FERRUM ERCO GEN 2

Ferrum unveils with its Erco an incredible DAC, taking advantage of both the Hypsos power supply and the OOR preamplifier technologies, adding an extremely powerful digital/analog conversion stage. This desktop DAC can be used with headphones or powered speakers, turning your computer into a high quality audio system. The Erco has been designed to provide uncolored sound, very low distortion and high dynamics.

Updated version: Ferrum ERCO Gen 2!

Closer to your music: Ferrum's ERCO DAC moves to generation 2 with a massive firmware update and improved circuitry!

The new ERCO generation approaches the exceptional level of the brand's flagship WANDLA. With the complete reprogramming of the device's firmware, combined with crucial changes to the analog circuitry, Ferrum offers a more modern, high-performance version of its ERCO.

The complete reprogramming of the ERCO involves inserting the new bootloader deep into its memory, and goes far beyond a simple firmware update. Proceeding from the output, the ERCO Gen 2 DSP becomes equivalent to that of the WANDLA, bringing features such as support for PCM 768kHz, DSD512, improved DAC performance and the inclusion of the WANDLA digital filter.

Analog enhancements for ERCO Gen 2

ERCO Gen 2's I/V converter benefits from the experience acquired by the brand with the development of the WANDLA. This update gives the device a more detailed sound signature.

Digital enhancements for ERCO Gen 2

As the ERCO's digital section is similar to that of the brand's SERCE card, Ferrum has been able to port the complete SERCE software stack to the ERCO. The same HQ Apodizing digital filter as on the WANDLA has been added, the ESS filters have been bypassed, and the ERCO is now also capable of decoding 768kHz PCM and DSD512 streams. Intermodulation and intersampling distortions have been reduced, and output levels adjusted to meet current standards.

Summary of ERCO Gen 2 improvements:

Software architecture based on SERCE

Upgrading the I/V floor

PCM 768kHz support (USB only)

DSD512 support

DSP update (same as WANDLA)

MQA decoder and renderer only work with MQA signals

Replacing the ESS filter with an HQ Apodizing filter

First-level filters disabled for high sampling frequencies (≥ 352.8kHz)

Enhanced DAC chip configuration

Changes from original ERCO firmware v1.0.3

Adjusted signal level (2V unbalanced / 4V balanced RMS)

Reduced intermodulation distortion for full-scale signals

A high-end desktop DAC

An optimized circuit : A perfect combination of Ferrum technologies integrated into the sin of the high quality DAC, the Erco provides three digital inputs and one analog input.

Fully balanced : The Erco's circuits are totally balanced. The DAC offers both a balanced XLR input and unbalanced RCA.

Easy to use : The Erco has only 3 buttons on its front panel to control the most important functions of the device.

Proprietary amplifier stage : Ferrum's converter incorporates a balanced amplifier stage, using modified integrated circuits.

Optimized digital inputs : The USB, coaxial and optical interfaces have been specially programmed and optimized to provide excellent audio performance.

MQA decoding : The Erco benefits from an MQA decoder using a powerful ARM processor.

A perfect transparency : The entire internal design of the Erco focuses on its ability to provide a highly transparent sound reproduction.

An ideal ally of the Hypsos : While the Erco offers excellent performance on its own, it has also been designed to work perfectly with the Ferrum Hypsos power supply, to be connected using the proprietary FPL (Ferrum Power Link) cable. This combination unlocks the full potential of the Erco.

Technical characteristics

SPECIFICATIONS

Product type DAC

DAC Chip ES9028Pro

Inputs 1x Stereo RCA

1x USB-C

1x Optical Toslink

1x Coaxial

Outputs 1x Balanced Jack 4.4mm TRRRS headphone output

1x Single-ended Jack 6.35mm headphone output

1x Balanced XLR line output

1x Single-ended RCA line output

Headphone output gain Balanced : -5.8dB, +6dB, +17.8dB

Single-ended : -11.8dB, 0dB, 11.8dB

Supported sampling rates PCM up to 32bit 384kHz

DSD up to DSD256

MQA

Volume control Analog with bypass function

Frequency response 10Hz - 30kHz (±0.05dB)

10Hz - > 200kHz (±1dB)

Single-ended output power 300mW @ 300Ω

1.7W @ 50Ω

Balanced output power 1.2W @ 300Ω

6.1W @ 50Ω

Single-ended output THD < 0.00032% / -110dB, 1mW @ 16Ω

< 0.00057% / -105dB, 100mW @ 16Ω

Balanced output THD < 0.00018% / -115dB, 1mW @ 16Ω

< 0.00018% / -115dB, 100mW @ 16Ω

Dynamic range Analog : 130dB (A-Weighted)

Digital : 120dB (A-Weighted)

Input impedance 47kΩ

Output impedance Single-ended : 22Ω via preamplifier

Balanced : 44Ω via preamplifier

Headphone output impedance < 0.3Ω

GENERAL

Power supply 22-30VDC via Jack DC 5.5/2.5mm or 4-pin FPL proprietary connector

Consumption < 15W

Dimensions 21.7 x 20.6 x 5cm

Weight 1.8kg