The Ferrum brand , owned by the Polish company HEM , introduced the flagship external DAC Ferrum WANDLA DAC , which combines a high-quality external DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier in one package. The novelty is based on the Serce platform patented by the Ferrum brand based on a dual-core ARM processor. Using the original Ferrum software, Serce processes all incoming digital data streams. The developers claim that Serce performs the task of five chips to create the shortest signal path for digital inputs USB-C, HDMI (I2S), coaxial and optical S / PDIF, optimized for audio reception.
The name WANDLA is derived from the German word Wandler , meaning transducer. Ferrum’s developers have set themselves the ambitious goal of “setting a new standard in digital-to-analogue converters, regardless of price . ”
The Serce platform provides users with seven digital filters, and has also allowed Ferrum to create dynamic digital filtering (DFF) to bypass the ESS DAC filters. In addition, Ferrum has involved its customers in the WANDLA DAC development process. Marcin Hamerla of HEM and Ferrum said: “Initially, the Ferrum WANDLA DAC will include three digital filter options and we will ask our customers to vote for their favorites. Subsequent firmware updates will replace the least popular filter options with newer alternatives. After five rounds, we will announce the winning digital filter . ” Ferrum will release a dedicated app for Mac and PC to facilitate firmware updates.
Ferrum WANDLA DAC is not only a digital-to-analogue converter, but also a pre-amplifier with a fully functional remote control. Marchin continues: “We have implemented two new digitally controlled attenuators for volume control. The user can choose between analog and digital controls. WANDLA has a truly balanced topology based on our modified amplifier-IC design and power section. In addition to six digital inputs (USB-C, coaxial, optical, AES/ EBU , HDMI and I2S), we’ve added a Direct Path RCA analog input that bypasses all digital processing to stay analog from input to output .
The switching arsenal also includes balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog outputs, as well as a configurable trigger output. As per Ferrum tradition, two DC power inputs (FPL and a 5.5 x 2.5 mm DC male connector) allow the WANDLA DAC to be connected to either the standard supplied power supply or HYPSOS proprietary linear power supply.
The new external Ferrum WANDLA DAC will go on sale at the end of April 2023. The suggested retail price of the novelty is $2,795 .
