The Madison Phono is the kind of phono stage that makes you reconsider what you thought vinyl was capable of. By lifting equalization entirely out of the analog path and executing it at 32-bit/384 kHz precision, it removes a layer of coloration that most listeners never knew was there—what's left is the cartridge talking, unencumbered. Transients arrive with a snap that feels almost digital in its composure, yet the warmth and body of a well-cut groove remain fully intact. Three dedicated input architectures—voltage, current, and optical—mean the circuit is genuinely matched to the cartridge's physics rather than accommodating it. Quiet passages open up; the noise floor drops away. It's a compact Swiss box that takes analog seriously enough to use digital as its sharpest tool.
Condition
NEW
Factory Specs
Type Phonostage
Color Light Gray or Dark Gray
Dimensions (W x D x H) 6.89 x 7.28 x 2.05 in (175 x 185 x 52 mm)
Weight 3.75 lbs (1.7 kg)
Power Supply External 5 V DC, 18 W, universal AC input
Power Consumption < 0.5 W standby, 4.0 W nominal
Controls Curve, Mono, Gain, Subsonic, Standby / ON
Remote Control Via Ethernet connection
Firmware Update Via Ethernet connection
Type RCA single-ended
Impedance 47 kΩ (MM); 470 Ω or 100 Ω (MC), user selectable
Gain +34 dB and +40 dB (MM); +54 dB and +60 dB (MC), user selectable
Equivalent Input Noise (A-weighted) -134 dBu / 10 Ω termination
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
Type Optical / current sensing
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
Conversion Type DXD 32-bit / 384 kHz
Equalization Processing Resolution 32-bit / 384 kHz
EQ Curves Available RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI, Decca
EQ Curve Accuracy ±0.1 dB
Subsonic Filter 2nd order at 15 Hz, user selectable
Type RCA coaxial S/PDIF, TOSLINK optical S/PDIF
Output Level S/PDIF 500 mVpp, 75 Ω, with isolation transformer
Sampling Rate 192 kHz; user-selectable down-sampling to 96 kHz
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
Liner Notes
The Madison Phono brings Wattson Audio's high-density engineering philosophy to vinyl playback. Developed from design principles proven at the highest level of CH Precision engineering, it rethinks the phono stage for modern systems while preserving the immediacy, texture, and musical presence that make analog replay so compelling.
The Madison Phono is available with three input-stage architectures, each designed around the specific electrical behavior of the cartridge or transducer it serves. Moving magnet, moving coil, and DS Audio photo-electric cartridges impose different requirements; the Madison Phono responds with dedicated circuitry for each. The voltage-input version supports MM and high-impedance MC cartridges through a two-stage amplification circuit with automatic gain and loading. The current-input version is designed for low-impedance MC cartridges, replacing passive current-to-voltage conversion with a true active transimpedance amplifier derived from CH Precision technology. For DS Audio photoelectric cartridges, a dedicated optical input stage operating in photoconductive mode delivers improved dynamic performance, stable frequency response, and a lower noise floor.
In the Madison Phono, equalization is removed from the analog signal path. The cartridge signal is amplified through a fully linear analog stage, then digitized at 32-bit / 384 kHz—DXD mastering-studio quality. RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI, and Decca curves can be applied with ±0.1 dB accuracy. Stereo analog RCA outputs allow direct connection to a preamplifier or integrated amplifier, while coaxial and optical S/PDIF outputs allow the Madison Phono to feed a Madison Streamer or third-party external DAC. The chassis is milled from solid aluminum and network connectivity supports firmware updates and remote control.
Stock No.
15503130624221
