For all of its nearly three quarter of a century existence, Nagra has been, first and foremost, research and development driven. With decade after decade of groundbreaking innovations, Nagra has set lofty standards in diverse categories of audio devices. This is nowhere more apparent than in our high-end, high performance audio division.

When introduced, Nagra’s HD line set new technical and sonic standards that reflected years of thoughtful research combined with exhaustive listening tests designed to corroborate the scientific advancements that each HD product brought forth.

Since our founding in 1951, Nagra’s company culture has driven our pursuit of perfection. Combine this with the Swiss tradition of precision engineering and it was inevitable that continuing research and development on the HD line platforms would ultimately result in advances that justify the release of a product line-up which substantially extends the sonic envelope of the HD line.

The latest products to bear the appellation “Reference” are the Reference PREAMP, Reference DAC and Reference AMP.

The Reference AMP finds its roots in the HD AMP. The HD AMP was originally designed about 10 years ago and it is based on several previous technological
advances of predecessor Nagra amplifiers.

Designed in parallel with the Ref PREAMP, the Reference AMP is the ideal power amplification partner in a reference level system. The Reference AMP is an iron fist in a velvet glove. Boasting a new power supply 25% larger than the HD AMP, it features many mechanical and electronic improvements.

Hundreds of ours of intensive listening sessions resulting in cumulative sonic advances, allow us to introduce an amplifier pair that illuminates the subtle artistry of a delicate piece of chamber music while also offering the capacity to reproduce the “jump factor” of a large scale orchestral crescendo or the “to the core” sensation generated by the power of the latest piece of electronica.

The Reference AMP features:
– New uprated 2000 VA transformers, isolated in an epoxy potting
– New adjustable resonance decoupling feet, featuring phenolic and pure copper
– New input circuit, with super low output impedance to drive the amplifier circuit
– Increased class A range of operation
– New inner line and speaker cables, selected for sonics and sourced from a highly regarded high-end manufacturer
– Internal three-stage mechanical damping to silence deleterious vibrations of key parts
– New WBT Next-Gen speaker posts
– New output coil to filter HF
– Aesthetic casework changes to match the Ref line design, including hallmark Nagra chamfering
– REF medallion on the front panel as part of the Reference family of products

Originally released in 2017 and later updated in 2020 the Nagra HD PREAMP set new standards in the analog preamplifier category. Its stellar specifications as well as its natural, transparent and three dimensional sound has been lauded by discerning audiophiles and reviewers around the world.

Following the design of the Nagra Reference turntable and its associated tonearm and cartridge, we released the Nagra HD PHONO. This new, true reference, source allowed us to push the boundaries of what was possible for a phono stage. Utilizing discernment provided by these outstanding reference components, we gained new insights into opportunities to extend the sonic envelope of the HD PREAMP. The Reference PREAMP sets the new standard in analog preamplification.

Our intensive research and painstaking extensive listening sessions resulted in:
– Essential component changes in the audio unit, including custom made capacitors
– New generation high voltage power supplies inside the audio signal unit (generating the 200 V DC grid tension)
– Super-cap capacity added inside the power supply
– Dual chassis power supplies, one dedicated to the audio signal section, one dedicated to all of the controls and relay switching, including home automation*
– Mechanical damping with the addition of a phenolic layer inside the top cover
– REF medallion above the modulometer as part of the Reference family of products

* The REF PREAMP (as well as future DAC and PHONO) can run on a single power supply. The result is more spectacular and life-like with two PSU. Starting with one PSU will allow customers to go step by step and later on add a second one for unrivaled performance.

This year again, we attended the Munich High End Show. We presented a REFERENCE TURNTABLE / REFERENCE MC-4 cartridge combo, along with a full HD SET UP (4x HD AMP power amplifier, the famous HD PREAMP and the great HD DAC-X digital to analog converter). We had the pleasure to pair with Stenheim and their fabulous Reference Ultime Two.

All cabling was provided by Shunyata Research and the racks and amp stands by Modulum Audio.

Subwoofers were the No. 32 from REL Acoustics.

A number of other manufacturers chose to use Nagra gear in their displays:

Stenheim: 4.1, F113 – Complete Classic set-up with the new Streamer

Lorenzo Audio Labs: H2, F12 – HD PHONO and HD DAC X with the new Streamer

Absolare / Rockport: A 4.2, F20 – HD DAC X and the new Streamer

Innuos: A 4.1, F106 – HD DAC X

The class leading, two chassis, HD PHONO features dual mono, Class A circuitry with 100% tube stages. Both chassis are suspended in a unique system incorporating a damped, constrained layer platform coupled to four isolator damped towers providing superior vibration resistance for the delicate phono signal.

A separate, massive super capacitor power supply produces ultra clean power and power reserves for the phono stage. The super capacitor power supply provides all of the advantages of battery-based power supplies with the added advantage of accepting and delivering charges much faster and with higher current load and cycle stability than battery-based power supplies.

At the heart of the HD phono stage are custom in-house, precisely hand wound input transformers featuring cobalt material and cryogenic treatment.

Additionally, the HD PHONO incorporates remote control cartridge load adjustability from 10 to 390 Ohms, with steps as fine as 5 Ohms for smaller values. This allows for perfect matching between cartridge and the phono stage – all confirmed by ear from the listening chair.

Thank you again Stereo Sound

Nagra had the great pleasure to introduce the new Streamer in Asia during the Hong Kong High-End Audio & Visual Show in August. It was a pleasure to meet our distributors, dealers and users there !

Visitors and press alike were quite enthousiastic for the demonstrations (picture of Hiendy on the right).

We presented a compact yet very musical set up featuring the brand new Nagra Streamer along with a Nagra Seven paired with a CLASSIC DAC II and its CLASSIC PSU power supply, for the digital source. They were connected to the Nagra CLASSIC PREAMP and CLASSIC AMP. The Wilson Audio Sasha V completed the set up.

“Swiss and Americans gear making a fab sound” – Hifi Pig

We were thrilled to be again in Bruxelles for the New Music High End Innovation Show. New Music has been our dealer in Brussels for many years and has once again produced a gorgeous show at the Courtyard by Mariott hotel. The Streamer was the center of the attention and we were happy to welcome Pierre Largeas, Managing Director @ Qobuz – France, BeNeLux, Southern Europe & Latin America to have a Meet the Expert session.

We presented a similar setup as in Hong Kong with the new Nagra Streamer paired with a CLASSIC DAC II and its CLASSIC PSU power supply, for the digital source. This front end was connected to the Nagra CLASSIC PREAMP and a pair CLASSIC AMP. We were happy to partner with TAD Labs and their Grand Evolution One speakers and Audioquest provided a full loom of Firebird cables.

We are thrilled to have 2 new distributors on board!

Emotion Audio and Mark Cole will handle New Zealand. They are in Otaki, Wellington, and take care of many high end brands amongst which are Marten, MSB, Ikigai or Soulution.

+64 612-916-6604

In Hungary, our partners from Audiophyl Ltd are happy to assist you in Budapest. They have a long history of service and feature a wonderful portfolio of high end brands, including Sonus Faber, Cambridge Audio, ELAC, McIntosh, Linn, in addition to Nagra.

+36 709441551