Home auditioning...

[slowGEEZR]

I've been researching amplifiers and preamps for a while now and am getting closer to some decisions, I think. Over the next couple of weeks or so, I will be auditioning some conrad-johnson, Nagra and Audio Research gear in my home media room. It took some coordinating with a couple of different dealers, but I'm happy to be able to finally check out this gear and compare with each other and my current gear in my own system! Wish me luck!

[joeinid]

Good luck my friend. I am excited to read what you plan on auditioning. Based on my experience, as limited as it is, I find there is no substitute for living with a piece of gear to learn what it can do for you. Good Luck!

[slowGEEZR]

Well, I was supposed to have some gear for evaluation by Easter, but it looks like now the first gear will be here tomorrow. First up will be some Nagra gear, the PL-L Preamp and I believe the MSA amplifier, though he may bring a different amp. I'm sure I'll like the preamp, as I've heard it before in a friend's system. He uses it to drive his Ayre MX-R's. I'm not so sure about the MSA, as I think my WP-8's like more power than it delivers. Anyway, I'll post a pic and my impressions of the gear when I audition it.

[slowGEEZR]

Last night I placed into my system for review a Nagra PL-L linestage and a Nagra MSA (Mosfet Stereo Amplifier) 60wpc amplifier. This combo is stable into just about any speaker load imaginable, as the amp power supply “incorprates an active power correction system known as PFC – Power Factor Correction. At first, I was hesitant to put a 60 watt solid state amp into my system, especially a 60 watt transistor amp! My previous experience has always been that subjectively, with the same wattage tube amp versus transistor amp, the tube amp always seemed more powerful. I had an EAR 70wpc amp in the system previously and felt a little more power would be nice. Not so with the Nagra. I am amazed at how it takes control of my speakers. I pushed them to very, very loud sound levels and there were none of the usual culprits displayed, such as tonal aberrations, subjective amp strain, or compression of the soundstage that typically let me know that the power is insufficient. As for the sound, I have always been pretty much a “tube guy” in that I've always experienced that tubes seem to put more “meat on the bones” so to speak with the music. If a sax or a voice has sounded thin to me, it has always been with a transistor amp, not a tube amp. While I've always enjoyed transistor amps because the ones I've listened to seem to do better at the extreme lows and highs than the tube amps I've heard, I've always preferred the richness of a tube amp's midrange. Well, I have to say that my preconceptions have been changed. This Nagra combo is so detailed, while being so musical, that I am somewhat nonplussed. How can this 60wpc amp sound like a 200wpc tube amp in the midrange, yet have all the detail that transistor amps have? They (the audio press) say that amplifier and preamplifier progress in both camps, transistor and tube are converging at the high end to sound more like real life. Color me impressed.

Next on the agenda is to audition the Audio Research Ref5SE and Ref150 within the next week or so. I might also be able to audition the AR LS27 preamp, after all, it is much cheaper than the Ref5SE! After that will be some conrad johnson, I hope, if I can find the components I'm interested in available. But, the AR and the CJ gear are going to have to be spectacular to beat that Nagra combo.

[Still-One]

Steve
Thanks for the update. I am looking forward to seeing how the other units compare. I have only had very limited exposure to Nagra but one has to admire the engineering that goes into their product.

You are either going to have the time of your life comparing these products or you will drive yourself crazy.

Jim

[cmalak]

Steve...very cool and thx for sharing your thoughts Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the ARC and C-J gear. I have Nagra's little SS phono amp - the BPS, and I have heard the PL-L preamp at my dealer, and I think their gear is great. Enjoy the extended auditions at your home and let us know how you are making out

[slowGEEZR]

Thanks guys, I'll keep updating my experiences with these products and also, I hope some Mcintosh gear. I'm thinking maybe the MC452 amp and a corresponding preamp, but I haven't really studied Mcintosh preamps, so I will have to catch up on that.

[slowGEEZR]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Steve
Thanks for the update. I am looking forward to seeing how the other units compare. I have only had very limited exposure to Nagra but one has to admire the engineering that goes into their product.

You are either going to have the time of your life comparing these products or you will drive yourself crazy.

Jim

Ha ha, I think I'll be fine, unless of course, the one setup that I can't live without is beyond my price range! Luckily, I'm in no hurry and am taking my time to get exactly what I want.

[Jerome W]

Very interesting Steve. Especially for an other WP8 owner like me.
Thanks a lot.
Imagine what a pair of MSA could do then !
I use the WP8 with the 2301's but since a few weeks I tried the Manley Snappers : 100W monoblocks of EL34. I lost the huge scene and power and extreme bass of the 2301's but The mids are warmer and very delicious. A more intimate and focus presentation. Very suitable for small jazz groups and vocals.
I would not imagine that a MSA could do the job on the WP8. Nagra is great

[oldjayz]

Well I have had some experience with Nagra amps. I still have the Nagra VPS as my phono prewhich is extremely quiet and can accommodate 2 tables if I needed it to do so.

I had the Nagra PSA (100 watts) with my Act 2 Series2. It was a great combination and it never faulted at all. My only problem with the Nagra amp was I needed more power. I know it sounds strange but I have a pair of Martin Logan CLSiiZ in the front and do they do take a lot of power to make them sing. The impedance swings did not phase the amp at all. Now if I had had the PMA's Nagra monoblocks that would have been different. I currently have a CJ Premier 350.
Personally I think all three choices are excellent and there is no loser here. It will come down to a matter of preference. They all have their own unique sound signature and that is where you will decide which one is the one where is gives you that "ah ha" moment.

Good Luck

Jeff