[mikebeauchamp]

I took apart my Pono Player today to check out what's inside.
 

 
http://mikebeauchamp.com/2014/12/pono-player-teardown/
 
It uses an ESS ES9018K2M 32-bit Sabre reference DAC and the headphone amp section seems to be mostly discrete transistors and two large 1000uF capacitors. Nice board though, nice layout and it looks like they've used decent components.

 

[DrSheep]

Very nice, and thanks for sharing.

 

[Ableza]

Thanks for doing this.

 

[alpha421]

Outstanding video.  Extremely well done and very professional. This is one the finest examples of a video tutorial I've seen. Very nice job.

 

[sinquito]

Good work and thanks for sharing. (y)

 

[Stratos24]

Superb video tutorial Mike! Using the guitar pick to pry open the unit was a novel idea.

 

[GhreatKhups]

Wow. I'm impressed by the transistors section. Some desktop headphone amps don't even have this laid so nicely. It pretty much have all a desktop DAC and AMP have, and some entry level don't even have a balanced out. And yeah, just like you I'm a bit frustrated by the choice of 64GB embed memory, it's usually where manufacturers take a big bite in your pockets, leveraging their margin of an almost free upgrade for them. I won't try to hack this BGA though, having the SD slot suffices me for now. 

 

[goodvibes]

I saw a board somewhere before but this was so much better. Thanks. I can see why it hits above it's price point. I'm sure they like the novelty of it's shape but a flat battery and bending over the electrolytics would have accommodated a much more friendly case.

 

[Koukol]

Thanks!
 
I'm wondering where I could find a replacement battery and maybe a 128 memory chip? (for when my battery dies)
Has anyone replaced the chip yet?

 

[CoiL]

It uses 3.78V 2950mAh standard 18650 size Lithium-Ion battery. Just search replacement from internet.

 

[FFBookman]

so i took a peak inside of my pono player the other day....  mine had a creamy, nougat like substance with slightly crunchy bits (24 i think) with something like a marzipan center. 
 
i have the yellow one. my father in law got a black player and his tasted more like a ho-ho.
 
now i need 2 more wrapped in cellophane plz.