Nagra HD DAC

J

Justin

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Aug 7, 2015
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I have seen very little mention of this DAC in this forum.

Disclaimer: I have not listened to many DACs. I purchased Berkeley Alpha 2 and then Berkeley Reference DAC, after listening to a handful of highly regarded DACs. The music just sounded more accurate to me with Berkeley than, say, dCS, which never felt musically "right" to me, especially in the bottom end.

I had planned on upgrading my Berkeley Reference DAC to a Ref 2. Spent a couple hours listening to Ref2 at a local dealer last week. This was with my speakers players (Rockport Atria), but not my preamp and amp (listened direct through DAC with Nagra Classic Amp).

In any case, after listening for about an hour Ref 2 DAC and Nagra Classic Amp, I asked to hear the Nagra HD DAC for a change. I was shocked at my reaction: listening to the same exact tracks that I just heard for an hour with Ref 2 DAC, I had a completely different reaction listening to Nagra HD DAC. The music was so emotionally involving, musical. A great energy to every track I heard. Alive. I didn't sense that I was missing resolution. But it was just one of those things where you lose yourself in toe-tapping musical bliss. And there was one especially great sign: while chatting with my audio guy and the volume turned way down, the music still was totally captivating. I was emotionally moved!

Now, I am in no way saying this is a better DAC than Ref 2. Could be the synergies the Nagra HD had with the Nagra Classic Amp. And my system has a VAC Signature SE preamp in it, so maybe I was missing some tube warmth in the system I was listening to. More than likely I am guessing this is just another sign of me discovering the sound I am seeking. Organic, warm but not mushy at all, LIVE sounding, oh so musical (to me).

But still, I left seriously impressed with this little DAC. Has anyone else been impressed by this DAC? I am going to try it out in my home environment. And this has also motivated me to listen to Lampizator GG, thinking maybe I want a tubed DAC after all. I have never heard Lampy and I know they are beloved around here.

Anyways, just wanted to pass along my impression. It was startling to me and challenged one of the assumptions I had taken for granted (that Berkeley was the right DAC for my almost entirely PCM listening).

Any love for Nagra HD Dac among others?

-Justin
 
yeah i own the hd dac for about two years now....and i love it!
have the classic amp for a year now.....and love it!
own the cdp for many years.....as a system the price becomes really ok compared to others, while the hd dac alone seems a lot of dollars.
really love this nagra-sound, just as you described it.
i could do with a second amp for more power and i do wonder what the new pre would add
 
me too.. and in a full nagra system (jazz, cdp, vps, mps, 300p)
really enjoying it with my nagra cdp and media server
best DAC I have ever heard...
next step 2 x classic amps
 
Today, with my BHSE tube amp + Stax SR009, I compared quite intensively TotalDAC, DAVE, dCS Rossini DAC and the NAGRA HD DAC.

The NAGRA HD DAC with my BHSE was by far the most involving and enjoyable !

I Finally got some saoul & spirit into my music ! Much more than with TotalDAC, DAVE or Rossini, all 3 being very precise and detailed but... NOT very exciting ( to my ear).

Until I heard the HD DAC, I had the feeling that all those high-end DAC sounded almost the same, but with HD DAC there is something more, some emotion I did not get with the other DACs.

So... I wonder if the NAGRA Classic DAC will bring the same magic or if I really need to get (pay) the HD to get this feeling ?
 
Have you ever tried a Lampizator? To my ears, the DHT in the Lampi Big 7 and GG is outstanding.


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bmichels said:
Today, with my BHSE tube amp + Stax SR009, I compared quite intensively TotalDAC, DAVE, dCS Rossini DAC and the NAGRA HD DAC.

The NAGRA HD DAC with my BHSE was by far the most involving and enjoyable !

I Finally got some saoul & spirit into my music ! Much more than with TotalDAC, DAVE or Rossini, all 3 being very precise and detailed but... NOT very exciting ( to my ear).

Until I heard the HD DAC, I had the feeling that all those high-end DAC sounded almost the same, but with HD DAC there is something more, some emotion I did not get with the other DACs.

So... I wonder if the NAGRA Classic DAC will bring the same magic or if I really need to get (pay) the HD to get this feeling ?
Click to expand...
The digital section of the Nagra HD DAC was designed by Andreas Koch, who owns Playback Designs. While there is certainly more to the overall performance of any DAC than the digital section alone, I would respectfully suggest that you check out their Merlot DAC if you have the opportunity to do so. It's getting very favorable reviews and is quite reasonably priced compared to the competition. Good listening my friend, and I hope that you soon find your destination DAC.
 
bmichels said:
AHHH ! So I shall also look at for example the EMM-XDS1 V2 DAC/CD/SACD which was on my list ? anyone heard it ?
Click to expand...

Yes indeed. I have the Meitner MA1, which is the same product as the EMM Labs DAC 2X, except the latter has some higher quality components. I do like the sound of if, it brings all the details but has no harshness in the sound.


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Kuoppis said:
Before setting up his own joint Andreas Koch was working at Meitner as well.


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Click to expand...

actually Andreas has quite a bit more relevant experience than that.

he started with Studer/ReVox designing digital in the 80's, then with Dolby again designing digital, then with Sony in the 90's working on designing the 8 channel dsd 'Sonoma' which was the original dsd recording mixing device.

likely Andreas has more dsd background than anyone else and been at it longer.
 
The Nagra HD is a nice DAC. I can see where many would like its sound. To me the industrial design of Nagra is pretty cool but since many of the products do not fit the standard audio footprint it is hard to mix their products into a setup. Not my first choice but I would never question why someone would desire to purchase it.
 
Mike Lavigne said:
Sony in the 90's working on designing the 8 channel dsd 'Sonoma' which was the original dsd recording mixing device.
Click to expand...

This was done together with Meitner at Meitner as Sony contractors in case I remember it correctly and triggered both Meitner's and Koch's DSD development path.

Koch worked first for Meitner before he went to set up Playback Designs (and took the other German guy with him).

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I have never heard the famous ACCUPHASE sound. The DAC that I prefer so far is the NAGRA HD DAC. Very musical but very precise.

--> Is ACCUPHASE in the same emotional territory than NAGRA ? Similar or different sound signature ?

Their TOL DP-950 (CD/SACD) + DC-950 (DAC) is at the same price than the NAGRA HD DAC + NAGRA CDT !
 
Kuoppis said:
Yes indeed. I have the Meitner MA1, which is the same product as the EMM Labs DAC 2X, except the latter has some higher quality components. I do like the sound of if, it brings all the details but has no harshness in the sound.


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Click to expand...
Please
provide

Another MA-1 user here. Everything is up sampled to double DSD. The DAC 2 has a much more sophisticated power supply. I enjoy its treble performance, an area a lot of digital has difficulties due to digital filtering.

It beats the Nagra DAC I had previously, (but I am talking about the original Nagra with Sharc DSP). 24/96, 24/192, DSD no problem via the USB interface.
 
I also have a complete Nagra system. I just received the Nagra Classic Preamp. In few words it blew my mind and exceded my expectations.

This is what my Classic Amp was missing. Jazz Preamp but the classic preamp is many steps ahead. One of the best preamp I've listened to.
 
audioholic said:
I also have a complete Nagra system. I just received the Nagra Classic Preamp. In few words it blew my mind and exceded my expectations.

This is what my Classic Amp was missing. Jazz Preamp but the classic preamp is many steps ahead. One of the best preamp I've listened to.
Click to expand...

I am happy for you that you enjoy so much your NAGRA Classic Preamp. I can see in your signature that you have some wonderful "toys" including the great C.E.C. TLOX CD Transport. I hope it sounds as goos as it looks ?

I also see that you owe a HD DAC and a Classic DAC. As you know I am very tempted to get the HD DAC since it is so far the only DAC that was bringing me emotion and soul. All the other TOL DACs that I heard sounded (to y ears) "perfect" but... life-less.

--> My question is: Does the Classic offer also this great Nagra sound or do I have to go the HD DAC to really get this magic that moved me ? Does the HE DAC sound really better than the Classic DAC ? Also, does the MPS really bring a substantial sound quality increase ?
 
audioholic said:
I also have a complete Nagra system. I just received the Nagra Classic Preamp. In few words it blew my mind and exceded my expectations.

This is what my Classic Amp was missing. Jazz Preamp but the classic preamp is many steps ahead. One of the best preamp I've listened to.
Click to expand...

Congrats on your Classic Preamp...can you share more about it vs your former Jazz? My dealer is getting a Classic preamp soon and I'll be able to demo it at home...Thanks in advance
 
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