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Nagra Audio NAGRA HD PREAMP
Almost 20 years after the release of the mythical preamplifier Nagra PL-P in 1998, Nagra releases one of the most ambitious projects in its history, the HD PREAMP. A perfect companion to the HD AMP, the HD PREAMP features a unique patented technology for volume control based on high quality in-house made transformers. Powered by an external bank of super-caps, dual-mono, tube signal-path without feedback.
The Nagra R&D Department, served by ten skilled and specialized audio engineers, worked on this project for three years with the goal of creating the most revealing and engaging preamplifier in the world. The audio engineers spared no expense and accepted no limitation in developing electronics, mechanics, power supply or in addressing thermal and vibration issues. Each stage of the design also included extensive listening sessions. The result is a striking product in terms of appearance, specification and performance. It will reshape the expectation you may have of what a preamplifier will add to your whole set-up, sources and amplifiers…
The volume control is a patent-pending technology that allows perfect level matching with a much more transparent sound compared to potentiometers and switch resistor technology, because there is no attenuation of the input signal, just an automatic selection of a tap on the Nagra custom output transformer.
The newly developed SuperCapacitor power supply is a new technology which combines the very low noise of a battery with the high current capability of the best linear power supplies.
The audio engineers created a super vibration-free stand to lower the microphonic resonances to a new level.
The HD PREAMP has the best specifications ever achieved by any tube preamplifier, a floor noise lower than -160 dB and 5 Hz to 200kHz frequency response with perfect phase integrity. The impedance input is 50 k Ohm and the output impedance is as low as 0.2 Ohm so that you can drive any amplifier on the market.
The HD PREAMP is able to accurately reproduce a square wave at 16 Hz.
And the sound !
The HD PREAMP reproduces music giving a natural impression, full spectrum bandwidth and extreme stability.
It also produces a precise 3D holographic soundstage. It is very difficult to express the impact of this design as we didn’t think it was possible to achieve such an unbelievable result.
Pure emotion !
Revolutonary volume control
The volume control, the object of a new patent, allows perfect level matching with a much more transparent sound compared to pots and switch resistor technology, because there is no attenuation of the input signal, just an automatic selection of a tap on the Nagra custom output transformer. In addition, left and right levels are identical.
Super capacitor power supply
The newly developed SuperCapacitor power supply is a new technology that combines the very low noise of a battery with the high current capability of the best linear power supplies.
Advanced mechanical isolation
The audio engineers created a super vibration-free stand to lower the microphonic resonances to a new level.
Selected tube circuit
The HD PREAMP has the best specifications ever achieved by any tube preamplifier, 160 dB of signal to noise and 5 Hz to 200kHz frequency response with perfect phase integrity. The impedance input is 50k oHm and the output impedance is 0.2 oHm so that you can drive any amplifier on the market.
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Professional Reviews 90/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Connectivity
85/100
Value for Money
82/100
The NAGRA HD PREAMP pairs cavernous three-dimensional imaging with rosy tube warmth, richly weighted bass and incisive detail. HiFi News found its presentation unusually lifelike, with convincing voices, unconstrained orchestral scale and speakers that seemingly vanish. Peerless Swiss-grade construction, comprehensive connectivity and refined motorised level control complete this uncompromising reference preamplifier.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally expansive, immersive 3D soundstage that makes speakers and room boundaries seem to disappear.
Combines warm, richly substantial tonal color with high detail, attack and resolution.
Superb vocal realism and a balanced, weighty low end without bass heaviness.
Exceptional construction and flexible facilities, including XLR/RCA inputs, bypass, record-out options and motorised balance-capable volume controls.
&
Cons
Extremely expensive luxury component, positioned well beyond the reviewer’s personal spending limit.
No mono switch or headphone output, despite the otherwise comprehensive feature set.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
The HD PREAMP is described as phenomenally involving rather than merely analytical, combining high resolution and attack with a notably warm, rich presentation. Its most striking reported strength is a huge, unconstrained and convincingly three-dimensional soundfield, while the review also praises its vocal handling and substantial yet balanced low end.
Transparency Resolution
93/100
Ken Kessler finds the HD PREAMP slightly cooler and more incisive than the reference comparison, with enough detail, attack and resolution to satisfy especially demanding listeners. The overall presentation is said to retain a sense of soul, suggesting that its resolving nature does not come across as clinical or sterile.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The reviewer describes a rosy-warm sound with rich, weighty lower registers, while explicitly stating that it is neither bass-heavy nor unbalanced. Its treatment of voices is singled out as especially magical, and the combination of accuracy with genuine soul is central to the listening impression.
Dynamics
91/100
The review specifically praises the preamplifier's attack, and its large-scale orchestral and big-band reproduction is presented as expansive and unconstrained. There is less direct discussion of microdynamic gradation or transient contrast across a variety of systems, but the available listening evidence is strongly positive.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Spatial performance is a major highlight: the speakers reportedly disappear, the back wall seems to vanish, and orchestras fill the room in front of the listener. Across both studio and live material, the reviewer repeatedly praises the absence of spatial constraint and calls its two-channel 3D reproduction uncannily convincing.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
The sole review calls the construction astonishing and likens the expected standard to that of Swiss makers Rolex and Patek Philippe. The separate power supply, robust LEMO-linked cabling, motorised controls and carefully considered physical interface reinforce the impression of an exceptionally engineered component.
Features Connectivity
85/100
The HD PREAMP accommodates two balanced XLR and three single-ended RCA sources, along with throughput/bypass provision and record-output setup. Useful operational flexibility includes ground lift, selectable signal levels, output muting, meter options, motorised dual volume controls with balance adjustment, and a remote for source selection, volume, mute and power.
Value for Money
82/100
At roughly £49,500 in the reviewed market, the HD PREAMP is openly described as far beyond the reviewer's personal spending limit, with the cost characterised as decidedly extravagant. Even so, the reviewer calls it a bravura effort and considers the experience worthwhile, so the price criticism is directed at its extreme luxury positioning rather than its performance.
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Authorized dealers for Nagra Audio NAGRA HD PREAMP
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Ajasom — online and in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
- Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
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- Assai Audio — in-store — Centro, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Aktoren — online and in-store — Horten, Vestfold, Norway (website)
- Audio Concept - Luxembourg — in-store — Gare, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (website)
- Audio Gallery — online and in-store — Las Rozas de Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Natali — in-store — Montecatini Terme, Toscana, Italy (website)
- Audio Salon — in-store — Boca Raton, Florida, United States (website)
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