Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
I know there was some brief discussion in The Neil Young Thread about Pono, but I figured it deserved its own thread.
I'm actually quite excited about this. Having audiophile quality in the palm of my hand will be amazing.
Here's a link to the Kickstarter for Pono. It's doing amazing so far, $1.9 million as of right now (over double the initial goal). If nothing else, this at least shows there's some interest in high fidelity music.
I absolutely intend to own one, just wasn't wanting to spend the money quite yet. I might break down and jump on the Kickstarter though. I know drtechnology said he did the Kickstarter route, anyone else so far?
I'd love to see some more details about the internal hardware of the player. Curious if it's powerful enough to drive high end headphones, or if an external amplifier will be necessary for the harder to drive cans.
Post by drtechnology on Mar 12, 2014 18:55:46 GMT -5
Good looking out Rothric. I've been following Pono since Waging Heavy Peace came out and have been eagerly anticipating the release. Though in all that time, I didn't actually think about buying, it was more about how incredible it would be if this thing could restore sound to much of the music out there, especially the music heads who are say, under 25 and may not have been lucky enough to grow up around vinly. It's a beautiful thing.
The FAQ's were pretty enlightening. I suggest checking that out for some additional detail. They've also added an extended update to the Kickstarter page with additional content and are answering any question you might post on the page, though that's reserved for donors.
It does have 2 jacks: 1 for headphones and 1 for stereo/car/Sonos speakers. And from what I can see, it's absolutely been built to drive high quality components: headphones, etc ... The higher the quality all of the pieces the better the sound is pretty well what to expect.
I can't wait for mine and might go back to change my order to the MMJ chrome version which just got added as an option today. Fresh!
Good looking out Rothric. I've been following Pono since Waging Heavy Peace came out and have been eagerly anticipating the release. Though in all that time, I didn't actually think about buying, it was more about how incredible it would be if this thing could restore sound to much of the music out there, especially the music heads who are say, under 25 and may not have been lucky enough to grow up around vinly. It's a beautiful thing.
The FAQ's were pretty enlightening. I suggest checking that out for some additional detail. They've also added an extended update to the Kickstarter page with additional content and are answering any question you might post on the page, though that's reserved for donors.
It does have 2 jacks: 1 for headphones and 1 for stereo/car/Sonos speakers. And from what I can see, it's absolutely been built to drive high quality components: headphones, etc ... The higher the quality all of the pieces the better the sound is pretty well what to expect.
I can't wait for mine and might go back to change my order to the MMJ chrome version which just got added as an option today. Fresh!
I've been hearing about this, then after it killed its Kickstarter in a day, I am paying attention. Thanks for posting the link to the FAQ. Readin' up.
It's at $2.5 million now, and continuing to climb. Really glad there's been such a positive response to this, hopefully some record exec's pay attention.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Mar 13, 2014 12:37:44 GMT -5
I like the idea but I can't imagine having to re-buy all the albums I want in a higher quality format. I've read people saying that it'll be more expensive than regular albums and I can barely afford the music that I buy already. I'd love to hear some stuff in higher quality if there really is a difference but I'd likely only have a few HQ albums for a while.
I like the idea but I can't imagine having to re-buy all the albums I want in a higher quality format. I've read people saying that it'll be more expensive than regular albums and I can barely afford the music that I buy already. I'd love to hear some stuff in higher quality if there really is a difference but I'd likely only have a few HQ albums for a while.
I like the idea but I can't imagine having to re-buy all the albums I want in a higher quality format. I've read people saying that it'll be more expensive than regular albums and I can barely afford the music that I buy already. I'd love to hear some stuff in higher quality if there really is a difference but I'd likely only have a few HQ albums for a while.
This started out as a negative review for the Pomo, but turned into a negative review of portable music culture in general. A good read.
Hmmm, while that article brings up some interesting points, it completely missed the mark on what the Pono is.
Really his main complaint about the Pono is the shape/size and how it fits into modern listening habits.
He states that people aren't really paying attention to the music when listening to mp3's, so the Pono is essentially pointless. In my mind, that's not what the market Pono is trying to fill. I'm not buying a Pono to listen to as I walk down the street. I believe I'll mainly be using it at home, at work, or in the car. If I'm looking for quick, portable music, I'll just play things off my phone. Which makes sense, because if I'm listening on the go, or not giving full attention, I most definitely won't be wearing my Audio Technica A900's. So the added benefit of the Pono wouldn't be worth it in that situation any way.
And yes, I agree, that shape is not conducive to fitting in a pocket by any stretch of the imagination. But like I mentioned above, I don't see that as my primary use of the Pono.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I don't see the Pono replacing people's phones/iPods, but rather supplementing them for when they desire the full musical experience. The author wouldn't call his hi-fi bedroom setup pointless since iPod's exist, they serve a different purpose. I believe the Pono will be similar, it just allows high fidelity in a more portable format (but not to the level of an iPod).
I like the idea but I can't imagine having to re-buy all the albums I want in a higher quality format. I've read people saying that it'll be more expensive than regular albums and I can barely afford the music that I buy already. I'd love to hear some stuff in higher quality if there really is a difference but I'd likely only have a few HQ albums for a while.
Agreed, I'm not looking forward to buying a bunch of new media. But keep in mind, I'm not sure there will be a need for that with all recordings. If they didn't bother to spend the time/money to master/mix the album properly to begin with, listening to it in ultra high res might not provide much of a benefit. I believe some recordings will benefit from this far greater then others.
It will be interesting to see how big of a difference listening to the CD lossless quality and the Ultra-high res quality will be. I plan on converting/obtaining my library in 44.1 kHz/16 bit FLAC files first, since that can be had rather easily and freely if you own the CD, member of certain torrent sites, etc. I'll then slowly upgrade key recordings a higher res through the store.
This started out as a negative review for the Pomo, but turned into a negative review of portable music culture in general. A good read.
Hmmm, while that article brings up some interesting points, it completely missed the mark on what the Pono is.
Really his main complaint about the Pono is the shape/size and how it fits into modern listening habits.
He states that people aren't really paying attention to the music when listening to mp3's, so the Pono is essentially pointless. In my mind, that's not what the market Pono is trying to fill. I'm not buying a Pono to listen to as I walk down the street. I believe I'll mainly be using it at home, at work, or in the car. If I'm looking for quick, portable music, I'll just play things off my phone. Which makes sense, because if I'm listening on the go, or not giving full attention, I most definitely won't be wearing my Audio Technica A900's. So the added benefit of the Pono wouldn't be worth it in that situation any way.
And yes, I agree, that shape is not conducive to fitting in a pocket by any stretch of the imagination. But like I mentioned above, I don't see that as my primary use of the Pono.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I don't see the Pono replacing people's phones/iPods, but rather supplementing them for when they desire the full musical experience.
I like the idea but I can't imagine having to re-buy all the albums I want in a higher quality format. I've read people saying that it'll be more expensive than regular albums and I can barely afford the music that I buy already. I'd love to hear some stuff in higher quality if there really is a difference but I'd likely only have a few HQ albums for a while.
Agreed, I'm not looking forward to buying a bunch of new media. But keep in mind, I'm not sure there will be a need for that with all recordings. If they didn't bother to spend the time/money to master/mix the album properly to begin with, listening to it in ultra high res might not provide much of a benefit. I believe some recordings will benefit from this far greater then others.
It will be interesting to see how big of a difference listening to the CD lossless quality and the Ultra-high res quality will be. I plan on converting/obtaining my library in 44.1 kHz/16 bit FLAC files first, since that can be had rather easily and freely if you own the CD, member of certain torrent sites, etc. I'll then slowly upgrade key recordings a higher res through the store.
. I haven't found anything that suggests how much storage space these things will have. I too am all for it, I just need to read both sides before getting too excited about something. I have a Fiio headphone mini amp and a pair of ER 4P IEM's, and have often thought about buying some albums off HD tracks, but havnt gotten around to it. I wonder if you'll be able to play already somewhat high quality files on the Pono, or if it's going to be exclusively Pono store purchases, cuz that could be a deal breaker for me.
I like the idea but I can't imagine having to re-buy all the albums I want in a higher quality format. I've read people saying that it'll be more expensive than regular albums and I can barely afford the music that I buy already. I'd love to hear some stuff in higher quality if there really is a difference but I'd likely only have a few HQ albums for a while.
This started out as a negative review for the Pomo, but turned into a negative review of portable music culture in general. A good read.
Cool article Boner. I think the guy's underlying criticism is that it's impossible to truly enjoy music and do something else at the same time, which is baloney, but nonetheless a fun read. I liked this part:
The wartime research of Muzak vice-president Harold Burris-Meyer recommended just that, "bright, snappy music at start of work" and the selection of music "to create a progressive mood" in order to give "the worker a gentle push". This may seem like common sense today, and the point is not really the specifics of what kind of music people use for what effect, but rather the way iPod culture instrumentalises music in the service of capitalist rationality. It becomes less a source of aesthetic pleasure and contemplation, more a kind of mood regulator to make us fit and productive workers.
I don't know how successful Pono will be, but I definitely think the time is right for this type of product. Mp3 was kind of a beast of necessity. Digital music was bottlenecked by general lack of bandwidth and storage capacity. Now that both of those restrictions are less burdensome, it's much more feasible to transmit and store high quality music files.
Even if Pono in particular doesn't work out, I definitely think we'll see a mass conversion to higher-quality audio in the future. I don't think Pono has quite enough capacity, but we can't be far away from a 1 TB portable music player, and seamlessly streaming high-quality audio will probably be right behind that.
And as much as people will bemoan having to "rebuy" their music, the record industry would be stupid not to tackle this head on, and treat this like upgrading from VHS to DVD. People with large collections weren't crazy about upgrading from VHS, but the quality was inarguably better.
I haven't found anything that suggests how much storage space these things will have. I too am all for it, I just need to read both sides before getting too excited about something. I have a Fiio headphone mini amp and a pair of ER 4P IEM's, and have often thought about buying some albums off HD tracks, but havnt gotten around to it. I wonder if you'll be able to play already somewhat high quality files on the Pono, or if it's going to be exclusively Pono store purchases, cuz that could be a deal breaker for me.
There's 64 GB of built in storage, with the ability to add another 64 GB via microSD card. As of right now, they state the unit can handle a maximum size of 64 GB for the microSD card. Hoping they bump that up to 128 GB card capable.
Also, the Pono will still play any of your existing music. From the FAQ, it will play FLAC, ALAC, mp3, WAV, AIFF, AAC (unprotected). So any HD downloads you already have, you'll be able to play.
And just to be clear, the music you buy from the Pono store will still be in FLAC format, it is not a new format. But keep in mind, not all FLAC is equal. If it's FLAC, you know it's not compressed, but it's still dependent on the source quality. If you rip your CD's into FLAC, you'll have the lowest quality on the table below. In order to obtain the higher quality versions, you'd have to have access to a different source material.
I don't know how successful Pono will be, but I definitely think the time is right for this type of product. Mp3 was kind of a beast of necessity. Digital music was bottlenecked by general lack of bandwidth and storage capacity. Now that both of those restrictions are less burdensome, it's much more feasible to transmit and store high quality music files.
Exactly, we're just stepping up a rung on the evolutionary ladder.
Even if Pono in particular doesn't work out, I definitely think we'll see a mass conversion to higher-quality audio in the future. I don't think Pono has quite enough capacity, but we can't be far away from a 1 TB portable music player, and seamlessly streaming high-quality audio will probably be right behind that.
Agreed again. I do wish for more capacity, but cards are cheap enough. I'll just need to find a "wallet" to hold them. Agreed, streaming services for high fidelity audio is in the future. It's just hampered by bandwidth right now. If the US ever gets its internet infrastructure up to snuff, we might see it sooner then expected.
And as much as people will bemoan having to "rebuy" their music, the record industry would be stupid not to tackle this head on, and treat this like upgrading from VHS to DVD. People with large collections weren't crazy about upgrading from VHS, but the quality was inarguably better.
Once again, agreed. Just like when I upgraded from DVD to Blu Ray, I definitely didn't rebuy my whole library. I upgraded specific films/shows that I enjoyed the most/thought would benefit the most.
I haven't found anything that suggests how much storage space these things will have. I too am all for it, I just need to read both sides before getting too excited about something. I have a Fiio headphone mini amp and a pair of ER 4P IEM's,
The Pono comes with 128 GB of storage -- 64 GB built in and a 64 GB MicroSD card, and you can easily swap MicroSD cards on the fly if you need more space. At the highest bitrate Pono can support, 128 GB is enough room for about 800 tracks. At a more modest CD lossless quality there's room for about 5,000 tracks. It has no wireless connectivity; you'll have to plug it in to transfer music onto it (and to charge it). Control is via an LCD touch screen and a few basic buttons for volume and power. It has two output jacks; one for headphones and the other to output to your home theater, your car stereo or a Sonos Connect.
I read some people complaining about how the highest quality files will be huge and take up a ton of space.
Personally, I don't mind the triangle shape of it. That wouldn't stop me from getting one. It's just a matter of money and if the quality is that much better that it's actually worth it to me. I think the shape of the player looks pretty cool when lying on it's side on a table like in this photo:
I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player.
I see this, and hear all the talk about high sound quality, and better product, and all I can think is "MiniDisc." It's clunky looking, and aethetics aside who is going to buy this? Your typical audiophile who invests in high-quality headphones probably already has a stereo setup for home use which is adequate, and is unlikely to shell out for yet another product rather than just keep listening to vinyl/CD/FLAC, etc. The type of person who wants a portable music source for easy on the go listening will stick with the iPod.
I love Neil Young but this just seems doomed to fail.
And as much as people will bemoan having to "rebuy" their music, the record industry would be stupid not to tackle this head on, and treat this like upgrading from VHS to DVD. People with large collections weren't crazy about upgrading from VHS, but the quality was inarguably better.
Yea, that's what it really comes down to for me. Will the Pono be inarguably better quality in the sense that I'd really, really notice it. Like....you'd probably need good headphones or a good sound system just to really notice the quality (though I assume that's the point...audiophiles will already have this stuff) and I'd love to somehow do a simple testing of "show me this song in basic mp3 on an iPod and then as FLAC on a Pono player".
I'm sure I'll end up getting one if it doesn't somehow tank/fail right away. I think I need to do a lot more research into higher quality files though and not sure my basic sound set up would definitely notice a difference at the moment.
I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player.
I got a chuckle out of seeing which artists had the fewest backers.
MMJ - 34 Lenny Kravitz - 66 ... everybody else.
(I'd probably go MMJ at this point myself, just sayin though)
I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player. I will not spend $400 on the chrome MMJ pono player.
I got a chuckle out of seeing which artists had the fewest backers.
MMJ - 34 Lenny Kravitz - 66 ... everybody else.
(I'd probably go MMJ at this point myself, just sayin though)
To be fair, MMJ and James Taylor were added well the first $1.5 million was reached. But ya, I'm surprised MMJ isn't getting more love by now.
I see this, and hear all the talk about high sound quality, and better product, and all I can think is "MiniDisc." It's clunky looking, and aethetics aside who is going to buy this? Your typical audiophile who invests in high-quality headphones probably already has a stereo setup for home use which is adequate, and is unlikely to shell out for yet another product rather than just keep listening to vinyl/CD/FLAC, etc. The type of person who wants a portable music source for easy on the go listening will stick with the iPod.
I love Neil Young but this just seems doomed to fail.
The market for portable HQ audio is out there. I think the player is secondary to the point. I'm dubious that there is much difference to listening to FLAC on this thing vs. anything else. This just simply creates a demand for HQ files, and I think it'll only take a little bit of a push before upgrading to FLAC/PONO is the new upgrading to vinyl.
I think the comparison to MiniDisc is apt in that interchangeable memory will be the death knell of this thing, rather than a perk. But the key to this whole thing is increased accessibility to the HQ files.
^Exactly. Neil even stated that he'll consider it a success even if all Pono accomplishes is greater increase to high fidelity recordings. And I agree. It's not the Pono I'm sold on, it's having access to the higher quality material.
I'm also dying to hear an A/B of the same FLAC file on the Pono and and iPhone/Galaxy. There will absolutely be a difference just based on the DAC used, but how large the difference will be remains to be seen.
And MiniDisc...I still have one stuffed away in a drawer somewhere.
Post by Delicious Meatball Sub on Mar 13, 2014 16:30:02 GMT -5
Plus I think the idea that the market for this is only audiophiles is wrong. This is very clearly directed at getting the mass consumer to convert. Look how many people bought Beats by Dre headphones just to listen to 156k Mp3s with.
Ya the biggest thing for me is the vast majority of my digital music is 320 MP3. In theory it would be great to have something that plays higher quality, but I don't want to go through the pain of upgrading all my music.
I'm dubious that there is much difference to listening to FLAC on this thing vs. anything else.
I'm am by no means an audiophile, so basically I'm going off what I read, but I think this is false. All of the components used apparently mean that the sound quality is substantial better than any other portable music player .
Is there a deadline? And is it like a prepay pledge thing? I'm gonna do this, but should wait until sfter I get back from vacation .
The Kickstarter campaign funds on April 15th. That's the deadline to get in on the early-bird/Kickstarter thing, and when you'd be charged for it. If you don't participate in the Kickstarter campaign, you'll have to wait until Pono is available in stores to buy it.
The initial production run of ~10,000 Pono players is projected to be delivered this October. However, if you order a player now, the projected delivery date is December. The exception to this is if you pledge for some of the older Limited Edition versions. The newest LE's being added have the December projected delivery date.
So you basically have 2 weeks to get in on the Kickstarter campaign if you want to get it as soon as possible. You'll also save $100 off the retail price of the player.