Nagra CLASSIC AMP?

**joeinid** · February 4, 2016, 02:35 AM

http://www.nagraaudio.com/classic-amp/

I'd love to hear this amp. Anyone hear Nagra lately?

**Jerome W** · February 4, 2016, 08:37 AM

I listened to it Joe.
It is absolutely wonderful.
On Verity Audio Parsifal Anniversary, Rockport Aviors and YG Acoustics ( the little ones ) it smoked the Dart CTH8550

**Steve** · February 4, 2016, 09:30 AM

It looks beautiful too.

**Mike** · February 4, 2016, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Steve

It looks beautiful too.

Depends who you ask.

I think it does.

**Amr** · February 4, 2016, 11:55 AM

This is my power amp for almost three months, a very good amp covers all the sonic elements with high score, very musical.

Amr.

**joeinid** · February 4, 2016, 12:11 PM

Thank you Jerome.

I trust your ears. It seems like it's made extremely well too.

Originally Posted by Jerome W

I listened to it Joe.
It is absolutely wonderful.
On Verity Audio Parsifal Anniversary, Rockport Aviors and YG Acoustics ( the little ones ) it smoked the Dart CTH8550

**joeinid** · February 4, 2016, 12:12 PM

Thank you Amr,

I appreciate your opinion.

Originally Posted by Amr

This is my power amp for almost three months, a very good amp covers all the sonic elements with high score, very musical.

Amr.

**KenSea** · February 4, 2016, 07:22 PM

Jerome,
Have you tried the Nagra with the Shindo preamp?

**BobNY** · February 4, 2016, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Depends who you ask.

I think it does.

If you ask me....... I agree

**RLL1** · February 5, 2016, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by Amr

This is my power amp for almost three months, a very good amp covers all the sonic elements with high score, very musical.

Amr.

Amr......Most of the Nagra components are pictured on that platform. Does it come with the amp?

**Jerome W** · February 5, 2016, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by KenSea

Jerome,
Have you tried the Nagra with the Shindo preamp?

My MSA with the Giscours.
Yes of course. It works very nicely. A superb matching.
But the Shindo's are so good with the Altec's that the MSA is back in my bedroom with a vintage Chord CPA-2800 preamp.

**nicoludio** · February 5, 2016, 03:21 AM

Originally Posted by Jerome W

I listened to it Joe.
It is absolutely wonderful.
On Verity Audio Parsifal Anniversary, Rockport Aviors and YG Acoustics ( the little ones ) it smoked the Dart CTH8550

Jerome, which was the pre-amp that was used with the Classic and how does the Classic compare with the MSA? Thanks.

**Jerome W** · February 5, 2016, 03:39 AM

Variable output of the HD DAC. The Classic is more punchy than the MSA. And gives a deeper bass.

**bzr** · February 5, 2016, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Depends who you ask.

I think it does.

....stop that!....

**Amr** · February 5, 2016, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by RLL1

Amr......Most of the Nagra components are pictured on that platform. Does it come with the amp?

Rick,

this is a Vibration free accessory which is sold separately.

Amr.

**RLL1** · February 5, 2016, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Amr

Rick,

this is a Vibration free accessory which is sold separately.

Amr.

Thanks Amr.

**jfrech** · February 8, 2016, 10:08 AM

I recently bought a Nagra Classic Amp. Replaced Ayre MXR's, which are pretty good amps in their own rite. Very happy with the Nagra, incredible resolution, excellent well controlled and textural bass and just even handed up and down the frequency range. This amp punches above it's weight class for sure...

**joeinid** · February 8, 2016, 03:46 PM

Welcome to the forum jfrench! Thank you for joining.

**joeinid** · February 8, 2016, 03:48 PM

Wow!

That's great.

Originally Posted by jfrech

I recently bought a Nagra Classic Amp. Replaced Ayre MXR's, which are pretty good amps in their own rite. Very happy with the Nagra, incredible resolution, excellent well controlled and textural bass and just even handed up and down the frequency range. This amp punches above it's weight class for sure...

**jfrech** · February 8, 2016, 07:55 PM

I guess you guys all saw this? Some cool pics of the Classic amp getting built...

http://6moons.com/audioreviews2/nagra2/1.html

**jfrech** · February 8, 2016, 08:00 PM

A Nagra Classic Amp singing along tonight....

**Mike** · February 8, 2016, 08:02 PM

John - glad you got the log-in problems fixed!

Thanks for sharing the pic of the Classic.

Could you kindly describe it's sound compared to other amps you've had?

**jfrech** · February 9, 2016, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

John - glad you got the log-in problems fixed!

Thanks for sharing the pic of the Classic.

Could you kindly describe it's sound compared to other amps you've had?

Hi Mike, thanks for your help. I can compare the Nagra Classic to the Nagra MSA, Nagra VPA and Ayre MXR/MXR20. I had each in my system before I purchased the Classic amp. (The Ayre MXR's I had owned for ~5 years)

First up is the MXR. The Nagra Classic is more linear (even) top to bottom. More textural in the bass as well as going lower. It's also higher resolution through out the frequency range and more dynamic. The music has more energy to it. The final point is the musicality and the 3d imaging. This is the part that really won me over. The MXR is more effortless at very high volume levels, the Nagra Classic has it's limits. I have a BIG room, 25x35ft, 12 ft ceilings, and my Rockports while efficient are a tough load. The Nagra Classic is plenty fine for me. I rarely hit the limits and most of the time the Nagra never leaves class A.

The MXR-20's have more energy and resolution than the MXR's. Better Bass too. On the surface, they are simply better amps than the prior MXR's, however I felt the MXR20's missed that musicality that the Nagra classic possesses. The Nagra is more interesting to listen too. (at 1/2 the price I might add)

The Classic vs the MSA, while the MSA has that Nagra musicality and is incredibly wonderful to listen to (like the MXR's), the Classic simply presents more information (resolution), presents it better in space, unravels the music better, and has more power. If you love your MSA's keep em. Great amps. The Classic is better however.

The Nagra VPA's were a harder decision. Incredible presentation of space, unravels the music nicely, never runs out of gas, but they in comparison to the Nagra Classic don't quite have the same resolution and bass control. The VPA's do present more wetness to the sound. More weight on the notes if you will. Those 15inch drivers on my Rockports just "locked in" with the Classic in way that I couldn't let go. Again the Classic is ~1/2 the price of the VPA's.

Now that I've had the Classic amp for about 3 months, it just keeps drawing you into the music. I listen to jazz, light classical, folk. If I was into full out orchestra's I may want a 2nd Classic for the extra power or some other amp. I'm quite smitten by the Classic amp. I think it's a steal for the money considering I choose it vs 2 other amps at ~30k.

**joeinid** · February 9, 2016, 11:51 AM

John,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and careful descriptions. Wow! That was some tough competition and the Nagra won out. Totally amazing. I appreciate the effort.

**KeithR** · February 9, 2016, 12:43 PM

Thanks for your comments on Ayre vs. Nagra - I had similar thoughts when I auditioned the Ayre VX-5 in my system, particularly on 3d imaging. Sounds like my Dart is more like your Nagra. Excellent Swiss company

**cyclopse** · February 9, 2016, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by jfrech

Hi Mike, thanks for your help. I can compare the Nagra Classic to the Nagra MSA, Nagra VPA and Ayre MXR/MXR20. I had each in my system before I purchased the Classic amp. (The Ayre MXR's I had owned for ~5 years)

First up is the MXR. The Nagra Classic is more linear (even) top to bottom. More textural in the bass as well as going lower. It's also higher resolution through out the frequency range and more dynamic. The music has more energy to it. The final point is the musicality and the 3d imaging. This is the part that really won me over. The MXR is more effortless at very high volume levels, the Nagra Classic has it's limits. I have a BIG room, 25x35ft, 12 ft ceilings, and my Rockports while efficient are a tough load. The Nagra Classic is plenty fine for me. I rarely hit the limits and most of the time the Nagra never leaves class A.

The MXR-20's have more energy and resolution than the MXR's. Better Bass too. On the surface, they are simply better amps than the prior MXR's, however I felt the MXR20's missed that musicality that the Nagra classic possesses. The Nagra is more interesting to listen too. (at 1/2 the price I might add)

The Classic vs the MSA, while the MSA has that Nagra musicality and is incredibly wonderful to listen to (like the MXR's), the Classic simply presents more information (resolution), presents it better in space, unravels the music better, and has more power. If you love your MSA's keep em. Great amps. The Classic is better however.

The Nagra VPA's were a harder decision. Incredible presentation of space, unravels the music nicely, never runs out of gas, but they in comparison to the Nagra Classic don't quite have the same resolution and bass control. The VPA's do present more wetness to the sound. More weight on the notes if you will. Those 15inch drivers on my Rockports just "locked in" with the Classic in way that I couldn't let go. Again the Classic is ~1/2 the price of the VPA's.

Now that I've had the Classic amp for about 3 months, it just keeps drawing you into the music. I listen to jazz, light classical, folk. If I was into full out orchestra's I may want a 2nd Classic for the extra power or some other amp. I'm quite smitten by the Classic amp. I think it's a steal for the money considering I choose it vs 2 other amps at ~30k.

I have been running VPAs' for eight years now. I like how much energy they have in the bass (due to the transformers) and the richness of the audio palette. With WE 845 replicas they have even more authority and presence.

Regards

Steve

**Mike** · February 9, 2016, 06:05 PM

John - did you ever have a chance to try the 300p? I'm considering the 300p or VPA's for my Avantgarde Duo Mezzo XD's.

**joeinid** · February 9, 2016, 06:33 PM

Now that is quite an endorsement.

Wow!

Originally Posted by cyclopse

I have been running VPAs' for eight years now. I like how much energy they have in the bass (due to the transformers) and the richness of the audio palette. With WE 845 replicas they have even more authority and presence.

Regards

Steve

**jfrech** · February 9, 2016, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

John - did you ever have a chance to try the 300p? I'm considering the 300p or VPA's for my Avantgarde Duo Mezzo XD's.

Not at home. I have heard it at my dealers on several occasions. Given your speakers efficiency it likely is a AWESOME choice. It has beauty and space of the VPA's and bass control of the Classic. Incredible s/n ratio. But only 20 watts. If I had a smaller room or speakers like you...it rockets to the short list fast. Or if I had a 2nd system I'd buy the 300i and a VPS what a killer integrated + phono.

I'm hoping to hear the HD amps in 2-3 months. Almost afraid of what those might sound like :-)

**Odyssey** · February 10, 2016, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by jfrech

I guess you guys all saw this? Some cool pics of the Classic amp getting built...

http://6moons.com/audioreviews2/nagra2/1.html

One of the cool pics from the above link:

**u-sound** · March 5, 2016, 06:06 PM

anymore reports about the classic amp ?

**audioholic** · March 7, 2016, 02:18 PM

I've been a follower of Nagra high end products for a long, long time and always felt appealed by its organic and natural sound and its luxury finish quality. I confirmed this at CES 2016. The system was wonderfully engaging, it sounded very musical and organic with the Wilson Sabrina speakers and considering today's stratospheric price tags for a system performing this well, it could be considered a bargain. The system consisted in its new Classic Integrated amplifier, CDP player connected to the also new Classic DAC. If I remember correctly total cost including the Wilson Sabrinas and all cables from Transparent was around USD 40,000.

This is why I would love to listen to the new Nagra Classic Stereo Amplifier and paired with the Jazz Tubed preamp.

I have recently acquired the new HD DAC with the CDT and have been enjoying many albums like never before. The HD DAC also sounded wonderful with the CEC TL0X transport and Surender N10. Even with the Sonos connect streaming music from computer and Deezer the sound is very musical. The HD DAC removes significantly the "digititis" associated with these sources.

I could say without any hesitation that the Nagra HD DAC is the best DAC I have ever had in my system. I could not agree more with the 2016 Award as Best DAC of the Year granted by Hi-Fi+. I'm sure there will be more awards to come.

**kzhtoo** · March 8, 2016, 02:08 AM

Classic integrated, classic DAC, Sabrina + transparent loom cannot be below or equals to USD40,000, can they?

**tunes** · March 8, 2016, 01:31 PM

Classic int msrp is 19450. Can't recall classic dac msrp.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**kzhtoo** · March 8, 2016, 01:57 PM

I think Class DAC is around $15k and Sabrina is $15,900.

**Mike** · March 8, 2016, 02:57 PM

Classic DAC is $14,995 MSRP

**kzhtoo** · March 8, 2016, 03:30 PM

So that's already $50,345 without the Transparent cables.

**u-sound** · March 8, 2016, 04:05 PM

yes...and the cd player comes on top as well

however, adioholic, thx a lot for posting your impressions. i do own very exactely the same nagra stoff as you and like it a lot too.
i do like the sound and i do love the small size of the gear. i sold my turntable and all lp to buy the hd dac and dont regret it.
will sell the big amps now to get the classic amp.

**jfrech** · March 8, 2016, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by audioholic

I've been a follower of Nagra high end products for a long, long time and always felt appealed by its organic and natural sound and its luxury finish quality. I confirmed this at CES 2016. The system was wonderfully engaging, it sounded very musical and organic with the Wilson Sabrina speakers and considering today's stratospheric price tags for a system performing this well, it could be considered a bargain. The system consisted in its new Classic Integrated amplifier, CDP player connected to the also new Classic DAC. If I remember correctly total cost including the Wilson Sabrinas and all cables from Transparent was around USD 40,000.

This is why I would love to listen to the new Nagra Classic Stereo Amplifier and paired with the Jazz Tubed preamp.

I have recently acquired the new HD DAC with the CDT and have been enjoying many albums like never before. The HD DAC also sounded wonderful with the CEC TL0X transport and Surender N10. Even with the Sonos connect streaming music from computer and Deezer the sound is very musical. The HD DAC removes significantly the "digititis" associated with these sources.

I could say without any hesitation that the Nagra HD DAC is the best DAC I have ever had in my system. I could not agree more with the 2016 Award as Best DAC of the Year granted by Hi-Fi+. I'm sure there will be more awards to come.

Carlos,

You have some great equipment. I've heard your Absolare gear, Allnic phono, used to own a SME 20/2 and have heard (and own) the Nagra gear extensively. My dealer had the HD DAC recently, and I have to agree with you, it's a special piece.

My dealer has the Jazz pre and Classic stereo amp, it's a pair made in heaven and beats some many amp/pre combo's for less money. Hope you get to hear it soon...

I've seen a few posts (like the 6moons article) that says Nagra will have a Classic pre amp soon..I'll for sure listen to that in my home...might be a even better pairing with my Nagra Classic amp vs the Jazz.

**jfrech** · March 8, 2016, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

So that's already $50,345 without the Transparent cables.

I'm guessing he meant to say ~60k USD

If Transparent Super...(which are insanely good for the $) might just get around that price point)

We might want a separate thread on Transparent + Nagra...works very nicely in my set up and starting to see this pairing a lot at shows...

**audioholic** · March 30, 2016, 01:32 PM

Yes, I was wrong, I may have misunderstood the Nagra People at CES. Sorry. Prices are:

Nagra Classic Integrated: 19,450
Nagra CDP: 15,975
Wilson Sabrina: 15,900

Nagra Classic DAC: 14,995 (optional)

If we consider the Classic DAC optional (since CDP a complete cd player) we have a basic system: CDP + Classic Integrated + Wilson Sabrina: USD 51,325. I don't know prices of Transparent, all I know it was their least expensive model.

**audioholic** · March 30, 2016, 01:42 PM

Here you have CDT + HD DAC + MPS in my system. Sounding better everyday after 250 hours of break-in. The sound of HD DAC with a borrowed ML 31.5 was also jaw dropping. Amazing how the No. 31.5 cd transport can perform so well with a modern state of the art DAC.

**tunes** · March 30, 2016, 03:24 PM

Very nice!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**kzhtoo** · March 31, 2016, 12:04 AM

Amazing system, audioholic.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**nicoludio** · April 2, 2016, 02:03 PM

Carlos, beautiful system.

I recently heard the Nagra CDP + Jazz + Classic driving Verity Audio Parsifal Anniversary speakers. Even with the Classic literally fresh out of the box, the sound was amazing. It was organic and natural sounding, with a transparent, clear yet rich midrange and a low noise floor. The speakers disappeared to leave a huge (especially wrt depth) sound stage - width and height wasn't too shabby either. Altogether, a musical and coherent sound. I now better understand the hype about the Nagra/Verity synergy.

Just prior to that, I was in London attending various opera performances. So, when I heard the Nagra/Verity combo, I was struck by how much it reminded me of what I had heard live, but with more of a I was there rather than they were here perspective, if that makes sense.

Have you compared the Nagra HD Dac with any other leading DACs?

**jfrech** · April 3, 2016, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by nfnc

Carlos, beautiful system.

I recently heard the Nagra CDP + Jazz + Classic driving Verity Audio Parsifal Anniversary speakers. Even with the Classic literally fresh out of the box, the sound was amazing. It was organic and natural sounding, with a transparent, clear yet rich midrange and a low noise floor. The speakers disappeared to leave a huge (especially wrt depth) sound stage - width and height wasn't too shabby either. Altogether, a musical and coherent sound. I now better understand the hype about the Nagra/Verity synergy.

Just prior to that, I was in London attending various opera performances. So, when I heard the Nagra/Verity combo, I was struck by how much it reminded me of what I had heard live, but with more of a I was there rather than they were here perspective, if that makes sense.

Have you compared the Nagra HD Dac with any other leading DACs?

I was there seems a better place than they were here ! Seems more like the recordings intent. My Classic amp sounded great out of the box too...gets better with warm up and breakin. Not huge like some things...but you notice it...

**bluedoor** · November 9, 2016, 07:48 PM

...

**bluedoor** · November 18, 2016, 05:51 PM

Hi jfrech,

have you had the chance to listen to the Nagra Classic INT?
ive heard the Classic amp with a pll and was quite smitten, but for my needs the INT should work the best (less money than pre power classic combination; less cables, etc..)
aprecciate any comment about the Classic INT.
thanks!

**jfrech** · November 18, 2016, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by bluedoor

Hi jfrech,

have you had the chance to listen to the Nagra Classic INT?
ive heard the Classic amp with a pll and was quite smitten, but for my needs the INT should work the best (less money than pre power classic combination; less cables, etc..)
aprecciate any comment about the Classic INT.
thanks!

I have not. However I have heard the Jazz Pre and like it better than my former PLL. I suspect a Classic Int might be better than PLL + Classic amp. Especially if you used the $$'s saved for a little bit better power cord on the Classic Int.

I am hoping to hear 2nd Classic in my system soon, strapped to mono on mine and the demo...

**bluedoor** · November 19, 2016, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by jfrech

I have not. However I have heard the Jazz Pre and like it better than my former PLL. I suspect a Classic Int might be better than PLL + Classic amp. Especially if you used the $$'s saved for a little bit better power cord on the Classic Int.

I am hoping to hear 2nd Classic in my system soon, strapped to mono on mine and the demo...

That would be awesome! Can only imagine the results with your setup.
As for the INT, it seems that no one has ever listened to it!
It's recent, but I find it odd nevertheless.
Blind buy?

Thread: Nagra CLASSIC AMP?