The Brennan JB7
Tue, Apr 17 2012, 10:12PM
#2
RE: The Brennan JB7
Troubadour,
Can I suggest a simple check you need to do first. Open iTunes and enter Ctrl+J and on the list that's displayed, ensure the "Kind" box is ticked. The library listing will then show you how the individual tracks are coded.
I have found this useful because tracks bought from the iTunes website come in AAC format, not MP3. You won't see this difference unless the "Kind" parameter is shown in the library listing.
I have no idea whether this is relevant to the problem you've got. But if it isn't it might explain why there are problems synching tracks from the JB7 with a listing on iTunes. That might not bother some people but I find it a real restriction, as you appear to be finding it too.
Sun, May 13 2012, 5:16PM
#3
RE: The Brennan JB7
I've had a JB7 virtually since launch. Apart from one initial problem (quickly solved), I have been delighted with it. I do not use the in-built amp and my machine does not have an on/off switch. I leave system switched on and, suddenly, the display has disappeared and I cannot get any response with remote or wireless keyboard.
I am not a techie and know that customer support has poor reputation. All connections seem o.k. Has anyone else had this problem or can you suggest how to approach resolving this situation? Thanks.
Tue, May 15 2012, 1:53PM
#4
RE: Brennan Customer Service
I've had a JB7 since last December and wouldn't be without it. I can't assist re your fault but, iro customer service, I had to send mine back last month (for a minor fault which was probably down to me) and it was back with me within 3 days of its being collected, repaired to my entire satisfaction. I really can't ask more of a company than that.
If they've had a poor reputation for service they're obviously trying hard - and succeeding I would suggest - to do something about it.
Paul
Wed, May 16 2012, 4:28PM
#5
RE: Brennan RE: Brennan Customer Service
how do i relabel an album on the jB7? anyone your assistance will be much appreciated.
Fri, May 18 2012, 2:20PM
#6
RE: Brennan RE: Brennan Customer Service
1 Select an album that you wish to relabel. Push the main control knob, then turn to scroll to Reindex Album.
2 A list of possible album names will appear. Select the correct album name by turning the main control knob and pushing to select.
hope this helps
Rich
Wed, May 23 2012, 11:42AM
#7
RE: The Brennan JB7
my Jb7 just displayed Disk Low, and i have not used up the space on it just yet i have just uploaded about 1000 Cds can any one who has experienced this help me out here?
Fri, May 25 2012, 3:05PM
#8
RE: The Brennan JB7 RE: The Brennan JB7
If the JB7 states disk drive low, it generally means it is not reading the main hard drive, this can happen for 2 reasons:
1) That the JB7 skipped the disk check on power up. You need to allow the JB7 to run through the full disc check when the main power is switched on. You will see the JB7 working through a series on numbers and 'checking disc'.
2) Another instant when this can occur is if the unit is turned off while its writing to the disk. Meaning the Brennan was turned of at the mains while it was doing something. Most obviously this happens when a customer has got a CD stuck in the JB7, and they press eject and switch of the unit on and off to retrieve it. Therefore this action causes the Brennan to think there is no disk attached . We always recommend press and hold the stop button twice – it stops the disk and parks the heads – before pulling the plug.
hope this helps rick
regards
prageet
Wed, May 30 2012, 2:50PM
#9
RE: The Brennan JB7
i have seem so many reviews of the jb7 on the forum and i have made up my mind that i will be buying one next month, im i making the right choice or should i stick with my ipod 80gb?
Wed, May 30 2012, 3:22PM
#10
RE: The Brennan JB7 RE: The Brennan JB7
We always recommend press and hold the stop button twice
We?
Thu, May 31 2012, 10:15PM
#11
RE: The Brennan JB7 RE: The Brennan JB7
Why would anyone consider buying this overpriced, underspecified piece of kit?
Their latest ad in this weeks Private Eye magazine states:
"Ultra simple...Superb!" Gramophone Magazine - where is this published and which misguided individual wrote it.
Best Buy - Hi-Fi Choice Magazine - a search of the Hi-Fi Choice website reveals no reference to the Brennan JB7
As to their prices - just take a look at their website:
Only available model is a 500gb for £479 - for that price you could buy a decent desktop pc with a bigger hard drive and use iTunes to achieve a far better and more versatile result.
Regards
Fri, Jun 1 2012, 7:58AM
#12
RE: The Brennan JB7 RE: The Brennan JB7
The review was published in 2008, at which time the JB7 was one of very few hard disk audio recorders available on the market.
Fri, Jun 1 2012, 1:38PM
#13
RE: The Brennan JB7 RE: The Brennan JB7
The Brenan is a bit of a niche product and isn't really aimed at people prepared to muck about with ripping CD to HDD on a PC then streaming using something like a squeezebox into a dac then onto a seperate amplifier/speakers.
The people it is aimed at are those who haven't the time or inclination to get involved in that process - it's a small form factor product designed for technophobes,with decent sound and ease of use in mind.
Switch on,pop in a CD,listen while you rip and that's it.
The 500Gb model will easily hold 450 CD's and more, so its really up to you, i mean the jb7 is not for every one, but i suggest you buy it i have one and i am totaly satisfied with it, i have not had any problems with it. its in your hands julien
Fri, Jun 1 2012, 8:35PM
#14
RE: The Brennan JB7 RE: The Brennan JB7
Thanks for the clarification on that Andrew.
Surely The Gramophone should ask them to stop using an endorsement that is four years old and no longer relevant.
The Hi-Fi Choice endorsement is also from 2008.
So basically, it's a tired, outdated old dog of a product with no current endorsements or reviews.
Kind regards
Sat, Jun 16 2012, 1:13PM
#15
RE: The Brennan JB7
Why would anyone consider buying this overpriced, underspecified piece of kit?
I've had a JB7 for about 18 months. I agree with all the criticisms mentioned in this thread, particularly about the customer service. I wanted to know if the USB I/O would work with a USB 3.0 drive. (Should do, because USB 3.0 is supposed to be backwards compatible, but it would be nice to have it confirmed before buying a new USB drive.)
You might think Brennan would be interested in finding out whether their equipment is compatible with USB 3.0. You might even think Brennan would be interested in possibly upgrading future models of the JB7 to actually use USB 3.0, given that one of the frequent criticisms is the slowness of backing up to USB. But I got back a rote reply, attaching a section of the manual in which USB 3.0 is not even mentioned! They are just not interested. With such an attitude, it seems unlikely the JB7 will be improved in future enough to justify the price. (In case anyone wants to know -- I've since bought the USB 3.0 drive and tried it with the JB7 and it worked ok.)
It seems to me some of the problems with the JB7 could be corrected in future models if the manufacturers would only try to give it a little thought, and develop a more constructive attitude to product development.
itunes tracks carry a tag monopolised by apple they will need to be converted first there are softwares on line that you can use.