2. misc-audio
  3. 1427545044

Got my Pono

It is still not broken in but I am running it in balanced mode wiht the surf balanced cable, into a pair of sennheiser 650s. I am happy to say I am thrilled and have finally solved my portable music issue. I have hi-res (HD Track downloads on the internal HD and redbook on the miniSD card). The music is dynamic and the soundstage is very distinct (and impressive). Its defiitely loud enough and while the hires sounds pretty incredible, I was shocked at the excellend redbook playback. Definitely rivals my big rig, for 100th the cost! Now I need to figure how to stream tidal off of my smartphone into my Pono. (oh... someone will..)
128x128cerrot
6 responses Add your response
lse
83 posts
 
Does the Pono require or benefit from break-in?
cerrot's avatar
cerrot OP
1,700 posts
 
It does. Sounded awesome out of the box but the player and cable do need breaking in, and it is mentioned on thier website. I ripped a break in CD and am just playing it through a few hours a day.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
I'm glad to read your credible review, Cerrot, as opposed to all the haters posting their results of Pono. They are the generation that believe MP3 is the standard for downloading music.
I have read a couple of A/B comparisons between Pono and ipod and even one where Pono Hirez is compared to Pono MP3 and MP3 was judged superior.

Funny thing about how serious these people are about good audio, all tests were done using earbuds. With the price of Pono, I'm afraid Neil Young is going to have to settle for a niche market.
raymonda
855 posts
 
It is not priced very high....and should also come down in price after Neil sells out. He really is about the software not the player.

I haven't hear one but I'm sure it sounds good give Ayre ' s involvement. My issue is that there is no digital out and the size and shape.

My Fiio x3...cost less....sounds great for portable use coupled with my Thinksound MS 1 and has digital out. It also plays dsd's and can function as a usb dac and dsd dac.

However if it weren't for Fiio I would probably own a Pono.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,461 posts
 
Question:
Can I download High Rez files from the Pono site if I don't have a Pono?
I recently tried some of Neil Young's but with no luck. Perhaps I did something wrong.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot OP
1,700 posts
 
Ozzy, you can but you can do the same with HDTracks. Pono kind of gives you a version of JRiver 20 as well. Lowrider, thank you. I was scratching my head at a pono review where they liked it, but never tried it in balance mode (kind of like reviewing a Porsche GT and never taking it out of 3rd gear...and telling someone what it drives like). It is still less expensive than the walkman and A&K. Happy pono camper over hear. (here?)
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