Nagra PREAMP II-S Preamplifier
NAGRA PREAMP II-S INTRODUCED AS FIRST MODEL IN NEW SERIES II RANGE
Nagra has announced the introduction of Series II, a new product family positioned between its Classic and HD ranges. The first component in this line is the Nagra PREAMP II-S Premplifier which was unveiled late last year at an event in London and is now available.
The Nagra PREAMP II-S Preamplifier is a valve preamplifier intended to combine design elements drawn from the company’s professional recording background with its current domestic HiFi products.
We first saw the Nagra PREAMP II-S Preamplifier in London when it was unveiled by the Swiss HiFi brand’s new UK distributor, Absolute Sounds….you can read the report from the event here.
POSITION OF NAGRA PREAMP II-S WITHIN THE NAGRA PRODUCT RANGE
Series II is described as a separate tier within the Nagra catalogue. The company’s structure now consists of Compact, Series II, HD and Reference lines. Series II products are intended to offer engineering derived from higher-end models in a more compact format. The Nagra PREAMP II-S is the first product developed under this new classification.
NAGRA PREAMP II-S PREAMPLIFIER
Nagra is best known for its professional recording equipment, particularly portable tape recorders used in broadcast and film production. Over time, these products also gained a following among domestic listeners. In 1998, the company released its first dedicated home audio preamplifier, the PL-P, followed by several subsequent models. The Classic PREAMP, introduced in 2016, was the most recent design prior to the Nagra PREAMP II-S.
The Nagra PREAMP II-S combines visual elements associated with earlier Nagra products and more recent designs from the HD and Reference ranges. It features a high-contrast OLED display for system information and a rotary encoder for input selection. The control layout and external styling reflect continuity with previous Nagra preamplifiers.
MODULOMETER FEATURE ON NAGRA PREAMP II-S
The Nagra PREAMP II-S reintroduces the Modulometer, a level meter originally associated with Nagra’s professional reel-to-reel recorders. The meter provides a visual indication of left and right channel signal levels and reflects the company’s long-standing use of metering in its designs.
MECHANICAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
Construction methods used in the Nagra PREAMP II-S are derived from those applied in Nagra’s Reference electronics. A phenolic damping layer is fitted beneath the aluminium top cover to help manage vibration and resonance. According to Nagra, this approach is intended to support consistent operating conditions for the circuitry.
The Nagra PREAMP II-S uses valves that are also employed in other current Nagra products, including the Classic Phono and HD series. Two gain settings are provided. A 0dB setting is intended for standard system configurations, while a +6dB option is available when higher output is required. Output impedance is specified at 9 ohms.
POWER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT
As with earlier Nagra preamplifiers, the power supply is housed externally. The Nagra PREAMP II-S is supplied with the Nagra Compact PSU as standard, providing a 12V/2A output. Power is connected via a LEMO connector. The preamplifier can also be supplied without a power supply for users who already own a compatible Nagra MPS or Classic PSU.
Nagra states that the Nagra PREAMP II-S offers a dynamic range of 125dB, drawing on design experience from its professional recording equipment. The stated aim is low noise operation suitable for use in high-resolution HiFi systems. The sonic balance is described as consistent with earlier Nagra preamplifiers, with measured refinements across multiple parameters.
NAGRA PREAMP II-S PREAMPLIFIER PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The UK RRP of the Nagra PREAMP II-S is £21,998, including the Compact PSU. The preamplifier is also available without the Compact PSU at £18,348 for users who already own a suitable Nagra power supply unit.
HiFi PiG Says: The debut of a new range from the Swiss HiFi brand that is unmistakably Nagra.
