New Nagra Classic Phono Stage announced

[jfrech]

I've already ordered mine. I've loved my Nagra VPS for over 10 years. I've demo'd several other phono stages over the years but none could displace the Nagra. Some did things better in some areas...the Nagra VPS always seemed to chug along beautifully.

See here for announcement info:

https://www.nagraaudio.com/newsletter-august-2020/

 

[CKKeung]

I've already ordered mine. I've loved my Nagra VPS for over 10 years. I've demo'd several other phono stages over the years but none could displace the Nagra. Some did things better in some areas...the Nagra VPS always seemed to chug along beautifully.
See here for announcement info:
https://www.nagraaudio.com/newsletter-august-2020/

There is a dc input at the back.
An upgrade path of adding an external Nagra powersupply?

 

[XV-1]

I wonder why they didn't just call it the HD phono.?

 

[XV-1]

There is a dc input at the back.
An upgrade path of adding an external Nagra powersupply?

The CLASSIC PHONO features a new generation built-in power supply that offers great results. However you can take it to another level by adding the Nagra CLASSIC PSU. The Nagra PSU is derived from our HD Generation power supplies and features many technical advances that allow for an amazing sound reproduction

 

[CKKeung]

Hi XV-1,
There must be a future Nagra HD Phonoamp?

 

[jfrech]

I wonder why they didn't just call it the HD phono.?

Haha, because they have a HD Phono coming out down the road...

 

[jfrech]

There is a dc input at the back.
An upgrade path of adding an external Nagra powersupply?

Yes, I however already have the Classic Power Supply, I'm using it on my Nagra VPS and Grand Prix Monaco motor controller. On both the phono stage and the TT motor controller was a big change, lower noise, more resolution, better organization...just better.

 

[Down Under]

Yes, I however already have the Classic Power Supply, I'm using it on my Nagra VPS and Grand Prix Monaco motor controller. On both the phono stage and the TT motor controller was a big change, lower noise, more resolution, better organization...just better.

Interesting.......

 

[jfrech]

Interesting.......

I expected the Classic Power Supply to be better on the Nagra VPS. What I didn't expect was how much lower noise and better sound via the Grand Prix Audio TT motor controller. I tried 3 setups:

1) my original setup with the Monaco TT controller into a Transparent PIMM power conditioner.
2) the Monaco TT controller into a Transparent Opus power cord and Opus conditioner (borrowed off my dCS Vivaldi transport)
3) custom umbilical made by my dealer/Nagra from the Classic power supply to the TT controller

#2 was better than #1. Some lower noise buy more weight to the music and somewhat more resolution
#3 beat #2 handily, much lower noise, much more clarity, some loss of weight but overall better than 2 and much better than 1

It has me wondering if I should ask Transparent to custom make a umbilical to match my other cabling. I think the culprit here is the Monaco power supply which gets removed in scenario 3. It's a plastic switch mode (says made in china medical grade) 12v supply.

 

[spiritofmusic]

John, it never fails to amaze me that such SOTA gear like the Monaco, and any number of other top-tier components, costing $spendy, comes w cheap as chips nasty SMPS. I've swapped the cheap wall wart for my tt motor (at a price level way below GPA) for dedicated LPS, and the change has been wholly positive. I'm about to order the SOTA Condor motor, and this too will get it's own LPS.

 

[jfrech]

Hi Spirit, so true. Not sure why I didn't try this years ago...

 

[spiritofmusic]

The truth seems to be many designers genuinely don't hear the difference. But it seems the end users do.

 

[CKKeung]

... the Monaco power supply which gets removed in scenario 3. It's a plastic switch mode (says made in china medical grade) 12v supply.

Grand Prix Monaco 2.0 TT employs a smps!?

 

[howiebrou]

Grand Prix Monaco 2.0 TT employs a smps!?

So does the Clearaudio Master Innovation and many other tts.

 

[CKKeung]

So does the Clearaudio Master Innovation and many other tts.

OMG

 

[Mini-Me]

I've already ordered mine. I've loved my Nagra VPS for over 10 years. I've demo'd several other phono stages over the years but none could displace the Nagra. Some did things better in some areas...the Nagra VPS always seemed to chug along beautifully.

See here for announcement info:

https://www.nagraaudio.com/newsletter-august-2020/

The new Nagra Phono is awesome and I am struggling to order it. Currently, I own the VPS together with the MPS. I also tried different other phono stages like the Pass Labs XP25, but the VPS was always the better one in my system.

Did you have the opportunity to hear the new Nagra Phono before your order? What are your impressions? I am quite curious...maybe this helps with my decision...

Did you ever compare the VPS with the CH Precision P1?

 

[jfrech]

The new Nagra Phono is awesome and I am struggling to order it. Currently, I own the VPS together with the MPS. I also tried different other phono stages like the Pass Labs XP25, but the VPS was always the better one in my system.

Did you have the opportunity to hear the new Nagra Phono before your order? What are your impressions? I am quite curious...maybe this helps with my decision...

Did you ever compare the VPS with the CH Precision P1?

Hi Mini-Me,

No, I took a leap of faith. I have just loved my Nagra VPS for nearly 10 years, plus like my Nagra amp and preamp so I just ordered it . The Classic Phono stage is shipping to my dealer next week so I will get to hear it soon and provide feedback vs my VPS. So please give me a week or to longer on impressions.

I have 2 friends with CH Precision P1's. I know they are also fantastic. I have heard them, but can't really compare because different systems (and way diff price points that our VPS's)

As a side note, I to had a Nagra MPS, I upgraded to the Classic Power Supply...more to come

 

[CKKeung]

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2020/08/nagra-classic-phono-preamplifier_27.html?m=1



Hi jfrech : You won't be disappointed!

 

[tima]

I expected the Classic Power Supply to be better on the Nagra VPS. What I didn't expect was how much lower noise and better sound via the Grand Prix Audio TT motor controller. I tried 3 setups:

1) my original setup with the Monaco TT controller into a Transparent PIMM power conditioner.
2) the Monaco TT controller into a Transparent Opus power cord and Opus conditioner (borrowed off my dCS Vivaldi transport)
3) custom umbilical made by my dealer/Nagra from the Classic power supply to the TT controller

#2 was better than #1. Some lower noise buy more weight to the music and somewhat more resolution
#3 beat #2 handily, much lower noise, much more clarity, some loss of weight but overall better than 2 and much better than 1

It has me wondering if I should ask Transparent to custom make a umbilical to match my other cabling. I think the culprit here is the Monaco power supply which gets removed in scenario 3. It's a plastic switch mode (says made in china medical grade) 12v supply.

Thanks for this John. Very very interesting. If I remember correctly you work with ne plus ultra. How long did it take to get the custom umbilical made for Nagra PS to the Monaco controller? Thanks!

 

[jfrech]

Thanks for this John. Very very interesting. If I remember correctly you work with ne plus ultra. How long did it take to get the custom umbilical made for Nagra PS to the Monaco controller? Thanks!

Not long, he ordered a normal Nagra umbilical (which I think ??? is a Purist Audio sourced cable) and removed a limo and replaced with a GPA connector ordered from GPA. Feel free to reach out to Casey. PM me if you need his email id....