The Unico Due integrated amplifier from Unison Research, the Italian hifi electronics manufacturer, replaces the long-standing Unico Secondo in the line, but brings new features to the range while also drawing inspiration from the Unico 90 design.

The electronic circuitry of the Unico Due has been completely redesigned from the ground-up. By working to the same brief as previous Unico models, Unison Research have introduced changes in the circuitry, the power supply method, the pre-amp stage, the power amp stage and with the variety of settings and inputs.

All based on 105µm tracks, the circuit board is fed by a sophisticated power supply method that features a specially designed encapsulated transformer for increased efficiency. The heart of the preamplifier stage is based around two ECC83 double triodes (one per channel), which were purpose-chosen after hours of listening tests. Configured as a gain stage followed by a cathode-follower, the circuit’s low output impedance drives the power stage that follows for minimal electrical interference. The power amplifier stage itself features an implementation of MOSFET transistors resulting in 100W per-channel output (8Ω).

The Unico Due has multiple line-level inputs and its built-in USB DAC and phono stage. The USB input features an ESS Sabre DAC ES9018K2M with jitter eliminator circuit, offering support for audio files up-to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256. Elsewhere, the integrated phono stage module is pre-set to accept Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges, but can be modified by a service engineer to cater for Moving Coil (MC) devices. Additionally, the Unico Due has settings for AV passthrough, subwoofer output, DAC output, a TAPE loop and to adjust channel balance.  SRP £2,500, available in Silver or Black (£100 premium) finish.

After the introduction of the flagship CD Due during 2016, Unison Research set to work on a more affordable disc spinner that also featured a full specification DAC and a Bluetooth module (like the flagship), except at a cheaper price.

The DAC portion of the CD Uno is equipped with USB and Toslink inputs, which each route through the built-in ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC chip and high-quality IV inverter stage featuring a Texas Instruments NE5532AD. The USB input of the CD Uno uses a latest-generation D/A converter to manage signals up to 384kHz PCM and 11,2896MHz DSD, which effectively covers you for almost every format and sampling rate currently available. The Optical input handles up-to 24-bit/96kHz  PCM signals, allowing another source to be connected. The CD Uno’s Bluetooth functionality allows for wireless streaming from any Bluetooth-enabled smart device. The CD mechanism is shielded by a thick metal cover, to avoid interference.

The audio stage uses one 12AU7//ECC82 double triode, operating in pure class A, followed by a solid-state discrete buffer still operating in class A for a low impedance output. To assist in this sound presentation, the internal circuitry is designed to separate the digital portion from the analogue. The Unico CD Uno is controlled via the supplied RC2 system remote and its 128×64 OLED screen. SRP £2,250, available in Silver or Black (£100 premium) finish.

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