Ferrum enhances sound tuning with WANDLA Gen 2 DAC/Preamp

Ferrum continues its surge into the UK Hi-Fi space with the launch of the WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2, the latest iteration of its digital-to-analogue converter and preamplifier platform. The new model builds on the original, adding refinements to several of the system’s core sound-shaping technologies, offering music lovers greater control over tonal balance and spatial presentation.

The WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 combines DAC functionality with preamplifier, in a single component. Like the original, it has balanced analogue architecture, a proprietary amplification stage and SERCE DSP processing module that handles digital signal manipulation. System builders can pair the unit with the Ferrum HYPSOS power supply, for additional performance optimisation. 

With the Gen 2, Ferrum has focused on refining three distinctive sound-processing features.

Impact+ is Ferrum’s system for shaping low-frequency performance. This iteration introduces seven selectable profiles: Reference, Ref+, Smooth, Kick+, DD-Comp, DD-Comp+ and Sub-Bass, each with a different bass balance.

An updated Tube Mode now models the sonic signatures of several well-known valve types, including EL34, KT88, 300B, 2A3 and 7062 designs. The idea is to replicate the characteristics of valve-based equipment. The effect can be applied at variable intensity, from 10- to 200 per cent, enabling anything from subtle harmonic warmth to a more pronounced valve-inspired presentation.

The third update comes in the form of enhancements to Spatial Enhancement, Previously offering separate modes for headphone and loudspeaker listening, the system now incorporates a new processing element known as Transient Compensation, or T-Comp. This feature refines the algorithm’s treatment of high-frequency transients, helping to maintain clarity and positional accuracy while expanding the perceived soundstage. Users can toggle spatial processing independently, choose headphone or loudspeaker output modes and engage the additional transient optimisation when required.

The Ferrum WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 retails for £3,295 ($3,295 / €3,295).