Swiss high-end audio legend Nagra has launched the PREAMP II-S, marking the debut of its highly anticipated Series II lineup. Building on the brand’s storied heritage in professional recording and ultra-premium home audio, this tube-based line-stage preamplifier refines the acclaimed Classic PREAMP while introducing meaningful advancements in transparency, dynamics, and mechanical isolation.
The PREAMP II-S arrives at a pivotal moment for Nagra, blending timeless tube sonics with modern engineering precision. Priced at approximately $27,900 USD (including the dedicated Compact PSU), it positions itself as a statement piece for discerning audiophiles seeking uncompromised musical reproduction.
Iconic Modulometer
At the heart of the PREAMP II-S is the triumphant return of Nagra’s iconic Modulometer™ – the precision level meter originally made famous on the legendary Nagra IV-S reel-to-reel recorder. This analog jewel not only serves as a functional monitoring tool for left and right channels but also reinforces Nagra’s unmistakable design identity, evoking the brand’s professional roots while adding visual elegance to the front panel.
Nagra has paid meticulous attention to vibration control, incorporating a phenolic damping layer beneath the aluminum top cover – a technique derived from the company’s flagship Reference turntable and electronics. This, combined with an external power supply architecture (using a LEMO connector), minimizes interference and preserves signal purity. The result is an extraordinarily quiet background with a dynamic range exceeding 125 dB, allowing music to emerge with breathtaking contrast and lifelike presence.
Latest HD tube technology
The preamplifier employs Nagra’s latest HD tube technology, featuring hand-selected new-generation tubes (two 12AX7/ECC83 and one 12AT7/ECC81) shared with the Classic Phono and HD/Reference series. Owners of the original Classic PREAMP will immediately recognize its musical DNA – accurate yet never clinical, with a wide and deep soundstage – but the II-S elevates performance through enhanced transparency, spatial definition, micro-dynamics, and fluid musical flow.
Flexibility is another strength: a gain toggle offers 0 dB (for low-impedance, passive-like control) or +6 dB settings, paired with an exceptionally low output impedance of just 9–18 ohms. This ensures precise drive of virtually any power amplifier. Connectivity includes balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs and outputs, with a clean, ergonomic layout.
Key Technical Specifications
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 50 kHz (+0 / -0.5 dB)
- Dynamic Range: >125 dB
- THD: <0.01% @ 1 kHz, 1 V rms output
- Crosstalk: >85 dB
- Output Impedance: 9 Ω (0 dB gain) / 18 Ω (+6 dB gain)
- Tubes: 2× 12AX7/ECC83, 1× 12AT7/ECC81 (selected by Nagra)
- Dimensions: 380 × 280 × 76 mm (15 × 11 × 3 inches)
- Weight: 4.8 kg (10.6 lbs)
The PREAMP II-S ships standard with Nagra’s Compact PSU, though it can be ordered without for integration with existing higher-tier Nagra power supplies like the MPS or Classic PSU.
With the PREAMP II-S, Nagra reaffirms its mastery of tube design in the modern era – delivering a preamplifier that honors its iconic past while pushing sonic boundaries forward. For audiophiles chasing the ultimate in emotional engagement and resolution, this Series II opener sets an exhilarating new standard.
The Nagra PREAMP II-S is available now through authorized dealers worldwide.
