Waiting for PONO

There is a digital format on the horizon that may be getting the most difficult aspect of a new product launch right; adoption and execution by the recording industry, manufacturers and consumers. Redbook was adopted as the de facto format because of the universal acceptance. Improved formats held the promise of higher quality but failed with universal acceptance to provides market traction.

Now there's PONO. The expected roll-out will be in time for CEDIA this fall with products by CES 2014. What makes this different, ignore the good or bad associated with Neal Young personally for a moment and realize he did what the others, SACD, DSD, etc., have not, went to those with the music for buy-in and began the conversion process well ahead of time before the product roll-out. I've heard from one of the manufacturers that is working on the front end that its resolution and quality are equal to DSD or better capability. They have as much to lose as any with the existing format and inventory of current players so I trust the information as it was not self-serving.

The cost of gear, the quality of the sound and the availability of music that is in demand give this one serious advantages.

There we have it, to wait for the new player capability or hope that your gear will be upgradeable. I was also told the cost of the processors will be very low. Like DSD, the chips don't cost much and that's why products like TEAC can come in so low for such high resolution.

Thoughts as we're "Waiting for PONO"