Hi all,

A fairly substantial Brimstone update: Core R1 beta QA106 is now available, both as a fresh Debian installer and a cumulative patch for existing Rev29/Rev48 systems.

We’ve been working through the listening, library and usability niggles. The main improvements include:
- Albums and artwork: further fixes for split compilations and Various Artists albums, missing covers and source availability. Where an album exists locally and remotely, Core’s own copy takes priority.
- Album and artist information: richer history, credits, photographs and available booklet artwork in the current Mac Control and iPad builds, with manual matching and scanned-booklet import.
- Meridian and USB playback: configurable DAC output limits and fixed PCM formats for compatible setups, plus improved output discovery and naming in Control.
- Squeezebox and Lyrion: players can be selected as speakers, with supported albums and radio integrated into the existing library.
- Streaming: tidier browsing, album searches, playlists and complete album queues. Audius and Jamendo routes are included, and Bandcamp Radio refreshes daily.
- iPhone listening: improved Wi-Fi/Tailscale handover, background playback, caching and reuse of downloaded tracks & full working CarPlay.
- Ripping and maintenance: better disc metadata/artwork refresh, library updates after completed rips, persistent bootleg download queues and clearer Settings.
Apple Music uses official MusicKit. TIDAL currently retains its official web/native handoff. Account permissions and subscriptions still apply.

Fresh installation and the complete signed update process—including reboot and confirmation—have been tested. Existing users should use the patch rather than reinstalling. Older Rev29/Rev48 systems need the initial console step described in the instructions.

Downloads and checksums:
Downloads

Full changes and installation instructions:
QA106 relase notes

Updated Mac and iPhone/iPad Control builds have also been uploaded for TestFlight. Android will follow once production signing and device checks are finished.

Thanks to everyone testing and reporting the awkward bits—it’s helping us get R1 into much better shape.

Various music kit, lots of IT stuff