Ferrum WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2: A High-End DAC That Lets You Shape Your Sound

With redesigned bass control, tube-inspired tonality and expanded spatial processing, Ferrum’s latest WANDLA update puts unprecedented sound customization into the hands of audiophiles.

High-end audio specialist Ferrum Audio has unveiled the Ferrum WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2, the latest evolution of its acclaimed DAC/preamplifier platform.

Building on the success of the award-winning WANDLA — recognized by the EISA — the new GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 introduces major refinements to three of its most distinctive features: Impact+, Tube Mode and Spatial Enhancement.

The goal behind the update is straightforward: give listeners deeper control over their system’s sonic character while maintaining the precision, transparency and musicality the WANDLA platform is known for.

Impact+: Precision Control Over the Low End

One of the most significant upgrades comes to Impact+, Ferrum’s advanced bass-shaping system.

Originally designed to enhance low-frequency presence with a carefully tuned bass shelf and peak, Impact+ has now evolved into a far more flexible system.

Seven Tunable Sound Profiles

Users can now choose from seven distinct bass profiles:

• Reference

• Ref+

• Smooth

• Kick+

• DD-Comp

• DD-Comp+

• Sub-Bass

  
  

Each profile adjusts bass weight and dynamic behavior differently, allowing users to better match the DAC’s sound signature to their headphones, speakers or room acoustics.

Once a profile is selected, the Impact+ intensity can be adjusted between 10% and 130%, enabling subtle reinforcement or a more dramatic low-end presentation.

All processing is handled internally with 64-bit precision, ensuring the changes remain smooth and transparent to the original recording.

Tube Mode: Classic Valve Sound Without the Tubes

Another major redesign comes to Tube Mode, a feature designed to emulate the warmth and harmonic richness of classic valve amplification.

In the original GoldenSound Edition, Tube Mode added second-harmonic sweetness to the signal. The Gen 2 version goes much further by modeling the sonic characteristics of five legendary vacuum tubes.

Modeled Valve Signatures

The DAC now recreates the tonal behavior of classic designs such as:

• EL34

• KT88

• 300B

• 2A3

• 7062

  
  

These models simulate the tonal textures associated with classic valve amplifiers — from rich midrange warmth to more open and spacious presentations.

Users can also control the strength of the effect from 10% to 200%, allowing anything from a gentle touch of tube warmth to a pronounced valve-like coloration.

The result is a flexible approach to tube sound without the heat, maintenance or component wear associated with traditional valve gear.

Spatial Enhancement: Expanding the Soundstage

Ferrum has also upgraded its Spatial Enhancement technology, which aims to create a deeper and more immersive soundstage.

Previously, the system included separate modes optimized for headphones and loudspeakers. The new Gen 2 version adds an advanced feature called Transient Compensation (T-Comp).

What T-Comp Does

T-Comp fine-tunes spatial processing to better handle high-frequency transients.

This improves:

• Instrument placement

• Perceived depth

• Three-dimensional imaging

  
  

Importantly, Ferrum says this approach avoids the imaging artifacts sometimes introduced by traditional crossfeed processing.

Listeners can independently control:

• Spatial processing activation

• Output mode (headphones or speakers)

• T-Comp transient optimization

  
  

The Core WANDLA Platform Remains

While the new tuning features are the headline upgrades, the WANDLA architecture itself remains intact.

Key technologies include:

• SERCE DSP module

• Fully balanced internal design

• Proprietary amplification stage

• Dynamic Digital Filtering

• Optimized digital inputs

  
  

Control is handled through an intuitive touchscreen interface, while Ferrum’s Streaming Control Technology helps integrate the DAC into modern digital audio systems.

For those seeking maximum performance, the unit can also be paired with the Ferrum HYPSOS power supply, which adds 4TSD voltage sensing for improved electrical stability and performance.

Upgrade Options for Existing Owners

Ferrum is also making the new technology accessible to current users.

Owners of the original WANDLA GoldenSound Edition — or those who purchased the GoldenSound Edition conversion plugin — will be able to upgrade to Gen 2 via a free firmware update.

For standard WANDLA owners, Ferrum will release a GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 conversion plugin shortly after launch.

Pricing and Availability

The Ferrum WANDLA GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 is priced at:

• $3295 (US)

• €3295 (EU)

• £3295 (UK)

  
  

The optional conversion plugin for existing WANDLA owners will cost $595 / €595.

Final Thoughts

With the GoldenSound Edition Gen 2, Ferrum is pushing the concept of a tunable high-end DAC further than most competitors.

Instead of forcing listeners into a fixed sonic signature, the new WANDLA allows users to tailor:

• Bass behavior

• Tube-like tonality

• Spatial presentation

• 
  

All while maintaining the transparency expected from a flagship DAC.

For audiophiles who want studio-grade precision combined with creative sound shaping, Ferrum’s latest update could represent one of the most flexible digital front ends currently available.