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Pono?

DiRtYyELLoWoCeAnDiRtYyELLoWoCeAn Posts: 1,605
in Other Music
Hey guys for those of you that have Neil's Pono Player, is it worth it? I'm on the fence.
BOS 9/28/04, 9/29/04
MTL 9/15/05
HRTFD 5/13/06
BOS 5/24/06, 5/25/06
VEGAS 7/6/06
CHI 8/5/07
NJ 6/19/08
NYC 6/25/08
HRTFD 6/27/08
MANSFLD 6/28/08, 6/30/08
E.V. BOS 8/1/08
CHI 8/23/09, 8/24/09
PHILLY 10/30/09, 10/31/09
BOS 5/17/10
CHI 7/19/13
WOOSTA 10/15/13, 10/16/13
HRTFD 10/25/13
BOS 8/5/16, 8/7/16
BOS 9/2/18, 9/4/18

Comments

  • jjflashjjflash Posts: 4,957
    Lots of info and feedback in this thread:
    http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/230817/pearl-jam-limited-edition-chrome-pono-player
  • Patrick_Sea3Patrick_Sea3 Posts: 907
    I like mine and think it was worth it.
  • Daron OshayDaron Oshay Posts: 2,553
    I just got it and yes

    Although I'm still trying to figure out a way to play it in my car since my car only has a USB and no headphone jack
  • DiRtYyELLoWoCeAnDiRtYyELLoWoCeAn Posts: 1,605
    I got it and love it! Loading FLAC FTW!! Thanks for the responses guys!
    BOS 9/28/04, 9/29/04
    MTL 9/15/05
    HRTFD 5/13/06
    BOS 5/24/06, 5/25/06
    VEGAS 7/6/06
    CHI 8/5/07
    NJ 6/19/08
    NYC 6/25/08
    HRTFD 6/27/08
    MANSFLD 6/28/08, 6/30/08
    E.V. BOS 8/1/08
    CHI 8/23/09, 8/24/09
    PHILLY 10/30/09, 10/31/09
    BOS 5/17/10
    CHI 7/19/13
    WOOSTA 10/15/13, 10/16/13
    HRTFD 10/25/13
    BOS 8/5/16, 8/7/16
    BOS 9/2/18, 9/4/18

  • buck502000buck502000 Posts: 8,951
    Daron Oshay said:

    I just got it and yes

    Although I'm still trying to figure out a way to play it in my car since my car only has a USB and no headphone jack

    I would google stereo to usb output or something like that
  • Daron OshayDaron Oshay Posts: 2,553
    So Pono is completely dead? I haven't updated mine in a while is there a way to still do that? 


  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,836
    Full Story here:  https://www.cnet.com/news/pono-is-probably-dead-long-live-xstream/#


    AUDIO

    Pono is dead. Probably. Long live Xstream

    Neil Young announcedsa new streaming service called Xstream after struggling to build a digital music store for his Ponoplayer.

    APRIL 22, 2017 11:19 AM PDT
  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,355
    Daron Oshay said:
    So Pono is completely dead? I haven't updated mine in a while is there a way to still do that? 


    Very happy that I didn't give up the coin for this.
  • Kev - Coat and KeysKev - Coat and Keys Posts: 357
    Well for most the Pono was just a music player (and a cracking one) so it can't really die while digital music exists.
    Well I have dropped mine a few times and that is a worry - not dead, but not immortal either!
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,944
    I'm listening to music from YouTube on my laptop speakers at work and sounds fine.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    tempo_n_groove said:
    Daron Oshay said:
    So Pono is completely dead? I haven't updated mine in a while is there a way to still do that? 


    Very happy that I didn't give up the coin for this.
    With all due respect for Mr. Young, I have to say I'm glad as well.  But then I'm a vinyl guy at home and happy with CD's when on the go (which ain't as much these days, haha!)
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,174
    the pono made an uncomfortable bulge in my pants.
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,355
    Wobbie said:
    the pono made an uncomfortable bulge in my pants.
    First time you've ever said that, I'm sure...
  • buck502000buck502000 Posts: 8,951
    edited November 2017
    Anyone want to send me their Pono device I’d gladly take it off your hands...
  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,174
    buck502000 said:
    Anyone want to send me their Pono device I’d gladly take it off your hands...

    “my bulge”?

    ”your hands”?

    awkward.
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance Posts: 23,308
    Wobbie said:
    buck502000 said:
    Anyone want to send me their Pono device I’d gladly take it off your hands...

    “my bulge”?

    ”your hands”?

    awkward.
    Dude, you're on a roll.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • lolobugglolobugg Posts: 8,192

    I still use mine to play HD FLAC at home.

    and I take it on airplanes. it is a great player. worth $400??? well not sure about that

    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

    2024- Baltimore

  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    I feel kind of sad and embarrassed for Neil when it comes to the Pono. He tried so hard. I hate to see businesses (that are on the up and up) fail. I find it quite depressing. Such a waste of time and resources.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • on2legson2legs Posts: 15,124
    Good article on Neil Young and Pono. 

    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-young-new-book-high-quality-digital-music-831317/
    1996: Randall's Island 2  1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2  2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel  2005: Atlantic City 1  2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Newark (EV)  2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4  2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2  2011: Toronto 1  2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2015: Central Park  2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD)  2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF)  2020: MSG | Asbury Park  2021: Asbury Park  2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville  2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore


  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    on2legs said:
    Good article on Neil Young and Pono. 

    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-young-new-book-high-quality-digital-music-831317/
    This is interesting because Pono is pretty much done (are they even available still?) but Neil I guess Neil is still trying to make a go of it.  Elsewhere I read a comment by him about how good the new Crazy Horse recording sound on Pono.  I'll be looking forward to they vinyl version myself.  I'm afraid as long as people are still willing to download crappy mp3 type digital music and the high quality stuff is hard to come by, I'll stick with LP's at home and a few CD's in the car.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • RoeDawg13RoeDawg13 Posts: 255
    I went back and forth on it when they came out. Eventually decided to get a signature edition one (Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam had been sold out) figuring I could flip it to try and recover some of the cost if it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. It's still my daily music player for the car and at work, sometimes around the house as well since my digital library exceeds my vinyl collection. I read a bunch of articles on why it was a waste or you shouldn't be able to notice the difference but you do. I still love mine. 7digital, qobuz, hdtracks, prostudiomasters are all decent sites to get music from and I've even gotten into vinyl rips (some for hard to acquire records and some that I've ripped myself for the road and office).
    I am wired and fading...
  • ZodZod Posts: 10,588
    Where I'm at now, is that it's getting more and more annoying to carry around two devices (phone and portable music player).   There are now options to have high quality from smart phones.  LG puts a high quality DAC in most of their phones now.   You can also buy an external DAC to use in any phone to get better audio.  Was thinking of buying one of these:


  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    I just remember the cost of downloading albums from the PONO store was outrageously expensive ... especially considering I already owned most everything I wanted in CD format which is about as good as your ears can detect.  Made the bad ol' days of $18.99 CD's from Sam Goody seem like a great deal if I recall correctly.  


  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,810
    Zod said:
    Where I'm at now, is that it's getting more and more annoying to carry around two devices (phone and portable music player).   There are now options to have high quality from smart phones.  LG puts a high quality DAC in most of their phones now.   You can also buy an external DAC to use in any phone to get better audio.  Was thinking of buying one of these:


    That's why I switched to an LG V20 a few years back. It's a good phone with a superb DAC. I did a 3 month trial with Tidal and it was pretty glorious. One of the few times I have been able to notice a difference with audio streaming. Looking to upgrade soon to the V40, but I've read mixed reviews on the phone itself.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • ZodZod Posts: 10,588
    Jason P said:
    I just remember the cost of downloading albums from the PONO store was outrageously expensive ... especially considering I already owned most everything I wanted in CD format which is about as good as your ears can detect.  Made the bad ol' days of $18.99 CD's from Sam Goody seem like a great deal if I recall correctly.  


    Yah.  The thing is, I think it's a device with a high quality DAC that makes all the difference in the world.  I think a high quality DAC makes more of a difference between CD quality audio and high res audio.    For portable use I never bother with high resolution files, but it's night and day when your using a cheap vs. quality DAC on standard CD quality flac.
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