In article , Rob
wrote:

The JB7 is expensive, relies on an accurate external database, and for
all its simplicity I'd find that interface too restrictive. It's a neat
thing though.

FWIW I'm personally wary of devices like this that rely on an external look
up or check. Not confident that they will last as long as I want to use the
device. And not confident that someone somewhere isn't collecting info on
what I am using the device for.

The ripper I initially used for CD tracks with my Ubuntu box did this to
'identify' the CD so it could find out names of artists, etc. Very clever,
but didn't work very well since the 'CDs' were all home recorded CDR/W
discs so I got all kinds of 'artists' etc confidently identified. So I just
disabled this process. In general I don't rip commercial CDs. If I want to
play a CD, then I play the CD. Reading them on a computer is for me just
when I want to examine the data they contain to check for the properties of
the recordings like dynamics statistics, etc.

I've not tried the Brennan or any similar box for CDs. But I also suspect
I'd find the small display and control set annoying. I gave up trying to
use an 'internet radio' as the small display and remote control made it a
PITA to use. Access using a computer is far easier so far as I am
concerned. And is 'free' once you already have the computer. Plus being
easier to upgrade if something like a new stream/file format becomes
trendy.

As with the Brennan I also wonder if many of the present consumer 'internet
radios' will cease working at some future time because they rely on a
service over the net which will be withdrawn when the makers go bust or
lose interest.

Slainte,

Jim

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