Nagra streamer in Munich 2024

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.

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.

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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.

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.