Ferrum Wandla HP Review

Since releasing their first products in 2020, Ferrum has gained notoriety in the audio world for their high end audio components. We’ve loved items like the Erco 2, and the top of the line OOR and Hypsos combo. Now we have another great item from the Polish manufacturer, the Wandla HP, which is a DAC/amplifier. It looks to add an excellent headphone amplifier stage to the already superb Wandla DAC. Does the output live up to the quality of the converter inside? Let’s find out in this review. 

What’s in the Box:

• WANDLA HP DAC/Preamp with Headphone Amplifier  
• 4.4mm to 6.35mm Adapter  
• Remote Control  
• DC Power Adapter 

Look and Feel:

With the Wandla, Ferrum has kept its general design principles intact, following the same blueprint as the original DAC model. On the front, you get a simple and elegant layout. On the far left is a copper accent with a backlit Ferrum logo, the brightness of which can be adjusted in the device’s settings. To the right, you get a rectangular hi-res touchscreen. This touchscreen allows you to choose your input, adjust volume, see playback information like bit and sample rates, and access settings. On the far right of the device’s front panel is an IR remote receiver, a 4.4mm balanced headphone input, and a volume knob that feels smooth and responsive.

On the back, you get all of your inputs and outputs. From the left, you get a set of balanced and single-ended outputs to connect speakers. You also get a single-ended analog input as well as AES, optical, coaxial, HDMI ARC, I2S, and USB-C inputs. On the far right, you have a trigger input, and two power inputs – one for the included DC supply, and the other can be used with Ferrum’s Hypsos power supply. A vent runs across the top of the case to allow for heat dissipation. 

It has an overall lightweight but sturdy design that balances usability with minimalism. The Wandla would look excellent in any audio setup with its blend of distinct looks and simple layout. Its screen brightness can also be adjusted for brightness, automatic shut-off and ambient sensitivity, so it can be used in any lighting scenario without causing distractions or eye strain. 

Design:

The Wandla HP builds on the original model’s DAC and preamp design, providing high end sound and functionality. Fully balanced, the amp outputs 3.5 watts at 50 ohms through its balanced headphone output, meaning it should be able to power just about any set of headphones. Throughout the DAC and amplifier stages, the Wandla HP uses top notch components. It all starts with the ESS Sabre ES9038PRO chip, which converts digital signals in an organic and detailed manner. Then there is the dynamic digital filtering designed by Signalyst, which aims to enhance listener experience with fine-tuning tools for listeners. Also notable is the option to choose between analog and digital volume control, allowing for even more listener customization opportunities.

Sound Impressions:

To get a sense of all of the Wandla HP’s capabilities, I tested it with a range of headphones including the Meze Empyrean II, Abyss JOAL, and Hifiman Arya Unveiled. Each headphone yielded varying results, pointing to an overall sense of transparency that I noticed across all headphones. 

Low End:

The bottom end of the frequency response skews slightly warm with an elevated bass response that maintains detail while adding a level of excitement to the sound. With the Arya Unveiled, I noticed a bass presentation of which I did not know it was capable. There’s a visceral sense of attack and hefty presence that gives significant weight to bass notes. Its subbass is refined and detailed, while the midbass is slightly emphasized to elevate its dynamics. That said, I didn’t notice an overwhelming amount of coloration; it was just enough to make things engaging without altering the accuracy of music reproduction. 

Midrange:

The middle frequencies have an excellent sense of balance. Vocals feel distinct and listenable without being too forward or colored in any way. Separation is the name of the game for the Wandla HP’s midrange. Instruments have plenty of room to express their own dynamic qualities without stepping on vocals. Even in congested passages on tracks like metal and some hip-hop, vocals remained pristine and well-separated from surrounding instrumental textures. Meanwhile effects on synths and guitars felt layered and spacious. 

Top End:

Treble on the Wandla is perfectly balanced, with a good sense of splash and brilliance, but no hints of sibilance or artificiality. There’s ample headroom, allowing brighter headphones like the Arya Unveiled to impress with its tactility and warmer headphones like the Empyrean II to remain relaxed and enjoyable. There’s so much detail throughout the entire frequency response that it doesn’t rely on the top end for all of its resolution. 

Soundstage:

Soundstage was wide and expansive with all the headphones I tested with, but was most noticeable on the JOAL. The stereo field feels immeasurably wide with a sense of verticality and depth only obtainable on top of the line components. Even with the Empyrean II, which can feel comparatively more intimate due to its warm sound signature, engulfed with its holographic soundstage. Furthermore, its imaging capabilities further enhances its soundstage, placing sounds accurately across the stereo field. At its best, the Wandla is capable of realistic sound distribution, ultimately falling in line with the amp’s overall prioritization of transparency. 

Final Verdict:

The Wandla HP is a high end DAC/amplifier that provides enormous sound in a modest footprint. It remains mostly transparent with just a touch of character to keep things interesting. For all sorts of genres, the Wandla HP delivers on sound and functionality, offering an excellent option for audiophiles looking to add an all-in-one component into their setup. 

The Ferrum Wandla is available now from Audio46.