Speakers for the computer and Pono player

http://emotiva.com/products/emotiva/speakers http://emotiva.com/products/electronics/control-freak and I guess you'd still need the stereo mini-jack to XLR adapter cables, but seems like all this should be available (depending on speaker selection) possibly within your budget or as you say stretch it a little for a good Xmas present!

 

Well, I'm going to get some extra unexpected cash at Christmas, so I've decided to put on hold the purchase of a pair of loudspeakers for my Pono player and aim at higher objectives on my audiophile wish list, such as a new DAC for my "big" system

Thanks everybody for your help. I really appreciate everybody's inputs

 

The Pono Player has a variable line out (i.e. controlled by the volume on the player), and a fixed line out, which can be set to a range of output volumes. It's very versatile. There is also, of course, a balanced line out option using both jacks of the Pono Player.

 

It is darn versatile in this regard. I am not currently using powered speakers with the Pono, but if I ever find a need to have another little office, garage or say vacation-home rig somewhere else, I think I might do balanced out of Pono to xlr inputs for say the Emotiva powered monitors mentioned earlier. The Pono can control the volume if the passive volume control Emotiva sells is not better. Seems like it could be a tasty little setup for a very small footprint.

 

Honestly, I am amazed at how great this player sounds in my home setup, connected with a $200 rca to mini AQ cable. I have a decent Rega DAC connected to my preamp, and I can run the same files through my MacBook Pro to the Rega. Honestly, I think the Pono reproduction is just better than through the $1,000 DAC. And don't even get me started on native DSD files through the Pono! Wow!!

 

If you really want to step it up, you could try to find a used pair of Dynaudio MC-15 multimedia speakers. Or go with the current Xeo series.

 

I second this suggestion.

 

Push come to shove, for 100$ you can pick up a Bose Wave radio on Ebay or Internet sale site. They are bullet proof, adequate sound, small footprint, and have a better sound than most tiny computer speakers.