Tweek Geek's Best Value Pick
We love what this amp brings to the table for such a low price. balance, holography, luscious midrange and excellent bass. That's with the stock tubes. Add a pair of Gold Lion 12ax7 tubes ($125 a pair) and the clarity takes a big leap forward, creating an even bigger soundstage and a more emotional connection to the music. If you are looking for an amp that you can listen to for hours on end, that delivers naturalness, a big soundstage, can play loud, and play less than audiophile recordings, this is it. Look no further.
About the Nuovo
The Unico Nuovo, like the Unico Primo, is an integrated amplifier that is based on a 'single triode stage per-channel' design. Where it carves it's own new territory is through using 2 x ECC83 (12AX7) valves with a new biasing solution and a parallel double-triode design. By doubling the number of triodes (compared to the Unico Primo) and employing a parallel configuration, the Unico Nuovo is capable of a more refined sonic performance than those that have come before.
Unique Biasing Solution
Their unique biasing is based upon designs previously found in high-end phono stages, called "ionic bias". Ionic bias involves the Unison Research-designed power supply working in tandem with the "level shifter and signal follower" stages that come after the triode stage to deliver an accurate, audiophile sound from this hybrid amplifier. This innovative layout allows for automatic adjusting of the bias as the tubes break-in and age, to ensure a longer and more reliable performance.
Driver Stages
In the driver stages, the output devices are fed by a symmetrical current mirror stage, made with bipolar transistors. This method allows for minimal phase shift and a more tube-influenced sound. The output devices themselves are Power MOSFETs laid-out symmetrically, and both receive power from the same power supply stage with a special configuration to ensure the required voltage is always delivered. In total, this design allows for greater channel separation and balance, higher efficiency and greater musical detail.
Build Quality
The thick machined aluminum front panels on all Unico series products are clean and stylish thanks to a new sandblasting and anodizing process. The end-result is truly stunning to help round off this prestigious piece of equipment.
The rest of the chassis is also aluminum. Adding rigidity and a feel that is high end.
Reviews
Specifications
- Output Power: 95W RMS/ 8Ohm
- Frequency response: -0.1dB @ 10Hz, -0.5dB @ 100kHz
- Input Impedance: 50kOhm // 47pF
- Input stage: Pure A Class, parallel Valve stage, ECC83/12AX7
- Output stage: Dynamic A Class POWER MOSFET complementary
- Input: 5 Line RCA (1 phono optional)
- Line Output: 1 tape, 1 sub (with volume control)
- Output Connector: 4 + 4 bi-wiring
- Feedback factor: 10dB
- THD: 0.15% @ 10W/1kHz
- Power consuption: 400W max
- Size: 43.5cm x 9.5cm x 43cm
- Weight: 16kg
