Wattson Madison Phono Amplifier – First Look
All Image Credit: Wattson
With an unconventional approach to vinyl amplification Swiss manufacture Wattson have released the Madison Phono. After initial analog amplification, and prior to any signal equalisation the cartridge signal is digitised at 32-bit/384KHz. This novel design can accommodate moving magnet, moving coil and DS Audio optical cartridges using the appropriated input board. Available in a light or dark grey finish the Madison is priced at; £4,700, $5,495 or €5,240.
Raising an eyebrow or two, this phono amplifier first amplifies the cartridge output through a linear analogue stage then converts it to digital at 32-bit/384KHz DXD resolution. Once in the digital domain, the equalisation and filtering are handled digitally, with RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI and Decca curves available. Wattson claims each filter can be implemented to within ±0.1dB. A switchable first-order 15Hz subsonic filter is also available.
Input board seen at Top RH corner
The design offers three types of input board, that can be changed out at a later date if the owners cartridge requirements change. The three options are:
- Voltage input. For moving magnet and high-impedance moving coil cartridges, a two-stage amplification circuit provides automatic gain and loading, simplifying setup while preserving tonal balance and dynamic expression. Having selectable 47kΩ MM loading and 470Ω or 100Ω MC settings. Gain ranges from 34dB to 40dB for MM and 54dB to 60dB for MC.
- Current input. For low-impedance moving coil cartridges, a true active transimpedance amplifier derived from CH Precision technology converts the cartridge current directly at the input, reducing sensitivity to cable characteristics, loading interactions, and impedance variation. Gain is adjustable from 48dB to 66dB.
- Optical input. For DS Audio photo-electric cartridges, a dedicated board operates in photoconductive mode around an active transimpedance circuit engineered specifically for optical cartridge replay.
Processed signals can remain in the digital or return to the analogue worlds. Coaxial and optical S/PDIF outputs operate at up to 192KHz, with selectable downsampling to 96KHz, while a built-in DAC feeds a pair of single-ended RCA analogue outputs. Wattson specifies an A-Weighted SNR of greater than 120dB and less than 0.001% THD+N at full scale for the analogue output stage.
The front-panel rotary push control provides selection of; EQ curve, mono mode, gain and subsonic filtering. Power is provided by an external 5V DC supply and for those wanting improved performance, Wattson’s optional Power S supply is compatible (£2,350/$2,495/€2,495 approx.).
Rear panel connectivity includes; 1 x RCA stereo inputs and 1 x RCA stereo outputs, plus 1 x Optical TOSLINK and 1 x RCA coaxial digital outputs. There is also 1 x RJ45 Ethernet connection for control and software updates.
Features At A glance:
- Dedicated, replaceable input board for voltage, current, or optical cartridges
- Automatic gain and loading for moving magnet and high-impedance moving coil cartridges
- Active transimpedance input for low-impedance moving coil cartridges
- Dedicated photoconductive optical architecture for DS Audio cartridges
- Fully linear analog amplification followed by 32-bit/384 KHz DXD conversion
- RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI, and Decca equalization curves with ±0.1 dB accuracy
- Analog and digital outputs for flexible system integration
- Compact Swiss design with modular, serviceable construction
Specifications:
- User interface:
- Curve, Mono, Gain, Subsonic, standby / ON
- Remote control: Via Ethernet connection
- Firmware update: Via Ethernet connection
- Analog input (voltage sensing input for MM/MC cartridges):
- Type: RCA single-ended
- Impedance: 47 KΩ for MM, 470 Ω or 100 Ω for MC, user selectable
- Gain: +34 dB and +40 dB for MM, +54 dB and +60 dB for MC, user selectable
- Equivalent Input Noise (A-weighted): -134 dBu / 10 Ω termination
- Analog input (Current sensing inputs for MC cartridges):
- Type: RCA single-ended
- Impedance: < 1 Ω, virtual ground
- Gain: +48 dB to +66 dB in 6 dB steps (10 Ω cartridge internal impedance)
- Equivalent Input Noise (A-weighted): -139 dBu / 10 Ω termination
- Optical input (Current sensing inputs for MC cartridges):
- Type: Optical/current sensing inputs for DS Audio optical cartridges
- Impedance: < 1 Ω, virtual ground
- Gain: +58 dB to +76 dB in 6 dB steps
- Equivalent Input Noise (A-weighted): -128 dBu / 10 Ω termination
- A/D conversion and processing:
- Conversion Type: DXD 32bit / 384KHz
- Equalization Processing Resolution: 32bit / 384KHz
- EQ curves available: RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI, Decca
- EQ curve accuracy: +/- 0.1 dB
- Subsonic filter: 1st order at 15Hz, user selectable
- Digital outputs:
- Type: RCA coaxial S/PDIF, TOSLINK optical S/PDIF
- Output level: S/PDIF : 500 mVpp, 75Ω, with isolation transformer
- Sampling rate: 192KHz, user selectable down-sampling to 96KHz
- Analog outputs:
- Type: RCA Single-ended
- Conversion type: Multi-bit Sigma-Delta, chip-based
- Output level (full scale): 2.0 V RMS
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (full scale): < 0.001 %
- Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted): > 120 dB
- General:
- Type: Phonostage
- Color: Light gray or dark grey
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 175 x 185 x 52 mm
- Weight: 1.7 Kg
- Power Supply: External 5 V DC, 18 W, universal AC input
- Power consumption: < 0.5 W standby, 4.0 W nominal
Pricing (includes one input board):
- UK: £4,700, Additional input boards are £500 each.
- US: $5,495.00, Additional input boards are $500 each.
- EU: €5,240.00, Additional input boards are €500 each.
Editors note: Not too sure how I feel about digitizing the analog vinyl signal at these low levels in order to get extreme accuracy for EQ. My older analogue Musical Fidelity MX-Vinyl claims ±0.1dB and current M6x Vinyl claims ±0.2dB. I think that there are too many other factors that affect what you hear rather than an EQ error of ±0.1dB, which is achievable by ALL analog means. Especially as many systems, including mine, digitise the signal again for room EQ. Once is bad enough, twice?!
For more information visit the Wattson web site.
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