B2 Overview

Solid aluminium construction. This shows the metallic front panel. 

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

This message bears repeating. B2 uses lossless compression (FLAC) so its digital output is identical to and therefore as good as any high end CD player. Regardless of price.
 

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.
  • 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. You can do most things from the front panel or the remote control.
 


 
Press Next when the B2 is not playing - and B2 will play your entire music collection at random - no need to find a remote or start an app - just instant music.
 

Sonos

The Brennan can drive traditional wired speakers OR send music to as many as 32 Sonos wireless speakers throughout your home.

You can listen to different music on different Sonos speakers at the same time. Pick the speaker (or zone) using the front panel, our App or the web UI.

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


The Brennan has an enhanced Playlist system. There are seven basic playlists named after the colours of the rainbow. These are associated with keys on the remote.

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

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 has a 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.

More here


The Apps



The Brennan App - for iPhone and Android - gives you control of your Brennan in addition to the front panel, web UI and remote control.

What's more we put support for Sonos speakers at the heart of the app.

The app makes it easy for different users to play music around the house.

More here

 

 





 

 

Specifications

  • Stores 500/1000/4400 CDs on 240G/480G/2T as FLAC.
  • Stores 2250/4500/9000 CDs on 240G/480G/2T disk as MP3.
  • Total 15W+15W RMS TPA3110 power amplifier
  • Play through up to 32 Sonos loudspeakers. Different music in different rooms.
  • 32 key credit card remote
  • 3.5 million album database
  • Text Search for Track or Album by remote control, front panel or web browser
  • Segue - blends one track into the next
  • Internet Radio - 40,000+ stations from around the world. Organised geographically or search by name with the Web UI - ten presets
  • Play Spotify from your phone or computer using Spotify Connect.
  • Bluetooth In - play music from your mobile phone or tablet through B2 - nothing to do on B2 just connect on your phone/tablet and play. (Requires optional Bluetooth dongle for B2).
  • NAS (Network Attached Storage) facility - lets you see the Brennan hard disk contents on a computer.
  • HDMI Out - play music through your TV or Home Cinema
  • 256 x 64 soft scrolling graphic white OLED display
  • Compact 4.8 x 17 x 15.3 cm
  • 1.2kg solid aluminium construction
  • Loads CDs to hard disk at up to 12x - play music while loading
  • Music compressed to FLAC or MP3 automatically
  • Two USB 2.0 Hi-Speed 480 Mbits / sec ports. These are used by the Wifi and Bluetooth dongles but can be expanded using a USB hub.
  • Optical SPDIF output (shares connector with line out jack - we can supply compatible optical cables)
  • Record from line in - convert vinyl to MP3s
  • Rear connectors - loudspeakers, line in, SPDIF/line out, USBx2, 24V DC
  • Backup music and playlists to external USB hard disk for safe keeping
  • Built in Raspberry Pi processor module.
  • External laptop computer style 24V power supply / AC adaptor - included - works from 110V to 240V. Size  3cm x 6cm x 13cm. 3m overall lead length.
  • Loudspeakers 22cm (H) x 14.5cm (W) x 18cm (D) - sold separately 

Loudspeakers

bsp50_closeup1_300

The Brennan BSP50 bookshelf loudspeakers are a perfect match for B2's size and power.

You can also use B2 with your own loudspeakers or existing hi-fi. Your loudspeaker should ideally be 8 ohm and rated to handle 30 Watts for short periods but owners find that the B2 works with pretty much anything. You may need to buy B2 loudspeaker cables if you use your own speakers.

 

 

Connections

 
B2 is simple to connect

  • 24V DC - from the AC adaptor
  • Loudspeakers


Extra connections - may be useful but not necessary
 

  • Wifi dongle - usually in USB A
  • Bluetooth dongle - usually in USB C
  • SPDIF / Line out - 3.5mm electrical or optical. Sold separately.
  • Aux in - tuner, turntable, ipod etc you can record from this input so you could use it to transfer from vinyl to mp3

There are two slots for Ethernet cables. You need to unscrew the back panel to plug the cable directly into the Raspberry Pi. You don't need Ethernet but it will provide better internet access if your Wifi is poor - and it frees up a USB port.


Remote Control