This time we received for review Nagra’s new external power supply from the Compact series, the Nagra Compact PSU. Along with it came a pair of vibration-isolation platforms, the Nagra Compact VFS. Both products are designed as dedicated upgrades for the Compact series components (the streamer and the phono stage).
In this review, we’ll examine how meaningful their impact is – especially that of the power supply – and try to answer the obvious question: is this an upgrade that justifies the investment?
We thank the audio store and recording studio "Avi Yaffe", the official importer of the Nagra brand in Israel, for providing us these products for the review.
Bottom Line
The Nagra Compact PSU and Compact VFS offer a noticeable upgrade path for both Compact and Classic series devices
Liked
- Exceptional build quality with meticulous minimalist design
- Noticeable improvement in clarity, dynamics, and lower noise floor
- Provides an option to upgrade Nagra Classic devices at a more accessible price compared to the Classic PSUClassic PSU
- The Compact VFS adds mechanical stability and a premium look that complements the series
To Improve
- The front indicator light on the PSU slightly disrupts the clean aesthetic – it would have been better positioned at the rear
- Noticeable upgrade, but it comes at a premium price
About the New Nagra Compact Series
We’ve written quite a bit about Nagra – the long-standing Swiss high-end audio manufacturer – on our website, including most recently in our review of the Nagra Classic DAC II (see full review). So this time, we’ll skip the usual introduction and focus instead on Nagra’s newest and most accessible product line to date: the Nagra Compact series.
The first product that effectively introduced this new direction, although not yet under the “Compact” name, was the Nagra Streamer, Nagra’s first-ever music streamer, launched in 2024. I had the privilege of reviewing it that same year, and although I wasn’t planning to replace my streamer at the time, it won me over with its minimalist design and its singular focus on musicality and transparency. During the review I decided to purchase it, and it has been my primary digital source ever since.
(see full review of the Nagra Streamer)
When the Nagra Streamer was released, it was still presented as part of the Classic series, without any mention of an upcoming product line. As the streamer gained traction, it seems Nagra recognized the potential of this platform, as well as the market’s desire for more accessible products from the brand. This led to the introduction of the Nagra Compact Phono, a new phono preamplifier and the first device to officially carry the Compact name.
Following this, and in true Nagra fashion, the two products featured in this review were unveiled: the Nagra Compact PSU external power supply and the Nagra Compact VFS vibration-isolation platform. Much like in the Classic series, where the PSU and VFS have become a near-standard upgrade path for extracting maximum performance, these new Compact-series equivalents aim to offer a similar enhancement for the company’s more accessible models.
Under Review: Nagra Compact PSU & Nagra Compact VFS
Nagra Compact PSU
The Nagra Compact PSU is a new linear external power supply featuring a custom-designed toroidal transformer engineered to deliver a stable, precise, and exceptionally low-noise power feed. It also incorporates a multi-stage filtering system designed to keep the signal path as clean as possible from external interference. The enclosure follows the same width as the Nagra Streamer but is noticeably taller, allowing room for the transformer and additional internal components.
Dimensions (mm): 191 W × 61 H × 160 D
Weight: 3.5 kg
The PSU outputs 12.75V DC / 2A and uses a 2.5 mm DC jack connector. With a single output, the Compact PSU is designed to power one device at a time – unlike Nagra’s Classic PSU, which can power up to three devices simultaneously.
The Compact PSU is supplied with a dedicated DC cable (2.5 mm on both ends) compatible with all Compact-series products. Beyond that, it also supports a long list of Nagra devices, including several legacy models:
VPS, Jazz & Melody preamplifiers; Classic DAC, DAC II, HD DAC, Tube DAC; Classic PREAMP, Classic PHONO; Nagra CD players.
For these models, an additional cable is required: DC on one end and a Lemo connector on the other.
Nagra Compact VFS
The VFS (Vibration Free Support) platform was developed by Nagra more than two decades ago and has since become one of the brand’s most recognizable isolation solutions. The VFS consists of two stacked platforms, each designed to address different frequency ranges of mechanical resonance. The lower platform uses special silicone-based feet developed by Nagra, while between the two layers sits a layer of Sorbothane – a material known for its exceptional damping properties and even used in NASA applications.
The Compact VFS is supplied with four spikes made from a non-magnetic alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc. These spikes replace the screws on the underside of Compact-series components, ensuring optimal mechanical stability when mounted.
The Nagra Compact VFS weighs 1.1 kg.
Design and Build Quality
Unboxing video:
Let’s begin with the design of the Compact PSU. The products in the Compact series share a clean, ultra-minimalist design language: a uniform rectangular block crafted from a single piece of aluminum, precisely machined with CNC processing. This is, perhaps more than anything, the pure embodiment of the “Less Is More” principle. There are no buttons at all, and the Nagra logo is printed in a subtle white against a gray background, almost completely hidden.
Still, there is one small detail that, in my opinion, prevents the design from being truly perfect: the front-panel indicator light. In a power supply – an always-on device – it is common practice to place the indicator light on the back, to avoid unnecessary light in the room and not draw attention. In the case of the Compact PSU, the light is located on the front, and stands out a bit more than I would like. While the orange illumination is part of Nagra’s visual identity, as seen on the Classic series with the famous Modulometer, those models allow you to dim the light or even turn it off completely. The Compact series does not offer this option, giving the impression that the indicator is simply “stuck” in the middle of the product with no way to control it. It’s certainly a minor note, but when dealing with a brand that aims for absolute refinement, I allow myself to be a little picky.
As for build quality, this is an undeniably impressive product: precise engineering, compact design, and a no-compromise approach. A single look at the internal layout tells the whole story – everything is clean, organized, and executed at an exceptional level.
This standard continues with the Nagra Compact VFS platform. The machining, the dimensions, the precise fit for the Compact series, and the included spikes – everything is produced with remarkable accuracy. Once you place a Compact-series component on the VFS platform, there is an immediate sense of completeness: it looks more stable, more solid, and naturally aligned with Nagra’s design language.
The Listening Test
In the listening test, I focused on the impact of the Nagra Compact PSU on both the Nagra Streamer’s performance and the performance of the Nagra Classic DAC II.
Regarding the VFS isolation platform, in my view it is an important complementary accessory, mainly in the mechanical and aesthetic sense. It adds stability, a more luxurious appearance, and a perfect match with the Compact series’ design language. However, its sonic impact depends on a wide range of factors: the quality of the stand, the level of isolation from the floor, the room, and more. As a result, the effect can vary significantly between different setups.
The impact of the Nagra Compact PSU on the Nagra Streamer
During the first few days, I connected the Nagra Compact PSU to the Nagra Streamer and listened in this configuration for several days so the unit could settle in before making comparisons. My first comparison was done using my personal system, which includes the YG Acoustics Vantage 3 speakers, the MSB Discrete DAC with two external power supplies, and the Nagra Classic Int integrated amplifier.
In the track “Golden Skies” by Lamont Landers from the album Introducing… Lamont Landers, the Compact PSU brought a clear improvement in both dynamics and ease. The listening experience felt more fluid and less strained, and details in the quieter passages, such as the opening, were more apparent, indicating a lower noise floor.
I continued the evaluation using the Marten Oscar Trio speakers (see the full review) together with the Nagra Classic DAC II. This time, I focused on two tracks played from a local file to avoid the influence of streaming.
I began with “Hidden Trails” by violinist Maria Manousaki (Flac 44.1 kHz / 16-bit), a jazz/world-music piece. Here, I listened first with the Compact PSU and then without it. Without the PSU, there was a slight decrease in clarity, along with reduced dynamics and contrast. I also felt a drop in instrument separation. I wouldn’t describe the difference as dramatic, but it was noticeable and consistent. With the Compact PSU in place, the sound felt more alive, more dynamic, and the soundstage slightly larger. In addition, details in the quieter sections were clearer.
The second track I chose was “Endless Highway” by Allan Taylor (Flac 44.1 kHz / 24-bit), where the difference was even more pronounced. With the Compact PSU, there was better separation between piano and guitar, a more impressive dynamic range, and the vocals came across more natural and lively, with improved micro-dynamics. For me, the overall presentation was more engaging and emotionally involving.
In summary, regarding the PSU’s impact on the Streamer: switching from using the Nagra Streamer alone to the configuration with the Nagra Compact PSU and the vibration-isolation Compact VFS results in a lower noise floor, enhanced dynamics, and greater clarity in the quieter passages. In other words, the PSU and VFS help the Nagra Streamer reach its full potential.
The Impact of the Nagra Compact PSU on the Nagra Classic DAC II
In the second part of the listening test, I examined the effect of the Nagra Compact PSU on the Nagra Classic DAC II, using a dedicated cable with a DC connector on one end and a Lemo connector on the other, as noted earlier.
I chose “Unstated” by Dominique Fils-Aimé (Flac 88.2 kHz / 24-bit). With the Compact PSU, I noticed additional layers of air between the notes, meaning improved separation, along with an enhanced dynamic range. The overall presentation sounded slightly cleaner, the bass was punchier and deeper, and the sound as a whole felt more natural, lively, and effortless.
In my opinion, the Compact PSU had a more significant impact on the Classic DAC II than on the Streamer. I believe this is because the DAC II includes an internal power supply, so using the Compact PSU provides two key advantages:
1. A higher-quality, more precise power supply.
2. Moving the power supply outside the main chassis, which reduces noise and interference.
By contrast, the Nagra Streamer already comes with an external power supply, so it benefits mainly from the higher quality of the Compact PSU itself.
Summary
With the launch of the Nagra Compact PSU and Compact VFS, owners of the Nagra Streamer and Compact Phono can now enjoy Nagra’s well-known upgrade path, previously reserved for Classic series owners.
Another important point is that the Compact PSU can also serve as a cost-effective upgrade for Classic series devices. While the Classic PSU supports up to three devices, it comes at a significantly higher price. Therefore, if you own a single Classic device, whether a DAC, preamplifier, or phono stage, and wish to add an external power supply, the Compact PSU now offers a much more accessible option.
In the listening tests, the performance improvements were clear: higher clarity, lower noise floor, enhanced dynamics, and better separation. Both the Nagra Streamer and the Nagra Classic DAC II benefited from the upgrade, although the impact on the Classic DAC II (which includes an internal power supply) was even more pronounced.
This is not a “night-and-day” upgrade, but in a world where high-end devices already operate near their limits, even small improvements are meaningful. For anyone looking to extract the full potential of their Nagra equipment, the Nagra Compact PSU and Compact VFS represent a carefully executed and impressive upgrade.
Price: Compact PSU: 12,500 NIS, Compact VFS: 4,750 NIS
Warranty: 3 years
Importer: Avi Yaffe
The system I used for the review:
Speakers : YG Acoustics Vantage 3 & Marten Oscar Trio
Integrated amplifier : Nagra Classic Int
DACs: Nagra Classic DAC II & MSB Technology Discrete DAC with two external power supplies
Streamer: Nagra Streamer
Cables :
Coaxial cable between the streamer and the DAC: Nordost Blue Heaven + Nagra Link cable
XLR cable between the MSB DAC and the amplifier: Nordost Blue Heaven
RCA cable between the Nagra DAC and the amplifier: Nordost Blue Heaven
Speaker cables : Nordost Blue Heaven
Power:
Power cables for the amplifier, the Nagra Streamer and the MSB DAC: Nordost Blue Heaven
Power Distribution Block : QBASE QB8 Mark II
Power cable for the distribution block: Nordost Red Dawn
Audio Rack: Quadraspire SV3T Performance
