Nagra Compact Player: Ultra-High-End Streamer with Dual-Mono DAC & Reference-Grade Sound

Audio Technology Switzerland, the company behind the Nagra brand , launched the Nagra Compact Streamer in December 2025, a network player without an onboard DAC. The manufacturer has now unveiled the Compact Player, a similar device but with a DAC. However, the digital outputs have been omitted.

According to its designers, the Nagra Compact Player is a complete high-end digital source that combines advanced streaming features with a carefully designed DAC and a dual-mono analog output. The new network player supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD 256 and was developed with special attention to the clock architecture, power supply voltage, and the implementation of the analog stage.

The previous Nagra Compact Streamer lacked a DAC and had a LAN port (RJ45), a USB-A port, an N-Link port for Nagra DACs, and an SPDIF port for other DACs. The Nagra Compact Player, however, reverses this: it features a DAC and no digital outputs. Like the Nagra Streamer, the Compact Player's housing is precision CNC-milled from a solid billet of aluminum, ensuring the mechanical rigidity and vibration resistance essential for low-noise digital playback.

At its core, the Compact Player utilizes a high-quality digital-to-analog converter, followed by a dual-mono analog output stage, with dedicated circuits for each channel to improve channel separation and minimize crosstalk. Special attention has been paid to the clock architecture, power supply voltage, and circuit board layout to ensure low jitter, reduced noise, and optimal signal integrity throughout the conversion process.

The Compact Player supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD 256, whether streaming from major online platforms or playing locally stored files via UPnP/DLNA or USB storage. With a measured noise floor of –140 dB (A-weighted) and a low output impedance of 14 ohms, it integrates seamlessly with a wide range of preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, or even directly with power amplifiers or active speakers.

The Compact Player comes standard with support for all current streaming services and platforms, including Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, vTuner (access to thousands of radio stations), AirPlay 2, and is Roon Ready & Roon Tested, and “Plays with Audirvana” certified. Local files can be accessed directly via UPnP/DLNA or USB storage (USB Type A to Type C is still required), and all functions can be controlled via an intuitive mobile interface.

The Compact Player comes with an external 12V DC power supply that ensures stable, low-noise operation from the start. In line with Nagra's philosophy of long-term use, the design also allows for further performance optimization through optional upgrades. A dedicated Compact power supply offers improved voltage regulation and current delivery.