WANDLA embodies the best design Ferrum can create at a very accessible price point. they drew inspiration from Formula 1 racing, where every detail matters and perfection is the only option. With WANDLA, they believe they have achieved that same level of excellence and attention to detail. they meticulously implemented hundreds of innovations – large and small – to optimize every component of the DAC, resulting in a rich, detailed, and transparent sound with an incredibly low noise floor that lets every nuance shine through. And like a fine-tuned racing car, WANDLA delivers an exhilarating experience.
Under the hood
WANDLA has at its heart their proprietary ARM-based platform, SERCE. Running Ferrum’s software, SERCE processes all incoming digital data streams. Their ARM processor singlehandedly performs the tasks of five chips and creates the shortest possible signal path for the audio-optimized USB, ARC, I2S, coaxial S/PDIF, and optical S/PDIF ports. Behind the conversion stage, their engineering team implemented an advanced new current-to-voltage converter and an output stage that benefited from their experience developing the OOR and ERCO. Based on HYPSOS’ hybrid design, multiple internal supplies power both analog and digital sections to minimize interference and noise and maximize channel separation.
Crowd-sourcing the best Dynamic Digital Filtering: unique to the Hifi community
The powerful dual-core ARM chip can do much more than manage WANDLA’s functions. First, to give people a real choice, at launch a set of five great sounding digital filters will be accessible, three of which reside in the ESS DAC. But the power of SERCE, WANDLA’s beating heart, offers even greater opportunities. They wanted to add their own digital filters to bypass the ones in the DAC. They asked famous digital filter maker HQ Player to initially develop a set of two exclusively for Ferrum. To offer WANDLA users greater choice and more inclusion in the process of customizing their WANDLA, more special digital filters can be unlocked after launch once they engage via their socials. They dubbed this new and innovative way of their customers’ interaction with their digital filter settings Dynamic Digital Filtering or DDF. This process will create a new community of digital filter specialists: people interacting with them and their WANDLAs in search of the best possible, tailormade sound. This collaboration between the users and them will be unique to Ferrum, the DA converter category, and the Hifi community. Ferrum will release an auto-updater application for Mac and PC to facilitate firmware updates.
It’s also a preamp!
In addition to being a top-notch DA converter, WANDLA doubles as a premium preamplifier with a full-function IR remote. They have implemented two new digitally controlled attenuators for volume control: selectable analogue or digital. WANDLA has a truly balanced topology, and they took their modified IC amplifier and power section designs to the next level. In addition to the six digital inputs (USB-C, coax, optical, AES, ARC, and I2S), there is one unbalanced analogue input. This input bypasses all digital processing to remain faithful to the highest-quality analog sources. Both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs and a configurable trigger are provided. As one would expect from Ferrum, there are two DC power inputs (FPL and 5,5 x 2,5mm DC pin) to connect WANDLA to the supplied power supply or HYPSOS.
Made for HYPSOS
Of course, WANDLA plays beautifully right out of the box, using the power supply we carefully crafted to feed its unique electrical topology. But its musicality can be even higher when paired with HYPSOS power system. Using their proprietary FPL cable, HYPSOS can perform its magic deeper into WANDLA circuitry than any other power supply today.
Want to know more about Ferrum, WANDLA, or digital filtering? Please surf to www.ferrum.audio at your convenience or interact via phone, e-mail, or social channels.
Specifications Ferrum WANDLA flagship DAC/PREAMP
Operation: Fully balanced, proprietary IC power amp
DAC chip: ESS Sabre ES9038PRO
DAC resolution: 768k/32bit, DSD 256
Digital inputs: – AES/EBU (up to 196kHz/24bit, DoP 64)
– Optical S/PDIF (up to 96kHz/24bit)
– Coaxial S/PDIF (up to 192kHz/24bit, DoP 64)
– USB-C (up to 768kHz/32bit, DSD 256)
– ARC (up to 192kHz/24bit), TV input with CEC
– I2S (up to 768kHz/32bit, DSD 256), PS Audio® compatible
MQA: decoder and renderer (on all digital inputs)
Analog inputs: RCA
Analog input Vmax: 9,5V RMS (2 – 3,5V RMS recommended)
Analogue input imp: 47kΩ
Line outputs: balanced XLR; unbalanced RCA
Volume control: analogue with bypass option / digital for DAC operation only
Output level: @0dBFS, 1kHz sine 9,3V RMS balanced, 4,65V RMS unbalanced
Frequency response: 10Hz – 200kHz +/- 0,1dB
analog inputs
DAC THD: -121dB (0,00009%); THD+N: -115dB (unweighted)
Analog input THD: -123dB @ 2V RMS output level
Dyn. range analog: 127dB (A-weighted)
Dyn. range digital: 122dB (A-weighted)
Crosstalk: -120dB for 1kHz, better than -100dB for 20Hz -20kHz
Output impedance: 22Ω unbalanced
Output impedance: 44Ω balanced
Power consumption: 10W idle / 15W max
Power inputs: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5,5/2,5 mm DC connector centre positive proprietary FPL 4-pin DC connector (FPL) 22-30VDC
Power adapter: 100-240 VAC to 24VDC
Dimensions:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 21,7 x 20,6 x 5 cm / 8.6 x 8.1 x 2.0 inch (WxDxH)
Remote control: included
Weight: 1,80 kg / 3.97 lbs
Price (EUR/USD): 2.795
