audiophile65 Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Does anyone on this forum have a Pono Player? I am considering getting a Pono Player as my very first high-resolution music "vehicle". It will be strictly used in my home for headphone listening. I'm curious: to those who have a Pono and use it as I plan to, how do you like the AQ (both PCM and DSD), functionality, etc. I have heard Pono is really really really best heard through a headphone with a balanced line. Also, I have read something about some people using Kimber Cable with Pono (perhaps the headphone cable itself)......please clarify. Otherwise, at this time, all of my lossless music (AIFF, WAV, ALAC, and DSD files) are in my MacBook Pro with A+ as my music player. Remember, I do not have a DAC nor ever had one, but I am, again, considering Pono as my first adventure into hi-res computer music. Would like to know if I may be able to transfer my files in my MacBook Pro into Pono......most of my files are in my iTunes library, but all of my files are in my A+. Comments, suggestions, any help or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment
Jud Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 I like mine. Transferring files is a cinch, as long as you bypass the slow, overcomplicated recommended method (the Mac software for the Pono, a version of JRiver) and just use good ol' drag-'n'-drop. I'm very happy with the sound through my IEMs (Etymotic 4P), which won't take a balanced cord, but it's possible Pono sounds mo' betta with balanced; I don't know. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
bkinbk Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 PONO sounds really great through my Grado 225s with all my high res music and even with some lower res stuff. I've heard it through a balanced pair of phones, however, and it was definitely a step up. I even sometimes use it through my main system and it fits in perfectly. Be warned though, the UI/UX is terrible. You'll definitely need to avoid the desktop software if possible and just drag and drop as Jud said. The screen is low res and and I often mis-tap on selections. It's not good for traveling because the battery is so-so and the buttons are easily pushed, which wakes up the device and wears down the juice. But if you're mainly using it at home with a nice pair of headphones it is well worth the price. The SQ is very nice. Link to comment
tranz Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 I have brand spanking never opened Metallica signed one if you are interested. Link to comment
Jud Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 It's not good for traveling because the battery is so-so and the buttons are easily pushed, which wakes up the device and wears down the juice. You can take care of that in settings. Go to "Sleep and Lock," and choose Lock on Sleep. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
PopPop Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 "Sleep and lock" I want to make that my new sig line. That I ask questions? I am more concerned about being stupid than looking like I might be. Link to comment
audiophile65 Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 PONO sounds really great through my Grado 225s with all my high res music and even with some lower res stuff. I've heard it through a balanced pair of phones, however, and it was definitely a step up. I even sometimes use it through my main system and it fits in perfectly. Be warned though, the UI/UX is terrible. You'll definitely need to avoid the desktop software if possible and just drag and drop as Jud said. The screen is low res and and I often mis-tap on selections. It's not good for traveling because the battery is so-so and the buttons are easily pushed, which wakes up the device and wears down the juice. But if you're mainly using it at home with a nice pair of headphones it is well worth the price. The SQ is very nice. OK, here's a good question: Should I "drag and drop" files from either my iTunes "library/list" (where most of my PCM/DSD files are) or from my Audirvana Plus 1.5.12 "library/list" (where all of my PCM/DSD files are)? Thanks for your responses so far....keep em' up! Link to comment
Jud Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Purely up to you where you pull files from. iTunes uses non-standard metadata, so personally I'd avoid directories where such non-standard data may exist. Also note that if you want more than the 128GB or so of included storage you'll have to buy more. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
victor Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 I'm very happy with the sound through my IEMs (Etymotic 4P), which won't take a balanced cord, but it's possible Pono sounds mo' betta with balanced; I don't know. I'm using the Pono with the Etymotic ER4S myself in balanced mode and I like the combination a lot. I tried the standard single ended cable and to my ears the sound was a tiny bit muddier, noticeable in the bass. Besides, for some classical albums the volume range was not enough when using them out in the wild. Cheers Link to comment
jcn3 Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 I like mine. Transferring files is a cinch, as long as you bypass the slow, overcomplicated recommended method (the Mac software for the Pono, a version of JRiver) and just use good ol' drag-'n'-drop. I'm very happy with the sound through my IEMs (Etymotic 4P), which won't take a balanced cord, but it's possible Pono sounds mo' betta with balanced; I don't know. my experience exactly -- great sound with the ety er4p. i use the adapter to convert make the phones into er4s -- very full rich sound this way. have to turn the pono up to between 1/2 and 2/3 on airplanes. (1) holo audio red (hqp naa) > chord dave > luxman cl-38uc/mq-88uc > kef reference 1 (2) simaudio moon mind 2 > chord qutest > luxman sq-n150 > monitor audio gold gx100 Link to comment
jcn3 Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 I'm using the Pono with the Etymotic ER4S myself in balanced mode and I like the combination a lot. I tried the standard single ended cable and to my ears the sound was a tiny bit muddier, noticeable in the bass. Besides, for some classical albums the volume range was not enough when using them out in the wild. Cheers what cable do you use to convert them to balanced? (1) holo audio red (hqp naa) > chord dave > luxman cl-38uc/mq-88uc > kef reference 1 (2) simaudio moon mind 2 > chord qutest > luxman sq-n150 > monitor audio gold gx100 Link to comment
bkinbk Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 You can take care of that in settings. Go to "Sleep and Lock," and choose Lock on Sleep. Yes! Thank you. My laziness precluded me from figuring that out on my own. And yeah, Sleep and Lock sounds like a hip hop dance move. Link to comment
bkinbk Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 OK, here's a good question: Should I "drag and drop" files from either my iTunes "library/list" (where most of my PCM/DSD files are) or from my Audirvana Plus 1.5.12 "library/list" (where all of my PCM/DSD files are)? Thanks for your responses so far....keep em' up! I can only tell you what I do, which is to pull directly from the "music" folder on my external HD. Link to comment
victor Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 what cable do you use to convert them to balanced? I had a Whiplash TWag cable lying around that I used with CIEMs and I got a good local DIYer to replace the jack with the pair that the Pono needed. The cabling goes: Pono ---> TWag cable with two jacks ----> P to S Ety adapters ---> Etys. Link to comment
kilroy Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Oh, damn, I thought you said porno............ Link to comment
audiophile65 Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Purely up to you where you pull files from. iTunes uses non-standard metadata, so personally I'd avoid directories where such non-standard data may exist. Also note that if you want more than the 128GB or so of included storage you'll have to buy more. I did talk with Michael at Ayre Acoustics earlier today. He did suggest to drag & drop from the Audirvana+ directory. Link to comment
audiophile65 Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 OK, here's another good question: What brand of microSD card should I buy? Good question because I have been told that there are some "counterfeit" cards out there, and that there are even some "counterfeit" SanDisks out there. In my case, I'll be looking for a 128GB microSD card. Thanks..... Link to comment
mansr Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 OK, here's another good question: What brand of microSD card should I buy? Good question because I have been told that there are some "counterfeit" cards out there, and that there are even some "counterfeit" SanDisks out there. In my case, I'll be looking for a 128GB microSD card. Thanks..... SanDisk cards have consistently good quality. Fakes do exist though, so buy only from reputable vendors even it costs a few $ more. Link to comment
ElviaCaprice Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Oh, damn, I thought you said porno............ Or your out in public and she asks "Is that a Pono in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" Love the shape. (JRiver) Jetway barebones NUC (mod 3 sCLK-EX, Cybershaft OP 14) (PH SR7) => mini pcie adapter to PCIe 1X => tXUSBexp PCIe card (mod sCLK-EX) (PH SR7) => (USPCB) Chord DAVE => Omega Super 8XRS/REL t5i (All powered thru Topaz Isolation Transformer) Link to comment
Jud Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 SanDisk cards have consistently good quality. Fakes do exist though, so buy only from reputable vendors even it costs a few $ more. Luckily there are reputable vendors whose products cost less. Watch for sales at Amazon and Newegg on SanDisk and other reputable brands like Kingston, Patriot, etc. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
mansr Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Luckily there are reputable vendors whose products cost less. Watch for sales at Amazon and Newegg Aliexpress is probably cheaper still, but there you really have no idea what you're getting. on SanDisk and other reputable brands like Kingston, Patriot, etc. Kingston uses 3rd party flash chips from various manufacturers so it's a bit of a gamble. Link to comment
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