Anyone using Ferrum Wandla DAC?

@jaybe 

Thanks for your input. What is your source? Steamer?  

I’d be most tempted to try the Wandla Golden Sound edition. One reviewer (don’t recall which) reported it sounded better the the standard version without even utilizing any of the added EQ features but I’m not very technically astute and his theory as to why this might be did not stick in my head.  

Since starting this thread, I auditioned a used U.S.- made r2r DAC ($8500 new) that, based upon reviews, I thought would be end-game for me. Nope. I abhor bright sonics but this DAC was the opposite -- it just sounded lifeless to me. I sent it back. 

I’ve only owned one standalone DAC in the past (Aqua La Voce r2r) and eventually I found the upper mids fatiguing and sold it. Since then, I’ve been using my Hegel 390’s onboard delta sigma AKM DAC. I like it a lot but it’s somewhat rolled off on top, as is the Hegel and I’m not getting the bass extension I got with the Burr-Brown equipped  Aqua. I used to believe I preferred r2r but can no longer confidently say what I might like best. I need to hear more DACs. 

I’m in the midst of a power cord upgrade (I found some that bring back much of the bass extension I enjoyed with the Aqua) at the moment and don’t have the cash to also pursue a new DAC. It seems to me that DACs are a rather confusing component to upgrade.  

Best of luck to you, moving forward ! 

@stuartk 

FWIW, a importer told me not to bother with the Golden Sound Edition. No clear sonic advantage, he said. The original edition sounds fine to me. The filters are great on this.

DACs can be tough. I have a new post up about where I might go from the Wandla. I keep looking at Bricasti, but there's many others, too many.

@jaybe 

And others say otherwise. Which one(s) I might agree with or disagree with, re: any piece of gear, I have no way of knowing until I actually hear the gear for myself. This is why I don't buy anything I can't demo at home and return for a refund, if necessary. 

Yes; there are many other DACs !  

I've owned a Wandla with Hypsos power for over a year now. End game for me.

Are there better sounding DACs out there? No doubt. But this is so good (and has so much flexibility) I can't justify spending more for diminishing returns after already dropping nearly $5K on this kit. That's a lot. A lot for a DAC (with external power supply, yes). I need to refresh my perspective sometimes...

I don't at all knock those who spend more, good on 'em. 

As for DAC experience, I've had two R2R's that I really liked at first for their tube like fluidity and lack of digititis. One night however, I went to put on Siegfried from the 1997 Solti Ring set CD box and I was shocked at the lack of sparkle and life from my (generally well regarded) MHDT Orchid, which had replaced an Eastern Electric MiniMax. I actually kept the MIniMax because it sounds so very good in my second system, but I quickly sold off the MHDT.

Back to the Ferrum: it has brought my CD collection to a level I never thought possible. It gives my system deep and wide soundstage, a bit of analog warmth, bass clarity and top end extension restoring the life that I was missing with the R2R's. It has no glaring faults and the filter flexibility is fun and helpful, as are the voltage options on the Hypsos. 

I suspect you can get as good of sound for ~$5K (including the Hypsos), but truly hard to imagine seriously exceeding it in the general price range.

Enjoy the music and the Christmas season fellow audiophiles.

Correction... ~$4K not ~$5K.

See, I am enjoying it so much I inadvertently inflated the price. I suppose in the last year the combo has gotten closer to $5K though.