Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland | 2024 – Pursuing the path set by Nagra’s flagship Reference Anniversary record player/tonearm system, Nagra’s team of researchers and developers spent an additional two years applying all the knowledge gained in the previous four years of Anniversary system development to broaden our dedication to LP reproduction to a larger audience of vinyl enthusiasts.

The Reference record player/tonearm upholds the same level of meticulous attention to detail ingrained in the limited edition Reference Anniversary record player/tonearm, including our insistence on technical accomplishment validated by extensive listening. Its concept, design, and execution are fitting of its inclusion in Nagra’s flagship Reference line of products.

Drive unit

The core of the Reference record player is its motor drive system. For quite some time, it has been acknowledged that multi-motor drive systems enhance the speed stability of a record player’s rotating platter. The Reference record player utilizes dual high precision, Swiss made, decoupled, brushless DC motors. This setup optimizes both torque and speed accuracy. This substantial motor drive system weighs 11.2 kg/24.6 lb. Further details will be provided once the patent process commences.

Speed stability

In addition to the innovative two-motor system, the record player features a well-planned technology for absolute speed calibration. An accelerometer monitors the floating chassis to ensure its absolute stability; otherwise, calibration does not occur. Calibration is conducted over a 20-second window during which time the platter’s speed is precisely calibrated during actual playback (stylus in the groove). Throughout this 20-second cycle, the platter’s speed is compared with a high precision quartz reference. Any deviation from this absolute speed reference is corrected accordingly. A user-friendly, distinctively Nagra Modulometer on the record player’s front control panel simplifies calibration (and pitch control). While listening, no active speed control is used. While listening, the motors operate in a closed loop mode. By eliminating active speed control, the “cogging” and associated adverse effects on image stability created by such active systems are avoided.

Reel to reel inspired belt system

Attention to detail extended to the belt used in the motor drive. For this essential part, inspiration was drawn from the iconic Nagra IV-S tape machine. Due to the original supplier of these belts no longer existing, a chemical analysis of the belt composition was conducted, and this high-performance part has been faithfully reproduced. Nagra has chosen to honor Nagra’s analog recorder legacy by naming Nagra’s LP drive “Nagra IV – LXX caliber”.

Aerospace material platter

The Reference record player/tonearm system employs a heavy, phenolic damped, CNC machined, aerospace grade aluminum platter featuring an Alcantara surface providing an ideal platter-vinyl interface.

Precision mechanics bearing

Underneath the platter is a sub-platter and shaft/bearing system characterized by a subplatter machined from high strength aluminum. A phenolic interlayer is applied on top of the sub-platter for resonance decoupling. The transition from sub-platter to the shaft/bearing system is achieved through a machined brass adapter, which is remachined in mounted form for tightest tolerances. The shaft/bearing housing is machined from spheroidal graphite iron. The ultra-precision shaft is made from induction hardened steel subjected to a centuries-old watchmaker’s superfinishing procedure. The shaft bushing is machined from sintered bronze and high-temperature/pressure impregnated with oil for maintenance-free operation. The bearing consists of stacked carbide balls polished to the highest grade possible.

Chassis and sub-chassis

Non resonant chassis
The foundation of the Reference record player can be viewed as the chassis and sub-chassis. In this instance, extensive plates of aircraft-grade aluminum and phenolic were precisely CNC machined to create a low resonance, high rigidity, layered structure of aluminum/phenolic/aluminum preventing sound coloration from the system’s mechanical components.

Floating suspension
Integral to the performance of any ambitious record player system is its suspension. In this case, Nagra engineers devised a unique solution outwardly mirroring the suspension systems of our HD PREAMP and HD DAC X. Internally, an ingenious system combining mechanical and hydraulic principles was formulated. The substantial suspension pillars utilize both a spring mechanism and a highly viscous fluid in a “diver/chamber” configuration, providing suspension and displacement in three dimensions.

This innovative system delivers unmatched resistance to both self-generated and room/airborne vibrations and resonances. To ensure the stability of the floating suspension, the plane on which the suspension operates is as near as possible to the plane of the LP playing surface, hence the “form follows function” height of the suspension pillars. Testing with a high-performance, deep bass capable loudspeaker played loudly centimeters away from the turntable as it played an LP showed absolutely no vibration or resonance transmission to the highly sensitive cartridge/tonearm interface. Lab measurements confirm a self-resonance of the suspended chassis of less than 3Hz, ensuring freedom from coloration or feedback even at significant listening levels. Achieving an overall level of the Reference record player is easily and accurately done by rotating the substantial threaded feet of the suspension pillars.

Power supply