Ferrum WANDLA The Converter

Ferrum Wandla The Converter DAC is a high end hi-fi DAC that represents the best possible digital-to-analogue performance for your hi-fi system, an excellent addition to Ferrum Audio’s range which also features the excellent Hypsos power supply upgrade.

Like a premium car, Ferrum created the best engine for the DAC.

The arm chip in the digital processing circuit, now replaces five chips, for a shorter signal path. The ESS Sabre DAC chip uses Ferrum’s own current to voltage converter.

There, is also a set of digital filters (DDF) that can be used to tailor the sound.

Connectivity is good with, coaxial and optical inputs as well as HDMI. There are also balanced analogue outputs.

The Wandla can be used with a power amplifier or a headphone amplifier. It also makes a good upgrade for PC audio. Wandla is also no slouch in its physical design, with a sleek case and a new touch-screen interface.

High end DAC
The DAC features finely tuned digital to analogue conversion using DDF.

The Dynamic Digital Filter is Made by Signalyst. At present, there are seven settings that can be used to tailor the sound to the source being played. Further filters will be added with help from the Ferrum community. These bypass the stock filters of the chip.

The ESS Sabre ES9038PRO chip has been combined with Ferrum’s own current to voltage converter, for the best possible sound. Finally, the SERCE digital audio system module, using an optimised ARM chip, replaces five other I.C’s to provide a shorter signal path.

The analogue section uses a fully balanced IC-Pre-amplifier that has been fine-tuned for the Wandla

Connectivity
Beginning with the digital inputs, the Wandla has a standard coaxial and optical input. There is also an ARC-enabled HDMI input, as well as an I2S input. Additionally, A USB input is provided.

A professional AES XLR input is also provided for studio use. The analogue outputs include a pair of gold-plated RCA sockets as well as balanced XLR sockets.

There are also unbalanced analogue inputs.

Finally, the external power supply plugs in via a high quality DC connector. The power supply can also be upgraded using the HYPSOS power supply.

Touchscreen display and remote control
The Wandla features an intuitive user interface.

The hi-res touchscreen settings can be accessed via a mix of touch, turn and press controls. Moreover when the remote control is used the display changes to distance mode so that the display is easier to read.

Power supply upgrade
The power supply can be upgraded by using the HYPSOS power unit.

This is a very high quality unit that uses a linear switching hybrid design, to get the best of both worlds. It has low ripple and noise along with a fast transient response. It is also highly efficient.

What is a DAC?
A DAC forms the heart of a modern audio system. The DAC takes the digital audio signal and converts it back to audio.

The Ferrum Wandla The Converter DAC, is a stand-alone unit, that can take its digital signal from a CD player or streamer. The Wandla is also unusual in having an ARC enabled HDMI input. As a result hi-res TV sound can be played back, as well as the other sources.

The output is meant to be fed to a power amplifier or headphone amplifier. It is also balanced for a low-noise connection.

Who is Ferrum?
Ferrum products are manufactured in Poland by HEM. HEM was founded twenty years ago and specialise in industry leading digital audio technology. Their focus is on Hi-res audio using DSD and MQA converters, and related technologies, such as the HYPSOS power supply.

Specifications :

• - 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 t/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)
• - Analogue 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
• - Analogue inputs
•  DAC THD: 121dB (0,00009%); THD+N: -115dB (unweighted)
• - Analog input THD: 123dB @ 2V RMS output level
• - Dyn. range analogue: 127dB (A-weighted)
• - Dyn. range digital: 127dB (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: 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 (WxDxH): 21,7 x 20,6 x 5 cm, 8.6 x 8.1 x 2.0 inch
• - Weight: 1,8 kg, 3.97 lbs