Can Someone Please Explain...

Status
Not open for further replies.
CDLehner

CDLehner

New member
Joined
Nov 9, 2013
Messages
1,312
Location
Eastern Shore, MD
...the appeal of Nagra? I mean, no offense to any owners (and I don't see a Nagra-specific thread here, so maybe I'm OK); but isn't their "claim to fame"...that like, it was built so tough; they used it in the field, during wars and sh*t?

OK, great; but that does that really warrant a $40,000 [correction, $24,000] DAC...to sit on your Listening Room rack? I mean seriously; probably less than any other company, with a recognizable name in audio...do I get the appeal of this stuff. :huh: :huh:
 
It's on my short list for a upgrade DAC. I haven't heard it but others have sung its praises.

HiFi+ DAC of the Year for 2016. I think Mike can chime in here as to feedback he has gotten from other actual users.

Swiss precision. One of the designers of the DAC was a father of DSD?
 
Lets see now, $40,000 Nagra HD DAC......


nagra_hddac.jpg





or $40,000 Shelby GT350. Hmm.


2016+Shelby+GT350+Mustang+12+Best+Cars+of+2016



Think I'll take the Shelby GT350. . :P
 
Double-D said:
Lets see now, $40,000 Nagra HD DAC......


nagra_hddac.jpg





or $40,000 Shelby GT350. Hmm.


2016+Shelby+GT350+Mustang+12+Best+Cars+of+2016



Think I'll take the Shelby GT350. . :P
Click to expand...

Except you can't buy one for that. Aren't they all selling for 2x MSRP or is that only the special version of the GT350 (the "R" version?).
 
As the newest Nagra dealer, I can tell you that it is a very special sounding brand with a cult-like following. Nagra has been around almost as long as McIntosh (1949 vs 1951) and they offer a wide suite of products. Many of their products have become legendary. All their products are Swiss made with precision, small footprint aesthetics and absolutely intoxicating sound.

And just for clarification, the HD DAC is $24,995 and their brand new Classic DAC (which I also heard at CES 2016) is $14,995.

Aside from DAC's, they make wonderful sounding tube and solid state equipment.

So to circle back on the OP, the price points are not unreasonable in the world of top echelon DAC's. Have we forgotten the $90,000 MSB DAC, $100,000 DCS DAC and many others?

Where one sits personally on the DAC/Digital Source scale is dependent on one's budget and appetite for digital expiration. :audiophile:
 
Double-D said:
Mike.......I saw the $24,995 price on the Nagra DAC before my post. Just having fun with the OP. No slight against Nagra intended.
Click to expand...

None taken. We can't all love every product. I just wonder if the OP has actually heard a Nagra system?
 
Hey...I wasn't trying to start any trouble; nor was I tugging at the string, of the cost of our gear vs. what else it could buy.

And no, I haven't heard Nagra; of course. Let's not pretend, it's like in even, all the highest of hi-end B&Ms. It's a very niche brand; didn't someone say, cult-like following?

I asked if someone could explain the appeal, as I don't get it. You didn't hear me say, why would someone buy an ARC Ref 6, instead of a car; or a pair of SFs...instead of a house, lol ;)

It was explained...I still don't get it, but it's no biggie. Frankly...to get so defensive; me thinks doth protest too much.
 
CDLehner said:
Hey...I wasn't trying to start any trouble; nor was I tugging at the string, of the cost of our gear vs. what else it could buy.

And no, I haven't heard Nagra; of course. Let's not pretend, it's like in even, all the highest of hi-end B&Ms. It's a very niche brand; didn't someone say, cult-like following?

I asked if someone could explain the appeal, as I don't get it. You didn't hear me say, why would someone buy an ARC Ref 6, instead of a car; or a pair of SFs...instead of a house, lol ;)

It was explained...I still don't get it, but it's no biggie. Frankly...to get so defensive; me thinks doth protest too much.
Click to expand...

Who's defensive? You asked for someone to explain the appeal, didn't you? I thought I shed some light. Maybe some Nagra owners like tunes can chime in as well. Unless the purpose of your post was to slam a brand you've never heard with an incorrect price to boot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
Unless the purpose of your post was to slam a brand you've never heard with an incorrect price to boot.
Click to expand...

Not at all. And I apologize about the price; I saw a reference, but it was a DAC/MPS/CDT combo...for $40k.

I've corrected it, and AFAIC...you can just clear this post if you like ;)
 
High engineering costs + high labor costs + high quality divided by small number of units sold = high (relative) cost per unit.

And as Mike points out, there are many other higher cost choices to choose from.

Each of us has to decide if it is worth the extra SQ in our system.

I would love to hear the Nagra HD DAC. I'll be on the lookout.

I think Nagra has stood the test of time.

I think it's great to have so many wonderful choices!
 
CDLehner said:
Not at all. And I apologize about the price; I saw a reference, but it was a DAC/MPS/CDT combo...for $40k.

I've corrected it, and AFAIC...you can just clear this post if you like ;)
Click to expand...

No need. You were asking a question. But here's what I've learned - it's important to try to hear the gear before commenting. I'll admit, I was shaking my head at the $90,000 MSB DAC when it was first announced, but like Jim (Still-One), then I heard it and my opinion was that it was exceptionally good. Worth $90,000? Well, it was excellent and that's all I'll say. Was it better than a Lumin, Berkeley, Lampi, etc? Don't know - but I would sure love to do a shootout.

I know we see products and can't even begin to fathom their price, especially from Euro brands. I get it. You're not the first and you won't be the last to shake their heads, and most of the time, I'm standing right there with you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I'm a big nagra fan and many of the virtues have been pointed out by others already. Nagra has been awarded with a gazillion nods within the pro recording industry for decades. Google Kudelski tape recorder if you're interested in the history of portable recording. Nagra jumped into the high end audio side of things in the late 90s with stellar products like the plp preamp with phono stage and the 845 based vpa amps. They don't churn out replacement models every year or two but more like every 5 years plus. Two years ago, the company released the hd dac and with it, a new strategy to have two lines, an HD line of top drawer gear, and a Classic line borrowing tech from the HD line in a less expensive package. Having owned and used alot of Nagra gear before the HD line was introduced, i am amazed at the over-engineered build quality and superb sound quality. They, like other swiss gear from Soulution, CH Precision, Dartzeel, Goldmund, etc. are pricey but some of the best designed gear available IMO. As an aside, their new NA sales manager, René Laflamme, is also an acomplished recording engineer, and the man behind Fidelio Audio recordings in Montreal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
CDLehner said:
...the appeal of Nagra? I mean, no offense to any owners (and I don't see a Nagra-specific thread here, so maybe I'm OK); but isn't their "claim to fame"...that like, it was built so tough; they used it in the field, during wars and sh*t?

OK, great; but that does that really warrant a $40,000 [correction, $24,000] DAC...to sit on your Listening Room rack? I mean seriously; probably less than any other company, with a recognizable name in audio...do I get the appeal of this stuff. :huh: :huh:
Click to expand...

It's pretty simple, if you want entrance into audio nirvana, you have to pay the price. The good news is, you can get to the gates for a fraction of the price. :lol:
 
I would absolutely love to give one a try in my system.... I certainly understand the quality that Switzerland made usually implies (absolutely love my amazing Goldmund amp)... even though I think I have done quite well I know these product are way out of my price range :D.... a $1000 DAC seems to do a fantastic job for me; and another $500 one for my headphones... but dam I would love to try one of these :)...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top