About the Pono PonoPlayer
Bring your music to life
Bring your music to life
Music is all about how it makes you feel when you hear it. It is why we listen to the musicians we love — because of the way they make us feel.
— Neil Young, founder and CEO of PonoMusic, and legendary musician
And the depth of the detail in the music — subtle things like a singer's quick intake of breath or a guitarist's delicate slide across the strings — can make a big difference in how it makes us feel. That's what the PonoPlayer is all about. This compact device does only one job — play digital music. But it does it very well.
Available in yellow or black.
Unsurpassed high-res sound...
The high-performance DAC (digital-to-analog converter) built into the player was made for getting every ounce of detail out of high-resolution audio sources so you can lose yourself in your favorite songs. The PonoPlayer can handle PCM-based digital music files up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution as well as high-res DSD files. By comparison, CD-quality audio is captured at 16-bit/44.1kHz resolution, which means high-res audio tracks can contain a lot more information, for re-creating music in greater detail.
The PonoMusic store is one way to find high-resolution tracks for the player, but you can also enjoy music from HDtracks and FLAC, WAV, ALAC and other types of high-resolution files from other sources.
...and excellent sound from your whole music library
Not sold on high-res yet? The Pono also delivers fantastic performance with uncompressed CD-quality music files, and it uses sophisticated algorithms to bring out the best in your compressed audio tracks. You might be surprised at how much better your MP3s sound. Plus, the Pono's software automatically compensates for the intense loudness compressed music tends to have, bringing its volume into line with your uncompressed tracks.
Three ways to listen
Use the auxiliary output jack to connect the PonoPlayer to powered speakers or your home audio system. The headphone jack lets you listen via headphones in a conventional manner, or activate PonoShare mode to send uncompressed signals to two pairs of connected headphones, one connected to the headphone jack and one connected to the auxiliary out jack.
Another feature that helps the PonoPlayer stand out is its balanced output mode, which can yield even cleaner, more articulate sound when used with headphones with balanced inputs, such as the Sony MDR-Z7. The left and right output channels use separate connections, with one channel going out via the headphone jack and the other via the auxiliary output. You can also use the balanced output mode with high-performance home audio systems, or even professional audio gear with balanced XLR input connectors. (Using the balanced output will require specialized adapter cables for most headphones and audio systems with balanced input.)
Simple operation
The player's 2.5-inch color touchscreen displays artist and title info as well as album artwork. And it's simple to navigate. The PonoPlayer's innovative triangular design keeps the touchscreen facing up at an angle for easy access.
Expandable memory
Connect the PonoPlayer to your computer with the included USB cable to add music. Then just drag and drop your selections to the player while its built-in battery charges. The PonoPlayer has 64GB of internal memory and a slot for an optional microSD card slot which lets you expand the storage up to 192GB.
Looking for great-sounding headphones for this player? Check out our selection.
Product highlights:
- plays MP3, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, unprotected AAC, AIFF
- plays Direct Stream Digital (DSD) files
- ESS ES9018M DAC for lossless playback at up to 24-bit/192kHz
- 64GB internal flash memory
- microSD card slot for optional cards up to 128GB (192GB maximum total memory)
- 2.5" color touchscreen
- built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 8 hours of playback
- high-speed USB interface (cable included) for drag-and-drop file transfer and battery charging
- bamboo storage box
- AC adapter
- 5"W x 2"H x 1"D
- weight: 4.6 oz.
- warranty: 1 year
- MFR # NY001BB
What's in the box:
Pono PonoPlayer owner's manual
- Digital music player
- USB/AC power adapter
- 39" microUSB-to-USB cable
- Bamboo storage box
- Quick Start Guide
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More details on the Pono PonoPlayer
Product Research
Features
PonoMusic: PonoMusic was founded by rock legend Neil Young in 2011 to create a movement to bring back the soul of music, and to revitalize the vinyl experience in the digital realm. PonoMusic's mission is to recreate all the feeling, spirit, and emotion the artists worked so diligently to capture in their original studio recordings.
PonoPlayer: The PonoPlayer is a portable device designed to play the highest quality audio music from the PonoMusic Store and other high-quality music sources. The PonoPlayer provides exceptionally high quality distortion-free analog audio to a set of headphones, powered speakers, or a home and car audio system.
- Ayre Acoustics: The internal audio circuitry of the PonoPlayer has been developed by Ayre Acoustics. Founded by Charles (Charlie) Hansen (chief engineer and product designer), Ayre has been designing and building high-performance, award-winning home audio electronics for more than 20 years. In the PonoPlayer, Ayre began their work by designing the circuitry after the main processor retrieves the audio data from the memory and presents it in "3-wire" form - audio data, bit clock, and word clock.
- ESS (ES9018M) DAC: The PonoPlayer utilizes ESS's top-of-the-line ES9018M D/A (digital-to-analog) Converter chip. This high-quality DAC uses new algorithms that dramatically reduce digital distortions and has a customizable digital filter. It transcends the limitations of many of today's DAC chips designed for mobile devices, and brings world-class performance to a portable music player.
PonoMusic Store: The PonoMusic Store uses FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) audio format as its standard, for compatibility, although the PonoPlayer can play most popular high-resolution music formats from other sources. PonoMusic has a quality spectrum, ranging from really good to really great, depending on the quality of the available master recordings. In addition to the PonoPlayer, PonoMusic can be played on other devices because it is unlocked; although it will likely not sound as good as playing on a PonoPlayer or other high quality high-resolution players.
PonoMusic World: An important part of the Pono Ecosystem, PonoMusic World is an application that runs on Mac or Windows computers that allows you to -
- Download music from the PonoMusic Store
- Rip your CDs to FLAC digital music files that you can transfer to your PonoPlayer
- Manage all of the music files on your computer and files across your network
- Create and manage playlists
- Transfer music to your PonoPlayer
- Download new firmware updates for your PonoPlayer
System Requirements for PonoMusic World: PonoMusic World requires an x86-compatible or better CPU that supports SSE2. This means the CPU needs to be from around 2002 or newer.
- Windows Systems:
- Hardware Requirements: Intel or AMD x 86 compatible CPU with SSE 2. 256MB RAM for operation and 300MB free hard drive space for installation. Sound device with a working WDM or ASIO driver. DirectX-capable Graphics Card (GPU). Internet connection recommended)
- Software Requirements: Windows XP (SP3) or newer with Internet Explorer 8 or above. QuickTime and Microsoft DirectX may be required to play certain file types. Server editions, Core Mode, and 3rd-party OS enhancer utilities not supported.
- Mac OSX Systems:
- Hardware Requirements: Intel-based Mac with 256MB RAM and 300MB free hard drive space for installation. Sound device with a working WDM or ASIO driver. DirectX-capable Graphic Card (CPU).
- Software Requirements: OSX 10.7 (Lion) or later. Internet connection recommended.
Music File Compatibility: Of course the PonoPlayer can play FLAC music files from PonoMusic store, but it can also play music from a variety of other sources too including your CDs, your music purchased from other sources (non-DRM protected), and music you may also have already on your computer. The PonoPlayer will play back audio files formatted in FLAC, ALAC, WAV (up to 32-bit), AIFF, AAC (unprotected), MP3, DSD (2 channel DSD64 and DSD128).
PonoRevealer: The PonoRevealer is a new feature on your PonoPlayer that will allow you to switch seamlessly between different audio resolutions to compare the differences in the sound quality.
Internal & External Memory: This small mobile device plays high-resolution digital music files stored on its 64GB SSD memory and a removable microSD/SDHC/SDXC type-10 card (up to 128GB). The microSD card slot is located behind a hinged door. How many songs can it hold on the internal 64GB alone depends on the quality of your music files.
- CD lossless quality recordings (44.1kHz/16-bit) is approximately 5000 tracks
- High-resolution recordings (48kHz/24-bit) is about 3200 tracks
- Higher-resolution recordings (96kHz/24-bit) is about 1600 tracks
- Ultra-high resolution recordings (192kHz/24-bit) is approximately 800 tracks
Triangular Prismatic Form: The PonoPlayer's characteristic triangular prismatic form is determined by important design considerations to allow the use of its large audio components to fit and for the product to equally usable on the desk and in the hand. The high quality of the audio is a result of the making uncompromising decisions to use the best components possible.
Rugged Housing: The housing is made of impact resistant ABS with a premium soft touch paint for a pleasant feel with robust characteristics. The player is designed to work in extreme environments and survive drops. The triangular pocket player weighs only 0.28 lbs and measures 2.125" x 4.9375" x 1.1875".
microUSB Port: When you connect your PonoPlayer to a computer using the included Micro USB cable, a popup will appear labeled "Music Transfer Mode" with a Yes and No button.
- Transfer Mode: Tapping the Yes button will disable all playback and navigation functions of the player and open the storage drives for transferring files. While Music Transfer Mode is enabled, the internal drive and the external microSD card slot are exposed to allow music to be transferred to and from the player via PonoMusic World or using your computer's file manager.
- Charging Mode: Tapping the No button will close the popup and allow the PonoPlayer to remain connected in charging mode. The player will still function normally while charging.
Audio Outputs: The PonoPlayer meaningfully improves the listening experience with any quality of headphones, speakers, or home and car audio system. It can be used as a personal portable hi resolution music player, or it can be connected to a home audio system or car stereo system.
- Headphone Jack: The PonoPlayer's 3.5mm headphone jack lets you use any of your favorite headphones or earbuds; all except phones with a mono TS connector.
- Line-Level Output: The PonoPlayer features a 3.5mm line-level output for connect to a home audio or car stereo system. When connecting to a home audio system, make sure to set the line-level output to "Fixed" with 100% volume. For car audio you may find it more convenient to disable the Fixed Line Out and set the line-level output to "Variable" so that the volume can be adjusted on the fly.
Balanced Mode: The audio circuitry in the PonoPlayer is fully balanced, from the D/A converter chip (and when used with specialized equipment) to the output jacks. The PonoPlayer's headphone jack and line-level output combine to form a stereo balanced output using a proprietary cable from Pono. This unique Balanced Mode feature enables you to hear the fullest sound possible. Your headphones must feature two balanced connectors and your home audio system must feature balanced XLR inputs.
Touchscreen & Soft Button Controls: It has 3 buttons and a touchscreen that are used as controls. The buttons are labeled +, -, and O. Navigating the UI (user interface) of the PonoPlayer can be simple once you learn some of the basics. Swiping Left and right moves the menus accordingly. Tapping on the top menu headers directs the UI to that menu tab. Tapping objects selects them. Tap and hold any song or album entry and a long-tap sub-menu appears. When scrolling through long list a helpful thumb scrollbar appears allowing you to rapidly scroll through list by dragging the square box up or down.
- Album Art & Song/Artist Info: The player's touchscreen displays provides album art and song/artist information.
- Playback & Search Functions: The PonoPlayer offers basic playback & search functions such as Play/Pause, Previous/Next Track, and Repeat/Random. Advance search functions include searching by Artist, Album, Song, and Playlist.
- Adjustable Display: You can adjust the brightness of the touchscreen display, as well as select Landscape or Portrait mode.
PonoMusic LED: The PonoPlayer will show you, via its user interface and a special "light" (to indicate a certified PonoMusic song) exactly what quality level you are hearing; when you are hearing Pono quality, and when you are not. If the light is lit, then the music you are listening to is Pono-certified as the best available quality.
Rechargeable Battery + AC Power Adapter: The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 8 hours of playback. A USB/AC power adapter and microUSB cable are also included. A full battery charge takes approximately 4 hours.
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You can hear the difference!
RONALD from Meriden, CT