ESS ES9038PRO DAC/Amp and preamp

The Ferrum WANDLA HP combines ESS Sabre ES9038PRO digital conversion, a fully-balanced preamplifier, and a headphone amplifier delivering up to 3.5W into 50Ω. Six digital inputs, an analog RCA input, and balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs connect your headphones and speaker system through one component. A high-resolution touchscreen and included remote put volume, input selection, and digital filters within reach.

Balanced headphone power

The WANDLA HP’s fully-balanced composite IC headphone amplifier delivers 3.5W into 50Ω through its front-panel 4.4mm output. For single-ended headphones, the included 4.4mm-to-6.35mm adapter provides access to up to 1W into 50Ω. The headphone section offers a 122dB dynamic range, with output impedance rated at 1Ω balanced and 0.5Ω unbalanced.

ESS conversion with Ferrum engineering

The ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC works with Ferrum’s proprietary current-to-voltage converter and an output stage informed by the development of the OOR headphone amplifier. USB-C and I2S support PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD512. The DAC section specifies THD of 0.00009% and unweighted THD+N of -115dB.

SERCE digital processing

Ferrum’s ARM-based SERCE platform handles incoming digital audio using the company’s own software. It consolidates work otherwise handled by five chips, simplifying the digital signal path. SERCE also supports digital filter selection and MQA decoding and rendering across all digital inputs.

Dynamic digital filtering

Dynamic Digital Filtering gives you a choice of reconstruction filters, including options prepared for Ferrum by Signalyst’s Jussi Laako, the developer behind HQPlayer. Filter selection lets you explore different approaches to digital reconstruction from WANDLA HP’s interface.

Connections for music and television

USB-C, coaxial S/PDIF, optical S/PDIF, AES/EBU, ARC, and PS Audio-compatible I2S accommodate a range of digital sources. ARC includes CEC support for integration with a compatible television. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs connect WANDLA HP to a power amplifier or powered speakers, while a configurable trigger supports system power control.

An analog path for analog sources

The RCA analog input bypasses digital processing, keeping an external analog source in the analog domain. Its 47kΩ input impedance and recommended input range of 2–3.5V RMS accommodate compatible source components. Ferrum specifies an analog-input frequency response of 10Hz–200kHz, within ±0.1dB.

Selectable volume control

Choose digitally controlled analog attenuation or digital volume control, with digital adjustment available during DAC operation. An analog volume bypass option supports use with an external volume controller. The line outputs also offer standard and reduced output levels to help match WANDLA HP to the component that follows it.

Touchscreen and remote operation

A high-resolution touchscreen works alongside the rotary control for input selection, volume adjustment, and access to settings. The included remote lets you operate WANDLA HP from your listening position.

Power designed around the audio circuits

Multiple internal supplies serve the analog and digital sections to limit interference and noise while supporting channel separation. WANDLA HP includes an external power adapter and accepts an optional Ferrum HYPSOS power supply through its proprietary Ferrum Power Link connection. Used with HYPSOS, FPL supports 4T voltage sensing.

Product highlights

• ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC with Ferrum current-to-voltage conversion
  
• Fully-balanced composite IC headphone amplifier
  
• 3.5W balanced and 1W single-ended output into 50Ω
  
• Front-panel 4.4mm headphone output
  
• Included 4.4mm-to-6.35mm headphone adapter
  
• PCM support up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD512
  
• SERCE digital processing platform
  
• Dynamic Digital Filtering with filters developed by Jussi Laako
  
• Six digital inputs and an RCA analog input
  
• Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs
  
• Selectable analog or digital volume control
  
• High-resolution touchscreen and included remote
  
• Compatible with the optional Ferrum HYPSOS power supply

Specs

• DAC chip: ESS Sabre ES9038PRO
  
• Headphone amplifier: Fully-balanced composite IC design
  
• Headphone output: 4.4mm balanced, with included 6.35mm single-ended adapter
  
• Balanced headphone power: 3.5W into 50Ω
  
• Single-ended headphone power: 1W into 50Ω
  
• Headphone dynamic range: 122dB
  
• Balanced headphone THD at 10mW into 50Ω: 0.00016% / -116dB
  
• Balanced headphone THD at 100mW into 50Ω: 0.00020% / -114dB
  
• Single-ended headphone THD at 10mW into 50Ω: 0.00022% / -113dB
• Single-ended headphone THD at 100mW into 50Ω: 0.00022% / -113dB
  
• Headphone output impedance: 1Ω balanced, 0.5Ω single-ended
  
• Digital inputs: USB-C, AES/EBU, optical S/PDIF, coaxial S/PDIF, ARC, I2S
  
• USB-C support: Up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512, DoP256
  
• Optical S/PDIF support: Up to 24-bit/96kHz PCM
  
• Coaxial S/PDIF support: Up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM, DoP64
  
• ARC support: Up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM, with CEC
  
• I2S support: Up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512, DoP256, PS Audio-compatible
  
• MQA support: Decoder and renderer on all digital inputs
  
• Analog input: RCA
  
• Maximum analog input level: 9.5V RMS
  
• Recommended analog input level: 2–3.5V RMS
  
• Analog input impedance: 47kΩ
  
• Line outputs: Balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA
  
• Volume control: Analog with bypass option, or digital during DAC operation
  
• Standard line output level: 10V RMS balanced, 5V RMS unbalanced at 0dBFS, 1kHz
  
• Reduced line output level: 4V RMS balanced, 2V RMS unbalanced at 0dBFS, 1kHz
  
• Analog-input frequency response: 10Hz–200kHz, ±0.1dB
  
• DAC THD: 0.00009% / -121dB
  
• DAC THD+N: -115dB, unweighted
  
• Analog-input THD: -123dB at 2V RMS output
  
• Analog dynamic range: 127dB, A-weighted
  
• Digital dynamic range: 122dB, A-weighted
  
• DAC output crosstalk: -120dB at 1kHz, better than -100dB from 20Hz–20kHz
  
• Line output impedance: 44Ω balanced, 22Ω unbalanced
  
• Idle power consumption, headphone amplifier off: 13W
  
• Idle power consumption, headphone amplifier on: 18W
  
• Maximum power consumption: 35W
  
• Power inputs: Center-positive 0.22/0.10-inch (5.5/2.5mm) DC connector and proprietary four-pin FPL connector
  
• DC input voltage: 22–30V
  
• Included power adapter: 100–240V AC input, 24V DC output
  
• Dimensions, W × D × H: 8.6 × 8.1 × 2.0 inches (21.7 × 20.6 × 5cm)
  
• Weight: 4.19lb (1.90kg)

What’s included

• Ferrum WANDLA HP
  
• Power adapter
  
• Remote control
  
• 4.4mm-to-6.35mm headphone adapter