Nagra streamer in Munich 2024

That Nagra link on the back of that streamer is the same proprietary PLINK connection from Playback Designs. I have the prior version that will work with the latest PBD DACs. I actually had mine up for sale for $2k but changed my mind and decided to save up for a top end PBD DAC. My PBD Strem-IF will work with Nagra DACs.

PBD has a newer version of my unit for $3k. That new one has PLINK and USB while mine has SPDIF and PLINK. I prefer my connection options.

Playback Designs | the finest audio playback in the world (click USB-X4)

The SPDIF sounds amazing into my Benchmark DAC3B. My frame of reference is the Lumin X1 streamer and Sonore OpticalRendu. I had all 3 side-by-side and was shocked that the PBD Stream-IF was hanging with the fibre optical of the other 2. The PLINK should be even better compared to SPDIF.

Hi End for the 1%. Another trophy to brag about.

I am curious about this streamer as well.  It will definitely be best with PLink into Nagra and Playback products.  If you are not explicitly looking for PLink, just a good streamer, the EMM Labs NS1 is quite good and is similar in its pricing at $4500.

Why can't some members just enjoy what they have and not concern themselves with what others have and not be a troll about it?

Seriously.

All the best,
Nonoise

Will be interested to learn more about what it is. Is it “only” a streamer? Or is it also a clock regenerator / buffer / D to D converter, a la its cousin, the Playback Designs streamer. At the price and based on current description, I’m guessing it’s only a streamer.

At a similar price point, the Emm labs NS1 would be an interesting comparison…I found the EMM via AES to be significantly outclassed by the Playback via AES. Of course they’re both at their best via glass fiber into a compatible dac.

To be fair, the Playback is 2x the price. But to be fair on the other side, the Playback was more than 2x as good, in my opinion. Not easy to get that in this hobby.

Back to the Nagra, would like to hear it with the Classic PSU. That’s a $22k combination…although of course the PSU can power one or two other Nagra pieces.

I sold my Stream-IF today for a lot less than the cost of the Nagra. It looks identical to the Nagra EXCEPT the Nagra has 3 outputs, Plink, SPDIF, and USB.

The latest PDB streamer that costs $3k has Plink and USB.

The prior version that I sold, PDB Stream-IF, has Plink and SPDIF.

Nagra just put USB and SPDIF together and charged more.

Hi yyzsantabarbara

is the USB port for output port? for use with other DACs.

Thanks,

If you are asking about the $5K Nagra streamer then I think the USB is for both Nagra and USB compatible DACs. Of course, the PLINK (or whatever NAGRA calls it) would be better for Nagra and PBD DACs.

I sold my PBD Stream-IF to some smart guy who realized buying my Stream-IF was a lot cheaper for likely identical results. I am referring to the $11k PBD streamer and this $5k Nagra streamer.

If I were to buy another streamer for USB, I would look at the brand new $1999 Aurelic S1 streamer. That looks perfect for someone with a good USB compatible DAC. Only missing piece is support for fibre optic input (it has Ethernet). Actually, I think I am going to get this streamer later in the year.

Hi yyzsantabarbara,

I checked with my dealer and he confirmed the USB port is not an output port to other DACs.