Music already on my new B2? Problems re-ripping certain CD's?

[Ian Longman]

Hi. Excited to have just received my first Brennan, a B2 2TB. Followed the instructions and set up. Already a Various Artists album on the hard drive, is this normal? Then tried ripping a few CD's, 16 so far successfully in total, early days! 3 Cd's in particular, which are in great condition and play normally, won't rip completely. One in particular ripped successfully, but I hadn't selected the correct name data, so then I deleted the whole thing and then re-selected the correct data and then tried ripping again, but now it won't rip at all? Have I got a duff unit, or somebody's returned unit? Please help!

[JFBUK]

Hi,

if you purchased the B2 new from Brennan then no, there should be no music on the HDD.

it does sound like something could be amiss with your B2

Paul from Brennan monitors this forum Mon - Fri  and am sure will respond.

Do the problem CDs have any non-audio files on them or are otherwise enhanced e.g. videos  or links to online content ?

The B2 does not  like CDs that have non-audio files.

I would rip on a computer and upload the ripped files from your using the Web UI if that is an option for you.

Some users have found that when the data base cannot identify the disc, they turn turn front panel knob until you get an unknown album name e.g. Album 123 for example.

They can then rip OK but of course you have to rename all the data.

The ripped CD will have an artist = Unknown

John

[Daniel Taylor]

My BB1 came with music already on it.  I assumed it was just as a sample to let me see how it was organized and let me try it out.  It was easy enough to delete.  I don't remember my B2 having any music preloaded.  But by now, that could have changed.

[Ian Longman]

Hi John

Thanks for that info.

Yes, I bought it new from Brennan, must admit I was a bit annoyed when seeing something already on there.

No, the Cd's in question are all straightforward genuine pre-recorded commercial music releases, in good condition, all still working reliably on other CD players since the problems I experienced yesterday.

As I said, the first one actually ripped successfully. I'll explain - I had started going through my collection, already ripped a few Beatles CD's, then put in the first problem one (it later turned out) A Hard Day's Night, it ripped ok, but I hadn't noticed the database ID had the group as Beatles on this choice, and not The Beatles, so, it didn't appear in the same group list, not knowing how to amend that, I put the disc back in to check what other choices there were on the database and found the right one, so, I decided to delete the album from B2 and re-rip but only half the tracks appeared, so, I deleted again and re-tried, ever since it hasn't worked, just comes up with 'rip incomplete'. A similar thing happened with Sgt Pepper and also Queen - Innuendo. But since those problems I have successfully ripped a few more discs. I did think about uploading as you say, but now I'm concerned that I have a duff unit that someone else has already had too, and if it isn't working properly then I'm loathed to persevere after having spent a lot of money. Also, just remembered, this other album that was already on there managed to duplicate itself and some of those tracks ended up in the Sgt Pepper listing! I have now deleted all of those.

I am new to Brennan, I was really excited when I first saw this unit. Are they as good as they sound, what's your experience with them, are you able to reassure me that I have made a good purchase, until this problem I was really enjoying it, now I have doubts?

Ian

[Daniel Taylor]

This might be a long shot, but I'm wondering if the problem discs were really a problem with the database entries.  I don't rip on the B2, so I don't know the answer to this:  When you put the disc in and check to find the right title for it, are you able to check to see that all the track names are there?  If a disc has ten tracks, but the database only has names for four of them, then it could be that the rip stops after the four named tracks.  I don't know if that would happen, and it certainly should not, but it's a thought.

What happens to that one Beatles disc if you try to re-rip it again with the original artist name of Beatles (instead of The Beatles).  Will it rip to completion?  If so, then all you have to do is rename the artist to The Beatles and it will be moved to be grouped with the other albums by The Beatles.

[Ian Longman]

That is a thought Daniel. I must admit, in hindsight, I did wonder whether renaming the artist may have been the solution? It does seem odd that the problems only happened with 3 discs, and the other 16 (so far) have been fine.

I may give that a try again later.

How have you found the B2? Do you like it? I'd like to hear back from Brennan about this, and, also about the music that was already on the HDD though.

Thank you.

Ian

[Daniel Taylor]

I like my B2 pretty well.  It does have it's quirks and idiosyncrasies though.  I wish it were a more solid performer, but I know how to deal with it.  The two main areas where it seems to have the most problems happen when ripping discs and when the SD card becomes corrupted.  I avoid the first by ripping on my PC with dBpoweramp CD Ripper (very nice product), and I deal with the second by reflashing the SD card whenever I experience a totally weird problem that doesn't seem to make any sense.

[JFBUK]

Hi Both,

Daniel,

when you rip on the B2 and there is a choice of album presented you don't see the track list unless you have the web UI open.

When you choose the album from the list on the Web UI you get a pop up window with the track listing as a "confirmation".

I know that some users just load the CD and use the front panel rotary knob to choose the album and of course this has no way to show the track listing.

Ian,

Rest assured that Paul from Brennan will pick this up at the start of next week.

Overall I have been happy with my B2.

The music server/streamer market is becomingly increasingly crowded and it all comes down to the functionality and quality you want and can afford

The B2 offers good quality and functionality at a reasonable price point and the option to boost that with add ons like an external DAC and Sonos integration.

The software is under constant development so the functionality is increasing all the time.

The B2 does have its quirks and the lively discussions on this forum give evidence to that.

From my observations those who are disappointed in the B2 are those who thought it did something that it  does not and have overly high expectations of what is possible.

Like Daniel I rip on a computer and upload.

I prefer this as it gives me more control over naming, e.g. I include the artist in my track names i.e. 01 Brown Sugar [Rolling Stones]

This helps a lot with compilation albums and I can see more track info in the scrolling front panel on the B2.

John

[PMB]

Hi Ian,

It is unusual for there to be any music on the B2 but it may have been left on after testing. If the problem persists it may indicate a problem with the CD Drive which we will need to sort for you. In this case please email us on -    thebrennanb2   @    gmail   .   com   - no spaces, with a brief description of the problem.

In addition to the comments about the database listing not matching the actual CD - if you have the web UI open you can click on the title offered (lower left hand panel of the UI page) to see the Track list before ripping the CD.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Ian Longman]

Hi Paul

Thanks for responding. I have taken all comments on board and having another go today. As you all say, using the UI page is much better from the point of view of easily visible track data and I have been using that for ripping a few more albums, without any problems.

However, I thought I would re-visit my 3 problem CD's again:- 1 - The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night, 2 - Queen - Innuendo, 3 - The Beatles - Sgt Pepper. Before re-trying I successfully played all 3 in every other CD drive in the house, as well as 2 vehicles, all fine, no skips or clicks. 

First, A Hard Day's Night, inserted into B2 ok, whirred and read disc and confirmed title, tried 1st choice on UI and clicked Rip, UI screen acknowledged instruction but then stayed stuck on track 1 at a very low transfer rate, went to the B2, drive was making a different noise and clock was stuck on same time, I ejected disc and tried again, this time chose a different listing from UI, very similar outcome, so, abandoned.

Second, Innuendo, loaded disc, read and confirmed, made choice on UI and clicked rip - nothing happened at all on UI screen, went to B2, screen with time illegible and all mashed up, see attached pic. B2 buttons, eject, not responding, looked up instructions and pressed and held stop and then power off - then power back on and disc ejected.

Third, Sgt Pepper, everything worked fine and successfully ripped.

So, if these 2 are the only problems I encounter with my fairly large CD collection, and, if I am able to upload easily and successfully too, then I suppose the B2 will have done what I had hoped when I bought it.

I have to say though I am rather underwhelmed, so far, by various reactions I have read about this piece of kit on the forum. Personally, I was really excited about what it does when I first heard about it recently, I also read some good reviews about it, but I have never spent this much money on a CD player before, but I thought long and hard about it before committing, I am still keen, but also now very wary too.

If today's problems sound like there is a problem with the CD drive then I'd like it sorted please.

Thanks for providing your email address.

Regards

Ian

[Ian Longman]

Hi Paul

Sorry, forgot to attach the pic of B2 screen when attempting Innuendo rip.

[Jeff. M.]

Is this the bonus EP disc that wiil not rip? or the original 12 track release?

[Ian Longman]

It's the original 12 track release, bought just after release.

[Jeff. M.]

Oh, strange, bad pressing? I had an Elton John double cd that wouldn't rip, managed to rip most on my pc! Played ok in the car. Hope you sort it.

[Daniel Taylor]

It seems that the B2's CD drive can often be a problem.  Many users have bought an external USB CD drive.  They find that it reads the discs faster and has fewer problems with various discs.  Although sometimes a disc that cannot be read by the external drive can be read by the internal one.  So having that external drive gives you twice the chance of being able to rip any CD.

Personally, I do all my ripping on my computer, where I can have better and easier control of the information stored with the music.  Then I Import the music onto the B2, and also copy onto my backup drive.

[PMB]

Hi Ian,

Now that you are using the web UI when ripping CDs, try one of the troublesome ones and click on the offered title, before ripping, to see the Track list. Make sure this matches what's on the CD.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Ian Longman]

Hi Paul

See my posts from yesterday? I have done exactly that, one out of the three worked.

Yesterday evening I continued ripping CDs until quite late, then I had similar problems from 2 more discs.

Today I tried all 4 discs that B2 doesn't seem to like in my Liteon external CD drive that I occasionally use with my iMac and attempted to re-rip all 4 onto my iTunes collection (of which all 4 were already on for years), I experienced no problems at all.

I've just noticed Daniel's post about using such a drive plugged into the B2, it's all very well making allowances and alternatives, but that isn't really what I had in mind when I spent £580 on what I perceived as an excellent solution to my CD storage challenge, I am finding myself becoming increasingly disappointed, maybe my expectations were too high?

Now I actually come to think of it, until this B2, I have never experienced any problems loading a CD into any machine and experiencing as many ripping and playback problems. Coincidentally, I have never spent as much as this on a CD player either!

What were your thoughts on what Innuendo did to the screen?

Ian

[PMB]

Hi Ian,

It looks like the B2 is not behaving as it should and we will get it replaced for you. I'll send an email to your gmail address.

Paul

Brennan Support.