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My listening experience of the Nagra Classic Amplifier & Preamplifier began 18 September 2023. Thank you to Studio AV in Chobham, Surrey for their great service and patience during this process. Due to the fact there are so many NEW components in the chain that require running in (from the consumer unit to the re-tipped cartridge on the AMG Viella V12 turntable) I will need to be patient and let physics take its natural course.

The listening experience

First impressions? ‘The Nagra Classic Amplifier & Preamplifier has an easy-going, natural and inviting signature. Before I know it I am listening for hours without fatigue. I enjoyed digging out as many albums from my un-boxed collection while the system components around the amplifier and preamplifier settled down.

As I placed my random selections from vinyl to CD next to my hi-fi rack, I took the time to familiarise myself with the relatively simple preamplifier facia features. The input selector control wheel and volume settings are easy to negotiate and a pleasure to manipulate due to the precision build quality brushed steel feel. I was particularly interested in the LED modulometer light intensity toggle switches for both preamplifier and amplifier. Experience has taught me that tonal quality can sometimes be improved if such modulator backlights can be switched off during listening sessions. After a few brief A - B listening tests, I found this to be true with the Nagra amplifier & preamplifier!

As expected, the Nagra Classic Amplifier & Preamplifier delivered a clean and extremely precise musical presentation with my MartinLogan ESL11A speakers. The soundstage and depth was magnificent. My speaker panels are 3ft from the rear wall (not perfect but it works for now) and approximately 7ft apart. The musical soundstage completely occupied every square inch between the speakers (back and front). Instrumentation such as drum kits and upright bass occupied a reasonable space with cymbal crashes and high-hat strikes appearing at believable heights.

As I began to narrow down my vinyl and CD selections, I felt more confident at being able to determine the Nagra amp and preamp tonal accuracy, speed and ability to translate music overall.

Christian McBride Trio “Live At The Village Vanguard” (Mack Avenue MAC1099LP) vinyl album is not a particularly dynamic recording. However, Christian McBride’s upright bass is an authoritative guide to Christian Sands’ melodic and colourful piano. However, I found McBride’s bass seemed to lose a fair amount of command through the Nagra amp and preamp. His bass lines lacked the weight I was used to hearing (and feeling) through other systems I had learned to trust. I also sensed that though Christian Sand’s piano retained its colour and delightful sense of rhythm, piano key strikes were not as definitive as I felt they should be.

I decided to explore this seemingly lack of ‘overall weight and slam’ with Bob Marley & The Wailers “Exodus” (Island ILPS9498) vinyl album. I was not seeking ground shaking furniture moving bass from this album. I was actually targeting the mystical distant bass note which appears on the track ‘Natural Mystic’ (delivered by Aston Barrett). As suspected, this bass note can be heard, however, it is far too fleeting (with absolutely no overhang). Transients delivered via the Nagra Classic Amplifier & Preamplifier are so quick, I find my ears and spirit constantly searching for musical ambience.

Conclusion

I found music delivered via the Nagra Classic Amplifier & Preamplifier to be precise, clean, tight and non-fatiguing. These might be traits you are looking for, however, I require ‘more meat on my musical bones!’

Technical Specification

Electronics
Power: 100 W RMS per channel into 8 ?
Sensitivity: 1 V or 2 V RMS
Bandwidth: 10 Hz to 80 KHz, +0/-3 dB
Crosstalk: >70 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio: Typically 110 dB
ASA “A” weighted
THD+N: < 0.05%
Input impedance: >100 K?
Automatic start: For input level >10 mV
Protection: Overheating > +60° C (140° F)
deactivates the amplifier: DC speaker protection above ± 2.5 VDC

General

Consumption: 400 W max
less than 1 W in standby and Auto mode
Weight: 18 Kg (39 lb 10 oz)
Size: 350 (400 from nose of the modulometer to back of the connectors) x 277 x 165mm (15.7 x 10.9 x 6.5 inches) – Add 3cm or 1.2 inches with a VFS plate placed under
Operating range: 90 – 110 V or 110 -132 V or 180 – 264 V a.c.
50 – 60 Hz

Complete system details:

Turntable
AMG Viella V12 turntable with AMG Teatro MC & AMG reference tonearm cable
Phono stage & interconnect cables. Whest PS.40RDT Special Edition phono stage.
We used the following XLR cables between the phono stage and Nagra Classic Preamplifier:
Kimber select KS-1116 XLR interconnects cables. Other test cables used - Cambridge Audio 300 Series XLR interconnects. Pure silver bespoke RCA cables.

CD player
Musical Fidelity A3 CD player. Van Den Hul The Second Analogue Interconnect cables.

Amplification
Nagra Classic Amplifier & Nagra Classic Preamplifier with Luminist Revision Poseidon balanced XLR interconnect cable.

Speakers
MartinLogan ESL11A speakers (ARC (Anthem Room Correction switched off)
Main speaker cable – Kimber 12TC speaker cable. Other test cable used – Chord Legend speaker cable.

Table
Quadraspire Q4 EVO 4 tier shelf.

Power & mains cables
Russ Andrews balanced mains unit (BMU 3000)
Powerkord 300 mains cables for Russ Andrews BMU 3000, amplifier & preamplifier.

Various alternative BMU configurations were used during this experience, such as power amplifier, or preamplifier plugged directly into the wall as well as BMU 3000. Connecting the power amplifier & preamplifier to the BMU300 gave best results to our ears.

Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio
September - October 2023

Further Recommended Viewing

Use the links below to go to the Audio Hungary Qualiton P200 Power Amplifer
& C200 Preamplifer Experience Review part one,
or the new music listening room 2023 page one...

Go back to Hi-Fi Experience Home Page

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