Integrated Amp Reviews

Unison Research Unico Primo integrated amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Kuzma Stabi S turntable & Stogi tonearm; Music Hall MMF-7.3 turntable/tonearm; Denon DL-103 cartridge.
Digital Sources: Apple MacBook computer, Halide DAC HD, Western Digital T2 Mirror Drive.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 A23 moving-coil step-up transformer, Shindo Laboratory Allegro preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Shindo Laboratory Haut-Brion.
Loudspeakers: DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/93, Elac B6, Snell Type J/II.
Cables: Interconnect: Shindo Laboratory. Speaker: Auditorium 23, AudioQuest Castle Rock & GO-4.
Accessories: Music Hall Aztec Blue & Music Hall Mooo record mats; Spec AD-UP1 Analog Disc Sheet; Clearview Double Helix Mk.II power strip; Salamander five-tier rack; IKEA Aptitlig bamboo chopping boards.—Ken Micallef

COMPANY INFO
Unison Research
US distributor: Colleen Cardas Imports
PO Box 912
Brewerton, NY 13029
(970) 275-9086
www.colleencardasimports.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
fetuso's picture
Submitted by fetuso on June 23, 2016 - 5:35pm

That was fun reading. Being a first generation Italian-American myself (Sicilian actually) I enjoy reading about Italian designed audio gear. Puzzling that they would take such little care in the packaging. I can't wait for your review of the Music Hall mmf7.3. It's on my upgrade list. I currently use a mmf2.2 that has served me well, especially considering it only cost $300 after the price dropped.

ken mac's picture
Submitted by ken mac on June 23, 2016 - 7:07pm

Thanks for your nice comments. The UR is a great sounding piece, even if the packaging is negligible.

scott.w's picture
Submitted by scott.w on June 24, 2016 - 3:40pm

Doesn't matter how nice the sound if it arrives broken.

audiodoctornj's picture
Submitted by audiodoctornj on July 1, 2016 - 8:47pm

Dear Ken,

I read the review with gusto, you hit this review out of the park, except for a couple of caveats, one the fact that the way less expensive Primo has a bigger sound stage was a great point, and underlays how good the Primo is, and the fact that you were comparing a very affordable integrated to much more expensive Shindo gear, demonstrates how special this gear is, okay so you were having a little less extreme deep bass then you would like. I would say to that, it is still a relatively inexpensive amplifier, I wouldn't expect to be be better in all ways to much more expensive equipment.

We have found the Primo is very sensitive to good cables, especially power cords. We have gotten spectacular results with the Wire World cabling, and good component isolation, which helps bring out the deep bass as well as improving all aspects of the Primo's performance.

In our shop we have compared the Primo to almost all of the major competitors, and quite frankly the Primo smokes them all.

The Primo is a hybrid so you get the best of tubes with the best of solid state, the Primo offers a true glimpse into the magic of really expensive gear.

If you want to hear everything in an integrated amplifier, the more expensive Unico 50 which is now the Unico 90 model, gives you the warmth and huge sound stage of the Primo, with even better bass, and far greater resolution.

We used to sell a very expensive line of Japanese components and ones from Denmark, and when ever you compared the Unison product the customers almost invariably picked the Unison.

Under $10k you would be hard pressed to find a better integrated amplifier, which has this number of magical properties as the upper end Unico line from Unison, the stuff is absolutely killer, and Collen and Marc are the best importers with fantastic customer service.

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