Pono Player

[GameBoy27]

I do like the convenience of an iPod but the quality of MP3's really does suck. Not to mention levels are all over the place so I find myself constantly adjusting the volume from track to track.

This sounds pretty damn cool. Pun intended.

 

[Ben Hogan]

I too am intrigued. I saw Neil on the Tonight Show a few weeks back. The box that the player is packaged in is very cool (wooden) but I couldn't help but think when looking at the logo how close Pono is to Porno.

 

[GameBoy27]

I too am intrigued. I saw Neil on the Tonight Show a few weeks back. The box that the player is packaged in is very cool (wooden) but I couldn't help but think when looking at the logo how close Pono is to Porno.

According to Wiki, Pono is a Hawaiian word commonly rendered as "righteousness".

But yes, my brain also sees Porno.

 

[Garrett]

I do not think Pono is doing anything new. There are places selling high resolution files, and many players that will do them (including portable DSD players, which the Pono won't do). None of it is free though given you may need 10x the space, which is an issue mp3 solved relative to even CD quality. In addition, if the mastering is bad (and most mastering is bad these days), the results won't be that great.

It is good that people are caring more about the actual sound these days (beyond "is it loud").