Zanden vs. Nagra

[nirodha]

Sounds like you're smitten niroda... I'm not sure a 10 year old tactical product release like the Jazz was in a fair contest with the latest flagship of Zanden, but as jfrech alludes, they will have differing characters and are probably consistent in that regard; buy with your heart perhaps...? Zanden definitely has an inner beauty, the bloom and dimensionality their products provide is perhaps, part of that sophistication. Of course sophistication comes in many guises, and I am certain a Classic/MPS and to a greater extent the HD series, would exhibit their own interpretation of sophistication. For me, whilst I remain with a foot in two camps (owning Zanden and Nagra) I have still to work out which direction to go, or perhaps there's nothing wrong in mixing it up... When you get round to your purchase, enjoy!

Nice to hear from someone who has both Zanden and Nagra. My mind is made up, only the small matter of money. It will be a mix between the Zanden (3000) and the Nagra Classic amp. Of course I will report when the time is there. It is often said that the 3000 and 9600 should be viewed as one compenent. So maybe.... that will be the final (;-)) step. I wonder how much difference there is between the 9600 mk.1 and mk.2. If anyone has first hand experience about this, I really want to know

 

[Munchoba]

New guy here. Anyone interested in selling their Nagra Jazz?

 

[jfrech]

New guy here. Anyone interested in selling their Nagra Jazz?

Hi, what part of the world do you live in? I might know someone willing to part with a Classic Preamp, a bit better and more money. Just thought I'd ask as he has a HD preamp already...

 

[Munchoba]

Thanks. There is a used Classic for sale right now. Too $$ fir me right now.
Appreciate your offer.

 

[poonbean]

A bit topic adjacent, but I'll try it out here as this seems to be the most current nagra amp discussion.

Has anyone migrated from a single Nagra Classic to a pair? Was it worth it?
I've got one, like it a lot, especially after it warms up - takes at least 30mins or so.
I do understand that converting a stereo to a monoblock can be detrimental, tho not always.

However, talking with Nagra, they strongly recommend going with the biamp mode if you have biwire-able speakers (which mine are) rather than monoblock. Nagra also confirmed that the biamp mode is more than simply tying the rcas together internally, as it the merge happens further down the line and does not halve the input impedance - good thing. I'm not aware of other amps with this option - kinda cool.

 

[jfrech]

A bit topic adjacent, but I'll try it out here as this seems to be the most current nagra amp discussion.

Has anyone migrated from a single Nagra Classic to a pair? Was it worth it?
I've got one, like it a lot, especially after it warms up - takes at least 30mins or so.
I do understand that converting a stereo to a monoblock can be detrimental, tho not always.

However, talking with Nagra, they strongly recommend going with the biamp mode if you have biwire-able speakers (which mine are) rather than monoblock. Nagra also confirmed that the biamp mode is more than simply tying the rcas together internally, as it the merge happens further down the line and does not halve the input impedance - good thing. I'm not aware of other amps with this option - kinda cool.

My dealer has done it when I traded my Classic amp in for HD Amps (He already had a Classic amp on display). Nagra amps are well engineered and yes 2 amps are better than one. More grip, more power, more ease.

Your Classic amp is an incredible value. It took HD amps to really beat it in my system....Good luck !

 

[poonbean]

Just acknowledging that your experience is spot on with mine. A huge unexpected upgrade adding the second Nagra. classic.

 

[Thieliste]

Looking for a tube linestage for Gryphon Antileon Evo, would the Nagra Classic or Zanden match well ?
The only one i could demo for now is the Thrax Dionysos.

 

[LL21]

Intuitively Zanden 3000 Series 2 would be awesome. By all accounts it is a far superior advancement to the original, and the original was clear as water, utterly natural, super quiet.