Ferrum, renowned for its high-end audio innovations, has just unveiled the WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 a significant evolution of its acclaimed DAC and preamp platform. Building on the legacy of the EISA award-winning WANDLA and the original GoldenSound Edition, this new iteration introduces groundbreaking upgrades to three of its signature features: Impact+, Tube Mode, and Spatial Enhancement. Designed for audiophiles seeking precise control over their sound, the WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 promises to deliver unmatched musical fidelity with customizable tonal shaping.
Impact+: Redefining Low-Frequency Control
Impact+ is Ferrum’s sophisticated low-frequency enhancement system. In the GoldenSound Edition Gen 2, it has been comprehensively refined to provide even greater flexibility. Originally, Impact+ utilized a carefully tuned bass shelf combined with a peak boost to produce a more impactful and realistic low-end. Now, users can choose from seven distinct sound profiles Reference, Ref+, Smooth, Kick+, DD-Comp, DD-Comp+, and Sub-Bass each crafted to emphasize different aspects of bass response.
Fine-Tuning with Internal Precision
Beyond selecting a profile, listeners can adjust the overall Impact+ level from 10% to 130%, allowing for subtle reinforcement or more pronounced bass response tailored to their system and preferences. All processing operates internally with 64-bit precision, ensuring smooth, transparent adjustments that faithfully preserve the recording’s integrity. Whether you aim to add authority to your bass or refine the warmth and depth, Impact+ provides the tools to shape your sound with confidence.
Tube Mode: Classic Valve Sound Without the Hassle
One of the most compelling features of the GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 is an expanded Tube Mode. Building on its predecessor’s ability to impart a musical sweetness reminiscent of valve amplification, this version models five iconic valve types: EL34, KT88, 300B, 2A3, and 7062.
Listeners can now adjust the intensity of the valve emulation from 10% to 200%, offering a spectrum from subtle warmth to a rich, valve-inspired character. This feature allows users to explore a variety of sonic textures, adding a layer of vintage musicality to modern digital playback perfect for those who appreciate the harmonic complexity and emotional depth that valves bring to music.
Spatial Enhancement: Expanding the Soundstage
Ferrum’s Spatial Enhancement technology has been upgraded with a new option called Transient Compensation (T-Comp). Designed to improve the handling of high-frequency transients, T-Comp offers a more precise and natural sense of space and depth.
Customizable and Precise Soundstage Control
Users can toggle the spatial processing independently, select between headphone and loudspeaker modes, and engage T-Comp to fine-tune the three-dimensional presentation. The result is a more convincing and immersive soundstage that accurately reproduces the spatial cues of live recordings, without the common imaging shifts associated with traditional crossfeed systems.
The Complete WANDLA Experience
Despite these advanced upgrades, the WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 retains all the core features that have made the platform a favorite among high-end audio enthusiasts. These include:
- SERCE DSP Module for dynamic processing
- Balanced architecture and proprietary amplification
- Optimized digital inputs and finely tuned DAC conversion
- Intuitive touchscreen interface for seamless control
- Ferrum Streaming Control Technology for effortless integration into modern systems
When paired with Ferrum’s HYPSOS power supply, the platform benefits from 4TSD voltage sensing, further enhancing performance.
Upgrade Path for Existing Users
Ferrum ensures that current owners are well taken care of. Existing users of the original WANDLA GoldenSound Edition or those who purchased the GoldenSound Edition Converting Plugin can download a free firmware upgrade to transform their units into the GoldenSound Edition Gen 2. Additionally, Ferrum will soon release the WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 Converting Plugin for $595 / €595, allowing all WANDLA owners to easily expand their system’s capabilities.
