Ferrum Erco

Ferrum's proprietary work sees them leash Erco's current-output ES9028Pro to a 100Mhz master clock via PLL. This ESS workhorse turns DSP work over to an ARM MCU chip to work as a data master running its own slow roll-off minimum phase digital reconstruction filter, as well as all sorts of proprietary functions discussed.

Ferrum's proprietary filter makes way for a Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) filter when such a stream is detected from Tidal Masters. More crucially, Erco's ARM MCU operates in tandem with the ALPS volume knob. Volume attenuation happens not only through signal level with a turn, but also adjusts internal analog gain via relays.

This ensures Ferrum's volume control remains not only analog, but of the most transparent kind. The internal gain switching quashes noise by preserving signal at the ranges you're using Erco's pot at. Erco's MCU keeps you at the most transparent levels by intelligently dropping and increasing circuit gain as you really need.

Erco makes the argument you won't need an external pre-amp post digital conversion into your stereo system. And this transparency is on full show plugged into its 4.4mm headphone output – capable of pushing 6 watts of balanced power.

Integrated circuits from Analog Devices promise huge slew rates and 200Khz of closed-loop bandwidth to push your big headphones with nary a strain. Erco is Ferrum's promise – and a statement – that their single-box solution is ready to tackle nearly every task you have need for.

Headfonia summed up that Ferrum have the perfect foil for Oor in Erco, with Headfonics citing the excellent headphone output power. Indeed, measurements from Hi-Fi News confirmed Ferrum's extra work payed off. Audiophilia implore you to approach this all-in-one with an open mind, and be blown away by a high value proposition.

Hear how expanding upon Erco's compact talents could pay off by exploring the rest of Ferrum's range here, or view our other desktop devices here.