AVReviews

This time we had the opportunity to review a new product from the Swiss high-end manufacturer Nagra: the Nagra Compact Player network player. In this review, we examine who this product is best suited for and whether it represents good value.

We would like to thank “Avi Yaffe” Audio Store and Recording Studio, the official Nagra importer in Israel, for providing the unit for the purpose of this review.

Bottom Line

The new Nagra product lines

For roughly a decade, Nagra’s product range was divided into two main lines: the flagship HD series and the more accessible Classic series. In recent years, however, the company has undergone a notable expansion and renewal of its catalog – an especially interesting move, as it has taken place in two opposite directions. On one hand, Nagra introduced an even more ambitious flagship line, the Reference series; on the other, it launched the most accessible range the company has ever offered, the Compact series.

The first product to signal the new direction of the Compact line – although it did not yet officially carry the “Compact” name – was the Nagra Streamer, the company’s first network streamer, launched in 2024. I had the opportunity to review it that same year, and during the review process I decided to purchase it. Since then, it has served as the primary digital source in my system (full review of the Nagra Streamer). The series later expanded with the introduction of the Compact Phono phono preamplifier, along with complementary products such as the Compact VFS isolation platform and the Compact PSU external power supply (see our review of the Nagra Compact PSU and impressions of the Compact VFS).

In parallel, Nagra recently introduced another new product, the Nagra PREAMP II-S preamplifier, which opened a new chapter for the company with the launch of the Series II line. This series is intended to replace the long-running Classic range. The announcement of this new series sparked my imagination and led me to write the article “Ten Wish-List Items Ahead of the Launch of the New Nagra Series II”.

Defining terms: “Streamer and DAC” vs. Network Player

Before moving on to describe the new product in the Compact series, the Compact Player, I would like to define two terms I use to describe audio products: “Streamer and DAC” and “Network Player”. These are not universal or widely accepted terms, but rather personal definitions intended to distinguish between two categories of products with similar characteristics but different use cases.

What both categories share is the combination of audio streaming capabilities and an internal digital-to-analog converter, meaning the presence of analog outputs that allow direct connection to an amplifier or an analog preamplifier.

The difference lies in flexibility. A “Streamer and DAC” also includes digital inputs, allowing the internal DAC to be used with additional external sources such as a CD player, Blu-ray player, game console, or television. In contrast, a “Network Player” is a more closed product, relying almost entirely on its streaming capabilities and not allowing the connection of external digital sources.

In recent years, a third category has also emerged: network players that include an HDMI ARC connection. This places them, in practice, somewhere between the two categories defined above, expanding their range of use – particularly in the context of integration with a video system – without fully turning them into a classic “Streamer and DAC”.

Under Review: Nagra Compact Player

The Nagra Compact Player is a new network player that continues the design and philosophical approach of the Compact series: a simple, clean, and as precise as possible expression of its product category. The Compact Player features a single analog RCA output, a wired Ethernet network input (with no Wi-Fi support), and a USB port for playback from external storage devices. That’s it – near-absolute simplicity.

In order to reach a more accessible price point, Nagra’s engineers chose this time not to use the company’s proprietary digital engine, NADM, found in products such as the Nagra Classic DAC II (full review). Instead, the Compact Player’s conversion stage is based on a DAC chip, which is a dual DAC per channel – aimed at improving channel separation. Particular attention was paid to the clock circuitry, the power supply design, and the use of multiple isolation layers within the chassis.

I reached out to Nagra regarding the type of DAC chip used, and the response I received was that it is an ESS chip.

For those looking to extract the maximum level of performance, the Compact Player can be paired with the external Compact PSU power supply. The impact of this combination is examined later in this review.

Streaming service support mirrors that of the Nagra Streamer and includes Spotify Connect (including lossless), Tidal Connect, and Qobuz Connect. Access to additional services and local file playback is handled via the free mConnect application. Support is also provided for AirPlay 2 and UPnP / DLNA. Roon Ready certification is still in process, and at the time of writing the device has not yet been officially certified.

*Update: according to Nagra, the Roon Ready certification process is now complete.

The Compact Player’s chassis adheres to the visual language of the series: a single-piece aluminum body, CNC-machined to convey the feel of a dense, high-quality aluminum billet. The unit’s dimensions are 166 mm wide, 41 mm high, and 185 mm deep, with a total weight of 1.9 kg.

Design and Build Quality

A bit of unboxing, in pictures:

The box contents include the player itself, an external power supply with a power cord, and a user manual. Despite being Nagra’s most accessible product line, the packaging is very carefully executed, and the unboxing experience manages to convey a sense of luxury and seriousness that would not feel out of place with far more expensive products.

The Compact Player’s design is identical to that of the Nagra Streamer, and in my view represents extreme minimalism in its most positive sense. The enclosure, which feels like a solid billet of aluminum, is smooth, dense, and unmistakably premium, communicating quality from the very first touch. The softly rounded edges of the top panel highlight the attention paid to small details, while the almost barely visible white Nagra lettering on a gray background projects calmness, cleanliness, and a mature design language.

As was the case with the Nagra Streamer, there is also here – at least to my taste – one single design element that slightly disrupts the otherwise clean and minimalist aesthetic: the front-panel status LED. Since the unit has no on/off switch and is effectively always powered on, the LED remains permanently lit in orange and does not provide any particularly useful information. Had it been placed on the rear panel, the front of the device would have been completely clean.

This is, admittedly, a minor drawback, and beyond it the design remains solid, mature, and upscale, standing in almost complete contrast to the common appearance of many modern network players – often dominated by large color displays and visually “noisy” design elements.

Along with the Nagra Compact Player, we also received the matching Compact VFS isolation platform, and throughout the entire review the player was placed on it. The platform is sold separately. Note that the spike feet shown in the photos are part of the VFS and are not supplied as standard with the Compact Player.

User Experience

From the moment it is connected to power, the Nagra Compact Player is ready to start streaming almost immediately. This may be the most accurate expression of the simplicity and precision of the user experience. Since the unit has not yet completed its Roon Ready certification, my primary streaming source throughout the review was Tidal Connect.

Once streaming began, I was somewhat surprised to discover that the Compact Player also offers volume control – unlike the Nagra Streamer. This means that the Compact Player can function as a digital preamplifier and be connected directly to active speakers or a power amplifier. On the one hand, this capability expands the unit’s range of use, on the other hand, from my personal perspective, it slightly undermines the product’s design minimalism, and I would have preferred it not to be present at all. A clarification with Nagra confirmed that there is no Fixed Volume mode, and it is therefore important to ensure that playback is always set to maximum volume.

Since there is no physical volume control or dedicated remote, volume adjustment is carried out exclusively via software, using applications such as mConnect or directly within Tidal during playback.

Beyond day-to-day streaming from online services, playback of local files requires the use of the free mConnect application, or alternatively Roon once certification is completed. Another important function, which to the best of my understanding is only available via mConnect, is firmware updating. When entering the Compact Player’s settings within the app, a firmware upgrade option is presented. The process itself is simple and user-friendly, but upon completion the app failed to reboot the device automatically, requiring a manual power cycle. I experienced the same behavior when updating the firmware of the Nagra Streamer.

The current firmware version is 4.4.99.

Simplicity versus Versatility and Upgrade Paths

The user experience and design philosophy of the Nagra Compact Player represent a peak of simplicity, and in this sense there is a level of functional precision that I find highly commendable. However, it is important to understand that such simplicity does not come without compromises – particularly when it comes to feature diversity and upgrade possibilities.

In terms of versatility, the omissions are clear: there are no XLR outputs, no Wi-Fi connectivity, and no digital inputs – meaning it is not possible to connect additional sources to the Compact Player’s internal DAC.

The same minimalist approach applies to potential upgrades. There is no digital output that would allow the unit to be used purely as a streamer in combination with an external DAC at a later stage. In practice, the only upgrade path offered is the addition of a higher-quality external power supply – the Compact PSU.

Anyone considering the Nagra Compact Player should be aware of these “trade-offs.” It is a device designed to deliver a high-quality and highly focused solution for those looking to add streaming and digital playback capabilities to their system. However, for listeners seeking future flexibility, multiple connectivity options, or a broader range of upgrade paths, this may not be the most suitable choice.

The Listening Test

For the listening sessions, the Nagra Compact Player was connected via a QED RCA cable to the Nagra Classic Int integrated amplifier, which in turn drove the YG Acoustics Vantage 3 loudspeakers using Nordost Blue Heaven speaker cables. The evaluation was divided into three main stages: general sonic impressions, a comparison with my reference system – comprising the Nagra Streamer and an MSB Technology Discrete DAC with two external power supplies – and finally an assessment of the impact of pairing the player with the external Nagra Compact PSU.

As usual, full system details can be found at the end of the review.

After several days of casual listening, I sat down for focused, critical listening and direct comparisons.

General Sound Performance of the Nagra Compact Player

I began with Don’t Go Dark on Me by Distance, Light & Sky from the album Gold Coast. What makes this track particularly interesting to me is the vocal dialogue between a deep male voice and a delicate, clean, almost sweet female vocal. Through the Compact Player, the separation between the voices was clear, and the contrast between them was conveyed convincingly. The presentation was large and three-dimensional, with precise vocal placement in the middle of the soundstage. The overall character was clean, with the most prominent traits being strong dynamics and punchy bass. There was also a slight forward placement of the vocal, while the musical accompaniment remained somewhat behind.

The second track was entirely different in character: an energetic contemporary pop production – the title track from the new album Under The Surface by Israeli singer-songwriter Hilla Peer. This is a highly modern and dynamic recording, and the Compact Player delivered its energy effectively. The bass was punchy and spread across the soundstage, the vocal remained clear and well separated, and the track demonstrated the player’s ability to handle rhythmic, dynamic music in a convincing manner.

From there, I moved to a jazz piece that is both energetic and refined – Blauer Flamingo by Duo Stiehler/Lucaciu from the album The London Sessions. The saxophone sounded dynamic yet smooth, even during improvisational passages, without becoming aggressive. The drum groove was lively and impactful – one of the player’s most noticeable strengths. Instrument separation between the saxophone, keyboards, and drums was clear, with each element occupying a distinct position in space. The dramatic closing section, featuring powerful drumming, was delivered with authority and energy, without compromising the smoothness of the saxophone.

I concluded this section with a modern blues track: Maria In Blue by American singer, songwriter, and pianist Niia from the album V. This is not a classic audiophile recording, yet the Compact Player still managed to extract a dynamic and expressive presentation, with good instrument separation, a detailed and present guitar, and at the same time a sense of softness and emotional nuance – elements that are essential to me in blues music.

To conclude this first part, the Nagra Compact Player demonstrated stable and well-balanced performance across the different genres tested. Its most prominent strengths are dynamics, punchy bass, and a convincing three-dimensional soundstage.

Comparison with My Reference System

As mentioned earlier, the digital front end of my reference system is based on the Nagra Streamer and an MSB Technology Discrete DAC with two external power supplies. This is, of course, a significantly more expensive setup compared to the Nagra Compact Player. The goal of this comparison was not to determine which is “better,” but rather to better understand the character of the Compact Player and illustrate in which areas a more expensive system represents a meaningful upgrade.

I returned to the two tracks that opened the listening test. On Don’t Go Dark on Me by Distance, Light & Sky, the reference system presented a different balance between the vocal and the accompaniment. The vocal was less forward, allowing more space for the music and making it easier to perceive the finer details. The vocal delivery also felt more natural and refined, with greater layering of information, particularly in the lower and deeper frequency ranges.

On Under The Surface by Hilla Peer, while the Compact Player’s dynamics were already impressive, the reference system introduced an additional sense of ease and dynamic headroom. The more meaningful difference, however, was in the level of detail and the layering within the bass region. The presentation also felt more “effortless,” smoother and more fluid overall, and the vocal separation and clarity were slightly improved.

Evaluating the Impact of the External Power Supply – Nagra Compact PSU

In the final stage of the listening test, I paired the Nagra Compact Player with its dedicated external power supply, the Compact PSU, which was also placed on a vibration control platform. The goal was to assess the degree of performance improvement in this configuration.

I began again with Under The Surface. With the external power supply connected, there was a clear improvement in detail and bass layering, as well as in vocal separation, which now sounded more defined and focused. To my ears, this was a noticeable and meaningful upgrade.

Another track used for evaluation was Stop This World by Diana Krall, the opening track from The Girl In The Other Room. I listened to this piece in all three configurations. With the external power supply, the vocal sounded cleaner and more clearly separated, the soundstage expanded, and there was a stronger sense of air between the different layers. In my reference system, the presentation still leaned slightly more toward naturalness and smoothness, along with a marginally higher level of detail, but the external PSU clearly narrowed the gap.

Adding the Compact PSU represents a significant financial investment, but the sonic improvement is clearly audible. While the upgrade is noticeable from the very first listen, I believe its real value becomes apparent over longer listening sessions. The enhanced separation and cleanliness allow for extended listening without fatigue, and the overall presentation with the external power supply feels more natural and complete, bringing the Nagra Compact Player surprisingly close to the performance of far more expensive digital systems I have heard.

Summary

The Nagra Compact Player is a clear and focused expression of Nagra’s design and engineering philosophy: functional minimalism, precision, and the deliberate avoidance of anything unnecessary. This is a network player that does not attempt to impress with long feature lists, colorful displays, or extensive connectivity, but instead concentrates on a single goal – delivering digital music at a high level of quality, in a clean, stable, and convincing manner.

Throughout the listening test, the Compact Player demonstrated a dynamic character, punchy bass, and a convincing three-dimensional soundstage, along with an impressive ability to handle a wide range of musical genres. When paired with the Compact PSU external power supply, it comes remarkably close to the performance of more expensive and complex digital systems, particularly in terms of cleanliness, separation, and long-term listening comfort. Listeners seeking a precise, design-driven solution – while being fully aware of the functional compromises – will find a product that truly embodies the DNA of Nagra: one that does not try too hard to impress, but simply performs its task with accuracy and emotional engagement.

Price: 25,600 NIS
Warranty: 2 years
Nagra Compact PSU Price: 14,200 NIS
Nagra Compact VFS Price: 5,500 NIS
Importer: Avi Yaffe

The system I used for the review: 
Speakers : YG Acoustics Vantage 3 
Integrated amplifier : Nagra Classic Int 
DAC for comparison: MSB Technology Discrete DAC with two external power supplies 
Streamer for comparison: Nagra Streamer

Cables :  
RCA cable  between the Nagra Compact Player and the amplifier: QED
Coaxial cable between the Nagra Streamer and the DAC: Nordost Blue Heaven
XLR cable  between the MSB 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

HiFi Rack: Quadraspire SV3T Performance