Nagra's high-end hi-fi products have impressed us whenever we've reviewed them, with products such as the Classic Preamp/Classic AMP combination, the Classic Phono stage and the original Nagra PL-P leaving a lasting impression thanks to their stunning attention to detail in manufacturing and performance.
So a new phono stage from the brand has piqued our interest, especially due to the price. The new Nagra Compact Phono costs $4950 – which is a far cry from the $19,750 price tag of the five-star Classic Phono we tested a few years back.
The Compact Phono aims to deliver its phono preamp expertise and a "greater part" of that high-end performance in a more compact, stripped-down form and at a less bank-busting price.
The Compact Phono doesn't have the intricate, precisely machined VU meter, switches and dials on the fascia as with its more high-end models – keeping costs considerably down.
Nagra Compact Phono against black background
(Image credit: Nagra)
Instead, the phono stage is a minimal design machined from a solid billet of aluminium and boasting vibration-resistant properties. Around the back, you'll find RCA stereo input and output (a pair for each), and a switch for selecting high or low gain (62 dB or 47.5 dB).
The Compact Phono is designed to work with moving coil cartridges only and it has the standard RIAA option found on most phono stages. Its standard load is configured to 100 Ohms, but as with other Nagra phono preamplifiers, additional load options to suit your specific MC cartridge are available from Nagra dealers.
The circuit is a dual mono layout with a fully discrete Class A topology and using high-quality components and transistors. The brand says that "no compromises in sound quality were made" in this model, but that it has simplified various settings and shortened signal paths for this compact design while still offering high performance at this level.
The latest hi-fi, home cinema and tech news, reviews, buying advice and deals, direct to your inbox.
Nagra Compact Phono against black background
(Image credit: Nagra)
The Compact Phono can be paired with Nagra's external power supply units (MPS or Classic PSU) to further upgrade the performance at additional cost.
We have praised Nagra's high-end products for their superlative insight, refinement and dynamism that also sounds natural, authentic and fun. Nagra says that the new Compact Phono is an "ambitious unit". If it delivers some of that stunning quality we've already experienced in Nagra for a cost that is a bit more attainable for people, then it will have pulled off quite the impressive trick.
MORE:
Read the fullNagra Classic Phono review
Our experience with the Nagra PL-P – the brand's first hi-fi product
Thebest phono preamps tested for every budget and type