left channel

"Nevermind", sorry, I found it there eventually, @botrytis.

LOL, and thanks for the inspiration: am listening to that album now, for the first time in a very long while. I still have the 16/44.1 release on my server, but I found the 30th anniversary edition on Qobuz at 24/192 and 24/96. And the MQA version is not on Tidal.

@Superdad I appreciate your candor, and sympathize with your situation. I was one of the first LPS-1.2 owners in early 2018, being one of 48 people who placed an order for an LPS-1 just as it was replaced by the 1.2. My LPS-1.2 died sometime in 2020 or 2021; I can't remember exactly when. I set it aside and couldn't be bothered shipping it back in the midst of everything happening (or not happening) during the pandemic. It was powering an ISO REGEN on my media room system, which I don't use for music that often so I just lived without it until seeing this thread today, when I decided to power the ISO REGEN with the brick that came with the LPS-1.2. Sounds good. I've also had a USB REGEN in my desktop system running almost every day since early 2017, and I say that's a better example of the reliability of UpTone products. For my ISO REGEN, I will consider taking advantage of your "consolation discount" to replace the LPS-1.2 with the new model you're working on. Good luck.

I'll be there in spirit though not in person. Looking forward to seeing your reports!

I never noticed anything like that while using my Pre Box S2D. That sound could be electrical interference coming in via your source or power components. Maybe it's always there, but usually hidden under the music. How is your S2D connected to the source and power?

Apparently in your country the label is only allowing Qobuz to make those tracks available for download, not streaming. The MP3s are just 30-second samples. There should be a tiny note near the album art explaining this, or at least attempting to explain this. I looked for the first three albums you mentioned. Here in the US I'm able to stream Running' Down a Dream, but don't see the other two at all.

A number of FiiO products offer balanced output. I have a FiiO DAP and a FiiO DAC/amp for my phone, and use them much more than my Pono Player at this point. Both include balanced output (though I don't use it), via 2.5/3.5mm jacks. Many of their most recent products support 2.5, 3.5, and 4mm all in one.

Yup, Resono is gone. There's also a "Pono for Music Lovers" Facebook group but it's not very active, and a couple of long old threads on head-fi that still get occasional posts. Guess it's up to us to make some noise here! I still dig out my Kickstarter Pono Player and give it a listen at least a couple times a year.

Yay LMS. That's all I use here, on an SGC microJukebox serving several Squeezebox devices plus Squeezelite-X for Windows and Squeezer for Android. And a much scrawnier cat.

Interesting that after I confuse the app with the above situation, when I turn my DAC on the warning goes away and the app is able to play music, but it no longer displays which driver is selected. Something is selected, because the music is playing, but I'd need to click on one of these to be certain which it is. Other observations: ASIO4ALL does not work with this app; if the Pro-Ject or NuPrime drivers are selected without their manufacturer's device connected they will cause the "in use by another application" warning to display; and each ASIO driver has the word "ASIO" below which when clicked simply selects the item above. Music playing, but no driver selection shown: When an ASIO driver is selected, the word "ASIO" below it gets smaller and turns blue as shown below. But as you can see from the longer list above with three "ASIO" lines, users may find this confusing.

Thanks for asking. When this happens, the audio device is not being used by another app. It is powered off. I get the same message using WASAPI Exclusive or ASIO2WASAPI. It's really just a tech writing problem: instead of saying "The device is being used by another application", it should offer more context and help: what "device", what can I do to fix this problem? I suggest "The audio device is not available. It may be off, disconnected, or in use by another application."

@David Craff when I launch the Qobuz app for Windows, if I've forgotten to turn on my external DAC, then the app displays the warning "The device is being used by another application". Some may find that confusing.

Many recent LG phones contain ESS Quad DACs for music. I've tried one or two of them and they compete well.

My original crowdfunded unit had a cracked screen replaced and works fine, but I've discovered over time that I prefer the sound of AKM-based designs over the ESS-based heart of the Pono Player, so when I use a DAP it's usually my FiiO X5 3rd Gen or more often I attach a FiiO Q1 Mark II to my phone.

Some good news: the price of Studio Premium in the US has been lowered to $12.99/mo, or $10.83/mo at $129.99/year. And I believe the UK prices are the same numbers with "£" in place of "$". Your price will automatically change to the new rate on your next monthly or annual renewal date.