Hifi Choice reviews the Wattson Audio Madison
My favorite Lilliputian crosses the Channel to find himself in the United Kingdom, where the atmosphere and audiophile experience are guaranteed.
TheEmerson Digital received the famous"HiFi Choice recommended Award" in 2022. Will the Madison be able to achieve the same result? the competition?
This blog post is based on the original article, summarizing and translating the essential points. If you'd like to read it in full, you can visit the Wattson Audio website (Madison in Hifi Choice) or buy the print magazine(https://www.hifichoice.com/) for a more leisurely read.
David Vivian, reviewer for Hifi Choice, is impressed
Streaming as an audio source is still the subject of debate among audiophiles: some consider it the ultimate source, while others prefer CD or vinyl.
"Until I heard the Madison, I was convinced of the superiority of CD over streaming: CD, even limited to 16bits/44.1 kHz, is able to provide a more physical and palpable perception of music. and palpable perception of music. However, if there's one device capable of reconciling the two worlds, it's the Madison".
From the moment it's switched on, the Madison is a dream to use. The Ethernet cable is plugged in, the Wattson Music app wakes up, and the music lives.
To borrow an old cliché, beneath its elegant gray aluminum case, the Madison hides an ability to take things in hand, while giving free rein to the music, an iron hand in a velvet glove. an iron fist in a velvet glove.
Sound contrasts and vivid musical reproduction
Starting with a Tidal stream of Wayne Shorter, Terry Lyne Carrington, Leo Genovese and Esperanza Spalding Live At The Detroit Jazz Festival, I'm struck by the smooth, natural tone and precise image, but there's a weight and authority to the sound that's as unexpected as it is pleasing. and precise image, but there's a weight and authority to the sound that's as unexpected as it is pleasing.
This deft fusion of strength and finesse breathes new life and dynamism into The Crusaders' undeniably transparent and subtle production of Shake Dance, which is delivered with greater zeal and sharper sonic contrasts than I've heard before.
Moving on to the CD of the same song, delivered by Audiolab transport, it's clear that the Madison's DAC section is excellent, producing fundamentally identical performance to that of streaming, and thus offering enough detail, warmth and texture to satisfactorily attenuate the transparency and precision of the precision of the recording.
Dynamic, authoritative, gentle, natural and precise image
The beautifully designed and crafted Madison comes very close to an ultimate streaming proposition, with a stunning on-board DAC section that delivers top-notch tone whatever the sources used.
If you're serious about streaming audio? the Madison is a must.
So the Madison receives the famous "Hifi-Choice Recommended Award" and we applaud both this award and the performance and work accomplished by Wattson Audio, a big Bravo!!!!
Welcome to Madison in the world of great Streamer DACs!!!!
Sources:
Test bench: Hifi-Choice
Photos: Wattson Audio
The Madison and some options available in our shop
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