Madison PHONO
User Manual
1. Unboxing
Your Madison Phono comes with the following elements:
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1 Madison Phono
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1 external 5V DC power supply
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1 power cord
When unpacking the Madison Phono, verify that all components are present and in good condition. If any parts are missing or if you notice any signs of damage, contact your retailer or Wattson Audio for assistance.
We strongly recommend keeping the original packaging. It is designed to protect the Madison Phono during transport if the unit needs to be moved or shipped in the future.
2. Safety notice
The Madison Phono is high-quality audio equipment and should be handled with care to ensure optimal performance and longevity. When setting it up, follow these basic precautions:
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Always handle with care and install your Madison Phono on a stable base.
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Do not install your unit near water, nor expose the unit to any liquid.
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Do not install in direct sunlight or near any heat source, such as radiators or other significant heat sources.
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Do not operate under high ambient temperatures (>35°C) or with extremely high humidity (>85%), such as in humid cellars.
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Use only with the external power supply supplied by Wattson Audio.
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Only use options and accessories specified or recommended by Wattson Audio.
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Do not open the unit or try to service it yourself. Always refer to a qualified technician for service or maintenance.
Symbols used:
DC power
Functional Earth (FE)
Specific regional considerations:
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🇩🇰 Apparatets stikprop skal tilsluttes en stikkontakt med jord som giver forbindelse til stikproppens jord.
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🇫🇮 Laite on liitettävä suojakoskettimilla varustettuun pistorasiaan.
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🇳🇴 Apparatet må tilkoples jordet stikkontakt.
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🇸🇪 Apparaten skall anslutas till jordat uttag.
3. Placement and position
Your Madison Phono is designed to rest on the four feet located beneath its enclosure. For proper performance, place it on a flat, stable, and solid surface.
With its low power consumption, the Madison Phono generates minimal heat and does not require active ventilation. It can be placed on top of furniture or inside a cabinet. To maintain performance, avoid covering the unit or placing it near a heat source or in direct sunlight.
4. Input stage choice
Your Madison Phono comes with one of the three available input stage options. These options are referred to as Current, Voltage, and Optical and are designed to match different types of phono cartridges.
1. Voltage
This is a traditional voltage-sensing input stage that suits Moving Magnet cartridges as well as high-impedance Moving Coil cartridges.
2. Current
The current sensing input uses a transimpedance amplifier providing very high performances with low impedance Moving Coil cartridges. This circuit reduces sensitivity to cable characteristics and avoids the issue of load impedance.
3. Optical
Designed specifically for DS Audio optical cartridges, this input stage implements a transimpedance amplifier for current sensing as well as a precise power source for the optical transducers.
Please make sure your Madison Phono is equipped with the input stage that matches your cartridge type. An incorrect pairing could damage the cartridge.
The input stage model is shown on the rear panel of the Madison Phono. Its label is located below the RCA input sockets.
5. Connectors
Before making or changing any connections to the Madison Phono, ensure that the unit is switched off.
1. AC Power
Connect the provided AC power chord into the external power supply AC Mains input.
For safety and performance reasons, it is important to plug the AC power supply into an outlet with earth.
2. Power Supply DC Input
Connect the external power supply output cable to the circular connector labeled DC IN. Only use the external power supply supplied by Wattson audio: the one that comes standard with the product or the Madison Power S.
Madison Phono DC Pin Configuration
The Madison Phono requires 5.0 V DC with a maximum current of 2.0 A.
3. Network - optional
Use a network cable (not supplied) to connect one of your router’s outputs to the NET input at the rear of your Madison Phono. You will hear a “click” once the cable is correctly wired. The network connection allows firmware updates and device status control but is not mandatory for operation.
4. Optical digital audio output
Your Madison Phono is fitted with an optical TOSLINK digital output, labelled TOS. Use it to connect to a Madison Streamer or a third-party external DAC.
5. Coaxial digital audio output
Your Madison Phono is fitted with a coaxial S/PDIF digital output, labelled COAX. Use it to connect to a Madison Streamer or a third-party external DAC.
6. Stereo single-ended RCA analog outputs
The Madison features a high-quality digital-to-analog converter that transforms the processor's digital output into an analog signal. Use these outputs to connect the Madison Phono to the analog inputs of a pre-amplifier or an integrated amplifier.
7. Stereo single-ended RCA analog inputs
Connect the turntable’s cartridge output cable to this RCA pair. Be sure that your Madison Phono is equipped with the input stage that matches the cartridge type.
8. Earth terminal
Use the earth terminal for the earth wire of your turntable’s tonearm.
6. Accessing the Phono web page
Wattson Audio products include an RJ45 Ethernet port for connection to your network. Available network functions vary by product.
Once connected, your product receives an IP address from your router. Enter this address in your browser to open the product’s Update and Configuration web page, where you can install firmware updates and adjust available settings.
Your product and the phone, tablet, or computer you use to access it must be connected to the same network.
From the Wattson Audio app for iOS or Android
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Open Wattson Music for iOS or Wattson Remote for Android.
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For a Madison Amplifier or Madison Phono, tap the product in the device list to open its web page.
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For a streaming player, connect to the product in the app, open Settings, and find its IP address in the Device section. Tap the address or copy it into your browser’s address bar.
From a Windows computer
Open File Explorer and select Network in the left panel. Your product should appear under Media Devices or Other Devices. Double-click its icon to open the web page in your default browser.
From a Mac
On a Mac with Apple silicon, you can install Wattson Music from the App Store and follow the app instructions above.
Alternatively, use a UPnP-compatible application, such as Audirvana or JRiver, to find your product’s IP address. Enter the address in your browser to open the web page.
From your router
If you cannot find your product using these methods, open your router’s administration page and look for its list of connected devices. Find your Wattson Audio product and enter its IP address in your browser.
7. Using the rotary knob
The rotary knob is used to access and adjust the Madison Phono’s settings.
The LEDs arranged in a semicircle around the left side of the knob indicate the available functions. Turn the knob to select a function. The LED corresponding to the selected function will flash slowly.
Press the knob to adjust the selected function. One of the LEDs in the horizontal bar will then flash slowly to indicate the current setting. Turn the knob to change the setting, then press the knob again to confirm.
The LED will flash three times to indicate that the new setting has been saved.
8. Setting the gain and input impedance
To change the gain setting, turn the knob to the GAIN position and press the knob once. Turn the knob to select the desired gain level, then press the knob again to confirm your selection.
The appropriate gain setting depends on the output level of the cartridge. Refer to the table below for guidance.
For the Current input, the indicated gain levels are based on a cartridge impedance of 10 Ω. The Current input does not require load-impedance matching.
For the Voltage input, the gain setting is linked to the input impedance. LOW and MID are intended for Moving Magnet cartridges. HIGH and MAX should be used with Moving Coil cartridges.
The Optical input uses a transimpedance amplifier similar to the Current input. It does not require load-impedance matching.
A higher gain setting will produce a higher playback volume. You may experiment with the available settings to determine which gain level works best with your cartridge.
During playback, a brief flash of the GAIN LED indicates that the input stage has been overloaded. The Madison Phono includes an automatic limiter to prevent signal clipping, so occasional flashing is not a cause for concern. If the GAIN LED flashes frequently, reduce the gain setting by one level.
9. Selecting the right curve
Records produced today follow the RIAA equalization standard. For this reason, RIAA will be the correction curve used in most applications and is indicated by its own dedicated LED.
To select a different equalization curve, turn the knob to the CURVE position and press the knob once. Turn the knob to select the desired curve, then press the knob again to confirm your selection.
When a non-RIAA curve is selected, the CURVE LED remains lit to indicate that a specific correction curve is active.
To return to RIAA equalization, turn the knob until the RIAA LED flashes, then press the knob to confirm.
10. Activating the subsonic filter
The Subsonic filter is useful when playing warped records. In these cases, you may notice unusual movement from your loudspeakers’ woofers. The Subsonic filter attenuates frequencies below 15 Hz to help prevent this behavior.
To activate the Subsonic filter, turn the knob to the SUB position and press the knob once. Turn the knob to select ON or OFF, then press the knob again to confirm your selection.
When the Subsonic filter is active, the SUB LED remains lit as a reminder.
11. Playing in mono
The Mono function combines the left and right channels to produce a monaural signal. This can be useful when playing mono records, vintage recordings, or in specific listening configurations.
To activate mono playback, turn the knob to the MONO position and press the knob once. Turn the knob to select ON or OFF, then press the knob again to confirm your selection.
When mono playback is active, the MONO LED remains lit as a reminder.
12. Switching the Madison Phono to standby
Although the Madison Phono consumes very little power when switched on, we recommend switching it off or placing it in standby mode when it is not in use.
To place the Madison Phono in standby mode, press and hold the rotary knob while the unit is switched on. The LEDs will fade out, and only the standby LED will remain lit. Power consumption in this mode is minimal.
To switch the Madison Phono back on, press the knob once briefly.
13. Firmware update
From time to time, firmware updates may be released to improve performance, add refinements, or correct issues in the Madison Phono’s internal control software. The update procedure uses the Madison Phono’s network connection and is carried out through a web page hosted by the unit itself.
Check the installed firmware version
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Make sure your Madison Phono is switched on and connected to your network.
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Open its web page in your browser. For instructions, see Accessing the Madison Phono web page in Chapter 6.
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Find the firmware version number at the bottom of the Firmware update section.
Download the latest firmware
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Visit the firmware page on the Wattson Audio website.
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Compare the latest available version with the version installed on your Madison Phono. If a newer version is available, download it.
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If the downloaded file is a .zip file, unzip it to extract the .bin firmware file.
Install the update
Warning: Do not switch off your Madison Phono during the update.
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Make sure your Madison Phono is switched on and connected to your network.
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Open its web page in your browser.
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In the Firmware update section, click SELECT .BIN FILE and select the firmware file you downloaded.
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Click START UPDATE.
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Follow the progress shown on screen. When the update is complete, all LEDs will flash and the Madison Phono will switch off automatically.
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Switch your Madison Phono back on.
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Refresh the web page and check that the new firmware version number is displayed.
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Review your settings and adjust them if necessary.
15. Troubleshooting
If the issue cannot be resolved using the information above, disconnect the unit from the AC wall socket and contact your authorized dealer for assistance.
14. Custom configuration
The Madison Phono’s web page lets you update its firmware and adjust the settings below.
Make sure your Madison Phono is switched on and connected to your network, then open its web page in your browser. For instructions, see Chapter 6.
Device name
Change the name your Madison Phono uses on the network by entering a new name and clicking Rename.
The Madison Phono will briefly disconnect, then reappear under its new name. The app may display a disconnection alert during this process. You can reconnect once the change is complete.
Digital outputs
The coaxial and optical digital outputs operate at 192 kHz by default. Select 96 kHz if your connected DAC does not support 192 kHz.
If you use only the analog output, you can disable the digital outputs.
LED brightness
Use the slider to adjust the brightness of the front-panel LEDs.
