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Interesting PONO Article

I haven't heard anything good about the Pono except from Pono owners.

I'm more inclined to listen to a critic than someone who wants to justify their purchase.
 
SSaxdude said:
I haven't heard anything good about the Pono except from Pono owners.

I'm more inclined to listen to a critic than someone who wants to justify their purchase.
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The critics were going after the Pono before the device existed. Think about that.

It's also worth noting that Ponos are certainly holding their own in terms of resale value. If it wasn't a great player, why would that be the case? The consumer is the critic who ultimately matters most.
 
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bangsezmax said:
The critics were going after the Pono before the device existed. Think about that.

It's also worth noting that Ponos are certainly holding their own in terms of resale value. If it wasn't a great player, why would that be the case? The consumer is the critic who ultimately matters most.
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They're going after the idea that high rez audio is noticably better. It's one thing for the Pono to use high quality parts, such as a good DAC. But what Neil is pushing is high rez, which is what is criticized.
 
I've never heard a Pono. I'm sure it's a nice product, but I won't be buying one...ever. I'll be using other means for my high res. recordings and I'll keep it for the home HI-FI. Besides, I'm not looking for the "best sound" in my noisy car. My vast amounts of CD's will work and a couple of good HD stations in the area too.

As far as digital goes IMO high res. is the future (CD's, gone!) At this point in time there just isn't enough high res. available that I like. Sure, I like some, but I'll wait till alot more jump on the wagon and allow their music to be published in high res. It'll happen, just a matter of time.
 
eljr said:
11020247_867109233335712_7006194058675998178_n.jpg



:thmbsp:
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Now that's funny. I have the same Pono with the same carpeting. I could have taken that exact same photo.

I like my Pono. I also liked my iPod (that just recently died). The Pono works for me and I like the look, size, build, quality and sound. I'm not a "Fanboy", just a user that's "satisfied". No more, no less. I was also satisfied with my iPod before it died. Cracked glass and all! ;)
 
Not surprising the FiiO X-5 is a very good PDP I've heard a couple of them and have recommended the X3 or X5 to friends .[/QUOT[/QUOTE]

For the money, the X5 is truly a good versatile player with storage currently up to 400GB. That's alot of FLAC files or WMA VBR if you must compress. And built like a tank. I had one for just under a year and it is a joy to use and especially in the car. Unfortunately, I am having to part with mine. Hope to someday get a replacement.
 
Regarding the OP referenced PONO Article ... sometimes a simple link (hi-lite below) just says it all.

The Pono Player, once just a Kickstarter prototype, is now a product that anyone can buy, for $400. To hear the magic, you’re supposed to buy all new music—high-resolution audio files—from Pono’s new music store (ponomusic.force.com),
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:(
 
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I could care less about all the 'attitude' surrounding this player.
I needed a bedside player that was small, and could be used without having to pick up ('poke & play'?).
(It does need anti-slip stuff under it.)
The display is bright and colorful (old eyes), the touch controls work ok once you get used to it (fewer buttons, too).
Supports all the file types I use. More than enough memory to hold what I use it for.
Tested it with JBL 305s, and man, what a combo - talk about the perfect mini-stereo system << $500!
Don't care about BT or any other connectivity/feature-ivity (or even FM, for that matter) - just a small amp and those tiny Brauns.
Interestingly, I've ended up just leaving it plugged in and running 24/7, and just dial up the volume when I want to hear what's currently playing on that system...kind of like having a 'personal favorites' radio station.
(I have 3 stereos in that room!).
Picked it up cheapish on eb when there was a price dip for a while last year.
Are there other players that work as well or better, and have more features (that I don't need)? No question.
But none in such a small, stable/table form factor, and Not Ugly or Millions of Tiny Buttons.
So I am Very glad that, for whatever reasons, it came to market, slid downhill in value and became an option for me!
'Nuff said.
Resume arguments. :banana:
 
^^^^ ... interesting ... the Pono players seem to be selling for around or below $200 on eBay closing auctions ... was not aware of that ... seems like a good deal for the players.

The Pono website is still "under constructions" ... I believe since last July 2016. :dunno:


Only thing I've heard from Pono was last December article ... link below.
Neil Young's Pono may live on as a hi-res streaming service
 
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Yup. Mine was less than $150, had 128G in it, and pristine condition....got 'lucky'.
Much cleaner, neater, better match to my preferences than something like the Grace internet radios...
pono.jpg
 
bangsezmax said:
If there's not enough critical mass demanding the product, it will limit the scope of the releases. It has to be financially viable or the PTB with the masters won't bother.

As some here have pointed out, some hi res masterings suck. That's a completely separate issue though.

Some audio claims are snake oil. But some are not. I noticed that NOBODY here has touched Roger Nichol's observations on 24 bit files and the improvements with low frequencies.
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Sorry, late to the party, but this thread was interesting. I note that someone has indeed touched Roger Nichol's observations, namely the publishers, who have, sometime after your post I assume, added a DISCLAIMER, which includes this, "While I wouldn't want to discount Roger Nichol's perceptions of the sonic improvements gained from 24-bit conversion over 16-bit, the technical explanations he offers in this article are based on an incorrect understanding of digital audio, combined with some greatly misleading graphical misrepresentations." The full disclaimer can be viewed at your original link.
 
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