Updated 13 October 2026 · Windows Core Alpha · still experimental and unsigned
BRIMSTONE CORE · NATIVE WINDOWS X64
Your music. Your Core. Now in purple.
A real native Windows Core server, not the Windows Control app and not a WSL/Docker virtual machine. Built for Meridian/Sooloos enthusiasts who want to help test the alternative to Roon.
ALPHA · ADVANCED TESTERS ONLY · UNSIGNED
Brimstone Core Alpha · Discovery QA4 · Windows x64
Offline experimental Core installer with Python, PostgreSQL, desktop manager and support prerequisites. QA4 adds Sooloos broker discovery on the local private LAN and the restored Sooloos management API. Control of external Meridian/Sooloos zones is a separate test from local audio.
SHA-256: 6a6897768950f15db387c47b098879365f9e5a70752b15c37aad1a91b9e19d77
Security: this EXE is neither code-signed nor independently verified on a clean PC. Prefer a disposable test machine. Windows SmartScreen may display a publisher warning; do not weaken security globally. It is not an update installer for an existing Core.
WHAT THE WINDOWS PACKAGE CONTAINS
Core, not just a controller.
One offline Windows setup package is planned to contain the Core web interface, desktop manager, PostgreSQL, embedded Python, FFmpeg, network discovery and diagnostics.
MERIDIAN / SOOLOOS
Keep your Meridian system.
Core can discover a Sooloos broker by its saved address and display native Meridian zones. Test playback and transport control separately on your system.
NETWORK AUDIO
Sonos, AirPlay and Cast.
Network zone discovery is implemented. Secure LAN track delivery and real receiver playback remain active beta test areas; discovery does not guarantee playback.
DAC FIRST
External outputs only.
USB DACs, compatible audio interfaces, S/PDIF and HDMI can appear when connected. Built-in Windows speaker playback is deliberately excluded from Core. Windows system sound is unaffected.
TESTING REQUIREMENTS
What you'll need.
Start with a spare PC and a backup. This is an early Windows test programme, not an unattended replacement for a proven Core installation.
Windows 10 / 11 x64
Administrator approval for first installation, enough free disk space for Core and your own music, and an active Windows user session. The current logon-managed beta does not yet start as a proven headless Windows service after reboot without sign-in.
Your existing music and devices
Core keeps referenced music files in place. A network Store requires its own protected SMB login. Do not restore or overwrite valuable databases during beta testing. MakeMKV is optional and installed separately under its own licence.
FOR THE MERIDIAN COMMUNITY
Tell us what works — and what doesn't.
Please include your Meridian controller/Core version, Sooloos broker IP (not passwords), endpoint model, Windows version and the exact behaviour. The issue tracker is the quickest way to capture reproducible bugs.