'Affordable' it is not Nagra's music streamer and DAC costs thousands, but you know you want it anyway

Date:
Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Description:
Nagra's Compact Player might have you thinking about CD transports, but it's much more into the hi-res streaming game

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get the TechRadar Newsletter Sign up for
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now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Nagra announces a new 'Compact Player' No CDs here though it is a distinguished streamer and DAC combo At 6k (around $8k / AU$11.3k) it's still cheaper than the brand's alternatives Nagra's at it again: the high-end Swiss audio brand has just unveiled a brand-new piece of Hi-Fi hardware to blow a hole in your bank account... but only a medium-sized hole this time. Money no object We love to give practical buying advice about the latest tech products here on TechRadar. But sometimes what we love even more is to indulge in the most outrageously high-end, cutting-edge, luxurious propositions on the planet. That's what we bring you in these Money no object columns you can read the whole series here . This is the Nagra Compact Player, unveiled as a music streamer and DAC using the brand's bespoke technology and design. I'm talking power regulation, a clock generator and a simple, small bar design: everything you need (and nothing that you don't), to get natural sound. The brand is presenting this new release as an alternative to the Nagra Streamer, but with a DAC thrown in for space-conscious buyers. You may like I listened to the best DAC iFis ever created and now I cant go back to regular hi-res audio iFi's new cheap DAC is even smaller, for truly portable sound This
elite hi-res MP3 player offers listening tests via its bundled IEMs

The device plays from Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz's Connect services, as well as AirPlay 2 and vTuner, and local storage playback too thanks to a USB port,
and it has support for various music management apps like mConnect and Roon. By the sounds of the press release, though, you can only control it from a smartphone. A solid price to pay for audio greatness (Image credit: Nagra)
The Nagra Compact Streamer isn't for the light of funds, hence the 'Money No Object' part of the headline. In the UK, it's set to sell for 5,998, which converts to around $8,000 or AU$12,000. It's fair to say it's not a budget pick.

However, as part of Nagra's Compact family, it's not a super premium model either. These devices are designed to be smaller and more affordable than other offerings from the company.

The Nagra Classic Amp, for example, goes for over twice that price, and
you'll have to add a '0' to the end of the Compact Streamer's price if you want to pick up multiple devices from the brand. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

So while the Compact Streamer may seem like a premium pick, it's actually a reasonably affordable pick for audiophiles on a medium budget, who want an all-in-one device. The best headphone DACs for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best headphone DACs 1. Best budget USB-C portable DAC: iFi GO Link Max 2. Best budget desktop DAC: iFi Uno 3. Best premium portable DAC: iFi xDSD Gryphon 4. Best wireless DAC: Fiio BTR17 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/affordable-is-relative-nagras-music-streamer-a nd-dac-costs-thousands-but-you-know-you-want-it-anyway


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