Nagra ClassicPre

**Mike** · May 4, 2016, 12:21 AM

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**kzhtoo** · May 4, 2016, 01:29 AM

Simply gorgeous

**jfrech** · May 4, 2016, 07:36 AM

I can't wait to demo this in my system !

**tunes** · May 4, 2016, 08:47 AM

From René Laflamme, Nagra Distributor:
Munich 2016

New NAGRA prototype tube preamplifier, design to be the perfect match for the ClassicAmp. This New full tube preamplifier is the best NAGRA preamplifier ever made.

We will play the prototype of the CLASSIC PREAMP and a whole CLASSIC set-up in the NAGRA room E217, we will have a very special time with some Analog and digital masters.

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**Kingsrule** · May 4, 2016, 10:27 AM

I wonder what NAGRA has up their sleeve to match with the HD Amps?

**jfrech** · May 7, 2016, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by KINGSRULE

I wonder what NAGRA has up their sleeve to match with the HD Amps?

I agree...very curious here if a HD Preamp and a HD Phono will emerge one day.

**tunes** · May 7, 2016, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by jfrech

I agree...very curious here if a HD Preamp and a HD Phono will emerge one day.

I would guess that is the plan. Here's hoping

Also wondering if they have any plans to update/replace the vpa tube amps with an HD 845 based mono set.

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**Mivera Audio** · May 8, 2016, 03:43 AM

Instead of silk-screening, they should laser etch, and fill with black epoxy. it would look way better. Like a Leica camera:

**mep** · May 8, 2016, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mivera Audio

Instead of silk-screening, they should laser etch, and fill with black epoxy. it would look way better. Like a Leica camera:

You should be in charge of their product development and help them become successful.

**Mivera Audio** · May 8, 2016, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by mep

You should be in charge of their product development and help them become successful.

No doubt. I'm a stickler for detail

**Mivera Audio** · May 8, 2016, 03:05 PM

Hi Mike,

Have you tested the Nagra Seven yet? I love how the company is keeping with the times. How long has it been since they ditched making R2R units?

http://www.nagraaudio.com/new-nagra-seven-software/

**mep** · May 8, 2016, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Mivera Audio

Hi Mike,

Have you tested the Nagra Seven yet? I love how the company is keeping with the times. How long has it been since they ditched making R2R units?

http://www.nagraaudio.com/new-nagra-seven-software/

Guess you're not keeping up with the times. Word on the street is that Nagra is coming out with a new R2R deck.

**Mivera Audio** · May 8, 2016, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Guess you not keeping up with the times. Word on the street is that Nagra is coming out with a new R2R deck.

I guess they see there's a recent resurgence. Will it be digital tape?

**microstrip** · May 8, 2016, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by mep

You should be in charge of their product development and help them become successful.

I hope not! Nagra silk screening has been used for decades in their portable reel to reel recorders that were carried by journalists and professionals in the worst possible conditions. We sometimes see these old battered equipment being sold with very poor aspect, but most of the time with perfect silk screening!

I have owned Nagra and IMHO the rugged silk screening is part of their essence.

**mep** · May 8, 2016, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Mivera Audio

I guess they see there's a recent resurgence. Will it be digital tape?

Uh, no.

**Mivera Audio** · May 8, 2016, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by microstrip

I hope not! Nagra silk screening has been used for decades in their portable reel to reel recorders that were carried by journalists and professionals in the worst possible conditions. We sometimes see these old battered equipment being sold with very poor aspect, but most of the time with perfect silk screening!

I have owned Nagra and IMHO the rugged silk screening is part of their essence.

It may be good quality silk-screening, but engraved/etched and filled is still nicer and better. You don't see any Swiss watches with silk screening on them. It's just a small detail that would take things up a notch.

**Mivera Audio** · May 8, 2016, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Uh, no.

Too bad. Then we would have the best of both worlds. The top notch digital sound quality Nagra has perfected over decades, and the cool nostalgic mechanical moving parts that are nice to look at, and a great conversation piece.

**u-sound** · October 31, 2016, 11:24 AM

well, the classic pre is available by now!!
anyone have listened it? or is planning to buy one?

**jfrech** · October 31, 2016, 11:41 AM

My dealer has one on order...I plan on hearing it in my system soon. He's also getting a set of HD amps to demo ....

**u-sound** · October 31, 2016, 01:02 PM

nice!!
do you know why the classic pre has a powercord input (220v/110v)? next to the 11v input i mean

**jfrech** · October 31, 2016, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by u-sound

nice!!
do you know why the classic pre has a powercord input (220v/110v)? next to the 11v input i mean

Yes you can use the Classic standalone with a power cord or one of the 4 MPS outputs for a upgrade.

**u-sound** · October 31, 2016, 02:43 PM

thx.
i still wonder why they made an internal ps

**jfrech** · November 1, 2016, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by u-sound

thx.
i still wonder why they made an internal ps

I'm only guessing, but it's because they had more room with the large chassis...

**u-sound** · November 1, 2016, 08:17 PM

yeah could be the reason.
or nagra is convinced that it get bought also from people who do not own any other nagra

**jfrech** · January 13, 2017, 08:22 PM

I have the Nagra Classic Preamp (with balancing input/output transformers and VFS-L options) in my home for the weekend. Been here about 2.5 hours now. It's pretty sweet...definitely a different character then my Koda K10 (which I LOVE). Will post more over the weekend...

**bonzo** · January 14, 2017, 12:36 AM

I liked the sound of the jazz with the mains power supply

**audioholic** · January 20, 2017, 09:47 PM

You have a fantastic System. I'm enjoying the Classic Preamp with the Classic Amp very much. Don't hesitate go for it!!!

**4music** · January 21, 2017, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by audioholic

You have a fantastic System. I'm enjoying the Classic Preamp with the Classic Amp very much. Don't hesitate go for it!!!

Nagra Classic Stereo or Absolare to drive the Raidho D3s?

**Mike** · January 21, 2017, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by 4music

Nagra Classic Stereo or Absolare to drive the Raidho D3s?

Tim, I just don't see it. Aavik, Soulution, VAC, etc. yes.

**4music** · January 22, 2017, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Tim, I just don't see it. Aavik, Soulution, VAC, etc. yes.

Carlos seems to have both these amps and the Raidho D3, thus my question.

**jfrech** · January 26, 2017, 11:07 AM

This weekend, I'll get to hear the Classic Preamp again at home...but this time wth the Nagra HD amps vs my Classic stereo amp...

**ashandger** · January 26, 2017, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by jfrech

This weekend, I'll get to hear the Classic Preamp again at home...but this time wth the Nagra HD amps vs my Classic stereo amp...

WOW! Good for you. It would be awesome if you could provide as much feedback as possible especially in terms of timbres, microdynamics, transparency towards the back of the soundstage and PRaT. Have a great time.

**tunes** · January 26, 2017, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by jfrech

This weekend, I'll get to hear the Classic Preamp again at home...but this time wth the Nagra HD amps vs my Classic stereo amp...

Wow! You get to demo the hd amps at home. Super! Will be interested to hear your thoughts after listening for the weekend.

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**jfrech** · January 27, 2017, 07:06 PM

Not a very good pic...just quick with the iPhone. Smokes. These are amps. I have NEVER heard my system this way. And this is after ~hour listening. The amps are cold (to the touch) from shipping still...was about 45 here today. I am sure they've been deep frozen coming from CES in Vegas. I let them acclimate to room temp for about 2 hours before I plugged them in.

I have the Classic Preamp too again...but thought I'd just try the amps as the only change.

These HD amps are amazing. They are sitting on books vs my beloved Grand Prix Audio stands...so I know they are at a disadvantage...but these HD amps are seemingly that good at first listen.

**ashandger** · January 27, 2017, 09:31 PM

Great. Thanks for the update. Really looking forward to further impressions. If possible, perhaps some info on the tracks you are using for your trials would be helpful as long as it doesn't become a hassle for you. Are you using stock PCs? Enjoy!

**jfrech** · January 28, 2017, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by tunes

Wow! You get to demo the hd amps at home. Super! Will be interested to hear your thoughts after listening for the weekend.

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I listend to my Classic Amp yesterday before installing the HD amps. I kept thinking. It sounds simply great. Why go fool around with something good. It was a total pain, the HD Amps are ~125 lbs each. No handles. Had to move all my cables around. I know whine whine whine

These amps are just stunning - the resolution, energy, separation, textures amaze me at every note that's played. Studio recordings sound more like they are here in my room. Live recordings it seems like I am transported there sensing the venue. Sometimes I am close or far...depending how the recording was done. I've never noticed this to such a degree. Sure you could tell if it was a studio, church, big hall...but now the clarity at which you notice is striking.

I've had them on now playing for ~14 hours. I suspect they are warmed up and cables are settled. The amps are mostly cool to the touch...just a little heat from the back..appears to be a very slow running fan in the upper rear drawing air in from the bottom and out the rear panel.

**jfrech** · January 28, 2017, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by ashandger

Great. Thanks for the update. Really looking forward to further impressions. If possible, perhaps some info on the tracks you are using for your trials would be helpful as long as it doesn't become a hassle for you. Are you using stock PCs? Enjoy!

I'm using Transparent Opus (c19 20 amp) power cords. Which match the rest of my system and what I had on the Classic (a 15 amp version).

Right now listening to Sibelius Piano Trio. Yarlung label. In DXD. https://yarlungrecords.nativedsd.com...no-trio-vol-ii

**ashandger** · January 28, 2017, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by jfrech

I'm using Transparent Opus (c19 20 amp) power cords. Which match the rest of my system and what I had on the Classic (a 15 amp version).

Right now listening to Sibelius Piano Trio. Yarlung label. In DXD. https://yarlungrecords.nativedsd.com...no-trio-vol-ii

Many thanks for the feedback. Happy listening

**tunes** · February 1, 2017, 11:57 AM

So John, did you end up keeping the amps ?

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**tunes** · February 1, 2017, 12:07 PM

So John, did you end up keeping the amps ?

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**jfrech** · February 1, 2017, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

So John, did you end up keeping the amps ?

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Still have them, have not made a final decision. I will say these HD amps are amongst the most profound changes to my system I've heard. Everything just sounds real. I can go into details about what I mean by real...just imagine you hear a instrument live...then you hear it in your system...those qualities you hear live are now in your listening room...

**Kingsrule** · February 1, 2017, 01:13 PM

No fan in the HD amps Its all convection cooling, they actually are pretty warm down by the heatsink

**jfrech** · February 11, 2017, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by tunes

So John, did you end up keeping the amps ?

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I bought em. Honestly, this is the biggest improvement to my system in years. Every recording I listening to i hear things, i gain insights into the music I never heard before. This am I was listening to Mahler, Sym #1 Titan on Reference Recordings. Smokes.

I loved my Classic Amp. This is like going from a Toyota to a Porsche. It's a step change in performance. In every single possible area.

PS, I still have the HD amps sitting on the floor, on 4 cardas wood blocks per amp. I do have a 2nd Grand Prix SilverStone amp stand on the way...I suspect this will another performance gain...

**tunes** · February 11, 2017, 01:30 PM

Wow! Congrats John. Really beautiful amps. Can only imagine how they sound in your system.
Chris

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**bmichels** · June 17, 2017, 01:34 PM

May be this is a stupid question:

I am going to get a NAGRA HD DAC, and I only have digital sources (no vinyl), so I wonder what is the advantage to use a Clasic Pre between a HD DAC and a power amp like the HD AMP (in case we use only digital source, no analog) ?

Indeed, the HD DAC has volume control and therefore can be connected directly to the HD AMP !

Will the system sound better with a HD Pré added in the chain ?

**joeinid** · June 17, 2017, 01:56 PM

I always prefer a preamp in my system. While a DAC direct seems at first to be a revelation, I quickly tire of the perceived extra detail and resolution. A preamp adds musicality, in my opinion. It smooths out the rough edges and adds a little bloom and air, which I love.

**TommyC** · June 17, 2017, 01:59 PM

I understand the volume control in the HD DAC is not as good as the Classic or HD Preamp. Like Joe said, a high end preamp always makes the music more musical and easy to listen to.

**dan31** · June 17, 2017, 03:10 PM

As I have been lead to beleive the HD dac volume control is active with the RCA output. If you have the optional output transformers for the balanced xlr output and use the xlr it will bypass the volume control.

That said a dedicated preamp usually has an optimized power supply for driving the input of amplifiers. Dacs usually have a multi function power supply for digital and analog sections.

**u-sound** · June 23, 2017, 12:07 PM

i run the hd dac direct and it sounds very good!
that said, my dealer said with the jazz it sounds a touch better.....so with the classic pre it should sound 2 touches better and with the hd pre maybe 3.
if i had the cash i would add a pre

Thread: Nagra ClassicPre