Price Paid:  $12000.00 from Web

Summary:
Nagra VPA is neither warm nor powerful. However, when matched with a reasonably efficient speakers, they can be extremely musical. They sounded reasonably good when they came from the factory. However, when I replaced the in-house Chinese 845s with Cetron 845s, the sound raised to another whole new level. However, if Nagra selected to use Cetron tubes, it may raise another $5K to its price tag.

Strengths:
3 dimensionality and spaciousness

Weaknesses:
Chinese 845s tubes cannot do them justice

Similar Products Used:
Cary 805, VAC 70/70

Summary:
The Nagra VPA, particularly when coupled with their matching PL-P (full featured) or PL-L (line only, simplified) preamps, must be some of the most natural amps ever produced.

Twin triodes, but no "triode sound". Push-pull, but with the delicacy of small single ended amps. Smooth when required, hard when needed, as fast as the best silicon based amps. No apparent colorations when used with the right ancillaries. I could keep on and on... The VPA's are *that* good when used inside their performance envelope (they can become slightly hard close to max power).

Drawbacks? Yes, there are a couple: their price is on the high side, even considering their impeccable pedigree and top notch Swiss manufacturing, and the symmetrical input is a joke considering that the matching preamps are single ended. Oh, yes, another one, very system specific: the VPA's aren't the best when used in an hybrid high fidelity/home theater configuration, as their 845 output triodes turn a dark room into an illuminated one...

Strengths:
Natural

Weaknesses:
Input, price

Similar Products Used:
Various

Summary:
I had the opportunity to listen for one hour to this unbelievable good and transparent sounded system.
This is the typical Switzerland build and designed Tube amp that will drive you crazy.
A system for life. I will start to spare money for it.

Strengths:
One of the best 50w Tube amp in the world
Go and listen to this ampli.