Ferrum Audio, based in Poland, has introduced the Wandla HP. This new model follows the original Wandla, which serves as Ferrum’s premier DAC and preamplifier, launched in 2023. The concept for the Wandla HP emerged in early 2024, with “HP” denoting its headphone capabilities.
To ensure optimal headphone amplification within the Wandla, the design team at Ferrum Audio developed a compact balanced stereo headphone amplifier that fits seamlessly into the Wandla’s casing, providing an impressive output of 3.5 Watts for headphones with a 50 Ohm impedance. The front panel of the Wandla HP features a single 4.4 millimeter balanced headphone jack as its only output. For users with single-ended headphones, Ferrum Audio includes a 4.4 mm to 6.35 mm adapter in the package. The Wandla HP is designed for audiophiles who enjoy both speaker and headphone listening, offering a comprehensive solution that combines a flagship headphone amplifier, preamplifier, and DAC.
The Wandla HP incorporates all the advantages and functionalities of the latest iteration of the original Wandla. Users can take advantage of Dynamic Digital Filtering (DDF) options, featuring filters specifically crafted for the Wandla by renowned digital filter designer Jussi Laako of Signalyst. It also utilizes the optimal configuration of the ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC chip, along with the latest firmware updates and innovations that position the Wandla among the top DACs on the market today.
Ferrum Wandla HP: two amplifiers in one housing and SERCE platform
The Ferrum Wandla is a DAC, premium preamplifier and headphone amplifier. The manufacturer has built in two digitally controlled attenuators for volume control, selectable analog or digital. The signal path is a fully balanced, composite IC headphone amplifier design. In addition to the six digital inputs (USB-C, coax, optical, AES, ARC and I2S) there is one unbalanced analog input. This input bypasses all digital processing to remain faithful to the highest quality analog sources.
Both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs and a configurable trigger are present. There are two DC power inputs (FPL and 5.5 x 2.5 mm DC pin) to connect Wandla to the supplied power supply or external Hypsos power supply.
The Wandla HP has at its core the proprietary ARM-based platform called SERCE. With the software from Ferrum, SERCE processes all incoming digital data streams. The ARM processor single-handedly performs the tasks of five chips and creates the shortest possible signal path for the audio-optimized USB, ARC, I2S, coaxial S/PDIF and optical S/PDIF ports. After the DA conversion comes an advanced current-to-voltage converter and an output stage that benefits from the experience gained in the development of the OOR.
Based on the revolutionary hybrid design of external power supply Hypsos, multiple internal power supplies feed both analogue and digital sections to minimise interference and noise and maximise channel separation. As icing on the cake, it is also possible to connect the Wandla HP to the optionally available Hypsos.
The Ferrum Audio Wandla HP has a suggested retail price of just under 3,300 euros. Want to know more? Then visit www.ferrum.audio .
Ferrum Wandla HP: technical properties
- Fully Balanced: Wandla HP features a fully balanced, composite IC headphone amplifier design, specially tuned for Wandla.
- Powerful: The Wandla HP headphone amplifier can deliver 3.5 watts at 50 ohms (balanced).
- Dynamic: The Wandla HP headphone amplifier has an impressive dynamic range of 122 dB.
- Finely tuned DA conversion: Wandla HP is the latest example of Ferrum’s digital know-how and our in-house developed analog audio and electrical technology. The ESS Sabre ES9038PRO combined with Ferrum’s advanced new current-to-voltage (I/V) converter is comparable to units many times more expensive.
- SERCE (Digital Audio System Module): The optimized ARM chip provides the shortest possible signal path, eliminating the need for five chips. Includes MQA decoder/renderer and digital filter selection.
- Dynamic digital filtering: Wandla has a selection of digital filters specially prepared for Ferrum by the well-known filter maker HQ Player. More will follow in future updates after interaction with Wandla users
- Optimized digital inputs: Specially programmed USB and tuned coaxial and optical S/PDIF, ARC and I2S ports, optimized for audio.
- Patented amplification: fully balanced modified IC preamplifier, precisely matched to Wandla HP.
- Ease of use: newly developed high-resolution touch screen
- Enhanced Transparency: The entire design is focused on a balanced and highly transparent soundstage, making listening fatigue a thing of the past.
- Made for Hypsos: Wandla HP performs beautifully out of the box, but you can further improve its performance by connecting it to external Hypsos power supplies. Using the patented Ferrum Power Link (FPL) connection with 4T voltage detection, both components perform at their maximum potential.
