The Pono Player Impressions Thread

[Replicant187]

Wait a sec, why is this thread so short? Is there really so few Pono users or are they just so happy with the sq that they have abandoned head-fi for good, lol. Pono is probably the best portable dap to buy at the moment, it slams other daps in value with 128gb storage and balanced output, then smacks them up with it's natural sq, it's not even a competition lol.

you can't buy Pono Player easily, at least from Japan.
i once saw Fujiya selling secondhand Pono for 30k yen but it was too late when i found it....

 

[olddude]

"Originally Posted by T.R.A.N.C.E. /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Wait a sec, why is this thread so short?"
 
There's another Pono thread that is much longer: http://www.head-fi.org/t/629454/pono-neil-youngs-portable-hi-res-music-player

 

[FFBookman]

I've been using the hell out of my ponoplayer. I think I've listened to a phone for about an hour total since I've bought this thing. My ears and mood are both much improved.
 
Here's my impressions 5 months in:
 
http://wfnk.com/blog/2015/04/life-with-ponoplayer/
 
 
Lord Chaos do you have an arrival date yet?  I'm so excited for new Pono's, I wish I could afford to buy one for all my friends and family.

 

[purk]

Like many of you, I really enjoy my Pono in balanced mode.  I made the 4-Pin XLR to dual stereo minis myself and the Pono is excellent with my recabled Z7, and MDR-SA5000.  With full-size phones I like the headphone out of the Pono better than that of my ZX2.  With custom IEMs, the ZX2 edge out the Pono sound wise.  I wish those know-all internet reviewers know a thing or two about balanced drive amplification b/c I truly think that they will think differently about the Pono once they have tried it.

 

[AndrewH13]

Purk, how you find the pono sound compared to the ZX2? I finally should get a listen to the pono on Saturday at UK's Cambridge Head-fi meet. Been waiting awhile as still can't buy in England.

 

[purk]

Purk, how you find the pono sound compared to the ZX2? I finally should get a listen to the pono on Saturday at UK's Cambridge Head-fi meet. Been waiting awhile as still can't buy in England.

In SE the ZX2 is a better sounding player over all, but the Pono in balanced mode edge out the ZX2 due more driving power and slightly more transparent sound.  This is likely due the ZX2 limited 15 mw per channel so the Sony is not optimum at driving full sized phones to begin with.  For CIEMs, that where the ZX2 really shine.  It is more organic and musical sounding than the Pono with my JH13pro PF.  The ZX2 is also able to render a wonderful & deep soundstage from its SE headphone out just like what the Pono can do in balanced mode but the sound is just more engaging to my ears.       

 

[EddieE]

It’s a player that sounds great to my ear, especially given the relatively low price. It does have some issues on the functionality side though.
 
My biggest gripes are:
 
1. No lock screen/unlock screen button or command. You basically have to either adjust the volume or pause the song to unlock the screen. When you put the device back in your pocket, it’s easy to accidentally skip through a song as the screen is still unlocked.
 
2. No simple MSC file transfer or folder structure view options. I hate ID3 tags as a way to browse music. I have a meticulously set up folder structure I put a lot of time and work into, and it’s not an option with Pono. You have to use their annoying MTP software and you can only view your files by tags.
 
3. Slow start up
 
Of those three, the first two could actually be fixed via a firmware update. Pressing two buttons in combination – such as + and O for example - could allow lock/unlock screen easily.
 
The other issues I have are more nit-picky and not a big deal…
 
4. Slight build quality issues – mine rattles a bit. This is a quibble really as on the whole it is well enough built.
 
5. The triangular design decision was made for a reason – to allow a better quality cylindrical battery and discrete components to fit in the chassis. I’m getting used to this in the pocket now actually, and it makes it great for desktop use. I do feel a future edition could have a curved back and a case that includes a kick stand to make it a bit more pocketable, while still leaving the volume required for the components Ayre want to use.
 
6. The leather case that came with the LE version I have is only a carry case. It’s nicely made, but I was expecting something more akin to a mobile phone case where you could operate the screen and buttons, and have your phones plugged in while the device was still in the case. Minor quibble of course, it is a nice case, just not what I was expecting.
 
What I just love though, is the sound. It really does seem to be a match made in heaven for the Sennheiser IE800 I am pairing it with. Its smooth, natural sound really does iron out the tiny issues I had with the IE800s – I don’t think I could ask for anything else sonically in a portable rig… well maybe a less stupidly designed cable from Sennheiser…

 

[FFBookman]

EddieE - Some feedback

1 - I do agree we need a little more control over how we want it to lock/sleep. Check your settings - mine goes into lock mode with a lock on the screen that can be unlocked by swiping it out of the circle, then your buttons will work.  Remember 2 clicks to go to next song, 3 clicks to go backwards. 
 
2 - No experience here, I use tags and let JRiver/iTunes manage my folder structure.
 
3 - Mine takes less than a minute to come up from off, but if there's been music added it takes another minute to scan the music library (I have about 70gb on it so far). I usually sleep mine unless I know it's going to be off for a while (and it hasn't because it's awesome).
 
4 - I haven't heard any rattles but I do wonder if the circle button is gonna make it very long. I think that's the first hardware fail point.
 
5 - I'd keep the triangle-bar shape and maybe reduce the overall size. I love all the advantages it has over a slab shape, and the only disadvantages for the shape that I've seen so far: tight jeans and tight workout clothes.
 
6 - Mine is naked, I don't mind some wear and tear on the case, as long as it keeps playing that sweet sound.
 
Oh yeah, I also posted a few more pictures of the ponoplayer in action:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fluxadel/sets/72157652056361356/

 

[EddieE]

  EddieE - Some feedback

1 - I do agree we need a little more control over how we want it to lock/sleep. Check your settings - mine goes into lock mode with a lock on the screen that can be unlocked by swiping it out of the circle, then your buttons will work.  Remember 2 clicks to go to next song, 3 clicks to go backwards. 
 
2 - No experience here, I use tags and let JRiver/iTunes manage my folder structure.
 
3 - Mine takes less than a minute to come up from off, but if there's been music added it takes another minute to scan the music library (I have about 70gb on it so far). I usually sleep mine unless I know it's going to be off for a while (and it hasn't because it's awesome).
 
4 - I haven't heard any rattles but I do wonder if the circle button is gonna make it very long. I think that's the first hardware fail point.
 
5 - I'd keep the triangle-bar shape and maybe reduce the overall size. I love all the advantages it has over a slab shape, and the only disadvantages for the shape that I've seen so far: tight jeans and tight workout clothes.
 
6 - Mine is naked, I don't mind some wear and tear on the case, as long as it keeps playing that sweet sound.
 
Oh yeah, I also posted a few more pictures of the ponoplayer in action:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fluxadel/sets/72157652056361356/

 
How are you getting that swipe to unlock thing? I've looked at the settings and can't see any options for it. My screen just turns off when it locks, the buttons still work but the touch screen doesn't. To get to the touch screen again I have to do something with the buttons - adjust the volume or pause the track?

 

[flatmap]

   
How are you getting that swipe to unlock thing? I've looked at the settings and can't see any options for it. My screen just turns off when it locks, the buttons still work but the touch screen doesn't. To get to the touch screen again I have to do something with the buttons - adjust the volume or pause the track?

Under settings, go to "Sleep and Lock".  Then select the box for "Lock on Sleep".  Mine works just as FFBookman describes above.

 

[EddieE]

 
Under settings, go to "Sleep and Lock".  Then select the box for "Lock on Sleep".  Mine works just as FFBookman describes above.

 
Great that works and pressing a button causes no action in this mode, just the lock/swipe screen to appear.
 
Thanks to both for the tip.

 

[FFBookman]

   
Great that works and pressing a button causes no action in this mode, just the lock/swipe screen to appear.
 
Thanks to both for the tip.

I'd like to see a little more refinement in this feature. I know they've updated it once or twice already.
 
Knowing the AC/DC state would help the player. I'd like a setting to avoid screen lock when plugged in, but sleep/lock the screen after 5 minutes if draining battery.
 
Also a sleep timer for night time would be very useful.
 
The main feature I want in new firmware is "go to album" link during song playback in shuffle or playlist.

 

[tenedosian]

is there any difference between balanced / single-ended use in terms of the battery duration ?

 

[olddude]

Yes

 

[tenedosian]

is there anyone that used pono with audio technica esw9 or es10? if so, how is the synergy / sound?