Madison STREAMER
Installation Guide
Madison STREAMER
Installation Guide
1. Unboxing
Your Madison comes with the following elements:
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1 Madison
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1 external power supply, 5V DC
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1 power cord
When you first unpack your Madison Streamer, please take a moment to ensure that all components are present and in good condition. If you notice any missing parts or signs of damage, contact your retailer or Wattson Audio for support.
We strongly recommend keeping the original packaging. It is specially designed to protect your Madison Streamer during transport in the event you need to move or ship the unit in the future.
2. Safety notice
The Madison Streamer 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:
- 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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Please 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
polarity of the DC power
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 Streamer is designed to rest on the four feet beneath its enclosure. For proper performance, place it on a flat, stable, solid surface.
With its low power consumption, the Madison Streamer 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. Network and audio connections
Before you proceed with any wiring and connecting of your Madison, we recommend that you ensure that it is switched off.
1. AC Power
Connect the provided AC power cord to the external power supply's AC Mains input.
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.
3. Network
Use a network cable (not supplied) to connect one of your router’s outputs to the NET input at the rear of your Madison Streamer. Once the cable is correctly wired, you will hear a “click.”
4. Optical digital audio input
Your Madison Streamer is fitted with an optical TOSLINK digital input, labelled TOS. Use it to connect a CD transport, DVD player, or TV optical output.
5. Coaxial digital audio input
Your Madison Streamer is fitted with a coaxial S/PDIF digital input, labelled COAX. Use it to connect a CD transport, DVD player, or TV coaxial digital output.
6. Stereo single-ended RCA analog outputs
Use them to connect the Madison Streamer to the analog inputs of a pre-amplifier, an amplifier, or active loudspeakers with single-ended interconnects.
7. Stereo balanced XLR analog outputs
Use them to connect the Madison Streamer to the analog inputs of a pre-amplifier, an amplifier, or active loudspeakers with balanced interconnects.
5. Getting started
Once all connections have been set and the power cable plugged into the wall socket, your Madison Streamer is ready to be switched on. The standby LED is lit on the front panel.
Press the main control knob once. All LEDs will light up and flash 3 times in a row. Then, the LED of the active input, as well as one of the volume LEDs, will remain on. Note that when using the network input, the NET LED will blink as long as your Madison Streamer does not have a valid IP address.
Please wait a few seconds for the network connection to be completed. Once the NET LED stops blinking, your Madison Streamer is successfully connected and ready to stream music.
6. Digital content access and playback
The Madison Streamer can function as a DAC when playing music from an external digital source, such as a CD transport or your TV connected via the TOS input. However, the primary interest of Wattson Audio's streamers is obviously in its network streaming interface.
There are several ways to access the virtually unlimited online music content, including the music stored on your server at home. The Madison Streamer complies with the UPnP DLNA standard, enabling it to be controlled by the Wattson Music application or other generic controllers using this standard.
The controller is usually an application on a tablet or smartphone that acts as a remote control and link between the music servers and the streaming device.
Using Wattson Music
The Wattson Music iOS app is probably the most obvious method. It gives you access to local DLNA servers, Qobuz, Tidal, and web radio stations. Please refer to the app guide by following this link.
Using Roon
The Madison Streamer is certified Roon Ready. Roon is a full music management platform for accessing, controlling, and playing all your digital music. More information about Roon is available here.
Using Audirvana
Audirvana is a media player software designed especially for music listening enthusiasts and audiophiles looking for a music player that can handle high-fidelity digital audio and top-notch audio listening equipment. The Madison Streamer has been successfully tested and complies with the “plays with Audirvana” label. More information about Audirvana here.
Using Tidal Connect
Tidal Connect is a very straightforward way to pair your Tidal account with the Madison Streamer. When listening to music on Tidal, you can click a button in the now-playing section, and your music will start playing through the chosen device via Tidal Connect. More information about Tidal Connect is here.
Using Airplay
The Madison Streamer complies with the Apple ecosystem's AirPlay 1 standard. This means you can send a stereo audio stream from Apple devices to be played back by the Madison Streamer. While this feature is convenient, we recommend the other methods described above, which guarantee the quality of a high-definition music stream.
7. Renaming your Madison Streamer
Your Madison Streamer is easily identified on the network by a specific name. According to the model, it was originally named “Madison,” but you can rename it at your convenience.
From the Wattson Music iOS app
Open the Wattson Music app. On the Home screen, swipe left on your Madison Streamer's name and click on the "Rename" action. Enter the new name and validate your change by hitting "Return" on the keyboard.
From the Wattson Remote Android app
Open the Wattson Remote app and connect to your Madison. Access the Settings from the upper right button. In the "Device" section, click "Friendly name", enter the new name, and validate your choice.
From your Madison Streamer Web page
Connect to your Madison Web page. In the "Modification of the Friendly Name" section, enter the new name in the designated field and validate your choice by clicking the "Rename" button.
Whatever way you choose, your Madison will disappear from the network for a few seconds and reappear under its new name.
Please note that the new name must be published on the network within a few seconds. The app may display an alert to warn about disconnection. You will be able to reconnect to your Madison Streamer as soon as the change has been completed.
8. Volume control
The Madison Streamer's internal processor digitally controls the level of the analog outputs. An advanced algorithm has been chosen to avoid information loss, distortion, and maximum resolution during processing.
The level can be set directly from the front of the Madison Streamer, using the rotary knob. The row of LEDs around the left-hand edge of the knob indicates the level.
Level commands sent by control applications are also sent to the Madison Streamer. So, whether you're using Wattson Music, Audirvana, Roon, or Tidal Connect, volume processing is always carried out by the Madison Streamer's internal processor.
9. Switching between input sources
In addition to a network connection, your Madison Streamer offers you the possibility of connecting two additional digital audio devices, such as a CD player or a TV.
Using the multifunction knob
During operation a short press on the knob mutes the sound and allows you to change input by rotating the knob.
From the Wattson Music app for iOS
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Open the Wattson Music app and connect to your Madison Streamer. Connect to your Madison Streamer and go to the Madison tab at the bottom right of the screen. Select the desired audio source by clicking on the input icons.
From the Wattson Remote app for Android
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Open the Wattson Remote app and connect to your Madison Streamer. Select the desired audio source by clicking on the input icons.
10. Listening with headphones
The Madison Streamer features a 6.3mm jack on the front panel. You can connect any type of dynamic stereo headphones.
The Madison Streamer output is optimized for relatively low impedances. Headphones with an impedance of several hundred ohms will work fine, but the maximum sound level will still be lower than with low-impedance headphones.
Headphones with a 3.5mm plug require an adapter.
Listening to headphones does not disable the XLR and analog RCA outputs. If your amplifier is on, the sound will come out of the speakers and your headphones simultaneously.
11. Switching the Madison Streamer to standby
Although the Madison Streamer draws very little power when switched on, we recommend that you switch it off or put it on standby when not in use.
A long press on the rotary knob when the device is switched on triggers the standby mode. The volume indicator LEDs all light up, then gradually fade out. Only the standby LED remains lit. Power consumption in this mode is minimal.
A short press on the button switches the Madison Streamer back on.
12. Firmware update
From time to time, we publish internal firmware updates for our products. The aim of these updates is to bring small improvements, corrections or possibly new features.
To find out which version is currently installed, visit your Madison Streamer web page:
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Ensure that your Madison Streamer is switched on and connected to your network.
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Connect to your Madison web page.
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The firmware version number is indicated at the end of the "Firmware update" section.
Using this version number, you can check at any time if a newer firmware version is available for your Madison Streamer:
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Visit the firmware page on the Wattson Audio website.
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Download the latest file update if this is more recent than the one installed on your Madison Streamer.
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Once the download is completed, ensure the file is decompressed in a binary format (.bin). If the file is still compressed (.zip), use a utility to unzip it.
You may then proceed to the update by following the steps listed below:
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Ensure that your Madison is switched on and connected to your network.
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Connect to your Madison web page.
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In the "Firmware update" section, click on the button "SELECT .BIN FILE" in order to indicate the location of the previously downloaded file and validate your choice.
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Click on the button "START UPDATE".
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Follow the update process that is indicated on your screen. During this phase, the LEDs on the volume knob of your Madison Streamer will flash one by one to show the update status. Do not turn off your Madison during the update!
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At the very end of the update procedure, all LEDs will flash quickly, and the Madison Streamer will automatically turn off.
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Restart your Madison Streamer.
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On the web page, wait for the "Ready" indication before clicking on the "Back" button. The Web should now show the updated version number.
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Finally, take the time to check the volume level as well as the EQ settings and adjust it if necessary.
You may then use your Madison normally in order to fully enjoy your preferred musical environment.
13. Troubleshooting and LED error codes
Under normal circumstances, the LEDs on the front panel of the Madison are used to indicate the standby status, the selected input and the volume level.
However, in the event of a device malfunction, these LEDs are also used to indicate the nature of the current problem.
Network connection is missing, or the network interface is not responding
When the network input is selected and a problem is detected with the network interface, the NET LED flashes once per second.
This indicates that no valid IP address could be assigned to the Madison. The other LEDs are not considered for this error code.
In most cases, the cause will be related to a poor connection of the Ethernet cable to the back of the Madison. Therefore, it is recommended that you check the condition of this cable and change it if necessary.
If the problem persists, the second most common cause of malfunction is related to another device in the network infrastructure (switch, router, etc.). It is recommended to check all these devices and if necessary, to call in a network specialist.
In rare cases, the Madison's network interface may be at fault. The unit should be returned to your dealer or to Wattson Audio for repair.
Communication with the flash memory is not possible
The various internal devices of the Madison communicate with each other and use an internal flash memory. If communication with this memory is not possible, the LEDs of the three inputs will flash approximately 3 times per second, and the first volume LED, starting from the bottom, will be lit.
This error is critical and cannot be corrected. The unit must be taken to your dealer or returned to Wattson Audio for repair.
Flash memory content is missing or incorrect
The flash memory contains information essential to the startup and operation of the Madison. If the contents of this memory cannot be validated during initialization of the Madison, the LEDs of the 3 inputs will flash approximately 3 times per second and the second volume LED starting from the bottom will be lit.
If this error persists, a new firmware update should be performed.
The Signal Processing Unit (DSP) is not responding
The DSP is a central component of the Madison. If the DSP becomes unresponsive or its firmware is incomplete or erroneous, the LEDs of the three inputs will flash approximately three times per second, and the third volume LED, starting from the bottom, will be lit.
If this error persists, a new firmware update must be performed.