Ferrum Wandla – Early impressions

[Ehrmantraut]

Ferrum Wandla – Early impressions

The new ESS DS DAC from Polish manufacturer Ferrum is presented in the same neat desktop form factor as it’s other key products. Although they do tend to run hot, you can stack them nicely.

Initial SQ is trademark “Ferrum house sound”, detailed, punchy, with a slightly uncharacteristic (for DS) smooth and warm presentation. There’s next to no digital glare present. HEM, the parent company used to manufacture Mytek, so they know a thing or two about ESS implementation. Listening sessions were done with the Ferrum Oor through Utopia ’22. The Wandla has an easy to use UI with preset filters for ESS and HQ player. I used the Aqua Audio LinQ as the streamer (embedded HQP) and preferred the “HQ Apodising” filter. Switching between filters can be done on the fly. I didn’t use the preamp function.

Ferrum recommend using the Hypsos power supply with Wandla to improve SQ performance. I didn’t do this but apparently there is a “splitter cable” that can be used for Wandla and Oor with the Hypsos that delivers 80% of the improved performance of using 2 Hypsos – a $$ saving. I recommend demoing +/- the Hypsos with both. 

I would say this is some of the best ESS implementation that I’ve heard and I did enjoy the Oor with Utopia. Ferrum say they will listen to customer feedback and improve the filter offering over time, introducing an upgrade path of sorts. 
The challenge comes from the competition at this price point. Gustard (A/X/R26) have excellent units with different converters, as well as Matrix and the new EverSolo. Also in the ChiFi bucket are SMSL, Topping etc. If you move up the food chain, then you’re quickly in Holo territory. The form factor presents very well though and it is a well-rounded product and sound with very solid engineering.

Thanks to Hugo @IndieHifi for the kind loan of this demo stack. 

 

[Ehrmantraut]

Great review from Sandu at Soundnews:

https://soundnews.net/reviews/sources/dacs/ferrum-audio-wandla-dac-review-thinking-outside-the-box/

 

[maximus]

Thanks for the right up Neil, read the Sandu ones well. This seems like a HiFi bargain if there was ever one.

HeyNow HiFi have the complete stack for $5500, seems like a no brainer at this price point, may even be better value than a Lumin T3. I Find upscaling with sabre dacs is everything, disappointed it can't do DSD512, but PCM 768 is a capability.

 

cheers Frank.

[Analogueage]

Excllent review by Sandu. I bought the Wandla to go with my Oor and Hypsos, I pick it up next week. looking forward to a good listening session.

Rob

[Marco79]

On 28/07/2023 at 10:17 PM, maximus said:

Thanks for the right up Neil, read the Sandu ones well. This seems like a HiFi bargain if there was ever one.

HeyNow HiFi have the complete stack for $5500, seems like a no brainer at this price point, may even be better value than a Lumin T3. I Find upscaling with sabre dacs is everything, disappointed it can't do DSD512, but PCM 768 is a capability.

 

cheers Frank.

Complete stack as in hypsos + wandla mate?

 

[Analogueage]

Has anyone done the GoldenSound software upgrade to their Wandla DAC? If so, any thoughts as to its merits or otherwise?

Rob

[Marco79]

57 minutes ago, Analogueage said:

Has anyone done the GoldenSound software upgrade to their Wandla DAC? If so, any thoughts as to its merits or otherwise?

Rob

I have and the Impact Plus is incredible, especially with bass-shy headphones like Susvara. Spatial enhancement is very much dependent on the track you're listening to...

 

[Analogueage]

@Marco79 Thank you for your comments. I have decided to go ahead.

Rob

Edited September 29, 2024 by Analogueage