[b]New amplification- the search is over[/b] Hi there, I thought I would share with you my recent experiences when selecting new amplification for my system. I was running a classic Naim 72/APX2/140 and generally happy with the overall sound. However, during a visit to a couple of friends I heard an old valve system (tweaked) and was entranced by the air and space it developed, albeit at the expense of pace and rhythm and a softer sound than I was used to. I then had the opportunity to hear a Sugden system and again thought the sound more natural and realistic than my Naim system but still a little soft for my liking. After this I returned to my Naim system but found the sound was glassy and hard and did not have the natural realism I had heard earlier. I was on a fairly limited budget and tried to listen to as much as possible but never heard anything that really made me sit up and listen. I finally arrived at the Audio Salon in Glasgow and after relating my tale to Dale he recommended two amps both within my budget; the Pathos Classic One and the Unison Research Unico, both hybrid integrated designs. The Audio Salon also stocks my current speakers, Proac Tablette Reference 8 Signatures, and could offer these to demonstrate the amplification. At fairly short notice I made arrangements to hear them and arrived with some CDs I had in the car, so not my usual well known and tried test discs. First up was the Pathos Classic One. A beautifully made and presented amp, 70W and upgradeable by adding another amp in bridged mono to give 140W output. The amp is very pretty looking and sounding with air and space but the control and power of a transistor. At the price I was amazed. As I listened I became aware of a very lean bass, good pitch and time, but lean nonetheless. Other than that not a lot wrong. It was the nearest I had heard to what I was looking for but still it did not have me completely hooked. In addition I would need to add a phono stage. Second up was the cheaper Unison Research Unico amp. Again an integrated hybrid, utilising a valve pre-stage and a transistor output providing 80W. Simple and restrained looking it did not have the visual impact of the Pathos. But start it up and what a revelation; sweetness, air, grace, delicacy, power, rhythm, timing and great fun. This amp was beating the Pathos and my Naim gear into a cocked hat. I started to look for the sub-woofer in the room as the deep funky bass lines let rip from the mini monitor speakers. I could not believe my ears. And then a very strange thing happened, I started to think my ears were being conned. I could not believe that the Unico was capable of doing what I was hearing. Remember I was used to an admittedly old but still well regarded Naim pre/power combo that cost well over twice what this little amp did. I said I would think it over and left with probably more questions than answers. That night I searched the internet on both amps and looked back through old issues of hi-fi mags in case there was something I had missed. By now I had sold my Naim gear and keen to replace it as quickly as possible. The next day I saw, by chance, a copy of Sam Tellig's review of the Unico SE (next model up) in Stereophile and he was as impressed with it as I had been of the Unico. After a few days I telephoned Dale at The Audio Salon and asked for another demonstration, this time with my tried and tested discs. I returned and again listened to the Pathos first. A delightful amp with real grace but the lean bass was again clear to hear and other than that I would probably have bought it. We then changed over to the Unison Research Unico. What can I say, everything I heard the first time round was still there. A more complete musical picture I could not have hoped for. If you want PRAT it has it in bucketfuls. If you want to hear macro-dynamics, an expression I really never understood until now, you have it. Power and authority in spades and boy could it make those speakers sing. It can rock and roll, produce realistic percussion, give female vocals that sweet ethereal sound and set a wide and deep soundstage. It has the very best of valves space, grace and transparency with the very best of transistors power, authority and grip. And then I did the really stupid thing. Remembering the Stereophile review I asked Dale, “If the Unico is so good, what is the Unico SE like?†The Unico SE is the next model up from the Unico and is based on the same hybrid integrated design. 140W output with increased transformers and an inbuilt phono stage. What is it like? It is everything the Unico is and more. It has power and authority that grip the speakers and extract every last musical drop. I can honestly say that apart from systems costing many tens of thousands of pounds I have never heard its match anywhere. It must be the biggest hi-fi bargain of the century. Problem! It is over my budget for amplification but within my overall budget for amplification and speaker cable. What to do, take the Unico and buy reasonable quality speaker cable or go for the Unico SE and buy some cheap cable till funds permit. It was so good I bought the Unico SE on the spot. I did buy some cheap speaker cable and will tell that story another time. A word of thanks to Dale and Jack at The Audio Salon. These guys really know their stuff and are passionate about what they sell. They never once tried to rubbish the other amps I listened to and always left me the time and space I needed to listen. The Unico SE has been in my system now for just over four weeks and I still marvel at the sound picture it creates. If six months ago someone had told me I would have bought an Italian integrated hybrid amplifier I would have laughed in their face. What the Unico SE has done is taken me closer to the music and other than spending really silly money I do not see me changing my amplifier for many years to come. Am I pleased, you bet, and if you are in the market for new amplification (whatever the cost) have a listen and see if you could grab an undoubted bargain and spend the rest on new music. Happy listening, ft
