Analog and Digital Working Together: Wattson's New Madison Phono

by The Audio Beat | September 10, 2026

attson Audio adds to its Madison line of high-performance compact audio electronics with the Madison Phono ($5495), which brings together analog and digital circuitry to play LPs via an array of different cartridge types and EQ curves.

In stock form, the Madison Phono provides a single voltage input for moving-magnet and high-impedance moving-coil cartridges. In this configuration, a two-stage amplification circuit provides automatic gain and loading, simplifying setup. An optional current or optical input board ($500) can replace the voltage input for use with low-impedance moving-coil or photo-electric cartridges.

After input, the Madison Phono first amplifies the cartridge's signal with a fully linear analog stage, then digitizes it to 32-bit/384kHz DXD data, after which equalization and filtering are applied. The unit's RIAA, Columbia, Teldec, EMI, and Decca curves have ±0.1dB accuracy. The Madison Phono provides both analog and digital outputs.

Wattson promotes the Madison Phono's “integration into contemporary high-performance systems,” because it allows connection to analog preamps and digital-to-audio converters. Furthermore, its architecture “preserves the immediacy and character of vinyl while providing the flexibility required by modern systems and historically varied record collections.”