05. April 2023 · Comments Off on Ferrum WANDLA DAC · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: , , , , ,

FERRUM’S LONG-AWAITED STANDALONE DAC IS IN FINAL ASSEMBLY NOW

The Ferrum WANDLA DAC is the Polish HiFi brand’s new flagship standalone DAC/preamplifier and it is launching this month.

Ferrum WANDLA DAC

WANDLA has at its heart Ferrum’s proprietary ARM-based platform, Serce. Ferrum say that Serce singlehandedly performs the tasks of five chips to create the shortest possible signal path for the audio-optimized digital ports.

Ferrum WANDLA DAC

Ferrum WANDLA DAC

FERRUM WANDLA DAC DEBUTS AT AXPONA

VANA LTD, Ferrum’s USA importer and distributor, will introduce the Ferrum WANDLA along with Ferrum’s complete range of  products at AXPONA 2023 next week in Ear Gear booth # 1205 and room #8208 of the Renaissance Schaumberg Convention Centre.

Ferrum WANDLA DAC

Ferrum WANDLA DAC details

FERRUM WANDLA DAC

WANDLA, derived from the German word Wandler, for converter, was, from its inception, designed to set “a new standard among D-to-A Converters, regardless of price”. WANDLA has at its heart Ferrum’s proprietary ARM-based platform, SERCE. Utilizing Ferrum’s software, SERCE processes all incoming digital data streams. The ARM processor performs the work of five chips and creates the shortest possible signal path for the audio-optimized USB, HDMI, I2S, coaxial, and optical S/PDIF ports. Behind the conversion stage, Ferrum’s engineering team implemented an advanced new current-to-voltage converter and an output stage that benefited from experience in developing the OOR and ERCO. Based on their HYPSOS’ (Linear Power Supply) hybrid design, it has multiple internal supplies power both analog and digital sections to minimize interference and noise while maximizing channel separation.

Ferrum WANDLA DAC

Ferrum WANDLA DAC debuts at AXPONA 2023

DIGITAL FILTERS

Ferrum’s dual-core ARM chip does much more than manage WANDLA’s functions. In order to give consumers meaningful choices, all seven digital filters in the DAC are user-accessible. The SERCE platform also enabled Ferrum to create Dynamic Digital Filtering (DFF) to bypass the filters of the ESS DAC; additionally, Ferrum has included their customers in the process of evolving WANDLA. Marcin Hamerla of HEM and Ferrum told us: “Initial units will include three unique filter options and we will challenge our user community to vote for their favourites. Subsequent firmware updates will replace the least favourite filter options with new alternatives. After five rounds, we will proclaim a winning digital filter and create a new community of digital filter specialists: people interacting with us and their WANDLAs in search of the best possible, custom-tailored sound”.

Ferrum will release an auto-updater application for Mac and PC to facilitate firmware updates.

Ferrum WANDLA DAC

Rear of the Ferrum WANDLA DAC

PREAMPLIFIER

In addition to being a DA converter, WANDLA doubles as a preamplifier including a full-function IR remote handset. Marcin continues: “We’ve implemented two new digitally controlled attenuators for volume control, with user-selectable analogue or digital. WANDLA has a truly balanced topology which builds upon our modified IC amplifier and power section designs. In addition to the six digital (USB-C, coax, optical, AES, HDMI, and I2S) inputs, we’ve included a “Direct Path” RCA analogue input that bypasses all digital processing to remain faithful to the highest-fidelity analog sources”.

Ferrum WANDLA DAC

Ferrum stack

Both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs and a configurable trigger are provided. As one would expect from Ferrum, two DC power inputs (FPL and 5.5 x 2.5mm DC pin) enable WANDLA to connect either to the standard power supply or HYPSOS Linear Power Supply.

Ferrum WANDLA DAC

TOUCHSCREEN

Ferrum’s engineering is complemented by WANDLA’s chassis. Distinguished by a hi-res touchscreen with an intuitive user interface (UI), WANDLA features a “Distance Mode” which, when operated via remote, adapts its display for legibility regardless of user location.

FERRUM WANDLA PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

MSRP $2,795. Shipping late April 2023

North American Launch at AXPONA 2023 Ear Gear Booth # 1205 & Room #8208

HiFi Pig Says: A very affordable and cool looking new DAC from Ferrum, looking forward to hearing WANDLA at AXPONA next week.

Totaldac

HiFi Pig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copland CTA407 Integrated Tube Amplifier
ATC Loudspeakers At AXPONA 2023

Read More Posts Like This

  • ATC Loudspeakers At AXPONA 2023

    ATC LOUDSPEAKERS WILL BE AT AXPONA 2023 WITH LONE MOUNTAIN AUDIO ATC and Lone Mountain Audio are exhibiting at AXPONA 2023. The British HiFi Brand and their USA distributor, Lone…

  • AXPONA 2023 New Product Debuts

    NEW PRODUCTS AT AXPONA 2023 Hundreds of manufacturers will convene at AXPONA 2023 from April 14th -16th to unveil the latest amplifiers, DACs, headphones, loudspeakers, turntables, cables, accessories and more.…

  • AXPONA 2023 Ear Gear Experience

    AMAZE YOUR EARS AT AXPONA 2023 WITH THE HEADFI-FOCUSED EAR GEAR EXPERIENCE Visitors to AXPONA will be able to check out the best personal audio systems at the AXPONA 2023…

Comments closed.