Brennan JB7 Micro Jukebox

With its USB 2.0 port, the JB7 is compatible with personal MP3 players and USB sticks. Content can flow in both directions, although not onto an iPod. In search mode, the JB7 will only look for tracks on USB devices, not albums. The machine can be set to search and play only music from the external device, but this clever little box of tricks can search both its hard drive and the external drive at the same time too. Whole playlists can be sent intact to an external device.

The optional speakers do a really good job

The JB7 can record direct to the HDD from an external source such as a radio thanks to a an auxiliary input on the rear of the machine. At any time, you can call up data on the status of the HDD that shows the amount of content stored and the how much disk space is left.

For safety’s sake, the machine can also back itself up onto another external hard drive so there would be no need to re-load all of the content should an accident occur to the JB7. This function can also be used to transfer all of the tracks to a second JB7 should you want to get another one as a second system for the bedroom. Lastly, there's a handy alarm function which allows the JB7 to wake you up.

Verdict

This is a true 21st Century hi-fi component. It sounds great, has a good level of digital convenience and also has a knowingly retro, but somehow modern look at the same time. The optional speakers do a really good job, but we get the distinct impression this machine would not feel out of place driving a really serious system. It is also compact enough to be moved around the home to provide whole-house playback.