Nagra Streamer

[svenjosh]

I am interested in feedback on the new Nagra streamer. My DAC is Playback designs MPD-8. I confirmed with Nagra that I can use the optical N-link with PBD.

The streamer seems pretty basic which I am fine with. My past experiences include Grimm Mu and Taiko extreme original. I have over 20 TB of music on a server. I am using a custom streamer right now. Based on my research, I just take my current streamer and plug in the Nagra and everything will stay the same.

I am looking to get an idea of the Nagra streamer performance. The only thing I found online was Steve Huff advertorial. Does anyone own or have experience with the Nagra?

Thanks in advance

 

[matthias]

Does anyone own or have experience with the Nagra?

I am curious as well...
If you do a search there are quite a few members here who have one.

 

[metaldetektor]

Exceptional combo

Do not skimp on the power supply

 

[matthias]

Maybe @jfrech , @emyyl and @Tonari would like to chime in?
Thank you

 

[jfrech]

Hi guys. I LOVE my Nagra Streamer. I got to here with with my prior dCS Vivaldi set up (in that case only using the SPDIF output). It sounded better than the network card in the dCS Upsampler. Enough that I took the plunge and bought a Nagra Ref DAC and traded in my dCS Vivaldi DAC/UPS/Clock. I kept my Vivaldi Transport.

I I agree with metaldetekor, it helps to get a Nagra power supply too, I am using a Nagra MPS, used, they are discontinued, can be had for a not to much.

To my surprise and delight, it plays back 32 bit DXD files in addition to 24 bit. DSD up to 4x.

The NLink is excellent...if your Playback designed accepts this..go for it. They include a 2m optical cable. I use Roon or Mcontrol via iOS to control it. I don't here the Roon gap as much as I did with dCS either.

 

[jfrech]

PS it's built like a tank. Heavy block of well machined aluminum....

 

[svenjosh]

Hi guys. I LOVE my Nagra Streamer. I got to here with with my prior dCS Vivaldi set up (in that case only using the SPDIF output). It sounded better than the network card in the dCS Upsampler. Enough that I took the plunge and bought a Nagra Ref DAC and traded in my dCS Vivaldi DAC/UPS/Clock. I kept my Vivaldi Transport.

I I agree with metaldetekor, it helps to get a Nagra power supply too, I am using a Nagra MPS, used, they are discontinued, can be had for a not to much.

To my surprise and delight, it plays back 32 bit DXD files in addition to 24 bit. DSD up to 4x.

The NLink is excellent...if your Playback designed accepts this..go for it. They include a 2m optical cable. I use Roon or Mcontrol via iOS to control it. I don't here the Roon gap as much as I did with dCS either.

Thank you for the very detailed reply!!

 

[metaldetektor]

As an aside, if you're able to find one and want to maximize your set-up (I believe they are currently out of production, as the owner has been on sabbatical for a while), I've had very good results with the Aural Symphonics fiber optic cable (vs. the stock fiber optic cable) --- it's compatible with both Playback Designs and Nagra.

I've had streamer options much more expensive than the Nagra in the house...the synergy with Playback and Nagra DACs is really something and has clearly exceeded significantly pricier options. Do not assume the Nagra isn't a serious piece just because it's inexpensive, by high-end standards.

 

[svenjosh]

Thank you Will, I placed an order for Nagra Streamer after our conversation! Now I am waiting for it to be shipped. I will try to find the Aural symphonics cable, appreciate the tip!

 

[emyyl]

Hi Svenjosh, I trust you are enjoying your Nagra Streamer. I am certainly enjoying mine. It is feeding into my Nagra Classic DAC and Nagra Classic Integrated amp.

In the context of this system, it is really eye opening and amazingly good and musical. Previously I had always thought that streamers cannot beat a good server. But in this case, the streamer is more musical than my server. I agree with Steve Huff's review but I believe the Qobuz review is the most accurate: music has a presence and it captures the micro detail (especially fading notes) so well. Simplest analogy is the sound of the BBC LS3/5A: you can feel the singer's mouth moving around the microphone. The presence is there. On Tidal, live performances are so enjoyable because the music and presence is life-sized and moves around the stage with weight and presence and continuity. The same song from my server (even though a larger FLAC file) sounds oversized and a bit plodding. I can understand why Nagra themselves say it sounds better than their own CD player.

At the head of the full Nagra classic system at my dealer (with Classic Amp and Pre and PSU), music sounds alive and with flavor. You can feel the flavor of an old recording vs an 80's one vs a newer one. You can hear how the singer voices the song.

All in all, an awesome piece of equipment. My next step is to add PSU's......

 

[matthias]

My next step is to add PSU's......

FWIW, they just released the Compact PS:

In a compact format but packed with features, it can play all current high resolution formats

In a compact format but packed with features, it can play all current high resolution formats

www.nagraaudio.com

 

[emyyl]

FWIW, they just released the Compact PS:

In a compact format but packed with features, it can play all current high resolution formats

In a compact format but packed with features, it can play all current high resolution formats

www.nagraaudio.com

Yes, looking forward to auditioning one. Then comes the tricky question of whether it should feed the Streamer or DAC

 

[defride]

I heard the streamer in a show system last year, full Nagra HD stack. One of the rare occasions I've heard a system at a show switch from analogue to digital and not felt let down. The Nagra streamer with it's expensive power supply and HD Dac held it's own next to top notch analogue. SME 60 and SME arm, don't remember the cart but HD phono was in use. Very impressive in any case

 

[Hiyono]

Yes, looking forward to auditioning one. Then comes the tricky question of whether it should feed the Streamer or DAC

You would need 2 psus. Nagra did a demo at local store. They said they will sell a cable to connect 2 devices to the compact psu. I don’t know if that means it has enough power for streamer and classic dac. Or two lower power devices.

I am enjoying my Nagra Streamer very much. Using with a Uptone JS4. Wonder if Nagra’s own compact psu would be better.

 

[emyyl]

You would need 2 psus. Nagra did a demo at local store. They said they will sell a cable to connect 2 devices to the compact psu. I don’t know if that means it has enough power for streamer and classic dac. Or two lower power devices.

I am enjoying my Nagra Streamer very much. Using with a Uptone JS4. Wonder if Nagra’s own compact psu would be better.

Connecting 2 devices.... If it can power both the Streamer and Classic Dac that would be really good value. I will find out more once stock is available with my dealer.

I am using an Uptone EtherRegen switch, which really improved the dimensionality and quietness of my digital system. A great product! There are so many LPS manufacturers nowadays! I believe the plus of matching the Compact PSU with the Streamer is the maintenance of the Nagra "house" sound, which I really like. I will report back after auditioning the pair in action. Hopefully soon.

 

[Holmz]

You would need 2 psus. Nagra did a demo at local store. They said they will sell a cable to connect 2 devices to the compact psu. I don’t know if that means it has enough power for streamer and classic dac. Or two lower power devices.

I am enjoying my Nagra Streamer very much. Using with a Uptone JS4. Wonder if Nagra’s own compact psu would be better.

What are you streaming from?
Roon, Quboz, Spotify?

I suspect that the Uptone and Nagra are both close to perfect.

 

[Hiyono]

What are you streaming from?
Roon, Quboz, Spotify?

I suspect that the Uptone and Nagra are both close to perfect.

I am using mconnect with deezer. Interface isn’t too nice.
planing to switch back to Qobuz to use Qobuz connect.

 

[Mr. Analog]

The synergy with Nagra DACs is certainly remarkable, and I see an advantage here thanks to the N-Link connection. However, I am wondering how the Nagra streamer performs with its SPDIF output on third-party DACs. Has anyone tried this?

 

[matthias]

The synergy with Nagra DACs is certainly remarkable, and I see an advantage here thanks to the N-Link connection. However, I am wondering how the Nagra streamer performs with its SPDIF output on third-party DACs. Has anyone tried this?

Maybe even more interesting for you, according to 6moons Nagra will release a streamer version with integrated DAC without the N-Link:

Streamer

6moons.com

Please scroll down the the last passage...

 

[Mr. Analog]

Thanks for pointing that out. I had already read that, and it makes sense to me that Nagra would want to further position itself in the market with the new compact series. A compact PSU and a small platform have also been released recently. However, I don't think we'll be seeing a compact amplifier any time soon.

I am interested in the market positioning of the Nagra streamer on third-party DACs by using SPDIF.