Ok I don’t tend to right a lot of feedback regarding the gear I own but the ferrum Wandla is just too great to not share my thoughts because it is exactly what I was looking for in a sound signature AND it is not what I was expecting.
I tend to not agree with most reviewers as they mostly try to upsell a product for commissions or affiliation links. But this DAC is worth all the praise it got!
What I was expecting from this Dac is sterile fatiguing sound due to the ess chip. But I was surprised that it is NOT at all ! It really is a natural neutral sound that is both engaging and fun and interesting to listen to even on bad recordings. On top of that it doesn’t sound like Delta-Sigma DACs! What I mean by that is it has a big stage with great depth and AMAZING layering and instruments separation!
All my impressions are based on HQ Apod and HQ Gauss filters.
Now let me talk about the NONE sound features that made me highly respect Ferrum and made me a life long fan of their product:
1- very well designed software with top notch UI ! I never seen a Dac with such attention to details and user experience with an (i) button to explain any part of the software options.
2- a beautiful colorful very responsive touch screen, that is a joy to use.
3- Ferrum really care about their customers as they have a vote on their website regarding what the users thought on the current filters so they would try to bring new improved filters in the future.
4- continues firmware upgrade to keep improving and solving any bugs and problems.
5- a remote.
They really went up and beyond with the Wandla.
6- all kind of input possible, Even an Arc ! Which I never seen before in a 2 ch Dac tbh.
7- option for hot 10v or standard 4v output.
8- pre amp (though I don’t have any use for it but it’s good to know that you are covered).
Now let me compare the Wandla to Holo May KTE as I had the May in my system for about a week or so as a loaner from a friend.
My headphones are: HE6 OG 6 screws and DS madhouse Tungsten.
My Amplifier is Holo Bliss KTE
Streamer/DDC is the Holo RED
Resolution: in my opinion both Dac on the same level here.
Soundstage: from what I perceived I found both Dac stage big, very wide and very deep, but with the May a little bit deeper, impressive feat for Wandla!
Layering and separation between instruments in the mix: I found the May the most impressive Dac ever in this particular area, and wandla was on par ! May maybe a mere few percent ahead but nonetheless.
Imaging: Wandla was laser sharp pinpoint and May is no slouch but it was behind in this area.
Speed: one of the few things I didn’t like about the May is the speed, I felt it was slower than what I liked in my music, maybe it’s accurate this way I’m not sure but definitely not to what I like, Wandla is FAST that’s where the ess chip shows its characteristics.
Texture: let me explain what is my definition of texture so you can understand my thoughts. When you look up close to the skin of a face that has no make up you can clearly tell all the pores, imperfections and irregularities very easily, but after make up everything looks nice and smooth and perfect. So this what I mean by texture.
The Wandla is very texture forward which I really like, but at the same time it is never harsh or fatiguing, I think it strikes an excellent balance in this regards. The May however, is very smooth, too smooth I might add, it makes everything sounds nice and polite and maybe boring in certain genres that requires speed and texture like electronic and edm. But this smoothness pays off with certain types of music that I will cover in the midrange segment.
Timber: I found both Dac to have an excellent accurate timber, but May has the more real life like timber but Wandla more enjoyable representation of timber although less accurate.
Treble: I found with time that treble is enjoyable, in the past I thought that I hated treble and always wanted something smooth in the treble, and that’s because not a lot of audio equipment present treble accurately and also if you have a lot of noise in the system you will hear it usually as harshness in the treble (don’t quote me on that, it’s just what was my experience with different equipment and different sources overtime) anyway let’s talk about the DACs treble. I found the Wandla treble is well extended well executed and never fatiguing and never harsh, very engaging and enjoyable with a little bite and texture that will make you want more. On the other hand, May is very smooth in the treble, too smooth I might say, a little boring with music that requires treble energy, more like old vinyl records that feel too smooth.
Midrange: Wandla here is excellent but in my opinion there is nothing like Holo May in the midrange! It is where the May real strength and main advantage where the MAGIC of the Holo Dac happens, in one words magnificent! Very romantic and smooth and beautiful. It’s excellent for mid focus and vocal focus music, its smoothness make old recordings sounds lifelike and very beautiful and mesmerizing. But other music where other parts of the frequency response I found the Wandla to be more enjoyable.
Bass: both Dac slams in the bass but the May definitely slams stronger, but the Wandla I found more textured in the bass.
To summarize, I think both DACs are excellent and it’s a matter of preference more than performance. But for me and my preference, I think I final found it!
My preference is big sound stage with depth and excellent layering and separation, well extended treble and punchy bass with sharp imaging. Until now I never found a Dac that has all of that, as big stage and separation is more r2r but the Wandla changed that and I think it’s an excellent value for money and it punches above its prince range.
it is so alive and engaging! OMG
can’t wait! 
