Wattson Audio Madison Phono
WATTSON AUDIO MADISON PHONO INTRODUCED TO BRING MODULAR DIGITAL EQUALISATION TO VINYL REPLAY
Wattson Audio has announced the new Wattson Audio Madison Phono, a compact phono stage designed for moving magnet (MM), moving coil (MC) and DS Audio optical cartridges.
The Wattson Audio Madison Phono combines an analogue input stage with digital processing, with dedicated architectures for the different cartridge types. It supports RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI and Decca equalisation curves, and provides both digital and analogue outputs.
WATTSON AUDIO MADISON PHONO
The Madison Phono uses a modular input-board design, with one board specified when the unit is ordered. Three options are available: Voltage, Current and Optical. The voltage board is intended for moving magnet and high-impedance moving coil cartridges, while the current board is designed for low-impedance moving coils. The Optical board provides a dedicated input stage for DS Audio photo-electric cartridges. The input board can also be replaced later if the cartridge or system requirements change.
DIGITAL EQUALISATION AND ANALOGUE SIGNAL PATH
Rather than applying equalisation in the analogue signal path, the Madison Phono first amplifies the cartridge signal using a linear analogue stage before digitising it at 32-bit/384 kHz DXD resolution. Equalisation curves and filtering are then applied digitally. Wattson Audio states that the five supported curves can be implemented to ±0.1 dB accuracy, allowing records produced using different historical mastering standards to be accommodated.
WATTSON AUDIO POWERS SUPPLY
The Madison Phono can also be upgraded with Wattson Audio’s external PowerS supply. According to the manufacturer, the additional supply is intended to lower the noise floor and increase dynamic headroom. The press release says this can improve the presentation of low-level information, spatial cues and dynamic contrasts.
WATTSON AUDIO MADISON PHONO PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Madison Phono is available now through authorised Wattson Audio retailers at an MSRP of $5,500 in the United States and €5,240 including VAT in Europe. The price includes one input board, specified at the time of order. Additional Voltage, Current or Optical input boards are priced at $500 or €500 including VAT. Each unit is made in Switzerland
HiFi PiG says: : Wattson Audio’s approach to digital equalisation and its choice of interchangeable cartridge-specific input boards make the Madison Phono an interesting proposition, particularly for vinyl users with more specialised cartridge requirements.
