CHORD POLY

Chord Poly is the Streamer and Music Player dedicated to Mojo 2, to make your music totally wireless. You can control streaming from your smartphone, use Roon, play files up to 768 KHz, find your DLNA protocol libraries on the net…

Description

UHD Wireless Poly Streamer for Mojo 2

Chord Poly is a portable music player and streamer created by Chord Electronics for the Chord Mojo 2 DAC (and the first Mojo model). Poly is a small device, born and designed to be paired with the Mojo and perform wireless streaming from connected devices, with the additional possibility of also playing from a Micro SD card. Once Poly is connected to the Mojo, everything is controlled conveniently from smartphones – both Android and iOS-based, of course. Needless to say, but pleasant to remember, Chord Poly is a HiFi-level quality (sound) network streamer with the advantage of being able to be used both at home and on the move, with WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay. In one sentence, Poly improves the performance and experience of using headphones, in the car and in every environment of the house.

The most compact and functional HiFi Streamer

Poly is a revolutionary music streamer, the world's first of its kind. When paired with Mojo 2 it allows you to stream music from a range of wirelessly connected devices in the best possible sound quality, at home or on the go. Poly is also a music player: its unlimited capacity Micro SD card slot can accommodate huge libraries and free up storage space on smart devices. Full smartphone control via everyday Apps allows for effortless music playback whether streaming or playing music from the Micro SD.

Portable yes, but better than the one at home!

Poly takes full advantage of the award-winning audio processing technology of the Mojo Portable DAC 2 (and previous model Mojo), dramatically improving the audio quality of streaming music. Its advanced design allows everyday devices, including Android and Apple smartphones/tablets, to become “HiFi-quality” portable digital audio players: the smartphone becomes the controller, with Poly and Mojo 2 doing the high-end audio processing. level. Poly can also be used with computers and laptops, plus it can access network audio stored on NAS drives using popular DLNA apps. Playback is via the Mojo 2's dual headphone outputs; moreover, home and car audio systems with auxiliary (AUX) inputs can also benefit from improved sound quality when connected to Poly.

Poly offers total connectivity

Poly connects to Wi-Fi networks, including mobile hotspots when you're on the go, and remembers multiple networks with its auto-connect feature. It also benefits from Bluetooth 4.1, AirPlay and DLNA connectivity, offering uninterrupted music streaming. Poly also has its own hotspot mode, which allows for a connection where devices, networks, or countries don't facilitate tethering. Its rechargeable LiPo batteries offer up to nine hours of playtime from a four-hour charge using the device's USB fast-charge circuitry; both Poly and Mojo 2 can be loaded at the same time. Poly is compatible with high-resolution audio, properly called HD and UHD, with support for studio-quality files: PCM files with resolution up to 768 kHz and DSD 64 to 256 (Quad-DSD). Supported file types include ACC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, OGG VORBIS, ALAC, WMA and MP3.

An impressive pedigree

The truly compact dimensions deceive everyone. Poly looks like a portable device that is easy to carry but with “balanced” performance. Nothing more false. Ply is a liquid music streamer with sensational performance. The sound with Poly is articulate and rhythmic and, in absolute terms, a first and benchmark for anyone. The range of possible options and features is immense and the integration with its older brother Mojo 2 is nothing short of elegant and functional. At the beginning, using Mojo and Poly, you feel the lack of a dedicated display but with each use, the immediate reading guaranteed by the famous luminous keys/displays becomes more and more friendly until it becomes the new reference for speed and convenience.

How does poly work?

Poly connects the digital inputs of the Mojo directly, in order to feed the DAC the liquid music that is sent to it wirelessly from the network, NAS, smartphone, etc.

Streaming using AirPlay and Bluetooth is functional but limited in resolution to canonical CD quality, just as it should be. Wishing to use a proprietary library, fortunately here setting up a NAS with the Poly (DLNA protocol) is not really easy and very fast. With the GoFigure configuration app by Chord (iOS and Android) it is possible to configure and use various WiFi networks and manage all the settings: all on the fly from your smartphone. The App is also a gateway to easy Bluetooth setup and playback, enable Roon operation when using Poly as an endpoint, configure Hotspot mode and WiFi networks, view status of Hotspot, WiFi signal, Bluetooth, charge and duration of the battery.

Is it portable or HiFi?

Chord Poly is an extremely performing and versatile HiFi device. It is designed to work exclusively with the Mojo (Mojo 2) and cannot be used with any other DAC, but with this combination you get a network streaming solution that is simply wondrous. According to reviews from all over the world, the combination of the DAC and the streamer leads to the audiophile's paradise (What HiFi?). With each release of new firmware Poly is faster and more effective. In 2022, with version 3.0 available via App, functionality and performance are better than ever. Poly is constantly updated over the air (OTA) to ensure maximum performance at all times. The management of all HD and UHD streaming flows takes place via a convenient dedicated App, free for iOS and Android, in the name of GoFigure. Through the App it is possible to completely manage the device, select WiFi Network, sources, resolutions, volume etc. It is even possible to manage Roon and a variety of parameters. Everything so that listening to music is simply ideal.

Like every product made by Chord Electronics Poly is built entirely in the UK.

Sound quality

In terms of a musical marriage, Poly and Mojo 2 is the perfect marriage. Sonically, we are in the dream realm of every audiophile and music lover. Plugged into our reference amp's RCA plugs, compared to the similarly priced Cambridge CXN music streamer/DAC) the Chord Electronics combo delivers a distinctly more articulate and rhythmic sound. Opening notes and guitar attacks are reproduced with greater clarity and texture; distorted instruments and their harmonics resonate with greater determination. Generally the positioning of the instruments and the level of articulation and discernment of the notes is at a level that neither Cambridge nor other players can match.

Take them out of the equation by plugging the headphones directly into your smartphone and the performance is nowhere near as clear, solid or detailed.

The bottom line is that Chord Mojo 2 is a five-star product (and praise) and the addition of the Poly streamer to the configuration does not degrade the sound performance or the final quality in any way. Doing what most Chord digital products do best, the Poly/Mojo 2 duo also sounds fantastic.

Mojo 2 + Poly = LOVE

A new USB-C data port adds more flexibility. Transparency has been significantly improved, thanks to a new noise modeler, less distortion, and more neutrality. In addition, Mojo 2 can also be carried wirelessly with the Poly streamer / server which adds connectivity to the DAC WiFi inputs, Bluetooth and the increasingly required compatibility with DLNA, AirPlay and Roon protocols as well as a convenient MicroSD slot.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Portable streamer/player that combines with Mojo

Wireless streaming from connected devices at home or on the go

Built-in unlimited capacity Micro SD card slot for music library storage/playback

Control via familiar smartphone apps

Upgrade the sound quality from headphones, in-car systems, home audio and more

It empowers smartphones as “hi-fi quality” portable digital audio players.

Chord Electronics' award-winning sound quality for streaming music and Micro SD

Connects via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (for optimal stability)

2200mAh LiPo rechargeable battery: 9 hours + play time and USB fast charging

Playback support: Roon, DNLA, AirPlay and Bluetooth 4.1

Precision machined aluminum housing with black anodization, matte black wireless signaling window, and silicone feet

Support for all major file types including: ACC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, OGG VORBIS, ALAC, WMA and MP3

Hi-Res Audio Compatible: PCM Sampling Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz kHz; DSD via DoP sampling rates: DSD64 – DSD256 (Quad-DSD); DSD from the SD card

Supported devices: iPhones, iPads, Android phones/tablets, Windows and Mac OS X computers, and DAPs

Dimensions: 50mm (L) x 62mm (W) x 22mm (H)

Weight: 91g

Software updates over the air OTA

Hotspot Mode: Poly can create its own hotspot where networks/devices/countries don't support tethering

Integrated access point: allows configuration of connected networks (up to 32)

DLNA server and renderer (SD card); PMI server (SD card); MPD player (SD card)