Wattson Audio Madison Network DAC Unveiled

Wattson Audio have been not thrilled with our review of the Emerson Electronic Streamer so it’s not likely that we’re likely to see the brand name new, Wattson Audio Madison Community DAC despatched to us for overview but I consider there are a whole lot seriously appealing capabilities on this new community DAC and it addresses a variety of the difficulties that I had with the Emerson deficiency of connectivity options and a control app that wasn’t all set for prime time.

The Emerson Electronic is actually a superior network streamer but I discovered the tonal balance way too great for my tastes.

Wattson have expanded the number of supported platforms with the Madison and the Roon-Ready possibility is a fantastic way to go with it centered on my practical experience with the Emerson.

The €2,660 Wattson Audio Madison is also a headphone amplifier and preamplifier that can be linked specifically to a energy amplifier or pair of powered speakers.

The DAC on the Madison has also been upgraded to 32-bit/384kHz PCM by way of streaming and 24-bit/192kHz via the S/PDIF electronic enter. DSD is also supported and it does not search like MQA has been additional.

The develop high-quality on the Emerson was pretty superior and it was quite quick to set up and neglect on my community and I can’t think about that the Madison will be any diverse.

My only assistance would be to make positive the tonal stability performs with your headphones and amplifier/loudspeakers — Wharfedale/Harbeth/Q Acoustics would be excellent in this circumstance.

Complex Technical specs

Critical Attributes

• Proprietary streaming option by engineered SA, bit ideal and asynchronous
• Aid for PCM and DSD high-definition formats
• New up-sampling method with time-area optimization, legacy of the well known Anagram Know-how up-samplers
• Lossless LEEDH Processing quantity control for direct link to energy amplifiers
• Adjustable bass response to compensate for speaker placement in close proximity to walls
• Ultra-low period sound oscillators
• A person D/A converter chip for every channel in twin differential method
• Total-symmetric analogue output phases
• Pretty small-noise power offer circuits
• CNC-machined out of a reliable aluminium block
• Style and design, manufacturing and assembling entirely made in Switzerland

​Connectivity

• Community input: 100Mbit/s Ethernet
• Electronic inputs: 1x S/PDIF on RCA connector, PCM and 1x S/PDIF on TOSLink
• Analog outputs: 1x unbalanced on RCA connectors and 1x balanced on XLR
• Headphone output: 6.35mm Jack connector

Restitution

• Supported compression formats: WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, WMA
• Manage protocols: UPnP/DLNA, AirPlay compatibility, Roon Completely ready
• Streaming products and services brought by the Wattson Tunes app: TIDAL, Qobuz, airable radios

Performances

• Community streaming resolution: PCM up to 32-little bit 384kHz, DSD up to 256x (11.2896MHz)
• S/PDIF enter resolution: PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz
• RCA output stage (0dB FS): 2.1V RMS
• XLR output level (0dB FS): 4.2V RMS
• Sign-to-sound, weighted (SNR-A): typ.124dB
• Harmonic distortion (THD+N, 0dB FS): typ. .001%
• Headphone output: 2x 100mW on 32 ohms, 2x 25mW on 150 ohms

Mechanical and electrical characteristics 

• Dimensions (W x D x H): 6.9 x 7.3 x 1.9in (174 x 185 x 47mm)
• Excess weight: 2.31lb (1050 grams)
• Electric power offer: 5V DC, exterior, health care grade
• Power use: 50mW (idle), 4,5 W (playing)

Exactly where to get: €2,660 at Wattson Audio