Noob Pre Purchase Question

[Shaky]

I am thinking of purchasing a B2 sometime next year, when due to downsizing I won't have the room for my existing separates system.  The B2 appears to satisfy most of my needs 

with a modest output amp, connectivity for both  my wired Rogers speakers, my Sonos Speakers and Internet radio etc

I guess my question is how practical would it be to use the B2 as a traditional amp for  playing vinyl from a turntable with line level output and as a traditional CD player for some of my CDs that I have not ripped

Kindest Regards

David

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi David

You can play CDs ok.

You can not use the B2 as an amplifier for a record turntable.

Why not just rip the rest of your CDs and use a PC to rip your records then move the music files to the B2?

Also while you can connect your B2 to your amp and through this drive your wired speakers, if you are downsizing why not just ditch all that an simply get some Sonos speakers instead (after transferring all your music).

Fred

[JFBUK]

Hi David,

when you say downsize, are you planning to retain anything other than the Rogers speakers from your existing system ?

If you plan to keep your turntable then you will still need an amp.

Also what is the impedance of your Rogers speakers ?

If they are greater than 8 Ohm then the B2 may struggle on volume.

John

[harlond57]

I'm using the PS Audio Sprout with my B2 and B&W 606s.  The Sprout has a phono preamp and 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and is about the same size as the B2.  Not inexpensive, but maybe a good match for your phono needs, the efficiency of your speakers, and the downsizing project?

[John Matthews]

Actually you can use the B2 as an amplifier for a vinyl deck, you just need a pre-amp between the deck and the B2 3.5mm input - I suggest this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000H2BC4E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is what I used before I got a better amplifier - small of course. The B2 CAN be used for vinyl but not as good a sound as using a dedicated amp

[Daniel Taylor]

Yes, it IS possible.  But it's a real pain in the neck.  If it were me, I'd do just like harlond57.

[Davywhizz]

While you could use the B2 as a CD player, I'd bet that you would, sooner or later, rip your remaining CDs. Having the whole collection in one place, searchable and playable from the well-designed Brennan app or Web UI, without ever having to open a CD case again, would be too tempting.

You might also think the B2 DAC and amp is not quite what you're used to in terms of the analogue output to passive speakers so again,  sooner or later,  you might go for an external, combined DAC and amp.  Which could also solve the turntable issue if it had a phono stage. There are some great small amps out there - the PS Audio Sprout is one, mine is a NAD D3020 v2 (also with a MM phono input).

 

The B2 is a great multi-source device, especially via its optical output: as well as your CD collection you have very user-friendly internet radio, the inspired YouTube music search function and also Spotify Connect if you have an account.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Jonny,

I stand corrected, I agree it is technically possible to use the B2 that way.

Fred.

[Shaky]

Thank you for the info everyone. There is some very useful information here. After the initial answers I was going to write off the B2 as a non-starter but the last couple of posts have changed everything.  I know its an "odd" use for a B2 but I am recently retired and may will be moving to a smaller house where I won't have a dedicated music room with space for all my gear.  I have already ripped my "bog standard" cds to ALAC (which I can convert to FLAC) and save disk space on my Mac HD.  I have hung on to some of my special  CD box sets, which I would still like to play "live" from the B2 and I still have my vinyl collection.  I already own a Pro-Ject Phono Stage so I am good to go.  The B2 would give me the option of using my wired Rogers "book shelf" speakers or my Sonos Ones and access to Internet Radio. Thank you again for your help :-)

[Daniel Taylor]

It seems like this earlier thread might be worth reading related to the current subject:

Desktop hifi systems based on a B2

[JFBUK]

One thing you should also note is that when you switch to using the B2 Aux input or switch back to HDD/SD input the B2 needs to reboot. Not a showstopper but potentially inconvenient dependent on how frequently you switch between vinyl and disk as your source.

From the B2 documentation 

 When Play Aux is selected the B2 automatically switches to low­speed USB mode and reboots. This is necessary because of limitations on the Raspberry Pi where the resulting sound may crackle if USB is used in high speed mode –

[Daniel Taylor]

As a related factor, if you forget to do the reboot to change back to HDD, the next time you rip a CD it will be stored on the SD card.  Since the SD card has MUCH less capacity than the HDD, it will fill up very quickly.  Then getting the music from the SD card to the HDD is a minor hassle as well.

My own feeling is that the ability to run analog into the Aux input is a feature best left to those who like to tinker with tech, and not a good idea for the general user.  If you don't understand the whole situation, you can get yourself in trouble.

[Shaky]

Thank you everyone. Can I please ask one final question? If i ditch the idea of using my wired speakers, can I connect my turntable and phono amp to the B2 and play my vinyl via my Sonos speakers?

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Shaky,

As we have said, while you CAN use the B2 as an amplifier (at a pinch), this is NOT what it was designed for. It is built to be a SOURCE of music not a general purpose amplifier. 

I am not sure if you can direct input from the "line" in to the WiFi connected Sonos speakers (I would doubt it but others may be able to give a more definitive answer)

Given your situation most users would "rip" all their records and CDs to the B2 (a one off process) and play them from the B2 from then on. Once you have done this step, playing to Sonos IS supported (and good).

Fred

Fred.

[PMB]

Hi Shaky,

Sorry it's not possible to play the B2's Aux In to Sonos.

Paul

Brennan Support.