Wattson Audio - Madison Phono - Phono Stage

Product Description

The Madison Phono brings Wattson Audio's high-density engineering philosophy to vinyl playback. Built on design principles proven at the highest level of CH Precision engineering, it rethinks the phono stage for modern systems — without sacrificing the immediacy, texture, and musical presence that make analog replay so compelling.

Engineered for the source
The Madison Phono is available with three dedicated input-stage architectures, each built around the specific electrical behaviour of the cartridge it serves — rather than treating compatibility as a simple matter of gain and loading.

• Voltage input — supports MM and high-impedance MC cartridges via a two-stage amplification circuit with automatic gain and loading, simplifying setup while preserving natural dynamics
  
  
• Current input — designed for low-impedance MC cartridges, using a true active transimpedance amplifier (derived from CH Precision technology and unique to Wattson Audio) in place of the passive conversion found in most phono stages, reducing sensitivity to cable and loading interactions
  
  
• Optical input — a dedicated photoconductive-mode stage for DS Audio photoelectric cartridges, built around an active transimpedance circuit for greater dynamic range, stability, and a lower noise floor

Historic curves, modern precision
Equalization is removed from the analog signal path entirely. The cartridge signal is amplified through a fully linear analog stage, then digitized at 32-bit / 384kHz — DXD mastering-studio quality and far beyond the practical limits of vinyl. Correction curves are then applied in the digital domain with ±0.1dB accuracy, so RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI, and Decca-mastered records can all be replayed with the correct tonal balance.

Built for the modern high-end system
Stereo analog RCA outputs connect directly to a preamplifier or integrated amplifier, while coaxial and optical S/PDIF outputs let the Madison Phono feed a Madison Streamer or third-party DAC — giving it the flexibility to sit at the centre of a purist analog system, a Madison-based system, or a digital streaming setup.

Compact form, Swiss engineering
Like the rest of the Madison line, circuits are stripped down and integrated into dense boards within a compact enclosure milled from solid aluminium, providing electromagnetic shielding, mechanical rigidity, and a non-resonant foundation. Network connectivity supports firmware updates and remote control, and the three input-stage modules can be exchanged later as cartridge needs change.

A quieter foundation
Pairing the Madison Phono with the Madison PowerS gives this sensitive circuitry a cleaner, more stable electrical supply — lowering the noise floor, sharpening transients, and letting low-level detail and spatial information emerge with greater clarity.

Specifications

• Dimensions (W x D x H): 175 x 185 x 52mm
• Weight: 1.7kg
• Power supply: External 5V DC, 18W, universal AC input
• A/D conversion: DXD 32-bit / 384kHz
• EQ curves: RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI, Decca (±0.1dB accuracy)
• Digital outputs: RCA coaxial S/PDIF, TOSLINK optical S/PDIF
• Analog outputs: RCA single-ended, 2.0V RMS, THD+N < 0.001%, SNR > 120dB
• Available in light grey or dark grey

Available with voltage, current, or optical input-stage configurations to match MM, MC, or DS Audio optical cartridges.