Preamp II-S first look: Nagra brings reference-grade Swiss engineering to new luxury audio series

Combining ravishing industrial design with advanced tube technology and vibration control, Swiss audio specialist Nagra’s newest preamplifier is aimed squarely at posh audiophiles for whom price is secondary to performance.

Designed and built in Romanel-sur-Lausanne, the Preamp II-S is the first component in Nagra’s Series II range, positioned between the company’s Compact and HD lines. It signals the launch of an all-new product family, that sits at the heart of the brand’s high-end luxury audio portfolio.

According to the company, Series II represents more than an incremental update. Rather, it reflects a ground-up rethink of how Nagra’s pro and domestic design philosophies can combine to elevate the home audio experience.  

In short, it’s lush. Let’s take a closer look…

Beyond music and film, Nagra’s recorders were employed by US intelligence agencies during the Cold War and by NASA during the Apollo space programme…

The summit of high-end preamplification

Build quality appears impeccable. Fronting the Preamp II-S is a high-contrast OLED display, shared with Nagra’s HD Phono and Reference DAC, while input selection is managed by a rotary encoder with a finely machined aluminium control.

The fascia also marks the return of the Modulometer, the analogue level meter first made famous by Nagra’s IV-S reel-to-reel recorder.

Beneath the hood, the Preamp II-S employs a new generation of tubes (or valves) shared with Nagra’s Classic Phono, HD and Reference series. These tubes are designed to deliver high transparency, low noise and finely resolved dynamics, characteristics that align with the company’s professional recording heritage.

Advanced vibration-control measures include a phenolic damping layer beneath the aluminium top cover. This layer is both bonded and mechanically fixed, reducing resonance and contributing to improved clarity and stability in operation, says Nagra.

The external power supply is a long-standing Nagra practice. By moving the power supply outside the main chassis, potential electrical interference is minimised.

The Preamp II-S is supplied as standard with the Compact PSU, delivering a regulated 12V/2A feed via a professional-grade LEMO connector. Owners of existing Nagra MPS or Classic PSUs can specify the preamplifier without a power supply.

A luxury component with deep heritage

Nagra occupies a rare position in the audio world, bridging professional recording and high-end domestic playback. Founded in 1951 by Stefan Kudelski, the company became synonymous with portable recorders renowned for reliability and sound quality.

Its equipment has been used extensively in film production, earning multiple Oscars and Emmys for technical achievement, and has played a role in recording music by artists ranging from The Beatles to Pink Floyd.

Beyond music and film, Nagra’s recorders were employed by US intelligence agencies during the Cold War and by NASA during the Apollo space programme, cementing a reputation for precision engineering under extreme conditions. Since entering the domestic Hi-Fi market in the late 1990s, Nagra has translated that expertise into amplifiers, DACs and turntables that sit firmly in the luxury audio space.

The Nagra PREAMP II-S is available in the UK through Absolute Sounds. Pricing is set at £21,998 including the Compact PSU, or £18,348 for the preamplifier alone when paired with an existing compatible Nagra power supply.