Nagra's new 300B amps

[antipop]

I'd love to have your opinion on this amp. It looks fantastic and Nagra makes some amazing products. Oddly enough, I've only seen them demo the SS amps and never the tube amps during shows.

[Portugal]

My impressions should be understood in comparison with my current system. Ayre electronics and Vivid speakers.

In general I like the sound I'm getting - comfortable, slightly relaxed, sound. A hint warmer than my system. Better bass i.e stronger / deeper. I found myself tapping my feet frequently. Also I feel music relaxes me more with the Nagra. I get sleepy with slow music - sleepy in a good / relaxed way, it's not boring.

I believe it's superb with Jazz e.g. John Coltrane, Blue Train, album. Very good with voices in general.

Also sound has more body at low volumes.

However, I'm still not convinced to keep it because it fells a bit lazy with rock e.g. ACDC. In this genre I'm missing the attack I get with the Ayre electronics. And at this price point (18 thousand euros for the integrated 300i or 20 thousand euros for separate 300p + Melody) must be better in everything to make me pull the trigger.


The cable mess is not my standard - it's temporary giving the demo situation (I've moved gear some shelfs up and left cables hanging)

[tunes]

Thanks for your impressions. If you can, would highly recommend you give the nagra jazz with vpa amps a try. A little more umph but still sweet and dilineated on the top.

[Higgens]

Nagra sure makes some good looking equipment. Both their new gear and the older stuff look impressive.

[jfrech]

For years I ran a Nagra PLL preamp with Ayre MXRs. (it took a preamp 3x the price of the Nagra PLL to beat it) The Nagra gear is a special combo, does nearly everything well in a balanced way. I still have my Nagra VPS/VFS, a lot of phono stages have come through...none have best it in every way.

Portugal, you might try the Nagra MSA's if the you like the 300b. That 300b amp is outstanding...but it's low power with your Vivid's may not be the best match...or try the Jazz with your Ayre (if they are amps...vs a integrated)