Are two Wattsons better than one?
I reviewed and slapped the Emerson Analog and Madison streaming DACs onto my favorites list faster than you can say Wattson.
The vitals: true dual-mono low-feedback Class A/B design offering 50 Watts of power into 8 Ohms, RCA and XLR inputs, and the Madison can be run as a stereo amp, bi-amped, or as a pair of monoblocks double the power (double the fun?).
From the press release:
“With the Madison Amplifier, we set out to create something extraordinary—an amplifier that embodies the precision and musicality that defines Swiss audio,” said Alexandre Lavanchy, Technical Director at Wattson Audio. “Our partnership with CH Precision allowed us to integrate decades of high-end amplifier expertise into a product that feels as honest and timeless as the music it was built to serve.”
In addition to the usual suspects around back, we find a handy 3-position toggle switch to the Madson Amp’s output impedance to match your speakers as well as a 2-position gain toggle switch to mate to incoming signal’s output level. Nice x2. You can get a fuller scoop on the Madison Amplifier from my post on same that includes the complete press release.
The Wattson Madison Lounge Edition Streaming DAC is an upgraded version of the Wattson Madison I reviewed last August: “I love a good streaming DAC and the Wattson Madison is better than good.” What does make the Madison LE? Better than better than good? We shall see!
From Wattson:
With the Lounge Edition, we set out to take the original Madison Streamer to new heights. We started by enhancing the external power supply. Introducing an AC input filter, paired with precision linear regulation, delivered transformative improvements. Inside the main chassis, we doubled the power supply capacitance and upgraded to premium capacitors, ensuring cleaner, more stable power—an essential foundation for elevating performance.
Wattson’s fully balanced differential design uses two pairs of op-amps per channel, optimizing the interface to the DAC chips and enhancing its ability to drive connected power amplifiers. Additionally, we upgraded the critical coupling capacitors between the DAC chips and the analog output stage, improving transparency. The result is not just a technical achievement but an elevation in the realism and emotional impact of the listening experience.
As I reported from Axpona 2025, Wattson Audio is now “a CH Precision company” and there’s some CH DNA in the new Madison amp and LE DAC. With the stack we’re looking at Ethernet in, analog out to the Madison Amp. Simple. We’ll see how sweet.
Wattson Audio Madison Amplifier: $6500
Wattson Audio Madison Lounge Edition Streaming DAC: $4995
Company Website: Wattson Audio
Wattson Madison Amplifier Specifications
Input impedance: 100kΩ
Output power: 2 x 50W / 8 Ω; 2 x 75W / 4Ω; 2 x 120W / 2Ω
Bandwidth: 1Hz to 400 kHz (-3dB)
Signal-to-noise, weighted (SNR-A): > 120dB
Harmonic distortion (THD+N, 0dB FS): < 0.05%
Dimensions (W x D x H): 216 x 300 x 87mm | 8.5 x 11.8 x 3.5 inches (without binding posts)
Weight: 6.0kg | 13.25lbs
Power supply: 36V DC 350W external
Wattson Audio Madison Lounge Edition Streaming DAC Specifications
Network streaming resolution: PCM up to 32-bit 384kHz, DSD up to 256x (11,2896MHz)
S/PDIF input resolution: PCM up to 24-bit 192kHz
RCA output level (0dB FS): 2,0V RMS
XLR output level (0dB FS): 4,0V RMS
Signal-to-noise, weighted (SNR-A): > 120dB
Harmonic distortion (THD+N, 0dB FS): < 0,001%
Headphone output: 2x 150mW on 32Ω, 2x 50mW on 150Ω, 2x 10mW on 600Ω
Network input: 100Mbit/s Ethernet
Digital 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
Dimensions (W x D x H): 6,9 x 7,3 x 2,1in (174 x 185 x 52mm)
Weight: 2,37 lbs (1075g)
Power supply: 5V DC, external, Wattson Audio hybrid adapter
Power consumption: 50mW (standby), 3,5 W (playing)