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1\) o o\ High Fidelity (évo nou gotopoÀe( cv Koro véoç 'Ooor é1ouv epoteu0ei to otrtr'r ?p ao 'ao Q'i cz6 'rr1v 'rou, v-rc-lpev1apeo6'n1ro nou y(ve'roLcvttÀr1nT r] '16ooo'rr1v vr1 to1û evLolutéçnou é1ouv nepdoer onô'rov orpdoorl golvrltLrccov6oo rcctotrlv orpdoorl orpoogot- 1côpocrpdootic 1,oç. llÉpo on6 trlv Érctoorqrou, oro 'ro ptr<,,rvépycov, 6nou onorcoÀÛntet'rt1v trov6'rr1To 'rou rdtor pépoç rou gdopotoç, nÀoÛotoocopo tou otq ieuyoptoûvo r!4Àoqe('rtçprrpoÀentopépeteç Kot vo rtç 1opr1ÀopreooionepLopi rot ttl otootri r4plo1 r Two of a kind Nagra's pair justifies, once again, the rcputation of the Suss for precision and high manufacturingquality. Nagrais a companythat, in the sound professionals'field, is highlyesteemed - not unjustifiably.Besides its reputation,however, it has earnedmy respectas well,those two or threetimes I was fortunateenough, as a technician,to get my handson some of its creations.\Mth its technicalbackground as the startingpoint, for a few years now Nagrahas createda seriesof high-endequipment for domesticuse that is very interesting,with the monophonicpyramids and the PL-L preamplifiercomprising one of the hithertoinaccessible objects of my curiosity. Therefore,the adventof Nagra'sfirst CD was the occasionfor a CDC to be brought to the offices of the magazine (the model with a variable output that can be connecteddirectly to a poweramplifier) and a stereopower amplifier that broughtme into contactwith a designingmentality, which, in the technician'sworld, regardless of personaltastes, commands respect. ls, however,the rationalspirit and common-senseapproach of the techniciansat Nagraenough to createdevices that standout in the soundfield? That is the answerthat we are askedto givethough this currenttrial. The old one PSA is based on technologydeveloped by Nagra for the manufactureof PMA monoblocks,which, for a few years now, have followedtheir own orbit in the high- end firmament.The chassisdesign makes it (as is the case with the monoblocks) aestheticallyunique. Given its pyramidshape, there is no way it can go unnoticed. This shape,however, was not chosenjust for effectbut servespractical purposes as well, maintainingNagra's traditionof designingequipment where practicalneeds define their form and not the other way around,succeeding, at the same time, to havean interestinglystylish aspect. So,PSA has a chassisin pyramidshape with a 37 cm baseand a heightof 26.5cm. Oneof its threesides is the heatsink for the powertransistors (it is castaluminum alloy,the soundcircuit boards are mountedon top, and insideit is dividedin two levels). On its frontpanel you willfind onlytwo indicators(one that brightensaccording to the inputsignal level and one that turnson whenthe poweramplifier reaches its powerperformance limits), and the company'slogo. At the backof PSAthere is a pairof WBTbanana plugs (per channel) for connection to speakersand an XLRinput (balanced)per channel.Those who objectto the absenceof unbalancedinputs will findtwo XLRto RCAadaptors included in the packaging.Finally, next to the power terminalthere are three indicators (power, overheating and overall protection). Openingthe coverof the amplifier(that comprises the upperpart of the pyramidand internallyis coveredwith sheets of dampeningmaterial), we findourselves in frontof the condensers(with a capacityof 22000pFper polarity)of the powersupply, which is thesecond thing that makes PSA stand out from the crowd.What differentiates the specific power supply from others that I have come across in amplifier implementationis the existenceof an activePower Factor Corrector (PFC) in its input.The specificcircuit is essentialin high-voltageswitching power supplies (usuallyfrom l KVAand up),but optionalin medium-and low-voltageconventional powersupplies like thoseused in high-endamplifiers. This circuitcomes, in fact, beforethe powersupply, and its missionis to keepthe powerfactor close to 1 (it can also be describedas a cosinecorrection circuit). In this way, problemsthat might occurin the electricpower network due to the operationof the powersupply are avoided;the supply voltage is pre-filteredas well, while the power supply demonstratesa more stable behavior. Thecircular transformer is isolatedat the baseof the pyramid,placed in an inverted positionat the roofof the "floor''beneath the cast chassis, while there are three more transformers(mounted on a printedcircuit board along with the rectificationand levelingcircuits) that supply the amplifiercontrol-protection circuits and the buffersat itsinput through stabilized power supplies. Theamplifier power stage is a classicalsymmetrical design, which uses an Analogue DevicesOP 176in the inputstage per channel and MOSFETs from Exicon in output, ensuring perfect complementarity.(The specific power transistors have been selectedfrom among tens of respectivepairs for their sound performance).The power transistorsare mounteddirectly on the heat sink, as is the one of the PFC circuitthat formsthe baseof the pyramidas well). The implementationof the circuits,the absenceof wiring,the attentionto detailand the quality of the componentssimply do not leave room for complaints,since everythingoperates on an exemplarylevel. The new one Thosewho have fallen in love with the style of the old Nagrasand the PL-P preamplifieras well,will also fall in lovewith CDC at firstglace. Small in sizeand with the positioningof Nagradials, CDC is a CDwith a built-inpreamp circuit (output-level andchannel balance control) that can lead directly to thepower amplifier. At its frontpanel, on the leftside, there are the CD drawerand the monitorscreen, whilefurther to the rightthe roundVuMeter (modulometer, as Nagraprefers to callit) drawsour attentionwith two needles,one per channel.Further to the rightyou will findthe output-levelcontrol and the operationselector switch, which is anotherpoint thatmakes this particular CD stand out. Througha two-modeswitch above the selector, you can proceed to quicksearch. In a secondline you will find a switchthat regulates the brightnessof the screenand of the VUmeter,a balancecontrol between the two channels,one moreswitch that opensthe CD drawer(for the insertionof the CD) and a switchfor selectingthe output(Line 1 or headphones). At the backthere is a pairof simpleand balancedterminals (of excellent quality) for the outputsignal, as well as the terminalto whichthe externalpower supply is connected. Finally,regarding digital output, there will be no complaints,since, thanks to an AES/EBU,you willfind a coaxialand an optical TosLink output. Beforemoving in for a closerlook at the insideof CDC, we haveto mentiona couple of thingsregarding its operationthat will impressanyone who comesin contactwith a Nagra devicefor the first time. First of all, the CD drawer moves togetherwith the monitorscreen (in fact all of the readingmechanism moves along with the drawer) and a magneticclamp holds the discin place. For the CD to operate the selectorhas to be set to reproductionmode and the drawermust be alreadyclosed by the respectiveswitch. Openingthe thick aluminiumcover, you find yourselvesin front of an absolute- strength-wise- implementationthat goes completelyby the book.What catchesour eye first is the drawermechanism, which integratesall the readingcontrol circuits as well. Made of CNC machinedaluminum plates, it createsa distinctsense of solidity and, of course, ensures disk reading with the least possibleinterference. In the conversionstage, Nagra has chosento use a converterwithout oversampling (Nagra claimsthat oversamplingcircuits cause interferencesthat "infect"the sound signal), whilethe converterand the analogstages are armoredin a gold-platedmetal casing. As we were informed,all of the digitalsignal converter circuits come from Anagram, whichwas boughtout by Nagra,while the Jitterlevel is nextto none. Even in the CDC implementationthere is no room for complaint,since everything was done by the book. Even thoughit wasn't possibleto open the gold-platedmetal casing,what we saw (circuitpanels to the highestspecifications, separate analog and digital ground, transformerswith galvanizedinsulation for all of the digital outputs,operational amplifiers of high quality in the analog output buffer circuit,a wealthof power supplyfilters and reversecurrent circuit breakers) attest to the final quality. Finally,audio fans will noticethat each pieceof Nagraequipment is accompaniedby its own "personal"Audio Precisiontests and measurementsthat testifyto both their exceptionallaboratory behavior and the strictquality control that takes place. Starting as a pair Originally,the Nagrawere connectedwith Sigma'sNova Diamond,while in many parts B&Ws Nautilus802 were used as well. From the first minutesof listeningto Nagras, it is clear that they were not made to impressand draw attention.As a combinationit featuresa neutralpresentation of musicalevents, without adding but 4 alsowithout taking away anything.At the same time, they proveto be open windows to any changewe maketo the interconnectand the loudspeakercables. This neutrality that characterizesNagra in no way can be misinterpretedas detachment.lt simplygives back whateverexists on the recording,laying bare those places where excesseshave been committedor where certain intrinsicproblems exist. Thanksto Sigma, both the system'sanalytical capabilities and the sense of timing unfoldwith ease.The result,beyond the expectedfullness of range,also possesses an immediacyrarely found that becomesdetectable both in vocal and atmospheric works,where it revealsthe abilityof the pair to feel the tiny detailsand projectthem, withoutisolating them from the whole. The ability of the amplifierto fully control its load becomesobvious at any single moment, right up to its power performancelimits, while the speed with which it monitors and displays the dynamic contrasts becomes obvious both in great symphonicworks and in modernsounds as well, where - for example- the driving pulseof Yellowyields a dynamicsense of rhythmand control. Delvingdeeper into its character,with small ensembles,we discoverthe complete senseof calm which characterizesit and the flow from one end to the other as well, whilethe positionof the musiciansis displayedwith precision,presenting at the same time the feelingof the spacein whichthey are situated. The transparentcharacter of the combinationrequires more experimentingwith the cables. ln any case, the pair showed that it prefers the classic multi-branched conductors(by the way, with the JPS cablesthat accompaniedit, it producedone of the fullestresults), while with strip-typecables the sound becameso analyticalthat it vergedon unemotional. Gontinuingalone Taking its power for granted,PSA is one of the strongestamplifiers that we have seen and heard.Beyond its range,at the lowerend, its rich body in the medium-low range and the faithful reproductionof the proportionof the musical signal, it is characterizedby an effortlessfeeling of speed. Even when it is close to its limits,it keeps everythingunder control.When it is forced excessively,its protectioncircuits preventunpleasant surprises before intense audible signs of strain make their appearance. Eventhough it doesn'thave a problemdriving demanding speakers to sensible levels,it "breathes"better with a relativelysensible load, while it is capableof transformingany loudspeakerthat, up to now,you felt was weakin the low range, sincecontrol in the lowerpart of thespectrum usually corresponds to higherprices. Regardingthe presentationof musicalevents, PSA neitherflatters nor forgivesa problematicrecording. The excessesin a vocal presentation,imperfections that escapedthe productionstudio, and variousprocesses step fonruardand are not forgiven.On the contrary,in a meticulousrecording the atmospherewhich emerges is pure,with an intensefeeling that the listenerco-exists with the musiciansin the room. lf youwould like to approximatethe result,at the expenseof truth,then you canuse unbalancedconnection (using adaptors), while if youare an analysisfan, the use of a purebalanced connection from the preampor the CDoutput will reward you. CDC is definitelya differentCD, whose personality asserts itself through sound as well.No matterhow indifferent you maybe to its technicalcharacteristics, when you seeits draweropen to inserta disk,you can't help but be impressed,whereas when youhear its sound you will realize that you are in the presenceof a differentreality. At first, if you are used to excessiveair and transparency- which manydigital deviceswith oversampling create - CDCmay seem dark. After a while,however, you will beginto realizethat your originalimpression was wrong.Simply, instead of excessive air and impressivetransparency, it demonstratesa sublimely homogeneousspectrum, where no singleelement pops out to provoke.From one end to the otherthere is a feelingof unityand flow.lts low rangeis full of energy, callingto mindin manypoints a top turntable;in the middle-lowrange it sounds spiritedand full-bodied, while the middlerange is the epitomeof neutrality,without the CDCbecoming phlegmatic. Finally, in the highfrequencies there is breadthand energy up to the higher harmonics,without giving the least impressionof elrtravagance. The passage of time will make you realize CDC's true value. \ffhile other digital systemsstart impressively,stimulate your interestfor a while but after some time leave you feelingdistracted, CDC keeps you restedand binds you to the centerof the music. Exceptfor its spectralhomogeny and neutralityrelative to its cost, CDC sets up a real stereophonicimage as well. Singershave human dimensions;the musical instrumentsare focusedand are not distorted,whatever their positionor subjective size, while the descriptionof the soundstageis exemplary.Finally, CDC's driving capabilitiesare remarkable,since to whicheveramplifier it was connected,it made you not want to interposeany preamplifierever again. And some overallconclusions Both as a pair and individually,PSA and CDC have chosenthe difficultpath. They tell the truthand do not seek to becomelikeable through flattery. They are capableof highlightingevery detail in the recording,but do not forgiveimperfections, either in their accompanyingequipment or in the recordingitself. Their design approach- beyondbeing aesthetically unique - is particularlyeffective, while the qualityof their manufacturejustifies, once more,the reputationof the Swissas perfectionists,lf you are one of those who continuouslychange equipment- regardlessof the sound effect- they may seem expensive(and in this case they are). lf, however,you prefer truth (or a very persuasiveapproximation thereof) to flattery,and, once you find it, you hold on it for the rest of your life,then the Nagramay provequite cost-effective in the long run. In a nutshell,they are an experiencefor those who are not after mere embellishmentand ornamentation,but who are in searchof a systemthey will keep for a lifetime. PRO Design.Superb quality of manufacture.Neutrality. coN Selectiveas to whomthey hang out with (for many, this is a drawback). Aphrodite'sVision Tel.:(0030) 210 - 6813773 Price CDCis alsoavailable without the preampstage (CDP 11,70O euros), while it is also availableas transport(CDT 10,300 euros). PSAIDENTITY Power: 1O0Wrmsinto I ohm/channel Bandwidth 10Hz- 100KHz Signal-to-noiseratio >100d8 Channelseparation >85d8