Source: Press Release, Last Accessed: 2024/02/08

With the full reprogramming of Erco’s software in combination with crucial changes in the analog circuitry, Ferrum are introducing a newer, better Erco. The company says that the new device will bring their entry-level DAC one step closer to the performance levels of Wandla, their flagship converter, an unprecedented feat at €1.795. Additionally, there is a program for existing Erco owners to upgrade their original units to Erco Gen 2 specifications, in most cases at no extra costs.
The reprogramming of the original Erco involves the implementation of a completely new firmware structure and goes much further than a regular firmware update. Ferrum ended up using the code from SERC. The DSP in Erco Gen 2 will equal Wandla, the company says, bringing things like 768kHz and DSD512 support, improved DAC performance and including their users’ most preferred Wandla digital filter.
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 featured an I/V converter designed in the “pre-Wandla” style. The Erco Gen 2 has important updates to the I/V converter, based on the experience with Wandla, which give it a more detailed and natural, engaging sound signature, the company says.
In the digital domain there is a HQ Apodizing digital filter, bypassing the filters in ESS, including MQA for all non-MQA signals, while USB playback of 768kHz signals is implemented. What’s more, Ferrum says that they have reduced intermodulation and inter-sample distortion and adjusted output levels to meet RED book standard on the line output and maximum output power on headphone outputs.
The original Erco can be upgraded to Erco Gen 2, a process that involves performing a full and deep reprogramming and upgrading the circuitry of the original Erco to Gen 2, which needs to be performed by Ferrum certified engineers. If your Erco is purchased after July 1st the upgrade will be executed without any extra costs, except for one way shipping and handling. The company 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.

For more information: https://ferrum.audio/

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