Munich HIGH END Show Report 2015
High End Society Munich Germany

Nagra Audio @ HIGH END 2015 

  Nagra Audio is here at HIGH END 2015 in Munich with two new products. Their production CLASSIC AMP and the HD Amp prototype (€14,500 and €75,000 respectively) were being demonstrated with the Wilson Audio Alexia floorstanding speakers. Matthieu Latour of Nagra Audio (right) and I discussed how very careful assembly of the extremely precise output stage requires several pairs of tightly-matched transistors, which is difficult to achieve to the ultimate of tight tolerances Nagra Audio desires. The simplicity of the CLASSIC AMP's design is the key to its musicality according to Matthieu.

The input and driver stages also contribute equally to the overall performance and precision in the way this amplifier produces sound. The Nagra CLASSIC AMP is characterized by its stability, irrespective of the loads placed upon it. The power circuits drew particular care in the design stage to ensure there was never any strain or limits within its ability to feed the upstream electronics circuitry. They are based upon an innovative concept: An over-dimensioned transformer and a diode bridge are placed upstream of the PFC decoupling stage, which are used to actively correct the power factor. The filtering is achieved with a bank of capacitors, totaling an impressive 300,000 μF. This supply concept, which ensures efficient energy transfer, allows immediate reaction on even the most abrupt electronic transients.

The Nagra CLASSIC AMP is fitted with a traditional Nagra Modulometer on the front panel that provides visual reading of the power for each output channel. An LED is also fitted to indicate saturations, excessive temperature and Mute function. Both XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced inputs plus an IN/OUT trigger function. While the CLASSIC AMP is a stereo design producing 100 Watts per channel, it can be bridged to produce 200 watts in mono. Frequency response is from 10 Hz to 80 kHz (+0/-3dB), weighs 39 lbs. and physically measures 11" x 15.5" x 7" (WxDxH).

You can learn more about Nagra Audio's upcoming HD AMP within our video below. As for the sound here at HIGH END 2015, the sound was effortless, extended in all frequency extremes and with very fast transients. Bass was tight and tuneful, so there was apparently plenty of amplification without stress or strain.

---> Back to main HIGH END 2015 show report page.