Nagra, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, has officially released the “Compact Player,” a network-enabled compact streamer/DAC. This ambitious product brings the renowned Nagra sound to a more accessible price point, drawing on the company’s storied heritage in professional recording equipment for broadcast and film industries.
Heritage from Broadcast and Film
Since its founding in 1951, Nagra has built a worldwide reputation for professional recording equipment, starting with tape recorders. The company’s equipment has been used in numerous Academy Award-winning films and recordings, earning high regard for its technical excellence and build quality.
The Compact Player inherits this professional audio DNA while adapting to modern network audio environments.
Key Specifications
Network Features
- Roon Ready Certified: Seamless integration with the Roon ecosystem
- Major Streaming Services: Compatible with Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, and more
- UPnP/DLNA Support: Standard network audio protocol compatibility
DAC Performance
- High-Resolution Support: PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit, DSD256 (11.2MHz), and DXD
- Premium DAC Circuit: Implementation based on Nagra’s proprietary design philosophy
Chassis and Design
- Solid Aluminum Machined Chassis: Nagra’s traditional robust and beautiful aluminum enclosure
- Compact Form Factor: Sized for desktop or space-limited installations
- Swiss Manufacturing: Designed and manufactured entirely in Switzerland
Classic Preamp II-S Prototype Also Unveiled
At the Compact Player launch event, Nagra also unveiled a prototype of the “Classic Preamp II-S,” a new preamplifier scheduled for release in 2026. As a new addition to the Classic Series lineup, this suggests future system configurations pairing with the Compact Player.
Pricing and Availability
- Price: US$7,500
- Availability: Now available
The Ideal Entry Point to Nagra
Nagra’s flagship products command prices ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, positioning the brand as an aspirational choice for many audiophiles. At $7,500, the Compact Player offers a realistic entry point to experience the Nagra sound.
This compact unit, embodying the company’s technical prowess and quality standards, is poised to showcase a new dimension of the Nagra brand in the streaming era.