bfalls

The battery modules are built in to a custom stand where all of the components are hidden - it looks like a modern piece of furniture. I would happy to send you a picture if you are interested further. I am not using an inverter - every component has been converted to accept a direct feed from the batteries (no further regulation necessary). This is made possible by using a chemistry that has a flat discharge curve and cell voltages that allow for matching the component circuit requirements - the issue is keeping the cells balanced but that is a big part of our work effort and this is just a side project for me. I would not have gone down this path if it required using an inverter - this has several performance advantages over that approach.

I am somewhat private and do not normally participate much on blogs for that reason. This was a particular case where I had information that both Neil and I thought would be helpful. I have been working with Neil for the last couple of years because I'm Director of Engineering for an advanced automotive technology center and we turned his '59 Lincoln into an advanced technology demonstrator based on electric drive, large format Li-ion batteries, and cellulosic ethanol combustion engine for range extension. The LincVolt (as it is known) also has the sound system to demonstrate PONO. In addition, my system at home has been entirely converted to use the large format battery technology to become the power supply for the components - no grid connection. Neil was intrigued with the concept and gave me the PONO to evaluate in my system when he visited. I used PONO as a music server/dac going into my preamplifier and it works great - that is part of the idea that it is portable with headphones but can be connected to your car or home system easily.

Actually I posted that I heard the device and you questioned my integrity - so once again your response is inaccurate. I am a friend of Neils and work with him on other projects and I have been in possession of a PONO player since last fall. I talked with him prioir to posting anything and he agreed that it would be helpful to get a fundamental understanding of what he is trying to accomplish - I just didn't meet your protocal standards. I was trying to be helpful to both Neil and this forumn - obviously not a good use of my time in hindsite.

I will correct your statment that no one (or at least very few) have listended to PONO. Neil has demonstrated it to music industry executives and other artists (Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Elton John) - this is exactly what he and his team should do by building the base that can actually make it happen. The fact that you are not aware is irrelevant at this point.

Thanks - I don't particpate much on forums but I happen to be in a position to help put some perspective on what Neil is trying to do, and I just wanted to acknwledge that InfernoSTI was on the right track. Not sure I needed my integrity challenged - tough crowd. Bruce

I can make the "claim" because Neil gave me one of his personal units last fall - I didn't really want to get that personal on a forum like this but thanks for making me clarify... I just know that his intent should be applauded and supported - not viewed with skepticsm based on lack of understanding.

Exactly. Neil is trying to bring what the artist intended as directly as possible to a large group of music lovers - not just the fringe audiophile community. I have heard a prototype unit in my system and it is very good digital - for $400 it will embarrass a lot of high-end units. But the cool thing is my kids could hear the difference when they plugged in their Beats headphones.

I have the mic pre option in the LIO-8 and am using the RIAA curve that is available through the MIO software also and it does sound great, but I have not tried recording yet. You mention the recording function in the MIO software, could you post of picture of the set-up you are using and explain how once you have a channel designated to output the signal what program you are using to capture the file. Thanks for any help that you are willing to provide. Bruce

What you are looking is in the works - there are many projects incorporating EV/PHEV automotive battery technologies in small/medium grid connected applications (see attached as an example). The Community Energy Storage concept is well underway and it could be executed on an individual home basis as well. The other question of how it would affect sound quality has three different scenarios: 1) The energy source (DC in the case of solar) and storage (DC in the case of batteries) are connected to the grid - potentially slightly better than regular service depending on DC/AC inverters utilized. 2) The energy source and storage are independent of the grid, but still utilize a DC/AC inverter to allow existing circuits/devices to be used - better than 1) but still limited by the DC/AC inverter and the AC/DC conversion that is happening inside most devices. 3) The energy storage is utilized directly on a component that is configured appropriately - in other words a DC feed at the various voltage levels that are required eliminating the need for transformers/rectifiers/switching power supplies/etc. This can have a dramatic improvement in sound quality and I am currently running my entire system off large format batteries for this reason - as well as to demonstrate the home energy storage concept. Bruce

Your suspicions are absolutely correct - I have converted several pieces of high-end equipment to utilize large format automtive Li-ion batter technology and the result has always been a large improvement in key areas (much lower noise floor, additional detail while having more natural tonality, increased dynamics). I am now completely off the grid except for the turntable power supply which is in the works. The technology to do this properly/safely has not been deployed in consumer electronics at this point - but there is no reason in the reasonably near future it could not be adopted. Bruce