Nagra PREAMP II-S Goes Official

Nagra has officially unveiled its Series II line that bridges the gap between its Classic and HD ranges.

The first model in this new product family is the PREAMP II-S, which, the Swiss high-end audio firm proclaims, “marks both a return to Nagra’s roots and a forward-looking evolution in design, engineering, and musical performance.”

Series II sports a small footprint, as we saw recently at a preview, and reintroduces the legendary Nagra Modulometer, an analogue level meter that provides visual cues for audio signal levels, directly inspired by the iconic Nagra IV-S reel-to-reel recorder and an unmistakable part of the Nagra identity.

Drawing on the mechanical know-how developed for the Reference turntable and Reference electronics, the PREAMP II-S benefits from advanced vibration control.

A phenolic damping layer has been added beneath the aluminium top cover of the PREAMP II-S and is both glued and mechanically fixed in place. We’re told that this controls resonance and directly enhances sonic stability, clarity and focus.

The PREAMP II-S also benefits from a new generation of tubes (or valves) shared with the Classic Phono, HD and Reference series. Nagra says these tubes deliver “enhanced transparency, superior micro-detail and more lifelike dynamic expression.”

Drawing further inspiration from the historic PL-P and Nagra’s HD and Reference lines, the PREAMP II-S inherits the high-contrast OLED display from the HD PHONO and Reference DAC, ensuring excellent readability even from a distance. Meanwhile, the HD PHONO also provides a precision rotary encoder fitted with a finely fluted aluminium knob for input selection.

Furthermore, in line with the original PL-P concept, the power supply has been moved outside the chassis, eliminating potential interference from the mains and comes supplied with the Nagra Compact PSU, delivering an exceptionally clean and stable 12V/2A power source. Owners of a Nagra MPS or Classic PSU can order the preamplifier without a power supply.

Nagra’s PREAMP II-S offers you two selectable gain settings that allow optimal system matching while preserving signal integrity. Most systems will benefit from operating the PREAMP II-S at 0dB gain, so it behaves almost like a passive preamplifier while maintaining an exceptionally low output impedance of 9 ohms. You also have the option to select +6dB of gain via a front-panel toggle switch.

Nagra promises a 125dB dynamic range, offering a quiet background so “music emerges with greater nuance and realism,” while it “preserves its musical identity while boosting transparency, spatial definition, dynamics, and musical flow.”

The Nagra PREAMP II-S is ready to commence shipping and has an RRP of £21,998 | A$33,995, including the Compact PSU. 

For more information visit Nagra