Author Topic: Neil Young's Pono HD 24/192 Player Is Here ! (Read 1384 times)

sonicus · « **on:** March 16, 2014, 10:03:16 AM »

Check It Out ___http://www.ponomusic.com/#home

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2014, 10:50:39 AM »

I really love the video in the presentation , so many music business faces . I think Neil's heart is really into this . I hope this is a big success , all those who love music will be the winners ____

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2014, 11:58:46 AM »

I signed up on kickstarter for a black one. I was certainly going to buy one anyway, so this way I help it launch and save $100. Such a deal!

Bill, tgo

ed_too · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2014, 05:40:13 PM »

My local newspaper reprinted an interview with Neil about it from USA Today. I'll try to provide a link it.

Neil young urges progress on sound quality on Page 41 of Friday, March 14, 2014 issue of The Star Ledger ? Electronic Edition

That's it above - if it works.

bigredbass · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2014, 10:45:29 AM »

I hope it's as advertised. I've refused to have a i-whatever player as the sound is awful, shrill, compressed to hell, I can't stand them.

J o e y

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2014, 12:53:47 PM »

I read a remark related to this product that blamed the crappy (awful, shrill, compressed to hell) sound quality of most reproduced music for the decline in quality of music in general.

It has become beat/rhythm heavy at the expense of melody and harmonic interplay because the lower and more percussive frequencies are better reproduced on most current audio systems.

I hope the Pono will spark a return to warmth and complexity in recorded music.

peoplechipper · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2014, 10:59:29 PM »

I read his book and love the idea, but don't love that I could wind up hating my 2-3000 cd's in short order...Tony

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2014, 07:43:35 AM »

I watched the video and got excited, and then I read this article and now I'm not sure what to think: http://evolver.fm/2012/10/04/guest-opinion-why-24192-music-downloads-make-no-sense/

I wish I could try it myself, but $400 is a bit much for me to play around with, and I'd rather spend the money on gear.

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2014, 08:14:31 AM »

This guy writes that Pono doesn't work. Yet numerous music pros listened to it and were amazed (see Young's video of many well known rock stars' reaction to hearing it in Young's car). I'm convinced it sounds significantly better than an mp3 player and is a lot more conveniently portable than a bunch of CDs. I hate the thin sound of mp3s and only use the format for convenience (like right now I'm in Phoenix for Spring Training and have a Fuse mp3 player through a Jawbone Jambox set up in the hotel room - also used it on the plane with excellent quality Shure earbuds). I'm not thrilled at the idea of yet again replacing my music with a new format. I suspect I will acquire Pono downloads slowly rather than attempting to replace everything. And the Pono player plays non-Pono formats too. I'm really looking forward to this.

Bill, tgo

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2014, 08:19:54 AM »

You're right Bill, the reactions of the listeners were remarkable. The only real negative I see is that I wish it had some sort of wifi ability so you didn't have to connect with a USB cable to use it. One commenter I read put forth the argument that it would be much more fun to have all the individual tracks from the master so you could mix them yourself. Maybe some day.

(Message edited by hydrargyrum on March 19, 2014)

lbpesq · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2014, 08:41:50 AM »

My understanding is that the USB connection is only for transferring the downloaded music from your computer to the player, just like I do now with itunes and podcasts. Once it's in the player you just plug it into your stereo, portable speakers, headphones, etc. with a standard mini phone jack.

Bill, tgo

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2014, 09:18:13 AM »

That was my understanding Bill. I just wish you could transfer the music wirelessly once downloaded, or even better, go direct to the web with the device and purchase it there. Many other competing devices on the market have that sort of functionality. In that regard it is a step back in technology, but it would certainly save costs and be one less thing that could break.

sparechaynge · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2014, 12:40:40 PM »

hydrargyrum,

I call BS on that article. Having heard the difference between the same song recorded at the same sample rate but different bit depths, I can say that 24 bit does make a big difference.

The author is correct that most systems can't reproduce ultrasonic frequencies, and that most people can't hear the entire 20Hz-20KHz range. The misinformation lies in that increasing the sample rate also decreases the sampling period (1/the sample rate). This allows for more samples per second and increases resolution.

The ability to playback in 24 bit is what has me most excited about Pono. The clarity in the bass range and lower noise floor are very noticeable. Increasing the bit depth, like increasing the sample rate, reduces rounding error (the system is only capable of encoding a set number of values - 16 or 24, respectively). Increasing the bit depth alone changes the quality enough that, if any user is paranoid about intermodular distortion ruining the playback system, the music can still be enjoyed at a better fidelity than an mp3.

peoplechipper · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2014, 12:25:15 AM »

The anti-Pono guy is probably also writing articles denying global warming...Tony

sparechaynge · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2014, 08:40:15 AM »

Hahaha. Seems that way sometimes.