Nagra's New PREAMP II-S: A Mid-Fi Masterpiece
Swiss audio manufacturer Nagra has unveiled the PREAMP II-S, a tube pre-amplifier that marks a significant step forward in their product lineup. This new Series II product family is designed to bridge the gap between Nagra's existing Classic and HD lines, offering "reference-inspired engineering in a refined, more compact form."
A Legacy of Excellence
Nagra's journey in the audio industry began in 1998 with the PL-P, a battery-powered tube pre-amplifier with an integrated phono stage. The Classic PREAMP followed in 2016, and now the PREAMP II-S continues this legacy, dropping the integrated phono stage but maintaining the essence of its predecessors.
Modulometer and Tubes
One of the standout features of the PREAMP II-S is the return of Nagra's Modulometer, a level display inspired by the company's professional IV-S reel-to-reel recorder. This innovative feature provides visual monitoring of left and right channel levels during playback, ensuring optimal audio performance. The high-contrast OLED screen, borrowed from the HD PHONO and Reference DAC, enhances the overall user experience.
The chassis incorporates a phenolic damping layer beneath the aluminum top cover, a technique Nagra developed for its Reference turntable and electronics. This design choice addresses vibration control, ensuring a stable and reliable performance. Inside, a new generation of tubes shared with the Classic Phono, HD, and Reference series powers the PREAMP II-S, delivering exceptional audio quality.
Gain and Power
The PREAMP II-S offers two gain settings: 0dB and +6dB, both switchable from the front panel. At 0dB, the amplifier operates almost like a passive preamplifier while maintaining a 9-ohm output impedance, providing a dynamic range of 125dB. Power is supplied by an external unit, with the standard Compact PSU delivering 12V/2A via a LEMO connector, a nod to Nagra's professional recording heritage.
Pricing and Availability
The PREAMP II-S is priced at £21,998 including the Compact PSU and £18,348 without. For more information, visit Nagra's website at https://www.nagraaudio.com/ and explore the PREAMP II-S at https://darko.audio/tag/preamp-ii-s/
About the Author
John Darko, a renowned audio journalist, splits his time between Lisbon and Berlin, creating engaging videos and podcasts for Darko.Audio. His previous contributions to publications like 6moons, TONEAudio, AudioStream, and Stereophile further solidify his expertise in the audio industry.
