Today, we will discuss one of my favorite components for headphone listening under $2000: the Ferrum Audio ERCO Headphone amplifier and DAC. If you have powered speakers, it can also be used as a premium pre-amplifier on your desktop.

 

This ariticle will primarily discuss the ERCO’s build quality and design and my impressions of sound quality with several different headphones, such as the Yamaha YH-5000se, Meze Elite, DCA E3, Focal Celestee, and, lastly, the Sennheiser HD-660S2 and HD-650.

 

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So, let’s discuss build quality and design. While the ERCO is what Ferrum Audio calls its entry-level DAC and headphone amplifier, priced at $1795, the internal DAC's performance isn’t far behind the incredible-sounding WANDLA DAC, Ferrum’s flagship digital-to-analog converter.

 

According to Ferrum, the ERCO Gen 2 received some improvements over the first-generation model, such as improved performance from the converter stage, SERCE’s DSP engine, which provides oversampling using an HQ Apodizing digital filter, which helps to get the ERCO very close to the flagship WANDLA’s performance.

 

In addition, the internal DAC is now capable of PCM 768kHz and DSD 512.  The digital-to-analog conversion is handled by an ESS Sabre ES9028PRO chip with proprietary optimization and technology from Ferrum Audio.

 

 The ERCO is an Ultra-wideband discrete hybrid design with a truly balanced signal path. It can output 300mW into 300 ohms or 1.7 watts into 50 ohms from the unbalanced headphone output and 1.2W into 300 ohms or 6.1 watts into 50 ohms from the 4.4mm balanced headphone output.

 

The ERCO will easily drive most headphones, and less efficient headphones may still be a better match with Ferrum’s more powerful flagship headphone amplifier, ORR. The ERCO offers three output gain settings controlled on the front: -5.8 dB, +6 dB, and +17.8 dB from the single-ended output and -11.8 dB, 0 dB, and +11.8 dB from the balanced output.

 

According to Ferrum, the ERCO has a Total Harmonic Distortion of less than .00018% from the balanced headphone output and a THD of less than .00032% from the unbalanced output.

 

On the front of the ERCO, you have the backlit Ferrum logo, which is adjustable if you prefer the logo to be brighter, darker, or completely off. After the single-ended output, you have the balanced 4.4mm output, followed by the input selector, followed by the gain control, and lastly, by the analog volume control. The illuminated light next to the input selector will change colors based on the digital file format and resolution.

 

Turning the device around, we have two balanced XLR outputs, which are great for feeding the McIntosh MHA 200 or the Woo Audio WA22 headphone tube amplifiers I have in-house. Next, you have a set of RCA outs, a set of RCA inputs, followed by an Optical input, digital coaxial input, USB C input, a Bypass switch for controlling volume on a different device, the logo brightness control, a trigger output and lastly the power input for use with the Ferrum Hypsos for the best performance as well as the power input for the included power brick and cable.

 

The device is perfect for use on a desktop or even in an audio rack. It weighs only 3.97 lbs, has a width of 8.6”, a depth of 8.1”, and a height of only 2”.

 

Like all other Ferrum Audio products we have discussed, their build quality, look and feel are spectacular, and most importantly, they sound magnificent.

 

I would describe the ERCO's sound quality as neutral and natural-sounding. For reference, the Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is what I consider to be Neutral analytical sounding, and Ferrum’s ORR Wandla Hypsos stack is also neutral and natural-sounding, but with more power on tap, more sound filter options, and a more detailed and defined sound stage.

 

The ERCO is a terrific companion for pretty much any headphone, much like the Wandla ORR combo.  Personally, for my preferences, I enjoy the ERCO with neutral and neutral warm-leaning headphones.

 

The ERCO will show off the sound signature of your headphones and doesn’t necessarily alter the sound of the headphones, like more analytical-sounding gear or warmer-leaning gear. 

 

For my preferences, I wouldn’t pair the ERCO with bright headphones, but those who enjoy that type of sound will find the ERCO capable of extracting loads of detail from your favorite recordings while providing a black background free of noise.

 

If desired, Earphone users can use the -DB setting on the gain output for highly sensitive in-ears. I am a fan of Ferrum's entire current product lineup, and the entry-level ERCO is no different and let’s be honest, it doesn’t sound or look entry-level.  

 

My flagship Yamaha YH-5000se headphones sound tremendous when paired with the ERCO. Usually, I prefer slightly warmer-leaning amplifiers with the Yamahas when using the leather perforated pads. However, the ERCO does a great job showing off the headphones' strengths without creating more issues in the upper mid-range and treble region that more analytical gear tends to do with the Yamaha headphones. I found myself listening to lots of Nils Frahm albums with this combo.

 

The Meze Elite is a fantastic pairing with the ERCO, providing a rich and emotional listening experience with one of my favorite sets of Meze headphones.  Listening to The Curse from Agnes Obel from her Aventine album is so damn good with this combo, and I think many listeners would be utterly impressed with this setup.

 

The Dan Clark Audio E3 Closed-back headphones and the ERCO pairing are excellent; while this pairing does tip-toe right up to the line for my preferences in the top end, it never crosses it with the majority of recordings, which is the case with more analytical sounding gear. 

 

I also prefer turning the gain control to the + setting with the E3, which creates a bit bolder and more dynamic sound with this pairing. Listening to Anabasis Live from Dead Can Dance with this pairing was mind-melting good.

 

Pairing the Focal Celestee with the ERCO is a very good time; the punchy midbass and warmth in the mid-range of the Celestee sound magnificent, with Ferrum behind the wheel driving.  I found myself being drawn to lots of rock, hard rock, and metal music from some of my favorite artists like Dire Straits, Tool, and Eric Clapton with this combo.

 

Lastly, the HD-660S2 and HD-650 are fabulous to listen to with the ERCO.  While an argument can be made for a more analytical pairing for the HD-650 for my preferences, I found both headphones to sound exceptional with the ERCO. 

 

So, let’s wrap up. Ferrum Audio’s ERCO is, for good reason, in my opinion, one of the best values in the hi-fi audio world. It creates an extremely natural sound that easily synergizes with multitudes of headphones or as a pre-amplifier with active speakers.

 

I most definitely prefer the Flagship WANDLA, ORR, and HYPSOS stack, but at nearly three times the price of the ERCO, more budget-friendly listeners will get much of the fantastic sound and features found in the flagship stack without the larger price tag. The HYPSOS power supply can always be added to the ERCO as well.

 

So, if you are searching for a headphone amplifier and DAC combo with excellent power output, a silent noise floor, and a natural yet engaging quality of sound that pairs well with numerous headphones from a sound synergy standpoint, I really think you should give the ERCO a listen to see if you enjoy it as much as I do with your favorite headphones.

A big thanks to our friends at Ferrum Audio for sending out the ERCO for us to check out!  If you are interested in trading up your old headphones, amplifiers, or other gently used audio gear for a new set of headphones or an amplifier, check out our trade-up program, and don’t forget we will price-match other authorized dealers! 

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Let us know what you think of the Ferrum Audio ERCO in the comments.  Until next time, friends, remember, let the music be your guide!