How does your Pono sound?

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Comments

  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,175
    so a couple of more things:
    On Friday night, I finally downloaded and connected to the PONO Music World. At first it would not transfer any music from the desktop app to the PONO player. I called PONO support and they were very helpful. The kid was a little rattled but that is to be expected with all the calls they are receiving. We got everything to work and the interface is extremely user-friendly once you use it a few times.

    Only issue I have: PONO has a blue light that is supposed to light up when you are listening to HD quality music. I transferred the HD FLAC versions of PJ "Leeds" and "Cincinnati" as well as SP "Mellon Collie". None of them triggered the blue light. not a big deal but I am curious about this. Anyone else have an issue with this or know of a fix?

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

  • tribejammer05tribejammer05 W'Ville, OH Posts: 691
    I wonder if the blue light only comes on when listening to songs purchased from Pono?
    "There's a $10,000 bill in it for you."
    "Oh yeah? Which president's on it?"
    "Uh, all of them. They're having a party. Jimmy Carter's passed out on the couch."

    Columbus 2000
    Columbus 2003
    Hershey 2003
    Toledo 2004
    Cincinnati 2006
    Chicago/Lollapalooza 2007
    Columbus 2010
    Chicago/Wrigley 2013
    Pittsburgh 2013
    Portland 2013
    Cincinnati 2014
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,175

    I wonder if the blue light only comes on when listening to songs purchased from Pono?

    That was my thought as well. maybe something they tag the file with???

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

  • MedozKMedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,209
    I have read in other places that some people are having trouble with gapless playback. Has anyone here had that issue, because I am sure a lot of us will be playing HD-FLAC shows and a gap between songs would ruin the playback, imo.
  • evsgjammevsgjamm Posts: 2,102
    PJ_Soul said:



    Truly sorry to sound like a nag, but you shouldn't do that. It's dangerous no matter how careful you think you're being. If it were just dangerous to you I wouldn't say anything, as that would totally be your own business.

    Listen to your mother! She's part of your jamily and she cares. and so do i. smarten up son! You don't want to get grounded do you? GO TO YOUR ROOM! ...*mumbles* god damn kids and their music....*groans and mumbles*
    Vancouver '03, Paramount Theatre '05, Saskatoon '05, Calgary '05, Edmonton '05, Saskatoon '11, Calgary '11, Calgary '13

    2010 WATCH IT GO TO FIRE!!
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,175
    MedozK said:

    I have read in other places that some people are having trouble with gapless playback. Has anyone here had that issue, because I am sure a lot of us will be playing HD-FLAC shows and a gap between songs would ruin the playback, imo.

    very true.
    some songs have a slight pause between them. thanks for reminding me. that was another grievance as I will be playing a lot of live shows on this. I didn't see an option in the menu to change it.

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

  • MedozKMedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,209
    lolobugg said:

    MedozK said:

    I have read in other places that some people are having trouble with gapless playback. Has anyone here had that issue, because I am sure a lot of us will be playing HD-FLAC shows and a gap between songs would ruin the playback, imo.

    very true.
    some songs have a slight pause between them. thanks for reminding me. that was another grievance as I will be playing a lot of live shows on this. I didn't see an option in the menu to change it.
    Surely they will take care of this with a firmware update. I couldn't imagine listening to Dark Side of the Moon with gaps between tracks.
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,175
    MedozK said:

    lolobugg said:

    MedozK said:

    I have read in other places that some people are having trouble with gapless playback. Has anyone here had that issue, because I am sure a lot of us will be playing HD-FLAC shows and a gap between songs would ruin the playback, imo.

    very true.
    some songs have a slight pause between them. thanks for reminding me. that was another grievance as I will be playing a lot of live shows on this. I didn't see an option in the menu to change it.
    Surely they will take care of this with a firmware update. I couldn't imagine listening to Dark Side of the Moon with gaps between tracks.
    I hope so. it is very annoying

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

  • SP96445SP96445 Posts: 214
    The Pono sounds great if you use Hi-Rez files. If you import a CD into it it still sounds pretty much like the CD sounds. Bought 3 hi-rez songs from Quadrophenia from Pono music (@$2.79 ea.) and they sound outstanding compared to same song played back from cd ripping.

    There is a small pop between each track that must be fixed soon.

    The Pono World 20 app is VERY BUGGY. Must be fixed soon or I'm afraid the whole experience for the user will be compromised.

    Sound great through a stereo system if you have good patch cords. The idea that the output is through a 3.5mm mini jack seems short sided. Would have thought a 1/4" jack would have been a wiser choice.

    No regrets buying it as it sounds outstanding in my car.
  • Patrick_Sea3Patrick_Sea3 West Seattle Posts: 889

    Want to know how mine sounds? Ask Neil because he's still holding onto it apparently!

    mine too

  • manitoumanmanitouman In My Head Posts: 1,073
    Haven't seen this asked before but I think I know the answer....do you have to charge this thing up before you can use it? USB?
    Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7-11-1995; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-29-1998; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV 10-22-2000 ~PJ10~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 4-1-2003; Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ 6-7-2003; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-18-2003; Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 6-21-2003; Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10-5-2004; The Gorge, George, WA 9-1-2005; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-16-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-17-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-2-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-3-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-23-2009; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-24-2009; Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC 12-4-2013; Key Arena, Seattle, WA 12-6-2013; iWireless Arena, Moline, IL 10-17-2014 ~No Code Show~; Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN 10-19-2014; Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 10-20-2014 ~Yield Show~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 10-22-2014 ~PJ24~: Wrigley Field 1 & 2, 2016; Safeco Field, Seattle Home Shows 1 & 2; Wrigley Field, Chicago Away Shows 1 & 2....
  • manitoumanmanitouman In My Head Posts: 1,073

    Haven't seen this asked before but I think I know the answer....do you have to charge this thing up before you can use it? USB?

    So I got my answer....YES. And I know some people will be pissed to know today I received my PJ Pono that was bought from the secondary market. So.....it had to go to the original purchaser.....redelivered to me..and finally received by me.

    So I have a question....Since 2-albums from a specific artist are pre-loaded from Pono. Can you exchange these 2 albums with another Pono owner of a different LE artist for those 2 (Pono included) albums?

    For example, I have the PJ Pono. Can I trade the 2 Pono included PJ albums for someone who has the 2 Neil Young authorized Pono albums instead of having to purchase from the store?
    Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7-11-1995; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-29-1998; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV 10-22-2000 ~PJ10~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 4-1-2003; Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ 6-7-2003; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-18-2003; Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 6-21-2003; Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10-5-2004; The Gorge, George, WA 9-1-2005; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-16-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-17-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-2-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-3-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-23-2009; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-24-2009; Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC 12-4-2013; Key Arena, Seattle, WA 12-6-2013; iWireless Arena, Moline, IL 10-17-2014 ~No Code Show~; Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN 10-19-2014; Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 10-20-2014 ~Yield Show~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 10-22-2014 ~PJ24~: Wrigley Field 1 & 2, 2016; Safeco Field, Seattle Home Shows 1 & 2; Wrigley Field, Chicago Away Shows 1 & 2....
  • JH57554JH57554 Posts: 245
    So, am I the only one who's disappointed with the Pono?
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    Why are you disappointed?
  • JH57554JH57554 Posts: 245
    See my posts back on page 4.
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    I think your experience may benefit from listening through a home stereo, car stereo or a set of headphones. I have a set of decent Sennheiser ear buds but would never use those for critical listening or comparison of non-hd tracks to hd tracks. Just my ideas. :)
  • camaroscamaros Posts: 1,003
    edited November 2014
    JH57554 said:

    So, am I the only one who's disappointed with the Pono?

    Upgrade from Dr Dre's retirement fund earplugs and you should get higher fidelity across the board.

    They don't even list Audio Specifications for their products. Just prices... [-(
    Post edited by camaros on
    i like sound...
  • JH57554JH57554 Posts: 245
    As I mentioned in my follow-up post, I've also listened through a Bose sound dock and some high end studio monitors at work and I'm still just not hearing much of a difference.

    Not trying to start an argument, just curious if I'm the only one in this thread that's not impressed.
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,175
    camaros said:

    JH57554 said:

    So, am I the only one who's disappointed with the Pono?

    Upgrade from Dr Dre's retirement fund earplugs and you should get higher fidelity across the board.

    They don't even list Audio Specifications for their products.
    Nice

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    @jh57554, would you sell for face, plus shipping?
  • MayDay10MayDay10 Posts: 11,604
    I cranked mine in my car yesterday and I found it really enjoyable. I noticed a lot in Lightning Bolt I never noticed before, and even detected one or two spots where the mixing/editing of the recording could have been better. I guess it could be the placebo effect because I didnt directly compare with anything else.
  • JH57554JH57554 Posts: 245

    @jh57554, would you sell for face, plus shipping?

    Thanks for the offer, but I'd rather keep it as a PJ collectible than just unload it for cost.
  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    had to ask
  • MedozKMedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,209
    edited November 2014
    The more I read up on this, Im not sure I need the 'Audiophile' sound when I am "on the go". I will probably just spend the money on a nice DAC for my system at home, because that is where I really do most of my critical/active listening.

    This product looks VERY interesting to me.
    http://audioengineusa.com/Store/D2-24-Bit-Wireless-DAC
    Post edited by MedozK on
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,175
    JH57554 said:

    As I mentioned in my follow-up post, I've also listened through a Bose sound dock and some high end studio monitors at work and I'm still just not hearing much of a difference.

    Not trying to start an argument, just curious if I'm the only one in this thread that's not impressed.

    mr vorhees,
    you need to take that axe out of your head, :))
    get some q-tips and then fire that bad boy up with some studio quality headphones.
    if still can't hear the difference- then I digress.

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    I have a nice DAC at home. But it weighs about 30 pounds.......:)
  • camaroscamaros Posts: 1,003
    I have a lot more listening/comparing to do, but Pono prevails over medium grade 192kbps MP3s on my iPhone5. It's definitely apparent at higher volumes... The VS Remastered album thru Pono doesn't fall apart like the original VS 192mp3s do at higher volumes. This is true for listening thru either my Grados with a 1/4" to mini adapter and also thru my home theater system with a mini to RCA adapter.

    Pioneer VSX-1121 Receiver
    5 Polk speakers
    4x POLK AUDIO MONITOR40B II
    1x POLK AUDIO CS2 B seriesII

    Polk PSW505 Subwoofer



    i like sound...
  • MedozKMedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,209
    camaros said:

    I have a lot more listening/comparing to do, but Pono prevails over medium grade 192kbps MP3s on my iPhone5. It's definitely apparent at higher volumes... The VS Remastered album thru Pono doesn't fall apart like the original VS 192mp3s do at higher volumes. This is true for listening thru either my Grados with a 1/4" to mini adapter and also thru my home theater system with a mini to RCA adapter.

    Pioneer VSX-1121 Receiver
    5 Polk speakers
    4x POLK AUDIO MONITOR40B II
    1x POLK AUDIO CS2 B seriesII

    Polk PSW505 Subwoofer



    24bit compared to 192kbps MP3s are going to sound night and day different.
  • KV4053KV4053 Mike's side, crushed up against the stage Posts: 1,434
    Pink Floyd for the win. Check out One Slip 24/96 from A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
    I know I was born and I know that I'll die. The in between is mine.
  • JH57554 said:

    So, am I the only one who's disappointed with the Pono?

    Yes. But only because you're the only one listening objectively.
    Sorry. The world doesn't work the way you tell it to.
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