Blue Eyed Soul

Good objective review of the Pono... Pono Player | AudioStream

Flatmap - did you get a custom cable for balanced playback with the Pono? Who makes them? Thanks.

Playing a 24 / 96 file on the Pono connected to my home system (Peachtree Pre / 220 Amp) via analog using the Pono DAC sounds very good but not much different in comparison to CD quality files on my iPhone (also connected via analog to the Peachtree). The Pono doesn't sound as good as 24 /96 files played on my Oppo BDP 93 with a digital connection to the Peachtree Pre and using the Peachtree's DAC. Both the Peachtree Pre and Pono have ESS DACs but the Peachtree's DAC is a better model of ESS DAC.

The objective is to get all Pono user experiences into one thread. The focus is on the device itself not the Pono Music World software through of course that is part of the experience. Here is my experience so far after several days of listening. My main intent for buying the Pono was to get a higher quality portable music playing device for listening in the car, on plane trips, and possibly in a small office environment. I already own about 50-60 high resolution albums typically from HDTracks, mostly 24/96 but some 24/192. I started by loading several high res albums (FLAC files) on the Pono's hard drive (not the SD card) while connected to my PC. I also loaded mp3 files (256) for comparison. I used Dave Brubeck's Time Out and Neil Young's On the Beach in 24/192 and all others in 24/96 (Diana Krall - Girl in the Other Room, Yes - Fragile, Wilco - Sky Blue Sky, Eagles - Hotel California), etc. I ejected the Pono drive and the Pono quickly indexed the albums into Songs, Albums, Artists. I compared hi-res files on the Pono to CD quality AIFFs on my iPhone using over ear headphones (low to mid quality AKG K240s and Sennheiser 450s with the noise cancelling off). I did the same comparisons using the AUX input in my car. Honestly, I couldn't hear much difference between the iPhone and Pono. Keep in mind that neither is exactly a premium experience as my car stereo and headphones are modest at best. I then did the same iPhone to Pono comparison via RCA / mini Y connectors to an analog switch to my Peachtree Nova Pre / 220 amp combo using the PT's analog input for direct A/B comparison. Paradigm Studio 20 speakers. I still struggled to hear much difference though the Pono / high res did begin to sound a bit smoother, fuller, a wee bit less shrill, and a little less fatiguing with longer listening. The differences were very subtle and difficult to discern. I then played my PT Pre / Amp with my Oppo BDP-93 as the source, my usual home playback system using the PT Nova Pre's DAC. This was clearly superior (no surprise) and differences between mp3s, CDs, and 24/96 were more clearly evident. My general conclusion is that my objective isn't really served by the Pono. With the sort of compromised situation inherent in portable music listening (planes, trains, and automobiles), I don't think the Pono is enough better than an iPhone / Ipod playing CDs to make it worthwhile. For home listening, there's no sense in using the Pono as I already have a decent playback system. The only possible use for me is for a small office set up with better headphones than those that I currently own. At $400 it might be a good value against mid-level headphone amp / DAC setups. I'd love to hear others suggestions and experiences.