Nagra REFERENCE Preamp
- Thread starter Zeotrope
- Start date
I have the pre-amp on a Seismion active isolation base + Taiko Daiza Panzerholtz block. Absolutely no vibration.
Seismion is honestly the best component in this category. I have several.
Can’t recommend Seismion enough (no affiliation with the company).
I recently forgot to turn on the unit under my WVL field coil power supply, and could immediately hear the difference (less solidity, less focus).
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Nagra website updated with Reference Pre and Amp models:
www.nagraaudio.com
Mine landed yesterday. Unfortunately the DC umbilical to the Pre is too short… so now I’m stuck just looking at them. And they ARE a site to behold.
NAGRA REFERENCE Line | Turntale and cartridge
The REFERENCE Line is designed for the audiophiles to reach the final stop of their journey to sound reproduction
www.nagraaudio.com
Mine landed yesterday. Unfortunately the DC umbilical to the Pre is too short… so now I’m stuck just looking at them. And they ARE a site to behold.
Nagra website updated with Reference Pre and Amp models:
NAGRA REFERENCE Line | Turntale and cartridge
The REFERENCE Line is designed for the audiophiles to reach the final stop of their journey to sound reproduction
Mine landed yesterday. Unfortunately the DC umbilical to the Pre is too short… so now I’m stuck just looking at them. And they ARE a site to behold.
Oh no ! Hopefully they get longer umbilical’s to you soon ! Any way you can stack something or put something on the floor temporarily?
I am tempted to do so but I would need to run a source to the new location. Hopefully the new cords will arrive in a day or two, so it shouldn’t be too long. I’m assuming Nagra has 2m cords in stock…
Hooked it up. WOW!!!
I’m absolutely shocked at how much better it is than the DarTZeel. The 18NS and 108 are great and half the price, so it makes sense — but I was not expecting such a dramatic improvement.
Do not listen to the REF Amp and Preamp if you do not want to spend the money to acquire!!
I’m absolutely shocked at how much better it is than the DarTZeel. The 18NS and 108 are great and half the price, so it makes sense — but I was not expecting such a dramatic improvement.
Do not listen to the REF Amp and Preamp if you do not want to spend the money to acquire!!
First post here…. I just brought my hd pre and dac to my dealer to get the upgrade. He says I will likely get them back in February. Hope you are still enjoying! How is the break-in going?
Congrats on your first post ! Welcome to WBF !
I bought the Ref DAC first, replacing my Vivaldi APEX DAC/Clock/Upsampler. Keeping the Vivaldi Transport. I should have mine early next week. Good luck on your upgrade, I am likely doing that for my HD Pre and Amp next. Curious how long it takes and what you hear when you get em back !
Thank you! I’m taking this information with a grain of salt, but my dealer told me mid-February for mine. It sounds like they are shipping in batches, and I missed the 2024 ship date. I’ve gone from tube dac to hd dac x, always impressed with the improvement. It’s my understanding that the reference line is highly “musical” and fun, along with all the other things that make the hd line special. For me, I’ve found the hd line to be exceptional, but a tad “polite” for my tastes and system.
What tubes are you using in your HD Pre? I've tried the stock Genelex, yes a bit polite. Mullards add a lot of warmth, extension in the highs and lows and wonderful beauty in the mids. Amperex very even top to bottom, a bit more resolution. Mazda's are the best for me...more dynamic, keep the amperex evenness but have the beauty of the mullards.
I might suggest you try Mullards...if you need help with a tube dealer, please PM me. Good tubes are good tubes!
Hi and welcome!
The REFERENCE Amps and Pre-Amp are phenomenal! I'm not even in a position to fully evaluate the sound yet, as I have been working on getting the proper cables and only have about 50 hours on the equipment. I'm still waiting for Nagra to send me the proper length of DC cables for the Pre and I have ordered new XLR cables for the Pre to Amps interconnect.
Even still, it's a tremendous improvement over the DarTZeel 18NS and 108, which was a fine performer in its own right. It sounds trite, but I have never heard equipment and speakers 'get out of the way' like I am hearing with the Nagra REF amps. They, and the speakers, simply disappear, and the sound has never been more musical.
Even though my ~105dB horns require <1 Watt of power, and the DarTZeel 108 has plenty of power, the Nagra Amps have such an authoritative grip on the speakers, it's incredible. One would think that "power doesn't matter" when you don't need more than 1W - that would be false.
Thank you for the explanation! I admit, I’ve only used the stock tubes. I’ll pm you.
Wow! This is all very exciting to hear. Keep us posted on the progress, as some of us (me!) has a few months to wait still haha.
Have you received your Ref DAC yet? Curious to hear reviews. Mine will ship early Jan.
It got held up in customs. But apparently is out now and thinking Monday or Tuesday delivery next week. Can't wait...more to come here ! Congrats on yours too !
Outstanding and thanks for the comments. My Nagra's are getting picked up mid Jan for the upgrade....that will be a long wait! As a note, I have had great success with Siltech over the years, they should definitely be auditioned in your system. They mate very well with Nagra.
You mentioned in a different post that you use Seismion in your system, have you tried your REF on the platform? Can you comment on their effectiveness?
Cheers
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Nagra Ref DAC now has about 12 hours playing time. It arrived yesterday afternoon. Tried both ways with one and two power supplies.
I can hear the 1 vs 2 power supply change from the other room. I used my dCS transport last night on repeat. This am the Nagra Streamer got set up and playing hi Rez files now.
My Transparent Magnum Opus interconnects are going back to be recalibrated. So I am borrowing a pair of Transparent Ultra Gen 6 from my dealer. So what about 4 or 5 levels below on the cable ladder?
I want to be careful about to many assertions early on. But I can say now, no need to A-B from my prior set up. Step change...even with the temporary inferior interconnects...
I can hear the 1 vs 2 power supply change from the other room. I used my dCS transport last night on repeat. This am the Nagra Streamer got set up and playing hi Rez files now.
My Transparent Magnum Opus interconnects are going back to be recalibrated. So I am borrowing a pair of Transparent Ultra Gen 6 from my dealer. So what about 4 or 5 levels below on the cable ladder?
I want to be careful about to many assertions early on. But I can say now, no need to A-B from my prior set up. Step change...even with the temporary inferior interconnects...
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Wow...quite a statement! You have been a long-time fan of DCS and I believe had the Vivaldi Apex. Look forward to reading more.
Ref DAC is not even on the website! Look forward to understanding more about its design! Is it a more advanced version of the HD DAC or entirely new design?
Well this is exciting news! Thanks for sharing your experience and I look forward to hearing more.
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