Unison Research Unico PRE v2

The PRE v2 was designed as the natural partner to the DM v2 power amplifier — sharing the same 15mm solid aluminum chassis, the same Midnight Black and Velvet Gold finishes, and the same design philosophy. As a standalone preamplifier, it is also the most fully equipped component Unison Research has offered at this level: tube input stage, built-in DAC, integrated phono stage, balanced and unbalanced outputs, subwoofer output, and 12V trigger. Everything from a single chassis without compromise.

The Design

The front panel is machined from a solid 15mm aluminum block — the same manufacturing approach as the DM v2. The 2mm aluminum top cover wraps continuously around the enclosure. Wooden inserts reference the historic Unico logo. The Unison Research logo functions as the power switch. Midnight Black and Velvet Gold — both worth seeing in person before deciding. The Velvet Gold photographs differently than it looks under light.

The Circuit

Three-stage, fully dual-mono, zero global negative feedback throughout. The first stage uses two ECC83/12AX7 Gold Lion valves in pure Class A — higher gain and lower noise than the ECC82 used in the DM v2, which is the appropriate choice for a preamplifier stage where the signal is at its most delicate. The subsequent solid-state stages provide drive capability and output impedance without adding character of their own. Gain structure and output impedance of a solid-state preamplifier; harmonic quality and spatial presentation of a tube input stage. Each technology doing what it does best.

Volume control uses a high-quality integrated circuit with precision resistors and infrared remote — perfect channel balance at all volume settings, without the tracking errors that mechanical potentiometers introduce at low levels.

The DAC

Built-in DAC uses the ESS Sabre ES9018K2M chip with USB, S/PDIF coaxial, and Toslink inputs. Not a token digital input — a properly implemented DAC stage that handles 32bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD. It won't replace a dedicated flagship DAC, but it's genuinely capable and covers the majority of real-world digital listening needs without requiring an additional box.

The Phono Stage

Integrated MM/MC phono stage with passive RIAA equalization. Moving coil and moving magnet cartridges both accommodated. A passive RIAA implementation is the right approach at this level — active RIAA introduces gain stages that can add noise and colorations that passive equalization avoids.

Press Recognition

The Unico PRE v2 has been reviewed by Hi-Fi+, Hifi News, and Positive Feedback alongside the DM v2. Reviewers consistently highlighted the phono stage as superior to what the price would suggest, and praised the zero-feedback architecture's effect on spatial coherence and midrange transparency.

Specifications

• Input stage: Class A ECC83/12AX7 Gold Lion, two valves, dual-mono
• Feedback: Zero global negative feedback
• DAC: ESS Sabre ES9018K2M, USB/S/PDIF/Toslink, 32bit/384kHz PCM, native DSD
• Phono: MM/MC with passive RIAA
• Outputs: Balanced XLR, RCA, dual subwoofer, 12V trigger
• Volume: Precision resistor IC with IR remote
• Front panel: 15mm solid aluminum
• Finishes: Midnight Black, Velvet Gold
• Origin: Handcrafted in Italy

Authorized Unison Research dealer. Want to talk through the PRE v2 as a standalone preamp versus the DM v2 as a partner, or how it compares to other hybrid preamplifiers in this range? Reach out.