Hifi Pig

The Unico range of hybrid hi-fi electronics from Unison Research has garnered a strong reputation with audiophiles around the world in recent years. The new Unico 150 dual-mono integrated amplifier has been designed from the ground-up to take the mantle of flagship in the Unico range; superseding the well-established Unico 100 model.

ASTA AUTUNNO 2015

“The Unico 150 amplifier has been designed to fulfil both high-end audiophile and highly scientific criteria. This dual-approach to development has led to the creation of a product that is completely different from anything else Unison Research has ever released, and the result is something truly unrivalled on the market; a powerful, great- sounding amplifier with only three active stages (two tube and one MOSFET stage)” says the press release from Henley Design who distribute the range in the UK.

The Unico 150 is an integrated amplifier designed to accommodate a variety of sources via its three RCA and two XLR pair inputs. It’s also designed to fit into most existing systems, with its fixed and variable RCA outputs as well as the bi-wirable speaker terminals. The large casework is built to the same standards as previous Unico designs, but the Unico 150 is the first to boast a new three-plate front fascia that adds an aesthetic enhancement over its predecessors. Operation is simple via the front-panel controls or the supplied RC2 system remote.

ASTA AUTUNNO 2015

The Unico 150 uses a three-stage circuit and all of the gain – and with it the core sound character of the amplifier – is controlled by the first two Pure Class A tube stages. The input stage uses two ECC83 triodes in totem-pole configuration, while the driver stage uses two 6H30 triodes in totem-pole configuration for “near-flat distortion, minimal output impedance and well controlled gain”. A high- quality but entirely passive ALPS volume control and armoured input switching relays are used.

The whole pre-amplifier section is directly coupled to each channel’s MOSFET power stage to achieve a consistent, with optimal linearity achieved within 10 minutes of being switched on (nominal linearity is achieved in under a second). The Unico 150 has been designed to drive a wide-variety of loudspeakers.

The Unico 150 boasts purpose-selected power transformers and the power section has also been configured to give plenty of headroom  for reliability.

The Unico 150 will be available in the UK from November 2015.

It will be available in Silver finish, or to special order in Black for a £100.00 surcharge.

SRP £4,000.00

Arcam will be previewing their 2016 AVR range in Dallas this coming weekend, to coincide with the CEDIA 2015 Show. They will be showing (but not playing) samples at the Arcam Solo Event on Weds 4th November.

“These new AVR’s are quite simply, the highest performing AV receivers Arcam has ever made and some of the finest in the world” says the company’s latest press release.

The new Arcam AVRs are serious video & audiophile products that are equally at home with high-resolution surround or two-channel music.

ARCAM AVR850 £4200. The new champion AVR, top of Arcam’s range and with the power and performance of 7 channels of Class G Hi-Fi Amplification, combined with state-of-the-art 4k video and exceptional connectivity.

ARCAM AVR550 £2200. Most of the above, with a bit less power and Arcam’s finest conventional amplifiers. 

ARCAM SR250 £2500. A unique Stereo AV receiver. The power and performance of a High-end Class G Hi-Fi amplifier, with the connectivity of a world-class AV amp. Literally the best of both worlds for people who want great Hi-Fi and a new breed of Movie and TV sound.

Arcam of Cambridge: PREVIEW: SR250 unique stereo AV receiver. The power and performance of a Class G Hi-Fi amplifier. The connectivity of a word-class AV amp. Literally the best of both worlds.

All include:

• 4K (UHD) video compatible including HD ULTRA upscaling
• 7 x HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP2.2 – 3 HDMI outputs – ARC compatible
• Auto setup with advanced  “Dirac Live for Arcam” room correction
• Ethernet, RS232 and IR control for Custom Install
• Free MusicLife iOS AV Streaming and Control app
• Music networking including Spotify Connect
• On board regulated power supply for rSeries digital input components

CLASS-G Amplifiers

The AVR850 and SR250 use Arcam’s u class G amplification, which allows the them to run in full class A for most of the time and then switch into class G for huge reserves of clean power. To hear what this delivers, just try a piece of music or a movie you thought you knew.

The 850 and 550 are 7.1 receivers and can implement Dolby Atmos brilliantly, in a typically used 5.1.2 channel cinema system. Arcam have chosen not to install and charge for multiple power channels that will probably never be used. For enthusiasts who want to implement full-fat 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos systems, Arcam will offer a matching 4 Channel Power amplifier in Spring 2016.

Amplifier Technologies Inc, has added a new series of amplifiers designed by their president and chief engineer, Morris Kessler.  The 4000 series amplifiers, available with 2 to 7 channels, share the design philosophy and circuit sophistication of ATI’s award-winning 6000 Series amps with power output reduced to 200W RMS per channel at 8 ohms and 300 W RMS at 4 ohms. This “signature series” comes complete with a facsimile of Kessler’s signature on the main panel. Beyond Kessler’s personal identification, these amplifiers share these key features with the 6000 Series Signature amps:

1. Fully balanced, differential amplifier design with two output stages per channel but with only a single input stage.  The advantages of balanced designs are retained and noise is further reduced by 50%.

2. Current feedback instead of the more common voltage feedback because ATI feel that current feedback amplifiers are faster with virtually unlimited slew rate and are better able to reproduce today’s best music and film.

3.Thermaltrak output devices:  Unlike traditional designs where external diodes attached to the heat sink track the amplifiers operating conditions to adjust bias, Thermaltrak devices have the diodes in the same package as the transistors so bias is optimised in real-time.

4. Dual DC servos per channel to control DC offset.

5. Dual toroidal transformers with independent secondary windings.  Electrically, each amplifier channel has its own transformer. 

All the amplifiers in the 4000 series are rated at 200 Watts RMS from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more that 0.03% THD at 8 ohms with all channels driven and 300 Watts RMS at 4 ohms under the same conditions.  Signal-to-noise ratio is typically 126 dB referenced to full output so each amplifier in the series is capable of playing back the full dynamic range available on today’s lossless recordings.

Pricing:                                                               MSRP

AT4002 Stereo Signature Amplifier                       $2,995.00

AT4003 3-channel Signature Amplifier                   $3,595.00

AT4004 4-channel Signature Amplifier                   $4,195.00

AT4005 5-channel Signature Amplifier                   $4,795.00

AT4006 6-channel Signature Amplifier                   $5,395.00

AT4007 7-channel Signature Amplifier                   $5,995.00

All ATI amplifiers are available in standard (17”) and rack-mount (19”) chassis with domestic (117V) of Export (220 to 240V) chassis and are covered by ATI’s 7-year transferable warranty. Dimensions (H, W, D):  7 7/8” x 17 ¼” x 17” (200 x 438 x 432 mm); Handles protrude 1 ¾ (44.5 mm); Add 1 ¼” (32 mm) for input/output jacks.

Pass Laboratories, Inc. is demonstrating the most powerful of its two new integrated amplifiers, the INT-250 and INT-60, at the 2015 RMAF.

The INT-60 features the same power supply and output stages, along with the iconic glowing meter, as found on Pass Labs’ Point 8 amplifiers. The new model features Direct Access buttons for the four inputs on the faceplate, a digital level display, plus a Volume Control knob and Mute button. On the back are four line-level inputs, a line-level output, and two pairs of Furutech speaker binding posts.

The new INT-250 ups the wattage from the INT-150’s 150 watts to 250 watts per channel.

Price: INT-60 ($9,000) and INT-250 ($12,000)

The INT-250 can be seen in Tower Room 1021 during the 2015 RMAF.

Zesto Audio Will debut their Eros 300 Monobloc amps at this year’s RMAF.

Eros 300 is a pure Class A design offering 150 watts per amp with both 4 and 8 Ohm taps. It has SpeakOn and standard loudspeaker binding posts and uses a push-pull ultra-linear design with no negative feedback.

Valve compliment per amp is a matched sextet of KT88s and two gold pin ECC82s (12AU7).

Each unit is handmade in the USA and costs $19 900 per pair.

Classé has announced the expansion of its popular Sigma series to include a new monaural amplifier. The first three Sigma series models, launched earlier this year, were designed to deliver a compelling performance and feature set at prices below the entry level of other high-end brands but within easy reach for anyone considering the top-of-the-line offerings of more mainstream companies. The Sigma MONO broadens the appeal of the Sigma range with a powerful amplifier, conservatively rated at 350W into 8 ohms and 700W into 4 ohms.

“In the short time they’ve been available, our proprietary Sigma series amplifier designs have been showered with praise from numerous audio critics and consumers worldwide, “said Dave Nauber, President of Classé. “The Sigma MONO builds on this innovative platform, pushing the performance to heights that surprised even us – and we’re pretty hard to surprise!  

The pure, effortless sound that is the hallmark of the Sigma MONO derives from an unlikely source: a massive switch mode power supply,” . “Critical portions of the amplifier’s circuitry surpass what is available in the two- and five-channel Sigma models. A new analogue input stage, modifications to the operation of the output stage, and new output filters are employed to optimize the performance of this high-powered monaural amplifier.”

A special pass-thru feature allows the input signal to be forwarded to a second amplifier for bi-amplifying or to drive a subwoofer amplifier. This allows the amplifiers to be located closer to each speaker: a single long interconnect can be used to connect the preamp to the first amp, followed by a short interconnect to the second Sigma MONO – or even a third and a fourth.

The US retail price for the Sigma MONO is $4,000, with availability in October.

If you like beautiful valve amplification then these new beauties from French company Jadis, should be right up your street!  The JA80MkII is an improved version of the JA80 which brings the compatibility with the new KT150 tubes and keep the compatibility with other tubes such as EL34, 6CA7, KT88, KT90, KT120, 6550, with a simple internal modification when switching from KT150 to the other tubes (requiring soldering). The power output is rated at 90W/channel in pure class A with the KT150.

The bias is still automatic.

Suggested public price with 20% VAT :15 420 EUR with EL34, 6CA7, KT88, KT90, KT120, 6550 & 16 200 EUR with KT150

The I88 integrated amplifier is the latest unit made by Jadis. The prototype was presented last year in Paris and they are proud to say that it is now available. Double push-pull of KT150, including remote control and digital input. The power output is rated at 90W/channel in pure class A and the bias is automatic.

Suggested public price with 20% VAT : 13 200 EUR

The Elixir, from Budapest based Heed Audio is a compact five-input integrated amplifier with built-in phono stage and dedicated headphone amplifier, that is designed to provide the renowned Heed sound quality in a one box solution at a lower price point than the existing Heed products. A Class A headphone amplifier and enhanced MM phono stage provide increased functionally for users wanting a simple audio solution. Utilising the capacitor coupling principle borrowed from the Heed Audio TransCap amplifiers, such as the award winning Obelisk SI, ensures a similar sound quality and power output. The power amplifier output of 50W per channel at 8 ohms, or 65W into 4 ohms, provides plenty of power for the loudspeakers connected to the Elixir, enabling use of pretty well any model the user chooses. With four pairs of RCA line inputs, one pair of RCA MM phono inputs and two pairs of 4mm speaker connectors, along with a pair of pre-amp outputs, Elixir specifications are kept simple for the beginner, but afford expandability if so required.

Alpar Huszti, Heed Audio’s marketing and sales manager, says the Elixir, “Is the perfect amp to kick-start the new range that is specifically targeted at those new to world of hi-fi.” He continues, “A lot of hard work and effort has gone into researching and developing this product to create an amp at such a low price that is on par with the higher priced Heed Audio amplifiers, making the Elixir perfect to consumers looking to the first step, or who are looking for a cost effective and fuss-free way of playing their newly rediscovered vinyl collection.”

Elixir is available in two colours;  elegant silver and  ember-like black and is priced at £750.

Four years in the making and with 34 years of experience and unrivalled reputation behind the company, Parasound’s new Halo Integrated amplifier/DAC had to be something special … and different to most other integrated amps on the market today.

The combination of highest quality components and the very latest technology result in a “superior” integrated amp, offering Halo separates performance in a single chassis.  Parasound’s Halo P5 inspired the preamp stage and advanced feature list, while its power amp stage employs the same John Curl circuit topology found it the Class A/AB A21 and A23 power amplifiers.  Its DAC decodes 384kHz PCM and native DSD using the latest ESS Sabre32 Reference version DAC.

The Halo Integrated Amp boasts the impressive feature list below:

• Halo Integrated: preamp and DAC;
• Coax and optical accept PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit
• Latest generation ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC (ES9018K2M)
• Asynchronous USB 2.0 supports PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit
• Native and DoP DSD decoding (Drivers for ASIO or WASAPI)
• Premium motor-driven Alps potentiometer volume control
• Dedicated high current headphone amplifier (TI TPA6120)
• Phono input for MM & MC with 100 Ω or 47k Ω load
• Front panel Aux input with automatic +12 dB gain stage

5 pairs of line level analogue inputs

1 pair XLR balanced analogue inputs

Balanced XLR and RCA left and right preamp outputs

Analogue bass management with high & low pass crossovers

Home theatre bypass input for surround sound integration

1 balanced XLR and 2 RCA subwoofer outputs

Bass and treble controls with relay bypass from remote or front panel

Rear panel IR input and IR loop output jacks

12 Volt input and output to triggers

Back-lit remote control with discrete buttons

0.5w standby power consumption meets Energy Star & EU specs  

The new Halo Integrated Amplifier is available in black or silver and in the UK now at a retail price of £2699.

As the lead-in to the Danish brand’s 30th anniversary celebrations, Gryphon Audio Designs launches the Gryphon Diablo 300, a major overhaul of the internationally acclaimed Gryphon Diablo.

The original Diablo stood its ground for a full decade, before making way for a new, upgraded iteration of the technologies and components that made it quite possibly the most popular High End integrated amp of all time with thousands of units sold worldwide.

Fortunately, in designing the Diablo 300, the Gryphon crew had the luxury and privilege of being able to draw heavily on concepts, components and technological breakthroughs that emerged during the evolution of the recent  top of the line Gryphon Pandora preamplifier and Mephisto power amplifier.

Gryphon founder and CEO Flemming E. Rasmussen explains the importance of in-house trickle-down technology in the brand’s design concept, “One of the main purposes of our no-compromise, cost-no-object test bed platforms like the Pandora and Mephisto is to serve as a source of inspiration for somewhat more accessible components. For instance, the Diablo 300 can be fitted with an optional PCM/DSD DAC module based on the innovative, award-winning Gryphon Kalliope digital-to- analogue converter or an MM/MC phonostage based on our Legato Legacy phonostage.”

“Whether you’re out there on the digital cutting edge or one of the dedicated analogue enthusiasts who continues to enjoy the musical treasures only available on black vinyl disc, the Gryphon Diablo 300 can be tailored to suit your tastes at the time of original purchase or later as your needs evolve.”

“Forward thinking is a key element in what sets the Gryphon apart and a large part of the secret behind the long life of our products.” 

The Diablo 300 ultra-transparent, fully balanced volume control derived from the Pandora preamp is executed via a microprocessor-controlled 43-step attenuator for precision in setting the desired listening level. Select resistors and relays ensure long life and perfect level matching with no more than two resistors in the signal path at any setting.

The extreme wideband frequency response of the Diablo 300 extends from 0.5 Hz to 350 kHz and its prodigious 300 Watt (8 Ohms) power output represents a full 25% increase over the original Diablo. The extreme high current capability of the Diablo 300 allows it to double its output to 600 Watts in a 4 Ohm load and a massive 950 Watts into 2 Ohms.

Like every Gryphon product, Gryphon Diablo 300 is designed by Gryphon founder and CEO Flemming E. Rasmussen and manufactured in Denmark.

Price 12.800 euro plus eventual local taxes.

After three years in development, Kent based manufacturer Kleio Audio is launching with the introduction of its first range of high quality electronics, the K1 series.  Founded in 2012, Kleio’s focus is on manufacturing high quality, great sounding products in the UK. Managing director Garry Wise (who you can read more about in our interview here) formed the business with the philosophy that, “It is paramount people feel a Kleio product makes them want to really listen to and enjoy their music.” Indeed music is the heart of the company’s focus as it also works with upcoming artists to help promote their music and has a number of artists lined up ready to work with the brand.

The launch of Kleio is an example of the resurgence in small scale ‘craft’ hi-fi manufacturing that is happening in the UK. Importantly, the technology aspects of hi-fi design have been recognised by funding bodies as part of the Government’s wish to see technical innovation prosper. Kleio’s founding was supported by the Government Start-Up Loans Scheme and Kent County Council’s Small Business Boost (Regional Growth Fund) Loan Scheme, which contributed towards the initial electronic prototyping and enclosure development costs. Kleio is very proud to be a member of the official Made in Britain campaign, with all products assembled at the company’s Folkestone based workshop. Wherever possible components are sourced from the UK and Europe, such as enclosures from Sussex and PCBs from Kent.

Wise has assembled a carefully selected team of experts to help make the concept a reality. Chief audio designer John Cheriton has been involved in the electronics industry since 1978 and is responsible for the pre-amplifier circuitry and innovative power configurations. The careful selection and sourcing of the electronic components was overseen by team member Philip Saunders and software and audio engineer Simon Coachworth, a previous finalist in the Prince Philip Designer of the Year Award and part of a team that secured a Queen’s Award for Innovation, took ownership of the user functionality and product innovation. The aesthetic vision comes from a design house with many years’ experience of industrial design for the broadcast and professional audio industry and Nick Ebdon, graphic designer, is responsible for creating the visual brand image, including website, advertising and packaging. Office management and finance administration is in the hands of Francine Wise, who has over 11 years’ experience in blue-chip organisations and the local authority sector.

Excited about the launch of the new company, Garry Wise says, “While Kleio was officially formed in 2012, the idea was conceived in 2010. We spent two years working out how to make the vision a reality so we could launch with a solid engineering philosophy that sees us ‘do it properly’ without unnecessary gimmicks.” He continues, “Our product roadmap for the K1 series is finalised and over the coming months we will introduce a DAC, headphone amp, phono stage and network media player. What all of these products have in common, apart from the engineering, is a focus on music. We firmly believe that music has to be at the centre of what we do, hence our support for up and coming musicians as without this talent where will the next generation of music come from?”

The first products to come from the company are the K105 and K135 (pre and integrated amps).The K1 series will be available from dealers in late September 2015, with retail prices from £2000 – £4000.