Ferrum Audio WANDLA and HYPSOS Review: High-End DAC and Power Supply Performance

FutureShop has been a reference dealer for Ferrum Audio since 2022. This review was conducted on our in-house reference system: Ayre V-5 power amplifier, Ayre K-5 pre-amplifier, Ayre C-5 CD player, and B&W 803 speakers.

Introduction: Why DACs Still Matter in the Digital Audio Era

Yes, DACs are still relevant. Despite the rising popularity of all-in-one devices and streamers, some of us still desire the 'pure' listening chain and control that a separate DAC unit gives. This is the high-end audio world, after all, a world that's gotten itself deeply digital. Unless the analogue resurrection has already anointed you, you likely listen to music as samples of numerical data, and the increasing popularity of the audiophile headphone scene has made DACs one of the most crucial components in your system.

If you're not still playing CDs, you'll be streaming music from one of the many services that have teased a subscription from you or at least, you play the files accumulated on your hard drive. Whichever, a DAC is the only means by which we can hear what data sounds like. And for that data to sound fantastic, the job needs to be done well. Ferrum Audio's fourth creation, the WANDLA, has already been reduxed as the 'GoldenSound Edition'; one such unit, accompanied by its power-wielding big sister, the HYPSOS, was on our test bench for assessment.

The Products: Inside the Ferrum WANDLA DAC and HYPSOS Power Supply – Features and Design

Since the original WANDLA's release, Team Future Shop, with our syndromic desire to acquire gear, has yearned for an opportunity to experience the Ferrum DAC/preamp. Our desire was finally fulfilled by the GoldenSound Edition with the HYPSOS power supply attached.

So, what's so Golden about the GoldenSound Edition? A glance at the outside of the converter reveals no clues. It appears identical: the usual complete complement of digital inputs: coax, optical, AES/EBU, USB-C, i2S, HDMI ARC, the touch screen, and volume control (the volume control can be bypassed to feed your separate preamplifier). In fact, if you were to glance inside, you're unlikely to see anything new, either. But it does have a heart of gold, a 'SERCE' (Polish for heart) chip. Within this programmable ARM-based chip is where the gold is buried (owners of the original WANDLA might be excited to know theirs can be reprogrammed into a GoldenSound for the price difference).

Choosing the GoldenSound version of WANDLA depends on your need to attenuate the output voltage or a compulsion to use the three filters specifically designed by filter maker Signalyst. The filters provided are: 1) Spatial enhancement, which separates musical elements to widen the soundstage; 2) Impact+, delivering a punchy low end; 3) Tube Mode, which increases harmonic distortion for a warm, rich 'tube-like' sound.

Attached to the WANDLA, like an electrical intravenous drip, was the HYPSOS power supply. Clean power, as we know, is fundamental for clear, defined audio. A hybrid of linear and switched power, the HYPSOS can serve both disciplines (although linear supplies are considered 'hi-fi', some manufacturers advise against them). Ferrum's software approach has the HYPSOS intelligently and safely sense the required power output for the connected unit. Supplied with two, made-to-order DC power cables, HYPSOS is usable with many other third-party devices, not just the WANDLA (their website lists compatibility).

All in, we had £4.5k's worth of digital conversion on trial. Given that we are used to Chord Electronics' Hugo TT with M Scaler, over £7k's worth of DAC, this was to be an interesting challenge.

Listening Test: Ferrum WANDLA and HYPSOS Sound Performance Reviewed

The familiar sound of Birds by Dominique Fils-Aimé's was today's reference music, a conveniently sparse piece, easy to hear differences in nuance, not unlike Elvis's version of Fever. The up-close-and-personal recording of Dominique's contemporary blues was deeply intimate as if we were being graced with a private performance.

Switching back to our usual Chord Electronics setup, the intimacy turned candid, smooth and sophisticated, but Dominique had left the building. The directness of the Ferrum setup somehow brought her closer.

The WANDLA / HYPSOS combo made Dominique's Birds feel alive, open, and free (as a bird should be). The double bass had more of the textured quality that makes the instrument so satisfying, while the vocal phrases cut through with impactful leading edges. While it didn't have the smooth sophistication of the Chord set, we did hear a crisp and lively sound that was surprisingly exciting. The vocal layering and minimal percussion, which we love about this track, were nicely articulated. Overall, the cleaner, more forward presentation probably owes itself to the HYPSOS delivering clean power to the DAC.

So, this piqued our curiosity. How about trying the HYPSOS on our Chord Hugo TT?

Pairing the Ferrum power supply with Hugo TT proved its worth as an upgrade for any other DC-powered components (don't forget, the HYPSOS can dial into your specific power requirements). We are practically wedded to our Hugo TT but powered with a Ferrum HYPSOS, our vows were renewed. The intimacy returned with scale and smooth clarity. As expected with separate power supplies, excellent dynamics and low-end definition were abundant.

The intriguing filter setting, Tube Mode, was a curious inclusion. After all, the WANDLA doesn't have any tubes; it merely pretends. The clever ARM chip intentionally boosts the harmonic distortion to mimic tube amplification at the output. This 'analogue modelling' has existed in guitar amplifiers for some time and, in practice, is a fun feature adding the excitement expected from analogue gear.

The Spatial Enhancement filter opens the soundstage, which would work well used over congested recordings. Ultimately, with the punchy Impact+ filter that adds depth, the GoldenSound filters offer wider options for different listening experiences.

Ferrum Audio is rather chuffed about the effect of algorithms on sound. It is incredible how digital tweaks change sound, and curious how we use them to steer us back to analogue.

Final Verdict: Are the Ferrum WANDLA and HYPSOS the Power Duo to Hear?

These two half-width units work alone or seamlessly in tandem, and they work very well. We are strong advocates of upgrading power using separate supplies. Using the HYPSOS with the WANDLA, two become one. Using the HYPSOS with your existing components also yields excellent results (Ferrum can provide you with the right connector for your component).

It is worth knowing that the HYPSOS can be split into two outputs for two components using an optional splitter add-on, or by purchasing the new HYPSOS Dual that directly feeds two components. But bear in mind that the HYPSOS Dual can only dial into one output voltage, so supplying two components with different power requirements will not work.

The WANDLA GoldenSound Edition is a well-appointed and enjoyable DAC. The volume control can be variable or fixed; used as a preamp for an analogue source, it functions as an old-fashioned potentiometer. The Golden Sound Edition's added filters, voltage control and elevated digital headroom make it a more versatile option if you can justify the price increase over the basic WANDLA.

Ferrum means iron. It likely signifies the company's commitment to solid, well-built, high-performance audio equipment.

Who is this for? The WANDLA GoldenSound Edition suits the dedicated digital listener who wants more than a passive converter: someone who values filter options, a built-in preamp stage, and a clean, forward sound. The HYPSOS is a compelling upgrade for anyone already running a DC-powered DAC, streamer, or headphone amp and wanting to squeeze more performance from it without replacing the component itself. If you are weighing up the broader world of DC power supplies for your system, our guide to whether power supplies really improve sound covers the territory well. And if you are thinking about the digital connections between your DAC and source components, our essential guide to digital audio interconnects is a useful next step.

The WANDLA GoldenSound Edition and HYPSOS are available now at FutureShop. Not sure which Ferrum products are right for your system? Get in touch with our team. As a Ferrum Audio reference dealer since 2022, we are happy to help.