In most cases the remastered version is louder because (much) more dynamic compression was applied.
This gives less available dynamic range, raises the noise floor and washes out detail.
Over the last ten-fifteen years I have not once come across a remaster that does the opposite. From that point of view the early ('80s-mid 90's) remasters for digital are far superior to later ones.
I've had the pono now for several days. IMO the star of the show is the implementation of the DAC by Charles Hansen of Ayre Acoustics. And not high resolution files..bla bla.
I could be wrong because I don't have a high end headphone. I have a Sennheisser PX100.
Just lovely to listen to. No listener fatigue so far.
I could be wrong because I don't have a high end headphone. I have a Sennheisser PX100.
Just lovely to listen to. No listener fatigue so far.
I've enjoyed my black Kickstarter Pono player for ~4 months. I use it primarily as a source through my DIY 2-channel system using 4 Exodus Anarchy TH subs. I love it.
IMO, it sounds better than mp3s, CD, vinyl and high resolution files played on my Android smart phone. I rarely use it with IEMS or cans, but it sounds very good that way also.
Clearly there are other ways to play high resolution files, but most sound inferior (smart phone) or cost much more. In anticipation of receiving the player, I downloaded several HDTracks and played them using the phone. Even the wife was impressed with the SQ. When I could not get the FLAC version of Brubeck's Time Outto play, I contacted HDTracks. The helpful tech support person explained that very few smart phones could play such a large file. The Pono plays it with stupendous results.
Sure the UI could be better; a remote would be appreciated. Nonetheless, it's easier than using physical media. Playlists allow for uninterrupted music of your choice. The removable SD slot makes switching music libraries a breeze.
If it were lost, stolen destroyed, etc., I would replace it immediately, even if it cost more than $299 paid via Kickstarter.
Confession; I did not read the whole thread, but since everything in this post is my opinion, it can't be redundant.
IMO, it sounds better than mp3s, CD, vinyl and high resolution files played on my Android smart phone. I rarely use it with IEMS or cans, but it sounds very good that way also.
Clearly there are other ways to play high resolution files, but most sound inferior (smart phone) or cost much more. In anticipation of receiving the player, I downloaded several HDTracks and played them using the phone. Even the wife was impressed with the SQ. When I could not get the FLAC version of Brubeck's Time Outto play, I contacted HDTracks. The helpful tech support person explained that very few smart phones could play such a large file. The Pono plays it with stupendous results.
Sure the UI could be better; a remote would be appreciated. Nonetheless, it's easier than using physical media. Playlists allow for uninterrupted music of your choice. The removable SD slot makes switching music libraries a breeze.
If it were lost, stolen destroyed, etc., I would replace it immediately, even if it cost more than $299 paid via Kickstarter.
Confession; I did not read the whole thread, but since everything in this post is my opinion, it can't be redundant.
The WiFi audio streaming feature is a real game changer.
Since recently I am running a 2.4Ghz wireless audio streaming link (no video capability), with thumb drive size transmitter plugged into my laptop, and 12V powered receiver in my A system rack.
I am with RNM, this wireless functionality is excellent, and not before time.
I agree, for my usage no Wifi streaming capability kills the Pono stone dead, and any other player also.
Dan.
Since recently I am running a 2.4Ghz wireless audio streaming link (no video capability), with thumb drive size transmitter plugged into my laptop, and 12V powered receiver in my A system rack.
I am with RNM, this wireless functionality is excellent, and not before time.
I agree, for my usage no Wifi streaming capability kills the Pono stone dead, and any other player also.
Dan.
Nice feature set, looks gorgeous, but six hundred bucks USD! Yikes. Gonna have to wait for some of that tech to trickle down from Caddy to Chevy, I'm afraid.
-- Jim
Well its only $ 200 more than the Pono but you get wireless streaming of DSD and up to 384kHz! Take away the wifi streaming and then compare it to your $ 2000+ Hi-End brick DAC ;-)
You can take it with you but also use it as the heart of your system at home. It's really in another league than the Pono, but think part of its commercial problem is that it has many possibilities that Joe Average user doesn't comprehend and thus not value. I would put it in a half cubic foot of heavy machined alu case and add a zero to the price point, it'll sell like hot buns!
Jan
Why not start another thread on this jobby? If we had to list all the "Pono killers" in this thread we could fill the Mariana trench with those posts.
Do I read it right that the Companion One has no onboard storage? If so, it's not really a competitor to the Pono that can be used as a standalone player.
Me, I would lean towards the FiiO players if I needed a portable device. At least they would lie flat in a pocket.
Bill
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I've had my Kickstarter black Pono player since December. I love it. With good high resolution files, it's like vinyl without the surface noise.
I'm gradually ripping worthy vinyl to FLAC to play via Pono. Soon I'll only handle physical media long enough to rip those lost treasures found in thrift stores to FLAC.
As to portable, the phone suffices for mass storage portable background music. Pono is mostly used as a digital source for 2-channel. To me, it's portable in the sense that I can take it to a friend and play it through his/her system, not strap it to my arm and listen while jogging.
While I do sometimes use it in the car, my phone or Pandora work better. The uncompressed dynamic range of hi-res requires constant volume adjustments to deal with the high noise floor in a car. That reality is how we first became casualties in the Loudness War.
YMMV
I'm gradually ripping worthy vinyl to FLAC to play via Pono. Soon I'll only handle physical media long enough to rip those lost treasures found in thrift stores to FLAC.
As to portable, the phone suffices for mass storage portable background music. Pono is mostly used as a digital source for 2-channel. To me, it's portable in the sense that I can take it to a friend and play it through his/her system, not strap it to my arm and listen while jogging.
While I do sometimes use it in the car, my phone or Pandora work better. The uncompressed dynamic range of hi-res requires constant volume adjustments to deal with the high noise floor in a car. That reality is how we first became casualties in the Loudness War.
YMMV
So almost like... CD? 🙂
Not that vinyl really requires hi-res...
Just to remind you - vinyl has a (potential) dynamic range of 70 dB on a really good day the first time you play it. A CD has 90-120 (dependent on dithering). 24 bits makes sense when recording and processing, but not as a distribution format.
In this Month Stereophile, Ayre Charltes Hansen explained his design for the output circuit of the Pono. He said it is a diamond buffer as used in Ayre top preamp. Very interesting reading.
I prefer to rip vinyl and CDs to FLAC since digital storage, like talk, is now cheap. By preserving classic vinyl in the best resolution available, you preserve options for the future. While mp3 format is OK for mass storage and portable playback, it limits you going forward. I have tons of worthwhile music in mp3 format that I enjoy, but at the low cost of digital storage, I wish much of it had been preserved in high resolution. YMMV
Physical media, whether wax, wire, shellac, tape, vinyl or CD, will deteriorate with time and the music stored in those capacities will be lost. Music stored as ones and zeroes will last indefinitely to be converted to whatever SOTA playback format the future offers.
IMO, the Pono player makes mp3s sound better also.
Physical media, whether wax, wire, shellac, tape, vinyl or CD, will deteriorate with time and the music stored in those capacities will be lost. Music stored as ones and zeroes will last indefinitely to be converted to whatever SOTA playback format the future offers.
IMO, the Pono player makes mp3s sound better also.
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It depends where your priorities lie, sound quality or features.
With Pono you get audio electronics wise, a pretty hi end piece of kit
designed by a very talented audio designer (C. Hansen).
From the DAC (ES9018) to clocking, custom digital filters, analog OP stage
etc etc. They put a lot of work into sound quality and it paid off.
I have listened to Pono a few times now and through very high quality
replay chain with a few friends who are very achieved audio / recording
engineers. The consensus is it sounds very very good for a product of it's
price point. The only real gotcha is it really should be run in balanced OP
mode as this does sound quite a bit better.
I'm pretty sure I know the reason for this, having designed a lot of 0 FB
discrete DAC I-V OP stages, getting the two DAC phases to sum without
adding a lot of extra circuitry is the trade off. Invariably you end up with 2
separate OP phases (balanced mode) that need to be 'put together' further
down the chain to take advantage of the full linearity offered by the DAC.
Now - I know that the typical response to this is just use opamps and make
life simple. Obviously the design intent of Pono, done by CH was 0 feedback
circuitry and that statement is enough in itself to start all sorts of colorful
shall we call it discussion 🙂 .
The only way to really know how much the ZFB circuitry is adding /
subtracting from SQ is obviously to get a 2nd Pono and install VHQ opamp
OP stage, do some controlled listening. That's probably never going to
happen now but very well could have happened in the development stage,
given Neils legacy of having very high consideration of audio quality.
Needless to say, the results speak for themselves, it's a very good sounding
replay device and offers great value if your priorities are -sound quality-.
cheers
Terry
I've used my Pono player in balanced mode with modified IEMs. It sounds very good. It sounds weird, but the soundstage inside your head is expanded over single-ended.
I eagerly await the arrival of my Wiener amp from gmarsh. I'll be able to use the Pono as a balanced source with that amp in balanced mode.
I eagerly await the arrival of my Wiener amp from gmarsh. I'll be able to use the Pono as a balanced source with that amp in balanced mode.
Almost a year since the last activity in this thread. As I type, I'm listening to Suburban Voodoo by Paul Carrack in balanced mode via Klipsch IEMs. The CD was ripped to FLAC using the Pono/JRiver software. It sounds very good.
I confess I've yet to use my GMarsh "Wiener" TPA3118 to utilize Pono's balanced output to play my DIY F.A.S.T. The Fostex FE103/TH system.
The Pono Store has now been "Under Construction" for several months. I'm wondering if it will survive.
I confess I've yet to use my GMarsh "Wiener" TPA3118 to utilize Pono's balanced output to play my DIY F.A.S.T. The Fostex FE103/TH system.
The Pono Store has now been "Under Construction" for several months. I'm wondering if it will survive.
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