Nagra Preamp II-S Preamplifier Heritage The Nagra Preamp II-S Preamplifier represents a bridge between professional recording history and high-fidelity home audio. Long before entering the domestic market, Nagra recorders set the global standard for reliability and uncompromising sonic quality. This rich engineering legacy began in 1998 with the iconic PL-P tube preamplifier. Consequently, the Series II-S evolves this philosophy by blending classic aesthetics with groundbreaking modern electronics for today's listeners. Evolution Nearly a decade has passed since the release of the celebrated Classic PREAMP in 2016. Nagra engineers decided it was finally time for a complete rethinking of both style and performance. Therefore, the PREAMP II-S arrives as the inaugural model of the sophisticated new Series II family. It maintains the legendary musical DNA of its predecessors while elevating every technical aspect to a reference-inspired level of excellence. Precision The return of the legendary Modulometer marks a visual triumph for this new series. Derived from the famous Nagra IV-S reel-to-reel recorder, this instrument allows for precise visual monitoring of signal levels. It reinforces the unmistakable Nagra identity that enthusiasts have adored for decades. Furthermore, the design focuses on absolute sound quality while maintaining a compact footprint that suits any modern living space. Stability Mechanical integrity remains a core pillar of the Nagra design philosophy for this unit. Drawing from the Reference turntable legacy, the PREAMP II-S features advanced vibration control throughout its chassis. A phenolic damping layer is firmly glued beneath the aluminium top cover to manage mechanical resonances. Thus, the unit achieves exceptional sonic stability and a level of clarity that simply must be heard. Transparency This preamplifier utilises a new generation of tubes shared with the flagship HD and Reference series. These high-grade components deliver enhanced transparency and significantly improved micro-detail for a more realistic performance. Because these tubes offer such expressive dynamics, the music feels more intimate and alive. Consequently, the listener experiences a deeper emotional connection to the original recording than ever before. Ergonomics Visually, the unit draws inspiration from the historic PL-P and the current HD lines. The high-brightness OLED display offers sharp characters that remain perfectly readable even from a distance. Additionally, input selection uses a precision rotary encoder with a finely fluted aluminium knob. This mechanical quality is immediately perceptible to the touch, reflecting the luxury standards of Swiss precision engineering. Isolation Engineers removed the power supply from the main chassis to prevent any unwanted mains interference. This external architecture ensures the sensitive audio circuits remain isolated from noise and electromagnetic pollution. The PREAMP II-S comes standard with the Nagra Compact PSU, providing a stable 12V source. Alternatively, clients can specify the unit without a supply if they already own an MPS or Classic PSU. Integrity Two gain settings allow for optimal system matching without compromising the integrity of the audio signal. Most systems perform best at 0 dB gain, where the unit offers an exceptionally low output impedance. This configuration ensures perfect control over any power amplifier while behaving much like a passive preamplifier. If your system requires more drive, a front-panel toggle switch easily selects an additional 6 dB gain. Silence Silence serves as a fundamental design principle for every piece of Nagra equipment. With a staggering dynamic range of 125 dB, this preamplifier offers an extraordinarily quiet background. This allows the smallest musical nuances to emerge with maximum contrast and breathtaking realism. Indeed, the lack of noise floor ensures that the music remains the sole focus of your listening experience. Performance Owners of the original Classic PREAMP will immediately recognise the familiar accuracy and deep soundstage. However, the Series II-S elevates this performance by providing greater transparency and more lifelike dynamics. It captures the scale and emotion of a real performance while preserving the precision Nagra is famous for. This is truly a preamplifier designed to bring your entire music collection back to life. Feature Specification Model Nagra Series II-S (PREAMP II-S) Vacuum Tubes New generation HD/Reference series tubes Dynamic Range 125 dB Output Impedance 9 to 18 ohms Gain Settings 0 dB or 6 dB (selectable via toggle) Display High-brightness OLED Metering Nagra Modulometer (Left/Right) Chassis Damping Phenolic layer under aluminium cover Power Input 12 V DC (LEMO connector) Power Supply External Compact PSU (Included or Optional)
