The Pono Player Impressions Thread

[captainsemtex]

Why not just remove the card and use a card reader for the transfer of files?

Hi L8MDL... that's exactly what I am doing for my external card I'm referring to the Pono's *internal* 64Gb storage. You can only add files to that by connecting the Pono... and that's where the problems start.

 

[L8MDL]

When I first got my Pono I loaded the internal memory ONCE and haven't touched it since. Yes it was slow so I only put on music I knew I would always want available. I now own 3 Ponos and use 400gb cards exclusively. Never touched the internal memory on the two newer ones. They only have Neil's one song on them!

 

[defbear]

When Pono first arrived 64GB of internal memory AND a 64GB card was more of a big deal. Cards were far more expensive. There was perhaps a greater need to use that precious internal 64gb of memory. Pono never gave us a clue that we should not format the internal 64 gigs of memory for any reason.

 

[sunnyjim]

Hi Folks, I installed a new high capacity battery in my Pono. It worked because I was very careful and I am a seasoned electronics tech. My method was straight forward for me but not plug and play for the average person. I did spot weld nickle tabs on the battery terminals and reused the protection PCB...
Having said that here is a link to my procedure.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Pono+Player+Battery+Replacement/136314

Here is the battery I installed.
https://www.18650batterystore.com/Sanyo-18650-p/sanyo-ncr18650ga.htm

 

[maira]

Hi Folks, I installed a new high capacity battery in my Pono. It worked because I was very careful and I am a seasoned electronics tech. My method was straight forward for me but not plug and play for the average person. I did spot weld nickle tabs on the battery terminals and reused the protection PCB...
Having said that here is a link to my procedure.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Pono+Player+Battery+Replacement/136314

Here is the battery I installed.
https://www.18650batterystore.com/Sanyo-18650-p/sanyo-ncr18650ga.htm

Congrats! How long does it last now?

 

[438555]

Hi Folks, I installed a new high capacity battery in my Pono. It worked because I was very careful and I am a seasoned electronics tech. My method was straight forward for me but not plug and play for the average person. I did spot weld nickle tabs on the battery terminals and reused the protection PCB...
Having said that here is a link to my procedure.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Pono+Player+Battery+Replacement/136314

Here is the battery I installed.
https://www.18650batterystore.com/Sanyo-18650-p/sanyo-ncr18650ga.htm

How much you want to repeat this for someone else, who's not a seasoned electronics tech?

 

[oneway23]

How much you want to repeat this for someone else, who's not a seasoned electronics tech?

Was thinking the same thing...Forgot to come back & ask, so, thanks!

 

[sunnyjim]

Was thinking the same thing...Forgot to come back & ask, so, thanks!

I am getting 6 1/2 hours playing unbalanced now.
I joined Head-fi after I completed my battery change and I have done some more reading. There is a company that claims to have engineered a replacement Pono battery. Lets get that back in the feed too.

Is anyone out there using a Surf Cables' Ponoplayer replacement battery who can comment on the experience?

I emailed Surf Cables last week and they are out of stock but the man said to check back in ~60 Days and he can sell me one.

Being a piss poor business person I would do a battery update for cost, a least a few times. I imagined doing it for pay and still might give at go. There a is bugaboo about damaged and low quality Li-ion batteries catching fire which would create liability for a seller. I suppose I would get a release signed by people that buy a battery from me. If a Pono caught fire and hurt someone or damaged property that would really bite.

 

[438555]

I am getting 6 1/2 hours playing unbalanced now.
I joined Head-fi after I completed my battery change and I have done some more reading. There is a company that claims to have engineered a replacement Pono battery. Lets get that back in the feed too.

Is anyone out there using a Surf Cables' Ponoplayer replacement battery who can comment on the experience?

I emailed Surf Cables last week and they are out of stock but the man said to check back in ~60 Days and he can sell me one.

Being a piss poor business person I would do a battery update for cost, a least a few times. I imagined doing it for pay and still might give at go. There a is bugaboo about damaged and low quality Li-ion batteries catching fire which would create liability for a seller. I suppose I would get a release signed by people that buy a battery from me. If a Pono caught fire and hurt someone or damaged property that would really bite.

I hadn't seen that Surf Cables was offering batteries. Did they already have the protection board attached? I did get my balanced cables from them and they work well. And they also work well on the Ayre Codex I got more recently.
Yeah, you'd want to get something like that signed for liability with batteries. Or maybe have the customer purchase an appropriate battery and send it with the Pono, so you're not the battery seller?

 

[sunnyjim]

There was a post from 2018 that said Surf Cables would send you a battery if you pay the shipping, I can't find is post now but I saw it once. Anyway if we wait 2 months there may be a quality battery available for purchase from them.

 

[sunnyjim]

I would buy a few non-working ponos if anyone is selling.

 

[nino9]

There was a post from 2018 that said Surf Cables would send you a battery if you pay the shipping

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/battery-for-pono.780371/page-2#post-21244915

I already emailed them, and the reply (within minutes) said that:
"All out now. Looking to have some more within 60 days. Please email later if you are still interested."

Will email them again in one month or so.

 

[sunnyjim]

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/battery-for-pono.780371/page-2#post-21244915

I already emailed them, and the reply (within minutes) said that:
"All out now. Looking to have some more within 60 days. Please email later if you are still interested."

Will email them again in one month or so.

I suppose I can ask my question "who has tried it?" on that forum...

 

[doctorjazz]

Still have 2 Ponos, but have recently switched to Dethroneray Prelude DTR-1. Even more problematic in the UI, but the sound is terrific. (also no Wifi, Bluetooth, digital out, basically download music files and play them, that's it).

 

[418863]

Does Pono play ogg vorbis files?