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Brimstone Core – A Request for Help from the Audio Community

**Six years ago, Brimstone Core started as an idea on paper. Today, it's approaching its first major release.**

Brimstone Core is an independent, multi-platform music system designed to bring modern music management, playback and streaming capabilities to both new and older audio equipment.

The project has grown considerably from its original concept, incorporating music library management, multiple playback protocols, network audio, streaming services and support for a wide range of hardware.

Some members of the Meridian community may already know my work through **Meridian Control for Mac**, which has been released and has received generous support from several enthusiasts.

Over the past six years, I've personally invested approximately **£2,000** in developing Brimstone. Three members of the Meridian community have also kindly contributed £150 following the release of Control for Mac.

With V1 now approaching, I'm asking the wider audio community for help with the next stage: **real-world hardware testing and compatibility development**.

## Equipment I'm looking for

- **Meridian MS200** units for native network playback and Sooloos compatibility testing.
- **USB, optical and coaxial DACs**, particularly those feeding conventional analogue amplifiers and passive speakers.
- **Network streamers and audio endpoints** from different manufacturers, covering a variety of playback protocols.
- **Components for a prototype Brimstone Store**, including low-power motherboards, NVMe storage, network interfaces and suitable cases.
- **Other active speakers**, particularly a pair with 32-bit digital processing or input capabilities, for testing digital playback and output compatibility.

I'm especially interested in older, surplus or unused equipment. It doesn't have to be expensive or state-of-the-art. In many cases, older hardware is exactly what we need to establish whether Brimstone can give it a useful second life.

**Equipment loans are just as welcome as donations.** Financial contributions towards acquiring specific test equipment would also be appreciated.

## Where I want to take Brimstone

My aim is to build a commercially sustainable music platform that remains accessible to enthusiasts, with voluntary donations helping to support development — much like the community-supported philosophy behind VLC.

I believe good audio equipment should remain useful for as long as possible, rather than becoming obsolete because of changes in software, services or manufacturer support.

Brimstone is being developed with that principle at its heart.

Six years of development have brought the project from drawings and ideas to working software. The next stage is about testing it against more equipment, improving compatibility and preparing it for wider public use.

If you have equipment gathering dust, would consider lending something for testing, or would simply like to get involved, please get in touch.

**Every contribution, whether hardware, financial support or practical testing, will help bring Brimstone Core closer to V1.**

Thank you to everyone who has supported the project so far.

*Brimstone Core — Keeping Great Audio Equipment Playing.*

Various music kit, lots of IT stuff