Ferrum WANDLA DAC/Preamplifier

A balanced sigma-delta DAC with proprietary filters, high-res touch screen, and ARC, I2S ports.

Ferrum brings in-depth digital know-how and its in-house analog audio and electrical technology together in this game-changing digital-to-analog convertor. The WANDLA uses an ESS Sabre ES9038PRO with Ferrum’s advanced new current-to-voltage (I/V) converter.

An optimized ARM chip offers the shortest signal path possible, making five chips redundant. It includes an MQA decoder/renderer and digital filter selection. The whole design is focused on a balanced and very transparent sound signature, making listening fatigue something of the past.

Dynamic Digital Filtering

Wandla has three ESS digital filters to choose as standard and, as a world first, two digital filters created for Ferrum by renowned filter-maker Signalyst, known for its HQPlayer app. More filters will follow after interacting with Wandla users.

The Wandla has a range of optimized digital inputs: Specially programmed USB, and tuned coaxial and optical S/PDIF, ARC (TV) and I2S ports. The signal path stays truly balanced using the XLR inputs and becomes truly balanced inside the DAC when using the RCA inputs.

Amplification is proprietary, using a fully balanced modified IC pre-amplifier. A newly developed high-res touch screen accesses an intuitive UX that is a dream to operate. There is also a remote control.

Made for Hypsos

WANDLA performs beautifully right out of the box, but you can take its performance above and beyond when pairing it with the Ferrum Hypsos amp. Using the proprietary Ferrum Power Link (FPL) connection with 4TSD voltage sensing, both components will perform to their absolute maximum, unleashing unheard-of musicality.

The FPL has two wires delivering the power and two wires providing feedback to ensure there’s flat voltage at every moment. This eliminates the harmful effects of the cable’s resistance and effectively improves transient response. The current delivery speed at the powered device’s input is significantly improved.

Features

• Proprietary fully balanced modified IC pre-amplifier, fine tuned for WANDLA
• Specially programmed USB, and tuned coaxial and optical S/PDIF, ARC and I2S ports, optimized for audio
• Proprietary optimized ARM chip offers the shortest signal path possible, making 5 chips redundant.
• Includes MQA® decoder/renderer and digital filter selection
• Proprietary Signalyst filters (two included at launch)
• Proprietary 4-pin Ferrum connector for HYPSOS
• Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs
• Digital and Analogue volume control
• EES Sabre ES9038PRO with three filter settings
• Remote control included

Specifications

DAC Chip: ESS Sabre ES9038PRO

DAC Resolution: 768 kHz/32-bit, DSD 256

Digital Inputs: AES/EBU, optical, coax SPDIF, USB, ARC, I2S

Analog Input: Stereo RCA

Analog Input Impedance: 47 kΩ

Outputs: balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA

Volume Control: Analog with bypass option / digital for DAC operation only

Power Consumption (Idle, Max): 10 W, 15 W

Dimensions (WDH): 8.6″ x 8.1″ x 2″ (21.7 x 20.6 x 5 cm)

Weight: 3.97 lb. (1.8 kg)