Cellindo,
I think your English is very good, it wasn't my wife's first language either but lucky for me she's been in the US for a long time. Thanks for the information, CH and TotalDAC are contenders but the box count and space requirements won't work in my current room. I can make MSB work with their smaller footprint and now with the DAC X, can possibly stack the HD pre and Dac X ( not ideal but space is limited).
Wholeheartedly agree. One of the reasons for the common Nagra YG combo at least in EU is that the owner of audio lounge in London, who is also the owner is SME and Garrard, distributes Nagra and YG. Verity is relatively easier to drive. The YG set up I heard was also Nagra pre, but it had a Luxman m900u power, and while I like Luxman, I have no doubt that dagostino is better
And there is the conundrum. Is the Nagra HD preamp overpriced or is the HD amp underpriced? In other words if you are looking for a Ne Plus Ultra preamp/amp combo, does the HD amp qualify or do you need to pair the HD preamp with something else?
I tend to prefer the same company for preamp and power amp. I think synergy is assumed if they are made together but you need careful matching otherwise.
Is the HD amp in the same league as the top of the line of other brands or am i just wondering about this solely because they are cheaper??
I own the Nagra HD amps. They are fantastic. I've used them with a Nagra Classic Preamp, a Robert Koda K10 and currency own the Nagra HD Preamp. You don't need the HD Preamp. The HD amps pair very well with other preamps at lower cost points.
As far as comparisons, it's really a eye of the beholder thing. Once you hear the HD amps, especially in your own home system, they likely are not going back...
I had the chance to listen nagra HD amps and preamp in many configuration , with YG hailey, sonja, Tad Magico and Sasha Daw. For me the strongest point is the preamp, the best qui ever heard.
On Tad, the best combination was the full nagra, but with YG and Sasha Daw, preamp nagra and d’agostino were amazing. D’agostino is more effortless, with more dynamic . This combo is a real pleasure to listen...
I just went through a pretty drastic change over in my system. I started with trying the Classic pre-amp, which was really a nice sounding piece of kit. When I got curious about the differences I might hear with the HD pre-amp it was really hard to settle for anything else. Yes, I was astounded at the price and continue to question if I was dropped on my head. It just sounde so completely amazing though. I never thought a pre-amp could make such a difference to the overall “system”.
Don’t for get the Nagra VPA, 845 amplifiers - Having Avantgarde horn speakers, I didn’t need the power of the HD-amps, and I’m a tube guy anyway..... Speaking from the ‘system” perspective; I borrowed the VPA’s from my dealer and was blown away again. The HD preamp and VPA power amp have created amazing synergy in my room. I had thought my speakers might be getting a little long in the tooth, but I have the most effortless, enveloping, and beautiful sound coming from my system right now it would be hard to justify anything else.
Hi,
I know I am OT now but I have been offered what looks like a good deal on a preowned HD Amp and Pre combo. They should both be 2020 versions but... just to check.... . Anyone knows how to determine the year of Nagra products from their serial numbers (or in any other way)?
thanks
I am not sure there is a 2020 identifier. I'd email the serial numbers to Nagra. If they happen to not be 2020, the preamp is a simple 2 board swap. 2 minutes. The amp you have to take the cover off and it's a micro SD card firmware update. Maybe 10 min per amp.
thanks for the reply. I have emailed the SNs to Nagra. Waiting for them to get back... I was wondering if there was a do it yourself way..
From what you write tough, if i see it as a good deal, I should probably get them no matter what their year is.
Thanks again
The preamp is easy. About 8 small hex bolts and 2 boards. (just unplug it from from the power supply !!!!). The amp is more involved to take the cover off and I don't recommend it unless you know what you're doing. Plus the voltages inside that amp are likely lethal if you touch the wrong thing.
Ciao Jfrech,
sorry... I was not clear (english is not my first language)... the "do you it yourself" was referred on how to determine the year of the products...
I would never try to open them ..
Ciao
P
Thanks Jpspock. Yes, the D'Agostino is going... the dealer I buy from carries both brands so he was happy to trade it in.
I have had the momentum for a few years and I have to say I have been extremely happy with it.
I really never felt I was missing something...... until I heard the HDs....
