Hi, yes, I did. I have about 300 hours on it. It’s amazing! Big improvement over the Tube DAC (and I love the Tube DAC, still have it).
Nagra HD DAC X
- Thread starter thomask
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a more general question: with the capacitors-based power supply of Nagra components do the people here have a view on whether power cords have an effect on the sound or not?
Not sure if I’m allowed to post this here (I have zero affiliation with the seller/owner); but this looks like a great deal for what many consider to be the world’s best DAC (myself included):
tmraudio.com
Nagra HD DAC X D/A Converter (SOLD)
Buy, sell, and trade thousands of pre-owned audio gear. All tested, certified, and backed by our 100% Happiness Guarantee, with expert HiFi guides to help you at every step.
tmraudio.com
Hi power cords do make a difference. Typical things you expect to hear from your favorite brands.
I wouldn't call it warm....even handed top to bottom I'd say on my Nagra
Agreed. Not warm at all. It does not impart a sonic signature. The only real review, since Nagra does not participate (i.e., pay for) reviews like other brands do, is Club de Audio in Brazil. I posted a link to his site before. He does comprehensive tests and is not paid for by the manufacturers. He ranks the HD DAC X above the best from CH Precision (although they are close).
Leaving aside that everything has a sonic signature by design, apparently, none of you have looked at Nagra’s website:
“The result is a lifelike sound with warmth and transparency, extreme dynamics and extended frequency response beyond what has ever been achieved by other D/A converters.”
www.nagraaudio.com
“The result is a lifelike sound with warmth and transparency, extreme dynamics and extended frequency response beyond what has ever been achieved by other D/A converters.”
NAGRA HD DAC X - Nagra
www.nagraaudio.com
I can assure you that I have spent loads of time on Nagra's site... here's my setup:
What are you trying to say, I don't understand? It is NOT a "warm" sounding DAC. Read the review I mentioned.
These are as unbiased and comprehensive reviews as you will find anywhere:
avmag.com.br
What are you trying to say, I don't understand? It is NOT a "warm" sounding DAC. Read the review I mentioned.
These are as unbiased and comprehensive reviews as you will find anywhere:
Teste 1: NAGRA HD DAC X
Fernando Andrettefernando@avmag.com.br A possibilidade de ser o primeiro revisor crítico de áudio a testar a linha completa de todos os novos produtos da Nagra, é uma […]
avmag.com.br
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I can assure you that I have spent loads of time on Nagra's site... here's my setup:
What are you trying to say, I don't understand? It is NOT a "warm" sounding DAC. Read the review I mentioned.
These are as unbiased and comprehensive reviews as you will find anywhere:
Teste 1: NAGRA HD DAC X
Fernando Andrettefernando@avmag.com.br A possibilidade de ser o primeiro revisor crítico de áudio a testar a linha completa de todos os novos produtos da Nagra, é uma […]
What part of a direct quote from the developers themselves about what the voicing they designed and think they're selling don't you understand?
I don't know your system and haven't listened to it. What I do know is statements like, "It does not impart a sonic signature," don't make any sense and demonstrate a lack of thought.
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+1 Ignore.
You’re a … You have two owners telling you you are wrong, yet you continue the same BS narrative that just wastes time and space.
What is happening to WBF? I hope this is an anomaly. This used to be the space to have educated, fact based discussions about the hobby.
Both @jfrench and I have substantial Nagra connections and components. Rene has been at my place personally and I speak to him often. Nothing Nagra makes today is “warm” sounding. You are misunderstanding what they are trying to say and are showing incredible ignorance and being downright rude. I am taking time out to help you understand more about this product, yet you don’t read it and continue flogging the same dead horse. Nothing in the review I sent you, which I gather you didn’t bother reading, says this either.
Crickey - they have been schilling “the beauty of digital” since the 80s, and it is still “evolving quickly”?
Live un-amplified musicians have a warmth and transparency rarely heard with recordings and amps....that's how I'd describe their intent...so we're not right and you're wrong...not my point. I think we're all right here...it does posses a warmth, true to music....vs being warm compared to other dacs...hope that helps our conversation!
@jfrench put it much more eloquently than me. I was coming off of another exchange on WBF that was downright ridiculous.
Nagra, nor any other designer/engineer at this level, is going to make something inherently "warm". The goal is always to reproduce music as if it were live. Some manufacturers, like Nagra, do it better than others. No manufacturer is going to say -- on their website no less -- our product is unnaturally warm. So even if it is, which it is not, you wouldn't be reading it on their website!
@highstream you seem to be out here on this thread with the sole intent of making negative comments about another brand, without any backup. Nagra is not a sponsor here, nor do they frequent this forum, so you will have me, and others, standing up for the company.
Nagra, nor any other designer/engineer at this level, is going to make something inherently "warm". The goal is always to reproduce music as if it were live. Some manufacturers, like Nagra, do it better than others. No manufacturer is going to say -- on their website no less -- our product is unnaturally warm. So even if it is, which it is not, you wouldn't be reading it on their website!
@highstream you seem to be out here on this thread with the sole intent of making negative comments about another brand, without any backup. Nagra is not a sponsor here, nor do they frequent this forum, so you will have me, and others, standing up for the company.
How many developers these days describe their voicing as warm, as opposed to “neutral?”A number used to, but in the last ten to twelve years neutral has been the rage. I know, because I often ask in advance, to minimize a waste of time and money. Today, two come to mind right off: Synergistic Research and now Nagra, which I haven’t heard other than on YT (and it sounded warm fwiw). I take developers at their word until I know otherwise.
The difference for me is visceral: listening to the music for hours without a sense of time passing vs. being focused on the sound, where I soon feel the emotional lacking in my gut and turn it off, in the extreme feel like throwing the system out the window.
We all have our individual tastes and preferences. I can’t account for those who prefer neutral and develop a system that overcomes any designed warmth within it. Nor do I give any credibility to those, reviewer or end user, who describe pieces of gear as not having a sonic signature. All do, quite intentionally. How they come out in the mix, with everything else in the system, however, is another matter.
The difference for me is visceral: listening to the music for hours without a sense of time passing vs. being focused on the sound, where I soon feel the emotional lacking in my gut and turn it off, in the extreme feel like throwing the system out the window.
We all have our individual tastes and preferences. I can’t account for those who prefer neutral and develop a system that overcomes any designed warmth within it. Nor do I give any credibility to those, reviewer or end user, who describe pieces of gear as not having a sonic signature. All do, quite intentionally. How they come out in the mix, with everything else in the system, however, is another matter.
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After years of trying to find a digital frontend for my system that could compete with tape masters I finally landed on the Nagra HD DAC X with Streamer powered by batteries (LTO pack at 10v). After a journey through Meitner, Lampizator and home built DAC's I am so glad I took the leap to try the HD DAC X, it has been a revalation!
I always had a soft spot for Playback Designs sound after hearing it at Munich HiFi show, hearing the Nagra setups over several shows despite them not being there this year always left a great impression but the large room and all Nagra hardware always had me in doubt if the DAC would work with my gear and smaller rooom. As a result of this thread and news that another Nagra buyer in Ireland replaced his Horizon 360 with a HD DAC X I finally bit the bullet and it arrived in August.
My initial impressions, it was very good but a little energetic like it was on steroids, I kept it running constantly for 100+ hours and in the past 3 weeks it has really come into its own and now has a sublime magical sound with all the weight, heft and beautiful dynamics I get from tape playback. €70k is a lot for a DAC & Streamer but I have spent more on my tape playback collection so it is worth it for me, The convenience of running Roon with Qobuz through the streamer and getting the best digital reproduction I have ever heard was worth the gamble.
I always had a soft spot for Playback Designs sound after hearing it at Munich HiFi show, hearing the Nagra setups over several shows despite them not being there this year always left a great impression but the large room and all Nagra hardware always had me in doubt if the DAC would work with my gear and smaller rooom. As a result of this thread and news that another Nagra buyer in Ireland replaced his Horizon 360 with a HD DAC X I finally bit the bullet and it arrived in August.
My initial impressions, it was very good but a little energetic like it was on steroids, I kept it running constantly for 100+ hours and in the past 3 weeks it has really come into its own and now has a sublime magical sound with all the weight, heft and beautiful dynamics I get from tape playback. €70k is a lot for a DAC & Streamer but I have spent more on my tape playback collection so it is worth it for me, The convenience of running Roon with Qobuz through the streamer and getting the best digital reproduction I have ever heard was worth the gamble.
Congratulations! Looks like an awesome setup!
I admire Nagra for not paying for reviews, like most component manufacturers do; but on the other hand, I'm sure it would lead to a lot more sales... although I don't think they "want" to grow. They sold out of the Ref Anniversary TT quite quickly, for example and their small factory is already quite busy.
I was recently reminded about how curated things can be, even on forums. You have to try hard to find and ensure a "review" is unbiased. Even a report here for example of someone saying "I loved system ABC at this dealer" can be a veiled ad.
I admire Nagra for not paying for reviews, like most component manufacturers do; but on the other hand, I'm sure it would lead to a lot more sales... although I don't think they "want" to grow. They sold out of the Ref Anniversary TT quite quickly, for example and their small factory is already quite busy.
I was recently reminded about how curated things can be, even on forums. You have to try hard to find and ensure a "review" is unbiased. Even a report here for example of someone saying "I loved system ABC at this dealer" can be a veiled ad.
GREAT, LTO batteries have many advantages. Did you diy your battery power supply or did you found a commercial one?
If you found a commercial one please be so kind and post a link.
Thank you.
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