B2 Overview

The Brennan B2 is a CD Ripper, Hard disk Jukebox and Complete Audio system. This short video takes you through many of the features.

B2 rips CDs and stores them losslessly using FLAC.

There is an internal 15W+15W RMS power amplifier to drive external speakers.

There is an optical output so B2 can deliver music to a high end DAC or other high end audio equipment with uncompromised audio quality.

The digital output is identical to and therefore as good as any high end CD player - regardless of price.

Key Features

  • Play and Rip CDs
  • Internal 15+15 Watt RMS amplifier
  • Internal disk stores up to 5,000 CDs losslessly or 10,000 as MP3
  • Use with our BSP50 speakers or attach your own speakers.
  • Play through Sonos speakers.
  • Web user interface - extra control with your phone, tablet or computer
  • 40,000 Internet Radio stations
  • Play Youtubes
  • Bluetooth
  • Network attached storage (NAS)
  • Works with Spotify
  • Apps for Android and iPhone.
  • Compact, solid aluminium construction.

Full specifications here

The Web UI

The Brennan can be controlled from any web browser on the same wifi network. The browser can be on a computer, tablet or mobile phone. This is called the Web UI.

This shows the web UI on a desktop browser.

  • See whats playing, change volume, back, stop, next buttons.
  • Search the B2 with search results updated as you type.
  • Pick a Sonos Zone
  • Rename, delete, add album art
  • Click on an artist to see all the albums by that artists.
  • Click on an album to see all the tracks in that album.
  • Create, reorder, delete & combine playlists
  • Assign radio stations to Presets
  • Upload music from your computer
  • Rip CDs and manage album art.
  • Find and play internet radio stations - 40,000 stations .
  • Find and play music on Youtube
  • Browse files on external USB devices

Feelgood Button

You don't need to use the web UI. In fact just click Next when B2 is not playing - and B2 will play your entire music collection at random. 

You can do most things from the front panel.

Sonos

The Brennan can play through Sonos speakers as simply as traditional wired speakers.

Select the Sonos speaker or zone from the front panel and then whatever you play is sent to that zone.

So you can play a random selection of your music with one click just by pressing the next button.

Or play a favourite radio station or playlist by pressing the back button.

The Brennan can play different music in different zones simultaneously. Use the Brennan app or a browser to play the Brennan from other rooms. More.

Internet Radio

The Brennan can play internet radio stations. There are more than 40,000 to choose from. Use the vTuner tab on the Web UI to explore.

Bluetooth

You can play music from Bluetooth devices like phones and tablets through your B2.

You don't do anything on the B2 - you will see BrennanB2 on your phone/tablet Bluetooth settings - tap to connect and then music playback on the device will be routed to the B2 speakers.

Playlists

Playlists can be made up of a mix of artists, albums, tracks and Youtubes and can be played in order or randomly.

There are seven basic playlists you can start with two clicks on the remote.

More playlists can be added with the Web UI and Playlists can be edited and combined. You can use playlists to create collections belonging to different family members, different genres and moods or for special occasions.

Youtube

B2 now has a fun feature that lets you tap into the millions of music videos on Youtube.

1) Click on the Youtube panel on the Brennan B2 Web UI

2) Type part of a song title (or lyrics or artist).

3) Click the one you want and B2 plays the music.

You can tell B2 to cache the soundtrack as you listen
And then the soundtrack will show up among the regular B2 Search results alongside your music. You can then play it, add to Playlists and even listen to it when there is no internet. 

More here

Spotify

A great thing about the Brennan architecture - is that it can grow and grow. We add new capabilities every few months.

Thats important because music is changing as fast as ever. Five years ago iTunes was dominant. Now its Spotify.

We have just added a facility to run an open source app called Librespot.
This allows Spotify Premium users to stream music to their B2 or BB1 using Spotify Connect.

More here

Mobile Apps

There are new Apps for iPhone and Android.


The app is a great way to control your Brennan.

  • Browse and play your music collection.
  • Find and play radio stations.
  • Send music to Sonos zones.
  • Works with the Brennan B2 and BB1.

More