BROEN Network Streaming Transport

With BROEN, Ferrum has created a truly unique streaming proposition following all of their core values. Like they did with HYPSOS, BROEN’s design starts at the very beginning of any digital transport, a sequence of zeros and ones and keeps it as clean as it possibly can. From beginning to end.

This meant going back to the digital drawing board and create a new digital heart for BROEN, called SERCE DDC. While keeping the in- and output domains perfectly separated and the audio outputs isolated, Ferrum also introduced an SFP socket to give their community the ultimate choice in digital connectivity, offering wireless as standard, plus electrical (RJ45 ethernet) and optical (SFP) options for communication with the home network. Supporting the most relevant streaming options, Ferrum also offers an internal SSD slot for physical storage of your music files. Last but not least BROEN is expandable with WANDLA to create the ultimate streaming DAC combo and upgradable with HYPSOS. WANDLA like a Formula 1 racing car. Like the F1 constructor’s team building the best racing car, Ferrum created the best engine for The Converter.

• Made for Streaming:  BROEN is Powered by Volumio. This means you get full access to the Volumio streaming ecosystem, loved by more than half a million users, with Spotify & Spotify Connect, TIDAL & TIDAL Connect, Qobuz & Qobuz Connect, AirPlay, UPnP/DLNA renderer, web radios, CD playback, multi-room playback, AI-powered SuperSearch, Infinity Playback, and extended album/artist metadata.
• Made for WANDLA:  While you can control BROEN perfectly from your smartphone, tablet and computer, BROEN seamlessly integrates with WANDLA using Ferrum's FSCT. Artist and title information will be displayed on WANDLA’s screen and can be controlled with a finger’s touch on WANDLA’s screen or remote.
• Made for HYPSOS:  BROEN performs beautifully right out of the box, but you can take its performance above and beyond when pairing it with HYPSOS. Using the proprietary Ferrum Power Link (FPL) connection with 4TSD voltage sensing, both components will perform to their absolute maximum, unleashing unheard-of musicality.
• Made for the Future:  With BROEN you get over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates, and a plugin capable platform. Apart from including an internal SSD slot, Ferrum added an SFP slot where you have the option of using a standard SFP ethernet module or an SFP optical module to connect to an SFP switch keeping noise to an absolute minimum when connecting to the outside world. These features will keep BROEN up to date and future proof for many more years to come.
• SERCE DDC:  Newly developed Digital to Digital Audio system module. For all digital processes to be executed with unbelievable perfection.
• FSCT support:  Ferrum Streaming Control Technology lets you control your BROEN with WANDLA's remote control and touch screen while displaying track info.
• Ultra Low Jitter Audio Clocks:  Carefully selected internal clocks gives BROEN ultra low jitter values
• Galvanically Isolated Outputs:  Galvanically isolated outputs for the lowest noise values, preventing contamination.
• Flexible Network Connectivity:  Both wireless and wired connection possibilities for stable connection to the world wide web and your home network.
• Multiple Outputs:  Connections through AES/EBU (XLR), coaxial S/PDIF (RCA), optical S/PDIF (TOS), I2S, USB A and C, and display (HDMI). Numerous outputs for numerous DAC’s and of course the possibility to connect an external display to watch the Volumio OS in action.

• SERCE DDC
• FSCT support
• Ultra Low Jitter Audio Clocks
• Galvanically Isolated Outputs
• Flexible Network Connectivity
• Multiple Playback Sources
• Flexible Network Connectivity
• Modular SFP Connectivity
• Internal M.2 NVMe SSD slot
• Expandable with WANDLA to create unique Ferrum streaming DAC combo
• Always up to date with OTA updates
• Upgradable with HYPSOS Hybrid Power System for flagship level performance

Streaming and playback:

• Powered by Volumio – full streaming ecosystem
• Control via iOS/Android app, any web browser (full control) or front-panel buttons (basic playback control)
• Supported formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, ALAC, FLAC,APE, WAV, DSD
• Streaming services: Spotify & Spotify Connect, TIDAL & TIDAL Connect, Qobuz & Qobuz Connect
• AirPlay via Shairport Sync
• UPnP/DLNA renderer
• Integrated web radio directories
• CD playback and ripping
• Bluetooth A2DP playback
• Streaming to Sonos and Chromecast
• Playback from USB drives, internal M.2 NVMe SSD, or NAS (DLNA)
• Multi-room playback (up to 6 synchronized zones)
• AI-powered SuperSearch & Infinity Playback
• Album & artist stories, extended metadata
• Multi-language support (29 languages)
• Alarm and sleep function

Connectivity (General/Setup):

• SFP socket for optional RJ45 ethernet or fiber optic modules (not included)
• Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5G)
• Hotspot mode for easy first-time setup
• 2× USB 3.0 (Type-A & Type-C) for media drives and service
• Internal M.2 NVMe SSD slot (user-supplied, 80 or 110 mm; drive not included)
• HDMI video output for screen display and system interface 

Connectivity (Audio):

• S/PDIF (Coaxial)
• AES/EBU
• S/PDIF (Optical)
• I2S (HDMI, configurable pinout)
• 2× dedicated USB DAC outputs (Type-A & Type-C) 

Integration & Compatibility:

• Ferrum Streaming Control Technology™ support
• Trigger in/out
• Perfect synergy with Ferrum DACs (WANDLA, ERCO)
• Broad compatibility with third-party DACs
• OTA firmware update capability

Design & Performance:

• Based on Volumio for input/streaming domain
• SERCE DDC module as output stage – tuned specifically for digital-to-digital converting (DDC) operation with FPGA-based reclocking
• Ultra-low jitter audio clocks on synchronous outputs (Coaxial, Optical, AES, I2S)
• Clear separation of domains:
  • Input domain (streaming & control)
  • Output domain: synchronous outputs via SERCE DDC or USB DAC output
• All audio outputs placed behind a galvanic isolation barrier (covers synchronous outputs and USB DAC outputs)
• Clean power supply with dedicated VBUS for USB DAC

General:

• Dimensions: 21.7 x 20.6 x 5 cm / 8.6" x 8.1" x 2.0" (WxDxH)
• Weight: 1.90 kg / 4.19 lb