(March 9, 2026) Ferrum has taken the wraps off its WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2, the latest evolution of its DAC and preamp platform built to give listeners deeper control over how their system sounds. Building on the original WANDLA and the earlier GoldenSound Edition, this new version refines three of the platform’s most distinctive technologies while preserving the transparency and precision that helped the product line earn recognition from the European Imaging and Sound Association.
At the center of the update is what Ferrum calls Sweet Spot Tuning, an approach that helps listeners shape the presentation of their system without sacrificing accuracy. The company says the goal is simple: Rather than imposing a single sonic signature, the platform provides tools that let users dial in the balance that best suits their headphones, loudspeakers, and personal listening preferences.
The bones of the WANDLA architecture itself remain intact. Conversion duties are handled by an ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC chip, capable of processing PCM signals up to 768 kHz at 32-bit resolution, as well as DSD512 playback. The unit functions as both a DAC and a preamp, offering balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, along with an analogue input for integration with external components.
Three core features receive the largest upgrades in this new generation: Impact+, Tube Mode, and Spatial Enhancement.
Impact+ is Ferrum’s internal system for shaping low frequency performance. In the original GoldenSound Edition, the feature applied a carefully tuned bass shelf combined with a peak filter to add weight and presence without overwhelming the rest of the spectrum. The Gen 2 platform expands that idea into seven selectable profiles (Reference, Ref+, Smooth, Kick+, DD-Comp, DD-Comp+, and Sub-Bass), for complete control over bass contour and dynamic response. Users can then adjust the overall intensity of the effect anywhere from 10 to 130 percent. All processing occurs internally at 64-bit precision to maintain resolution and avoid artifacts during adjustment.
A "Tube Mode" also receives a substantial redesign. Earlier versions introduced a subtle second harmonic component intended to mimic the warmth associated with classic valve amplification. The Gen 2 platform expands that concept by modeling the sonic signatures of specific valve types.
Listeners can now select from five modeled tubes, including EL34, KT88, 300B, 2A3, and 7062. The effect can then be adjusted between 10 and 200 percent, allowing anything from a gentle touch of warmth to a stronger tube-inspired presentation.
Ferrum has also revised a Spatial Enhancement mode for an improved sense of depth and dimensionality in a recording. The feature previously included separate processing modes for headphone and loudspeaker listening. The Gen 2 version adds a new element called Transient Compensation (T Comp) for improved handling of high-frequency transients during spatial processing. According to Ferrum, this refinement helps maintain stable imaging while creating a more convincing sense of depth and separation. Users can enable or disable the spatial processing independently and select output modes depending on whether the system is configured for headphones or loudspeakers.
Beyond those updates, the platform retains several elements that have defined the WANDLA ecosystem. The unit incorporates Ferrum’s SERCE DSP module and Dynamic Digital Filtering, both designed to optimize digital signal processing before conversion. Balanced circuitry and proprietary amplification stages remain part of the signal path, while the touchscreen interface provides direct access to the system’s control features.
Connectivity is extensive. Digital inputs include USB Type-C, I2S compatible with PS Audio pinout standards, AES, coaxial S/PDIF, optical S/PDIF, and an ARC input designed for television integration. Analogue connectivity includes a single RCA input along with balanced and unbalanced outputs for system integration.
When paired with Ferrum’s HYPSOS power supply, the unit also benefits from the company’s 4TSD voltage-sensing system, which monitors and adjusts the supply voltage to help maintain optimal operating conditions.
Ferrum has also confirmed that current users will not be left behind. Owners of the original WANDLA GoldenSound Edition or the GoldenSound Edition Converting Plugin will be able to update their units through a free firmware upgrade that adds the new Gen 2 functionality. A separate GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 Converting Plugin will also be released for existing WANDLA owners who want to upgrade their standard units.
The Ferrum WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 is priced at $3295 (£3295 or €3295) and is available now through select retailers, including Advanced MP3.
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