Ferrum Audio ERCO Gen 2 Headphone amplifier

The high-quality Ferrum ERCO Gen2 combines a high-resolution DAC with a powerful headphone amplifier and meets the highest musical and aesthetic demands.

The Ferrum ERCO Gen2 is a fully balanced DAC, preamp and headphone amplifier, featuring the renowned ESS Sabre ES9028PRO. This outstanding device offers impressive 32-bit/384 kHz resolution, supports DSD256, DoP128 and MQA, and is aimed at demanding audiophiles who do not want to compromise on sound quality.

With the complete reprogramming of the ERCO software and crucial changes to the analog circuitry, Ferrum presents the new and improved ERCO Gen2. This model raises the entry-level DAC to a performance level that is very close to that of the flagship WANDLA.

Key Features

Easy handling

• The ERCO Gen2 impresses with its user-friendliness, with only three buttons to control all settings. This makes handling much easier without sacrificing functionality.

Proprietary reinforcement

• The fully balanced, modified IC power amplifier ensures powerful yet precise audio output.

Optimized digital inputs

• The specially programmed USB, coaxial and optical S/PDIF ports are optimized for audio applications, enabling outstanding signal processing.

Optimized MQA

• The ARM-optimized MQA decoder and renderer ensures lossless music playback that is in no way inferior to the original recording.

Improved transparency

• The entire design of the ERCO Gen2 is geared towards a balanced and very transparent sound signature. This effectively reduces listening fatigue and ensures hours of music enjoyment.

Specially developed for HYPSOS

• The ERCO delivers excellent performance right out of the box. However, when combined with the HYPSOS power supply and the Ferrum Power Link (FPL) connection, the ERCO Gen2 achieves even greater musicality and performance.

Improvements to ERCO Gen2

I/V converter stage

• The improved I/V converter stage offers significantly increased overall performance. The enlarged DAC chip and more powerful DSP engine can now emulate the performance of the WANDLA, including the preferred HQ apodizing digital filter DDF. This enables a maximum resolution of PCM 768 kHz and DSD512.

Proprietary technology

• The use of industry-leading technology ensures that all digital connections are optimized for audio and MQA decoding and rendering are tailored to the internal ARM chip.

Suitable for high-end audio

The ERCO Gen2 offers versatile connection options for high-end audio devices. Whether via the balanced 4.4 mm jack or unbalanced 6.35 mm headphone outputs - the ERCO brings out the best in your headphones. Active speakers can also be easily connected via the XLR or RCA outputs to achieve their full performance potential.

Clear path for high-end audio

In this device, Ferrum combines the technology of its flagship with a high-quality, self-developed digital-analog conversion. The ERCO Gen2 offers three digital and one analog input, which ensure versatile application possibilities.

Discrete/IC hybrid design

The ERCO Gen2 uses ultra-wideband ICs that have been specifically optimized for audio. This ensures the best possible analog signal quality and an unparalleled audio experience.

Increased transparency

The entire design is focused on a balanced and very transparent sound signature. This means that listening fatigue is a thing of the past and the listener can enjoy their favorite music for hours without having to accept any loss in sound quality.

Completely symmetrical

The signal path of the ERCO Gen2 is fully symmetrical from the early D/A stage onwards and remains so throughout the RCA inputs. This symmetrical signal processing contributes significantly to the excellent sound quality.

Ferrum Power Link

The ERCO Gen2 already delivers very good results as delivered. However, it is designed to do even more when used with the HYPSOS power supply. The Ferrum Power Link (FPL) connection allows HYPSOS to deliver its maximum performance and, in combination with the ERCO Gen2, achieve unheard of musicality.

Unique output cable design

The unique design of the output cable, with two wires for power transmission and two wires for feedback, ensures a consistent voltage at all times. This technique, known as Ferrum Power Link (FPL), eliminates the damaging effects of cable resistance and greatly improves transient response, significantly increasing the speed of current delivery at the input of the powered device.

The ERCO Gen2 comes with a carefully selected DC adapter. To get the most out of the ERCO Gen2, it is recommended to connect it with the HYPSOS power supply and the proprietary Ferrum Power Link DC power cable. This FPL cable can be ordered separately to take the sound quality to an even higher level.

In summary, the Ferrum ERCO Gen2 offers an excellent combination of high-resolution DAC and powerful headphone amplifier that meets both musical and aesthetic demands at the highest level. With its innovative technologies and versatile connectivity options, it is the ideal choice for audiophiles who want to get the most out of their high-end audio equipment.

TECHNICAL DATA

• Headphone gain: Symmetrical -5.8 dB, +6 dB, +17.8 dB; single-ended -11.8 dB, 0 dB, +11.8 dB
• Operation: Fully symmetrical, proprietary IC power amplifier
• Power inputs: 5.5/2.5mm DC connector, center positive; proprietary 4-pin FPL DC connector
• Analog inputs: RCA (REDbook level 2 V RMS recommended, PRO level supported)
• Digital inputs: USB-C (MQA, up to PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, 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 - dependent on user's optical cable and transmitter)
• DAC chip: ESS Sabre ES9028PRO
• PCM sampling rates: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 / 352.8 / 384 / 705.6 / 768 kHz
• DSD sampling rates: 2.8224 / 3.072 / 5.6448 / 6.144 / 11.2896 / 12.288 / 22.5792 / 24.576 MHz
• DAC resolution: PCM up to 768 k@32bit; DSD up to 512 (22.6 MHz / 24.6 MHz)
• MQA: Decoder and renderer (USB, OPTO and COAX inputs)
• Headphone outputs: Balanced 4.4 mm (TRRRS); unbalanced 6.35 mm (TRS)
• Line outputs: Balanced XLR; unbalanced RCA (both REDbook
• Level: 4V RMS bal./2V RMS unbal.)
• Volume control: Analog with bypass option (bypass only for line outputs)
• Frequency response: 10Hz - 30kHz (+/- 0.05dB); 10 Hz – > 200 kHz (+/- 1 dB)
• Output power unbalanced: 300 mW at 300 O; 1.7 W at 50 O
• Output power symmetrical: 1.2 W at 300 O; 6.1 W at 50 O
• THD at balanced output: < 0.00018% / -115 dB, 1 mW at 16 O; < 0.00018% / -115 dB, 100 mW at 16 O
• THD at unbalanced output: < 0.00032% / -110 dB, 1 mW at 16 O; < 0.00057% / -105 dB, 100 mW at 16 O
• Analogue dynamic range: 130 dB (A-weighted)
• Digital dynamic range: 120 dB (A-weighted)
• Input impedance: 47 kOhm
• Output impedance unbalanced: 22 ohms at the preamplifier
• Output impedance symmetrical: 44 Ohm at the preamplifier
• Headphone output impedance: < 0.3 Ohm
• Power consumption: Idle <15 W
• Power adapter: 100-240 VAC to 22-30 VDC
• 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