Poland-based Ferrum has been getting some good buzz for their head-fi focused products and they’ve just given their ERCO Headphone Amp/DAC a major facelift.
What’s new with the ERCO DAC Gen 2? Basically a bunch of trickle down tech from Ferrum’s more upscale WANDLA DAC including:
Improved I/V converter
Improved DSP engine
Improved Digital Filter (HQ Apodizing)
Improved max resolution (768kHz/DSD512)
Proprietary IC power amp design
Proprietary optimised-for-audio digital inputs
Proprietary optimised MQA rendering and decoding for ARM chip
Why ERCO? From Ferrum:
The name ERCO (not pronounced airco but ˈert͡so) is Esperanto for ore. We took to Esperanto for the name inspired by its creator Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof, who used to live around the corner from our offices near Warsaw. Zamenhof started developing Esperanto in his childhood while still in school, pursuing peace around the world where one language would bring together humankind. We want to do the same through pure and honest music reproduction. In the end it brings peace to the mind.
The fully balanced ERCO Gen 2 offers 3 digital inputs (USB-C, Coax S/PDIF, Toslink) and an analog input, with both single-ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs. You can also pair the ERCO Gen 2 with the optional Ferrum HYPOSIS external hybrid power supply using the proprietary 4-pin Ferrum connector.
Headphone lovers will find a balanced 4.4mm jack and an unbalanced 6.35mm headphone jack up front.
The Ferrum ERCO DAC Gen. 2 is available now for $1795. What’s more, owners of the original ERCO can upgrade to Gen. 2 status in most cases at no extra costs (see details below).
Here’s the complete press release:
PRESS RELEASE INTRODUCTION FERRUM ERCO GEN 2 DAC
Ferrum ERCO DAC evolves to Gen 2
with massive firmware update and circuitry upgrade
With the full reprogramming of ERCO’s software in combination with crucial changes in the analog circuitry, we are introducing a newer, better ERCO. ERCO Gen 2 will bring our entry-level DAC one step closer to the performance levels of WANDLA, our flagship converter, an unprecedented feat at 1.795 (EUR/USD). We even created a program for existing ERCO owners to upgrade their original units to ERCO Gen 2 specifications, in most cases at no extra costs*.
The complete reprogramming of the original ERCO involves the implementation of a completely new firmware structure and goes much further than a regular firmware update. We ended up using the actual code from SERCE putting the experience gained from developing our SERCE platform to elevate the original ERCO to a level nearing its bigger sibling WANDLA. Now, our entry-level DAC will bring you closer to the music than ever before. The DSP in ERCO Gen 2 will equal WANDLA, bringing things like 768 kHz support, DSD512, improved DAC performance and including our users’ most preferred WANDLA digital filter.
Analog improvements in ERCO Gen 2
After designing the new I/V converter for WANDLA, we’ve gained much experience and made many discoveries in this area. The ESS DAC chip used in ERCO Gen 2 is a smaller version (ES9028PRO) than the one used in WANDLA (ES9038PRO) but the original ERCO uses an I/V converter designed in the “pre-WANDLA” style. The ERCO Gen 2 has important updates to the I/V converter based on our experience with WANDLA, which give it a more detailed and natural, engaging sound signature.
Digital improvements in ERCO Gen 2
Since the digital hardware in ERCO is very similar to the hardware in our SERCE board, we were able to port the full SERCE software stack to ERCO. It means that ERCO Gen 2 behaves exactly as if it were based on SERCE. We have added the HQ Apodizing digital filter, the same which is available in WANDLA and preferred by current WANDLA users. We have bypassed the filters in ESS, including MQA for all non-MQA signals and USB playback of 768kHz signals is implemented. What’s more, we have reduced intermodulation and intersample distortions and adjusted output levels to meet RED book standard on the line output and maximum output power on headphone outputs.
There is more: you can turn the original ERCO into ERCO Gen 2!
Because we want current ERCO owners to profit from the Gen 2 improvements as well, we made sure the original ERCO can be upgraded to ERCO Gen 2! The upgrade process involves performing a full and deep reprogramming and upgrading the circuitry of your ERCO to Gen 2, which needs to be performed by Ferrum certified engineers. By upgrading your ERCO, this entry-level DAC is not only made totally up to date but will give you the same performance as ERCO Gen 2, which is available in stores right now. Once upgraded, even the original ERCO will perform much like our flagship DA converter WANDLA.
* Procedure for upgrading ERCO to Gen 2
To be upgraded to Gen 2, ERCO units must be sent to the local distributor or to the European Ferrum headquarters. Owners will receive instructions where to send their ERCO after applying for the upgrade online at www.ferrum.audio. If your ERCO is purchased after July 1st the upgrade will be executed without any extra costs, except for one way shipping and handling. We will ship the upgraded ERCO back to you free of charge. Suggested price for the upgrade for ERCOs purchased before July 1st, 2023, will be 195 EUR/USD.
More info on www.ferrum.audio
Upgrade of the original ERCO to ERCO Gen 2 includes:
- firmware based on SERCE software architecture
- I/V stage improvement
- added 768 kHz support (USB only)
- added DSD512 playback
- DSP updated (exactly as in WANDLA):
- MQA decoder and renderer works only for MQA signals
- replaced ESS filter with HQ Apodizing filter
- disabled first-stage filters for high sample rates (≥352.8 kHz)
- improved DAC chip configuration
- changes from firmware v1.0.3 of the original ERCO:
- adjusted signal level to RED BOOK (2V unbal / 4V bal. RMS)
- reduced intermodulation distortion for full-scale signals
Specifications Ferrum ERCO Gen 2 entry level DAC/PREAMP
Headphone output gain: balanced -5.8 dB, +6 dB, +17.8 dB; single ended -11.8 dB, 0 dB, +11.8 dB
Operation: fully balanced, proprietary IC power amp
Power inputs: 5.5/2.5 mm DC connector center positive; proprietary FPL 4-pin DC connector (FPL)
Analog inputs: RCA (Red Book level 2V RMS recommended, PRO level supported)
Digital inputs:
USB-C (MQA, up to PCM 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512, DoP256)
S/PDIF coaxial (MQA, up to PCM 24-bit/192 kHz, DoP64); S/PDIF optical (MQA, up to PCM 24-bit/96 kHz guaranteed, should work up to PCM 24-bit/192 kHz and DoP64 – depends of user’s optical cable and transmitter)
DAC chip: ESS Sabre ES9028PRO
PCM sample rates (kHz): 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 / 352.8 / 384 / 705.6 / 768 kHz
DSD sample rates (MHz): 2.8224 / 3.072 / 5.6448 / 6.144 / 11.2896 / 12.288 / 22.5792 / 24.576 MHz
MQA: decoder and renderer (USB, OPTO and COAX)
Headphone jack outputs: balanced 4.4 mm (TRRRS), unbalanced 6.35 mm (TRS)
Line outputs: balanced XLR; unbalanced RCA (both Red Book level: 4V RMS bal./2V RMS unbal.)
Volume control: analogue with bypass option (bypass for line outputs only)
Frequency response: 10 Hz – 30 kHz (+/- 0.05 dB), 10 Hz – 200 kHz (+/- 1 dB)
Output power unbalanced: 300 mW into 300 Ω; 1,7 W into 50 Ω
Output power balanced: 1.2 W into 300 Ω; 6.1 W into 50 Ω
THD on balanced output: < 0.00018% / -115 dB, 1 mW into 16 Ω; < 0.00018% / -115 dB, 100 mW into 16 Ω
THD on unbalanced output: < 0.00032% / -110 dB, 1 mW into 16 Ω; < 0.00057% / -105 dB, 100 mW into 16 Ω
Dynamic range analog: 129 dB (A-weighted)
Dynamic range digital: 117 dB (A-weighted)
Input impedance: 47 kΩ
Output imp. unbalanced: 22 Ω on pre-amp
Output imp. balanced: 44 Ω on pre-amp
Output imp. Headphones: < 0.3 Ω
Power consumption: idle <15 W
Power adapter: 100-240V AC to 22-30V DC
Dimensions (W x D x H): 21.7 cm x 20.6 cm x 5 cm / 8.6” x 8.1” x 2.0”
Weight: 1.8 kg / 3.97 LBS
Price (EUR/USD): 1.795
About Ferrum:
Looking at the competencies of HEM and the rich local history of quality craftsmanship in the Warsaw region of Poland inspired the idea of creating a new brand of quality hifi products. The Ferrum brand was created in early 2020 and set out to combine sustainability, durability, and quality into compact yet attractive packages, focused on one thing only: delivering the best possible audio experience at an affordable price level. When Ferrum created HYPSOS, it redefined power supply designs. When Ferrum created headphone amp OOR, it raised the bar for intimate, analog listening through your favourite headphones. With headphone DAC/AMP ERCO, Ferrum put one and one together to forever change the way you will enjoy digital and analog audio. With our flagship DAC/PREAMP WANDLA we have made tomorrow’s high-end DAC available today and created yet another addition to our ecosystem of affordable high quality hifi equipment. Now we have introduced the second generation ERCO bringing you closer to the music than any DAC at this price point. Exciting future products will follow suit in unique, exiting, and new ways.
About HEM:
Founded more than 20 years ago in Warsaw, Poland by Marcin Hamerla, HEM set out to operate at the forefront of audio technology. Having done several projects for the Polish government, HEM’s focus shifted to industry leading digital technology in collaborating with Mytek Digital. Experimenting with hi-res audio and Master Quality Authenticated files in particular, HEM manufactured the finest Digital to Analogue converters in the world under the Mytek brand. Apart from being responsible for manufacturing Mytek, HEM distributed the brand in European and Far Eastern markets. Another brand in HEM distribution is Clarus Cable. HEM recently introduced a new and completely in-house developed brand of hifi products under the name Ferrum, which HEM will be distributing as well. Because of HEM’s in-house Research & Development and Software Programming Division, fields of expertise also include manufacturing of original electronic equipment (OEM) and electronic designs (ODM).
More information on www.ferrum.audio
