Any actual use of Pono Player through balanced connection into home stereo?


Hey all.
I've been searching here on Audiogon and can't seem to find the answers I'm looking for regarding the "Pono Player."
Has anyone actually used this item with their home audio system? My desire would be to connect via a balanced cable into my pre-amp. I'm not sure how you get a true balanced connection via a 3.5 jack into an XLR, but I'll take their word for it if they say it's so.
Anyway, can anyone out there who has actual experience with this give me first hand advice? Is the output really any better than a Hi-Res FLAC or DSD file played through a typical player for such files say via a thumb drive or SACD? Obviously the Pono Player does not have a huge storage capacity even with a SD card and no remote is a big draw back. But these could be over looked if the sound the Pono produces is dramatically improved over a typical consumer level Hi-Res player.
I appreciate all responses in advance!
wcc10
wcc10

Showing 3 responses by erik_squires

I have not used the balanced outputs, except briefly at a demo.

To my ears the Pono sounds a lot like the Ayre preamp and CD player, if that helps.  If you like that sound, you'll like the Pono.

Best,


Erik
Hi WCC,

Without a doubt, as a portable player, the Pono is the very best sounding unit I've heard. Not just the quality of the sound but the consistency with different headphones.

HOWEVER!

It doesn't stream, at all.  The only way to get music into it is to copy it from a computer to the two micro SD cards. It does not support more than 128 GB total.

If you are looking for a streaming solution, the Fiio X7 will stream anything there's an Android player for.

My idea of heaven right now is to have Ayre/Pono make an amplifier unit for the Fiio. Or for Pono to make their own version of the X7.

Best,


Erik
Well, the Fiio X7 + K5 desktop amp is a close second to the Pono, and adds Wifi streaming.  The K5 also supports balanced outputs via mini jacks.

Best,


Erik