[doctorjazz]

Don't have the N5, but I do have the C5 portable amp, which I believe is the amp used in the N5, and I'm not really impressed with the sound quality out of it as well. It ain't no Pono!

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

Don't have the N5, but I do have the C5 portable amp, which I believe is the amp used in the N5, and I'm not really impressed with the sound quality out of it as well. It ain't no Pono!

 
Completely different amp between C5 and N5, the C5 is much better than the N5 actually.
 

  Can anyone compare the Pono player to the Cayin N5?
 
I have spent some time with the Cayin N5 and I am not overly impressed with it particularly at the slow load speeds and some of the build quality (the scroll wheel feels terrible and the rubber flap covering the SD card and charge ports is pretty crappy).

 
I've had the N6, I'd take the Pono over it, way more emotion and energy conveyed with the Pono. The Pono is all plastic build, but it still feels solid and doesn't feel too cheap, though the inlaid screen is a nightmare for dust, and the touch UI isn't the fastest around, but is still better than the N6 UI which is crap. On Pono the little door that covers the SD and usb port is actually nice. For the sound alone Pono is easily worth it.

 

[hardpike]

I am driving some stax sr207 from the pono (to srd-x pro) single ended ( no way I think in doing it balanced) and I am just in awe..
It is a magic device....

 

[barondla]

Fry's Electronics has the PonoPlayer on sale today for $299. Just in case anyone knows a person looking for one. Or perhaps you need an extra. You must have the Fry's promo code for the day.

 

[BrutalLegend]

Hello, my current situation is my Ponoplayer's line out jack is not working (it has a broken 3.5mm jack in it and a broken pin) and the battery refuses to charge. So my solution would be to replace the entire board and battery which comes close to the price of a new Ponoplayer.
 
The dilemma is, should I pay to have it repaired/buy a new one + new cables to run balanced mode for my Focal Elear? Or should I just move on to another DAP that offers balanced sound and a longer battery life? This has been running in my mind for a while now as the battery life on the Ponoplayer is quite low, limited storage space and not too mention the lifespan of the hardware. However, I haven't found another DAP out there that matches the sound quality of the Ponoplayer in balanced mode. Any advise is highly appreciated.

 

[barondla]

@BrutalLegend, what an exceptional pair of headphones. They are going to magnify the difference in sound quality between the Pono and any other DAP. It will cost far, far more money to buy a comparable sounding DAC from another company. Fixing/buying a new Pono is your best bet. If the price is close, I would buy another Pono Player. Then everything is new, plus you have a full warranty.

Then you might try fixing the old one yourself. There is a video showing how to open the Pono with a guitar pick. The battery is readily available and just clips in and out. With the Pono open, you can then see what is damaged with the line out. And possibly fix it. If not, does the other headphone/ line out work now. If so it could always be used with standard IEMs, headphones, etc.

One of those USB/battery power banks can run the Pono for a much longer time.
Good luck.

 

[BrutalLegend]

@barondla, thanks for the advice. I still look at the market today and everything is just simply overpriced for what the hardware is capable of doing. I have taken my ponoplayer apart a few times to diagnose what is wrong with it. I believe the power chip that handles the charging has given out, not to mention the line out 3.5mm female jack needs replacing but it seems to be attached to the board in an odd way. The regular 3.5mm headphone jack works just fine though. 
 
It will probably cost me close to $200 to fix everything and have it up and running. I can't seem to find the ponoplayer on their official website so I can't compare the costing difference for a new one. My other concern is because I use my player consistently and have to pay that amount; its quite disheartening for a 2 year lifespan.

 

[LuckyNat]

If a headphone plug is broken inside the socket, as I think I read correctly from your post, then that sounds like an accident has been had and is not reflective of the Pono's lifespan - any player experiencing such force on the plug will likely break at the socket.

Only the battery or power chip part is the concern - diagnose the fault first as it may be just the battery. And it's not to say that another Pono will ever have the same problem (unless others are getting the same thing?).

Not impossible to change the chip - many skillful repairers out there with hot air solderers.

 

[BrutalLegend]

@LuckyNat, I mean no offense but obviously the broken 3.5mm stuck in the socket is not what I meant by hardware lifespan. That's just an accident. I can actually repair the chip myself. I've already begun hunting down a replacement chip though replacing the 3.5mm female socket is my real problem because its plastic casing mounted in an odd way.

 

[barondla]

Fry's Electronics has the Pono Player on sale for $299 until Nov. 5Th. Must have promo code. A chance to pick up holiday gifts or add to the collection.

 

[punkhouse]

$399 @ Bay Bloor Radio in Toronto as well. Just to mention.

 

[barondla]

Fry's Electronics has the Pono Player on sale at last year's BF pricing! Good until 12 -24. Must use promo code in this ad. If your store is out switch to anoher. Their inventory is by store not national. Gift a Pono or buy a spare.
http://images.frys.com/art/email/121816_sun258mju/sun_web.html?promocode=1974320#set3

 

[jdog]

Fry's Electronics has the Pono Player on sale at last year's BF pricing! Good until 12 -24. Must use promo code in this ad. If your store is out switch to anoher. Their inventory is by store not national. Gift a Pono or buy a spare.
http://images.frys.com/art/email/121816_sun258mju/sun_web.html?promocode=1974320#set3

Also, this price is good for on-line purchase as long as you use today's (12/18/16) promo code and you order by 12/24/16...  Sale price $199.98!


 

 

[jdog]

Great sale price for anyone in the market for the Pono player....

 

[Headphile32]

Wow a great deal on the Pono! Was starting to wonder if there were going be any major discounts on it this year. I hope we get some good news from the company soon.