As regular readers know, I was impressed with Wattson’s Emerson Analog Streaming DAC, Madison Streaming DAC, and Madison LE (Lounge Edition). Three for three that hit my Favorite Digital List hard.
Wattson Audio recently announced a consolidation of sorts with the Madison Streamer which replaces the “Classic” and “Lounge Edition” models, that “converges into a single, unified design that preserves the performance and topology of the Madison Lounge Edition, while introducing refined exterior detailing.”
The Madison Streamer also comes with the new proprietary WAVe (Wattson Audio Volume Engine) 64-bit digital volume control which was developed in-house specifically for the Madison Streamer leveraging “its CH Precision roots” and replacing the original LEEDH system. The WAVe volume control will also be available for existing Madison LE owners via a forthcoming firmware update.
From Wattson:
WAVe—the Wattson Audio Volume Engine™—is our new 64-bit digital volume control. Drawing on engineering approaches common to both CH Precision and Wattson, and developed fully in-house, it replaces the former LEEDH system with a bespoke design crafted for Madison.
Precise 0.5 dB steps. Verified ±0.1 dB accuracy. Absolute linearity. More musical truth in every adjustment.
Here’s side-by-side, um top-to-bottom, look at the old Madison Classic (top) taken from my review and the new, courtesy of Wattson. I’m happy to see they stuck with the same solid chunk of chassis, milled from solid billet aluminum.
The new Wattson Audio Madison Streamer is available from authorized dealers for $4,995 (the same price as the old Lounge Edition).
Company Website: Wattson Audio