[Achmedisdead]

The ability to store dozens and dozens of digital music albums was pretty unique at the time, no?

 
+1
 

None with that much storage in such a small (pocketable) volume. Not nearly.

 
+1

 

[fiascogarcia]

  My point is there were mp3 players before iPod, but Apple got the marketing and digital distribution right. 
 
Not saying Pono will be the next iPod, but if they get it right it could be the buzzword for high res DAPs in the same way iPod was for mp3 players. 

Getting it right would be turning on the greater population to higher quality listening, as opposed to catering to "audiophiles", which the other high end DAP companies are doing.  I'm skeptical that it will work, but I think that was Neil Young's intent from the start.  I truly hope all the kickstarter participants get their money's worth.  I will be willing to invest in the first company to master high res music streaming.

 

[bprendie]

I think it's great that so many people are backing PONO. But what is meant to be so revolutionary about this compared to other portable DACs, i.e Astell & Kern?

The Pono Device is actually only half the story. The real story is in their music store. Having access to major labels and an actual variety of music is extremely exciting to me. HDTracks does a good job, but their catalog is rather limited for my taste. It's very likely that my pre-ordered PONO will see very little use compared to my DAC on my Mac or my FiiO portable. But Hi-res music for the general public is a win all around!

 

[hughscot]

Neil Young released a new album this weekend in vinyl only.

 

[fiascogarcia]

  Neil Young released a new album this weekend in vinyl only.

That's gonna make it a little tougher to burn into a Pono! 

 

[Lukalop]

Neil Young released a new album this weekend in vinyl only.

I don't see why he is going against his own endorsed program which is solely on the digital platform. Not creating a lasting impression in my eyes, says to me that he's not focused into putting all his effort into PONO & that it is just something on the side.

 

[flatmap]

  Neil Young released a new album this weekend in vinyl only.

He had planned to reissue Time Fades Away but that was postponed, right?  Did something
else show up for Record Store Day?

 

[hughscot]

Hard to believe there is so much negativity. He released it on Vinyl as that is the ultimate sound as he's been saying.  You can bet it will be for sale to download after Pono goes live.  

 

[Tympan]

  Hard to believe there is so much negativity. He released it on Vinyl as that is the ultimate sound as he's been saying.  You can bet it will be for sale to download after Pono goes live.  

I think so too

 

[shockdoc]

Well I'm a born skeptic but I'm excited to see what happens. If nothing else I think we'll see some decent re-issues of classic rock because of his connections. HD Tracks is woefully lacking in that genre I'm afraid. And I think in many ways some of the older stuff was mastered better than a lot of todays music.  I'm betting the first review thread from the Head-Fi'er who gets his Pono first will EXPLODE!

 

[Saraguie]

The results.......very impressive  
 
So he did name it Pono, as in the Hawaiian word. Well chosen Neil!  Why did he? Perhaps because Frank (C.H.'s guitarist) lives in Hawaii, Neil has written a lot in Hawaii......and well it's a cool word with a a simple meaning 'pureness'  Let's hope the whole project lives up to it's name.

 

[PalJoey]

  The Pono Device is actually only half the story. The real story is in their music store. Having access to major labels and an actual variety of music is extremely exciting to me. HDTracks does a good job, but their catalog is rather limited for my taste. It's very likely that my pre-ordered PONO will see very little use compared to my DAC on my Mac or my FiiO portable. But Hi-res music for the general public is a win all around!

That's the main point of Pono, but one which the gadget hacks are choosing to ignore. The player is incidental, although I'm sure it will sound pretty good. I doubt I'd buy a Pono player, but I will almost certainly open an account on the Pono website, if it delivers what it promises.

 

[Lukalop]

That's the main point of Pono, but one which the gadget hacks are choosing to ignore. The player is incidental, although I'm sure it will sound pretty good. I doubt I'd buy a Pono player, but I will almost certainly open an account on the Pono website, if it delivers what it promises.

I wouldn't pull the trigger too soon as iTunes may have alternate offerings in the works which could possibly expand to its streaming service (just a thought).

 

[PalJoey]

I wouldn't pull the trigger too soon as iTunes may have alternate offerings in the works which could possibly expand to its streaming service (just a thought).

I've been reading the rumours - depends on whether Apple go for DRM on these lossless downloads or not. As for format, I'm assuming Foobar2000 will be (made) able to play whatever they are.

 

[Mach-X]

If it's not the established industry standard we already have, ie FLAC, then not interested.