Anyone using Ferrum Wandla DAC?

A friend of mine will be getting one soon.  I'll try to remember to comment after I've had some time with it.  Cheers

@rick_n 

Thanks!

Following.

Stereophile A+ rated and yet so little interest shown here. Weird.

Late post but here you go. I went to a Wandla with the Hypsos power supply from the first version of an Auralic Vega that I had for 7-8 years. I got used to the Vega sound but it lacked in body and the tonality was not quite right. Excellent detail though.

The Wandla/Hypsos gave the body that was lacking, has a bit of warmth to it, and about the same level of detail. For the price you can’t go wrong, some reviews say it plays with much higher priced DACs. Its connectivity is especially good. I’m using an external DDC/clock combo with the DAC’s IS2 input. All-in all, I really like the combo.

The price point played a factor in my purchase, but am wondering what I’ll get for more money so am starting to look into that.

@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 !