Ferrum WANDLA - Impressions Thread

[krude]

The Wandla GSE is superb, but haven’t compared it to the base Wandla. And don’t know if there are other differences between them beyond the firmware upgrade.

When it comes to the Hypsos I wrote this:



The thing with the OOR was being able to adjust the output voltage to ”tune” OOR depending on the headphones connected, for example I was using different output voltage for dynamics vs planars. I don’t understand how that kind of tuning would benefit the Wandla… Maybe someone with actual experience of using the Wandla GSE w/o Hypsos could chime in?

Hypsos is an endgame upgrade for Wandla imo. In my system base Wandla (turn off GSE modes and it's the same) sounds trash from the brick PSU compared to running it on Hypsos where for me it plays in 5k maybe even 10k class of DACs.

That being said, if you don't have very resolving transducers, amp, cabling, or you already have very well sorted power in your system, then maybe the benefits are not that big. YMMV.

You can tweak the voltage on Wandla to get similar tweaks as with Oor, I perdonally don't find that part necessary.

 

[TheR0v3r]

Hypsos is an endgame upgrade for Wandla imo. In my system base Wandla (turn off GSE modes and it's the same) sounds trash from the brick PSU compared to running it on Hypsos where for me it plays in 5k maybe even 10k class of DACs.

That being said, if you don't have very resolving transducers, amp, cabling, or you already have very well sorted power in your system, then maybe the benefits are not that big. YMMV.

You can tweak the voltage on Wandla to get similar tweaks as with Oor, I perdonally don't find that part necessary.

Ah, that’s interesting! I’ll make sure to audition the Wandla GSE with the Hypsos next time.

 

[slsmaster]

Hypsos is an endgame upgrade for Wandla imo. In my system base Wandla (turn off GSE modes and it's the same) sounds trash from the brick PSU compared to running it on Hypsos where for me it plays in 5k maybe even 10k class of DACs.

That being said, if you don't have very resolving transducers, amp, cabling, or you already have very well sorted power in your system, then maybe the benefits are not that big. YMMV.

You can tweak the voltage on Wandla to get similar tweaks as with Oor, I perdonally don't find that part necessary.

I don't know if it is my power lines being new at my place or my hearing being of lesser quality, but I could tell absolutely 0 differences in normal listening between the stock PSU and iFi Elite 24v.

I am 29 years old and would say my ears are of average quality for my age.

I therefore would HIGHLY suggest not wasting founds for Hypsos but rather get GSE Firmware for the spatial enhancement feature or try out HQP externally, which to me makes the Wandla sound more spacious with less attack, which to me is more pleasing then stock with its inbuilt HQP filters.

 

[krude]

I don't know if it is my power lines being new at my place or my hearing being of lesser quality, but I could tell absolutely 0 differences in normal listening between the stock PSU and iFi Elite 24v.

I am 29 years old and would say my ears are of average quality for my age.

I therefore would HIGHLY suggest not wasting founds for Hypsos but rather get GSE Firmware for the spatial enhancement feature or try out HQP externally, which to me makes the Wandla sound more spacious with less attack, which to me is more pleasing then stock with its inbuilt HQP filters.

iFi Elite is not Hypsos, but yeah if you hear zero difference why waste money.

 

[kajetanjazz]

I therefore would HIGHLY suggest not wasting founds for Hypsos but rather get GSE Firmware for the spatial enhancement feature or try out HQP externally, which to me makes the Wandla sound more spacious with less attack, which to me is more pleasing then stock with its inbuilt HQP filters

It’s hard to A/B, but it absolutely makes a difference. Space wise especially, hypsos i mean

 

[slsmaster]

iFi Elite is not Hypsos, but yeah if you hear zero difference why waste money.

Well, some members here have A/B tested Hypsos vs iFi Elite and couldn't tell a difference.

I couldn't tell a difference between the stock PSU and iFi Elite.

But maybe thats just me.

 

[slsmaster]

Guys, just try those HQPlayer settings. I am really amazed how it changes the sound of Wandla.

 

[slsmaster]

Can anyone who has a GSE Edition confirm that spatial enhancement/Impact+ setting work with DSD?


It's hard to go back to plain PCM or even upsampled PCM once I heard the Wandla with conversion to DSD via HQP and a nice modulator.

@GoldenSound Does the Wandla do DSD natively or is it converting to PCM internally?

 

[Matro5]

Hypsos is an endgame upgrade for Wandla imo. In my system base Wandla (turn off GSE modes and it's the same) sounds trash from the brick PSU compared to running it on Hypsos where for me it plays in 5k maybe even 10k class of DACs.

That being said, if you don't have very resolving transducers, amp, cabling, or you already have very well sorted power in your system, then maybe the benefits are not that big. YMMV.

You can tweak the voltage on Wandla to get similar tweaks as with Oor, I perdonally don't find that part necessary.

So this is very interesting - I keep reading that the Wandla goes from good or excellent to reference / endgame with the Hypsos…which makes me think I’ll end up with a hypsos eventually just to be sure I’m getting every last bit of performance.

But between the two - which would you prioritize? GSE or Hypsos first?

Thanks for your insight!

Fwiw my system is Dynaudio Heritage Special + Sub 6 powered by a leben cs300xs in a small office. Phones are Hd800S, Focal Clear OG and LcDx 2021.

 

[krude]

So this is very interesting - I keep reading that the Wandla goes from good or excellent to reference / endgame with the Hypsos…which makes me think I’ll end up with a hypsos eventually just to be sure I’m getting every last bit of performance.

But between the two - which would you prioritize? GSE or Hypsos first?

Thanks for your insight!

Fwiw my system is Dynaudio Heritage Special + Sub 6 powered by a leben cs300xs in a small office. Phones are Hd800S, Focal Clear OG and LcDx 2021.

GSE first imo.

 

[George Hincapie]

Will GSE be at CJ London? @GoldenSound

 

[Menkau-ra]

So, here's a question that I'm wrestling with at the moment. As the very happy new owner of a Wandla, I'm wondering: what would improve the sound more, adding the dual Hypsos or the GSE firmware? I don't have any specific complaints that I'm trying to address, but just wondering how best to take this excellent DAC to the next level in my system.

In favor of the hypsos, I might be interested in an OOR a some point, or the rumored Ferrum streamer, so the ability to improve two products at once is appealing. But, neither is a must have at the moment.

In favor of the GSE, obviously, is cost and space.

But I don't know how to think through the best next step.

If you like your Wandla already then I would go for GSE upgrade.

To me I had to get Hypsos. With stock PSU the Wandla is too aggressive for my tastes, I get ear fatigue quickly. Hypsos makes the sound more organic and natural. Maybe it's not a benefit if you listen to hard music like Rock, Metal, etc.

 

[De7mi]

I saw 15 notifications in Wandla thread and got excited cuz I thought the GSE firmware upgrade is out and everyone is going crazy!
I was disappointed

 

[GoldenSound]

Can anyone who has a GSE Edition confirm that spatial enhancement/Impact+ setting work with DSD?


It's hard to go back to plain PCM or even upsampled PCM once I heard the Wandla with conversion to DSD via HQP and a nice modulator.

@GoldenSound Does the Wandla do DSD natively or is it converting to PCM internally?

It does not work with DSD no, doing any DSP to DSD requires conversion back to PCM.
The tube mode should work with DSD though

Do try running Sinc-M/Sinc-L via PCM (TDPF dither, 32 bit) though into the Wandla, that's my personal fav

 

[Matro5]

GSE first imo.

Got it. Thanks for the insight.

I see you have the Audio Note E Spe He - those are on the short list alongside the Devore 096 / Thirty for the next system. I'd probably bring the Wandla to the party in that setup.

I wonder if it is possible to test the GSE firmware before purchase? @GoldenSound would know I am guessing.

Back to the music....