Nagra MSA vs 2xMSA vs Classic

patriot

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May 5, 2015
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Hello,

I currently have a Nagra PL-L (with balanced output transformers) and Nagra MSA, speakers - MBL 121. I had the opportunity to listen to a Nagra Classic amp at Munich High-End show 2015. It is a very good amp and gives plenty of power. Has anyone had a chance to compare directly Nagra MSA vs 2xMSA (as mono) vs Classic amp?
 

bonzo75

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jfrech

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Hi ask jfrech, he uses the Classic - you will see his posts on Nagra Classic here http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?18890-lower-power-tube-amps-w-sashas

Hi Patriot. I have. And I used to own a PL-L, which is a fantastic preamp. The Classic will give you a sense of much more power than a MSA. It's also quieter, more resolute, deeper tighter bass, more extended highs along with it portrays images in space with more focus and the ability to sense movement (like the strumming of a guitar). It's biased higher in class a, so most of the time my Classic is operating only in class a. I only compared 1 MSA to 1 Classic. The MSA never got very warm...just slightly. The Classic gets pretty hot when you're playing it hard...although it doesn't emit much heat into the room. I think the temp diff is the class A bias ...

Net net the Classic is a better MSA. Nothing goes backwards....only gets better.

I did buy the Classic amp. I've had it now for about 3 weeks. Very very happy with it. Previous amps were Ayre MXR's.
 

patriot

Well-Known Member
May 5, 2015
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Hi Jfrech,

Thanks for the detailed input.

Just wondering, have you had the pleasure of auditioning both the Nagra PL-L and DartZeel NHB108 or Nagra Classic Amp vs DartZeel NHB108?
 

jfrech

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Hi Jfrech,

Thanks for the detailed input.

Just wondering, have you had the pleasure of auditioning both the Nagra PL-L and DartZeel NHB108 or Nagra Classic Amp vs DartZeel NHB108?

I have never tried the Dart gear...read nice things about it...
 

egidius

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As a side note: I have used the nagra vpa when I had the SF Guarneri's; I have since switched to Berning amplification, which has a similar outlook on musical things, but I cannot directly compare, as the rest has changed too..let's just say, I preferred the sound of the humble Berning ZH230 even though i loved the VPA's looks and sound too.
 
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