NAGRA MSA power amp landed !
- Thread starter Jerome W
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cmalak
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- Apr 10, 2013
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Did you ever hear them/demo them? Just curious what you thought of them if you did but assume you have not.
Jerome W
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- #25
When I was looking for an other flavor than the 2301's, I asked Massimo who had both the VPA and the 2301's. He told me that the VPA were a bit more refined than the 2301's but less punchy and dynamic.
I found better than the 2301's for both timbre and dymamics with the CCQ's. So I forgot the attraction of the VPA.
I found better than the 2301's for both timbre and dymamics with the CCQ's. So I forgot the attraction of the VPA.
KeithR
Active member
Just for clarification, the VPAs are push pull triode amps. Have not heard them unfortunately.
Jerome W
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- Thread Author
- #29
Better pics : actually they do not really show how sexy this little gem is....
I am really delighted by its sound on my Harbeth 40.1 and the Shindo Giscours preamplifier.
It is really extremely neutral. A neutrality opposite to boring. A refreshing neutrality. Each recording has its very own texture. This is truly very important to me because you get used to a colored sound and after a while, the excitement fades in the permanent repetition of sounds always cut from the same fabric.
The Nagra MSA makes itself completely out of the way of the music, delivering an incredible palette of colors, tones, textures, with an extreme transparency. The dynamics are very convincing, and always comes with that refinement, a kind of noblesse in the sound like if the unit was always telling you : " you will be impressed by the music, not by me".
The Nagra MSA is by very far the very best Solid State amplifier I ever heard in my system.
I completely felt in love with it.
Jeff Dorgay's review in Tone Audio is absolutely accurate.
If you are looking for a lifetime SS amplifier; if 60 W is enough power for your needs; if you favor musical emotions over impressive sounds that will make all your friends stop by; and if you really want to know what exactly is in your records, then you should definitely give a listen to that gem.
I am really delighted by its sound on my Harbeth 40.1 and the Shindo Giscours preamplifier.
It is really extremely neutral. A neutrality opposite to boring. A refreshing neutrality. Each recording has its very own texture. This is truly very important to me because you get used to a colored sound and after a while, the excitement fades in the permanent repetition of sounds always cut from the same fabric.
The Nagra MSA makes itself completely out of the way of the music, delivering an incredible palette of colors, tones, textures, with an extreme transparency. The dynamics are very convincing, and always comes with that refinement, a kind of noblesse in the sound like if the unit was always telling you : " you will be impressed by the music, not by me".
The Nagra MSA is by very far the very best Solid State amplifier I ever heard in my system.
I completely felt in love with it.
Jeff Dorgay's review in Tone Audio is absolutely accurate.
If you are looking for a lifetime SS amplifier; if 60 W is enough power for your needs; if you favor musical emotions over impressive sounds that will make all your friends stop by; and if you really want to know what exactly is in your records, then you should definitely give a listen to that gem.
KeithR
Active member
There is a nice priced Jazz that hit the 'gon...great preamp that isn't "tubey"
I'd recommend the Jazz. I am using it with the VPAs and the synergy is great. Just the balance of tube strengths without going too far into musical midrange at the expense of solidity and definition. Only wish it had two balanced xlr inputs instead of only one. Jerome, it would likely make a great pairing with your MSA 
Here's a pic from the 2013 Swiss Audio show with stenheim and a prototype of the hd dac (shell case on top, guts in large box on the floor).
Here's a pic from the 2013 Swiss Audio show with stenheim and a prototype of the hd dac (shell case on top, guts in large box on the floor).Attachments
slowgeezr
Active member
Jerome, congratulations on the Nagra MSA. I've always liked the build and sound quality of Nagra gear. I auditioned one for a week with my Watt Puppies and felt the amp did a really good job. I eventually decided to go with the Pass Labs XA100.5's. That MSA sure was easier to move around, though!
Jerome W
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- Thread Author
- #35
Thank you guys !
I must say that the bass control of the 40.1 by the MSA is very impressive. Does not go as low as my Shindo CCQs but the bass is a bit tighter. The CCQs put more weight though.
The treble of the MSA is more extended than the CCQs on the 40.1. The Shindos are a bit too much of a good thing with the 40.1.
The Jazz is very interesting.
But I will have to try one side by side with my Shindo Giscours.
I have yet to find a better preamp than the Shindo Giscours, at least to my ears.
This is a real statement unit.
You may not know what vinyl is all about before listening one record through the Giscours phono stage.
I must say that the bass control of the 40.1 by the MSA is very impressive. Does not go as low as my Shindo CCQs but the bass is a bit tighter. The CCQs put more weight though.
The treble of the MSA is more extended than the CCQs on the 40.1. The Shindos are a bit too much of a good thing with the 40.1.
The Jazz is very interesting.
But I will have to try one side by side with my Shindo Giscours.
I have yet to find a better preamp than the Shindo Giscours, at least to my ears.
This is a real statement unit.
You may not know what vinyl is all about before listening one record through the Giscours phono stage.
Recommend trying the pair in bridge mode. On my Verity Amadis, not even breaking a sweat in terms of power requirements, lots of reserve and great dynamics. I would think it would be the same on your harbeth. I notice a slightly more foreward presentation than compared to the VPA and excellent imaging. I bought one used from Gideon at Audioarts and the second one came from NL. I found that they are getting harder to find. Gideon has another pair now if you're looking.