical buttons, leveraging a 104-bit UHD DSP for completely lossless EQ adjustments and crossfeed control without requiring software apps.
Sound Signature & Performance
- iFi iDSD GR 2 (Smooth & Relaxing): The GR 2 delivers a smooth, organic sound signature with an expanded low end. Its high power output provides massive headroom for demanding planar magnetic headphones, creating an intimate, relaxing listening experience that excels at smoothing out harsh digital edges.
- Chord Mojo 2 (Punchy & Detailed): The Mojo 2 is renowned for its authoritative dynamic impact, pristine high-frequency extension, and textbook transparency. It digs deep into fine acoustic details and imaging micro-textures without adding artificial coloration, delivering a punchier, broader soundstage definition.
The Verdict
- Choose the iFi iDSD GR 2 if: You want built-in high-resolution Bluetooth 5.4 streaming, a modern touchscreen interface with smartphone app integration, tactile hardware switches (XBass/XSpace), and massive balanced power output for demanding headphones at a lower price point.
- Choose the Chord Mojo 2 if: You prefer maximum physical portability, pure plug-and-play simplicity, physical button controls, and a sound signature focused on raw dynamic punch, unmatched transient speed, and reference-grade digital decoding accuracy.