{"title":"Unison Research Separates","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"unico-pre-v2","title":"Unico Pre V2","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Most Complete Preamplifier in the Unico Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Unico PRE v2 was designed as the natural partner to the Unico DM v2 power amplifier — sharing the same 15mm solid aluminum chassis, the same Midnight Black and Velvet Gold finishes, and the same design philosophy that introduced a new aesthetic language to the entire Unico series. As a standalone preamplifier, it is also the most fully equipped component Unison Research has ever offered at this level: tube input stage, built-in DAC, integrated phono stage, balanced and unbalanced outputs, subwoofer output, and 12V trigger, all in a single chassis that doesn't require a single outboard box to do its job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brief was ambitious. The result is a preamplifier that a serious system can be built around without compromise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe PRE v2 shares its aesthetic identity entirely with the DM v2. The front panel is machined from a solid 15mm aluminum block — not a folded sheet, not an extruded section, a machined block — and the fit and finish reflect that. The 2mm aluminum top cover wraps continuously around the enclosure. Wooden inserts reference the historic Unico logo without dominating the visual. The Unison Research logo functions as the power switch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMidnight Black and Velvet Gold are the two finish options. Both are worth seeing in person before deciding — the Velvet Gold in particular photographs differently than it looks under light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Circuit\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe architecture is three-stage, fully dual-mono, with zero global negative feedback throughout — the same structural commitments that define the DM v2's power amplifier circuit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first stage uses two ECC83\/12AX7 Gold Lion valves operating in pure Class A. The ECC83 is a different tube from the ECC82 used in the DM v2 — higher gain, lower noise, and the standard choice for a preamplifier input stage where the signal is at its most delicate and the amplification requirement is highest. Gold Lion's current production ECC83 is one of the better-regarded modern versions of this tube, and Unison Research's choice of it as stock reflects a voicing decision rather than a cost one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subsequent solid-state stages handle the signal without adding character — their function is transparency and drive capability, not amplification in the tonal sense. The result is the gain structure and output impedance of a solid-state preamplifier, with the harmonic quality and spatial presentation of a tube input stage. Neither technology is asked to do what it does poorly. Both are asked to do what they do best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVolume control is handled by a high-quality integrated circuit using precision resistors with infrared remote control — ensuring perfect channel balance and accurate level adjustment without the tracking errors or channel imbalance that mechanical potentiometers introduce at lower volume settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe DAC Section\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe integrated DAC is built around the ESS Sabre ES9018K2M converter — a well-regarded chip that has appeared in dedicated DACs at considerably higher prices. The balanced output architecture of the Sabre has been integrated to work directly with the preamplifier's tube circuit, maintaining tonal coherence between digital and analog sources rather than treating the DAC as a separate module that happens to share a chassis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDigital inputs cover all the major connection types: one USB-B input handling PCM up to 384 kHz and native DSD up to 256x (DoP up to 128x), two S\/PDIF coaxial inputs up to 192 kHz, and two Toslink optical inputs up to 192 kHz. For a system built around a streaming source, a CD transport, and a computer, the PRE v2 handles all three without requiring a separate DAC or additional switching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Phono Stage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe integrated phono stage uses passive RIAA equalization with high-precision components — the correct approach for a design prioritizing signal integrity and tonal accuracy over simplified circuit topology. Both MM and MC cartridges are supported, with selectable load and gain settings accessible from the rear panel. It is a complete phono stage, not a courtesy input.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eConnectivity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnalog inputs: 3 RCA line inputs, 3 XLR balanced line inputs, 1 MM\/MC phono input, 1 Line In for external processors or recording systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDigital inputs: 1 USB-B, 2 S\/PDIF coaxial, 2 Toslink optical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOutputs: 2 RCA main outputs, 1 XLR balanced main output, 2 RCA bi-amping outputs, dual subwoofer output (unfiltered), Line Out, 1 × 12V trigger output.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dual subwoofer output is unfiltered — the crossover management is left to the subwoofer or processor downstream, which is the correct approach for a preamplifier in a high-quality system. The bi-amping RCA outputs allow a second power amplifier to be added without a separate active crossover. The 12V trigger synchronizes power-on with the DM v2 or any other trigger-equipped amplifier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePaired with the Unico DM v2\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe PRE v2 and DM v2 were designed together as a system — same chassis dimensions, same finish options, same design language, complementary tube complements (ECC83 in the PRE, ECC82 in the DM), and a shared circuit philosophy of zero feedback, dual-mono topology, and Class A tube input stages. They are not just aesthetically matched. The gain structure, output impedance, and input sensitivity are optimised for each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat said, the PRE v2 is an exceptionally versatile preamplifier that pairs with equal authority alongside other amplifiers. The XLR balanced output at 16 Vrms maximum is sufficient to drive virtually any power amplifier to full output. The 770-ohm RCA output impedance is low enough to work cleanly into any load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePress Recognition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Absolute Sound covered the launch of the Unico PRE v2 and DM v2 together, describing the system as a reference-grade amplification pairing that embodies Unison Research's philosophy of technological innovation in service of musical truth. The PRE v2 was introduced in February 2026. Long-form listening reviews are forthcoming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType — Fully balanced hybrid preamplifier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput stage — 2× ECC83 \/ 12AX7 Gold Lion, Class A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput stage — Solid state\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlobal feedback — Zero\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVolume control — Precision resistor IC, infrared remote\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnalog inputs — 3× RCA line; 3× XLR balanced; 1× MM\/MC phono; 1× Line In\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDigital inputs — 1× USB-B (PCM to 384kHz, DSD256 native, DSD128 DoP); 2× S\/PDIF coaxial (to 192kHz); 2× Toslink optical (to 192kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDAC — ESS Sabre ES9018K2M, balanced output architecture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhono — MM and MC; passive RIAA; selectable load and gain; rear-panel adjustment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutputs — 2× RCA; 1× XLR balanced; 2× RCA bi-amping; dual subwoofer (unfiltered); Line Out; 1× 12V trigger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaximum input voltage — 2.58 Vrms (RCA); 5 Vrms (XLR)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput impedance — 20kΩ (RCA); 57kΩ (XLR)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGain — 20dB (RCA); 15dB (XLR)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaximum output voltage — 8 Vrms (RCA); 16 Vrms (XLR) at 1% THD+N, 1kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput impedance — 770Ω (RCA); 1500Ω (XLR)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower consumption — 50 VA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions — 45 × 43 × 14 cm (W × D × H)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight — 11 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish — Midnight Black or Velvet Gold\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin — Handcrafted in Italy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuestions about pairing the PRE v2 with the DM v2, or how it integrates into your existing system? We're happy to help you think it through.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fidelity Imports","offers":[{"title":"Midnight Black \/ No thank you.","offer_id":43009376223299,"sku":null,"price":7499.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Midnight Black \/ Yes","offer_id":43025078353987,"sku":null,"price":18498.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Velvet Gold (Special order) \/ No thank you.","offer_id":43009376256067,"sku":null,"price":7499.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Velvet Gold (Special order) \/ Yes","offer_id":43025078386755,"sku":null,"price":18498.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0522\/7587\/files\/Unico-Pre-V2-Tweek-Geek-27115202019395.jpg?v=1779251957"},{"product_id":"unico-dm-v2","title":"Unico DM V2","description":"\u003ch1\u003eUnison Research Unico DM v2 Hybrid Dual-Mono Power Amplifier\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Unico DM v2 is the new flagship power amplifier from Unison Research — 220 watts per channel into 8 ohms, dual-mono throughout, with a Class A tube input stage driving a proprietary A.S.H.A. output topology that the company is introducing for the first time in this design. It is available as a standalone power amplifier or as a system with the matching Unico PRE v2 preamplifier, and it is the most significant statement Unison Research has made in the Unico line since the series began.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also, unmistakably, Italian — in the way that description carries real meaning in high-end audio. Handcrafted in Treviso. Machined from solid aluminum. Built to be kept.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe v2 marks a deliberate shift in Unison Research's aesthetic. The original Unico line was celebrated for warm, tactile industrial design — hardwood accents, rounded forms, an old-world sensibility that wore its Italian origin proudly. The DM v2 doesn't abandon that heritage, but it reinterprets it with more contemporary confidence. Surfaces are cleaner. Lines are more restrained. The 15mm solid aluminum front panel conveys a density and precision that signals something different from the outset.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMidnight Black and Velvet Gold are the two finish options. The 2mm aluminum top cover wraps continuously around the enclosure, reinforcing both structural rigidity and visual coherence. Wooden accents remain, but used sparingly now — a reference to the historic Unico logo rather than a dominant visual element. The Unison Research logo itself functions as the power switch. It's a small detail, but it's the kind of considered decision that distinguishes genuinely designed objects from assembled ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Architecture\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Unico DM v2 is a true dual-mono design. Each channel has its own 750VA encapsulated toroidal transformer, potted and shielded to minimize electromagnetic interference. The two channels share a chassis and nothing else of consequence — power delivery, regulation, and signal paths are fully independent. The practical result is channel separation that a shared-supply design cannot achieve, and a soundstage stability that reflects it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe amplification circuit has three stages. The first is a Class A tube stage using two ECC82\/12AU7 Gold Lion valves — one per channel. This is the tonal foundation of the amplifier. Tubes at the input stage, operating in pure Class A, establish the harmonic character and the spatial quality of the sound. Speed, fine detail, the emotional texture of the music — this is where that originates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second stage is solid-state, operating transparently to adapt the signal to the output stage without adding character of its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third stage is where the DM v2 introduces something new.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA.S.H.A. Technology — Class A-AB\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA.S.H.A. stands for Analog Synchronized Hybrid Amplification. It is Unison Research's proprietary output stage topology, appearing here for the first time, and it forms the technical foundation of the entire new Unico v2 generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe concept addresses a longstanding trade-off in amplifier design. Pure Class A sounds exceptional but is thermally inefficient and impractical at high power levels. Class AB is efficient and capable of high output but introduces crossover distortion at the transition point between the two halves of the output stage — a distortion that is audible as a subtle hardening or mechanical quality, most noticeable at moderate listening levels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA.S.H.A. uses a Leader-Follower configuration with complementary MOSFET pairs — three pairs per channel — where a Class A Leader device controls the signal and handles the positive waveform, while a synchronized Class AB Follower manages the negative half in coordination. The synchronization between the two is designed to eliminate the transition artifact that conventional Class AB introduces. The result is what Unison Research calls Class A-AB: the tonal richness and low-level detail of Class A, without the thermal penalty, operating consistently up to full rated power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe measured outcome is distortion levels that remain effectively constant from low listening levels to maximum output — not a curve that degrades as power increases, but a flat line. Even at moderate volumes, the amplifier retains body, bass control, and depth. It doesn't thin out when you turn it down, which is the failure mode of many Class AB designs at this price point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePower and Bridged Mono Operation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn stereo, the DM v2 delivers 220 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 340 watts into 4 ohms, with rated stability down to 2 ohms. These are not peak figures — they are continuous output at 1% THD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn bridged mono mode, the two power supplies connect in parallel, and the dual-mono architecture becomes a true monoblock with a single unified power reserve. Output in this configuration is 650 watts continuous into both 8 and 4 ohms. For listeners running a pair of DM v2 amplifiers as monoblocks, or pairing a single unit in mono with a particularly demanding speaker, the headroom is considerable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eConnectivity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1× RCA unbalanced input\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1× XLR balanced input\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1× remote power-on input\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1× remote power-on output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 + 4 binding posts per channel for bi-wiring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConnectivity is intentionally focused. The DM v2 is a power amplifier, not a hub. One balanced input, one unbalanced input, bi-wiring binding posts, and a 12V trigger for system integration. Everything else has been left out in service of the things that matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePress Recognition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Absolute Sound covered the launch of the Unico PRE v2 and DM v2, noting that the A.S.H.A. Class A-AB topology delivers the warmth and dimensionality of Class A with the speed, grip, and reliability of Class AB — and calling the pairing a reference-grade amplification system that embodies Unison Research's philosophy of technological innovation in service of musical truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStereoNET described the DM v2 as placing the Unico series firmly in high-current territory, with a design shift that moves the aesthetic toward contemporary precision without losing the hybrid philosophy that has defined Unison Research's identity for more than two decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Unico DM v2 was introduced in February 2026. Long-form listening reviews are forthcoming. We have heard it, and we are carrying it because of what we heard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput power — 220W continuous @ 8Ω (stereo)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput power — 340W continuous @ 4Ω (stereo)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput power — 370W continuous @ 2Ω (stereo, limited by protections)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput power — 650W peak @ 2Ω (stereo)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput power — 650W continuous @ 8Ω (mono)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput power — 650W continuous @ 4Ω (mono)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput stage — Pure Class A, dual ECC82\/12AU7 Gold Lion valves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput stage — A.S.H.A. Class A-AB, three complementary MOSFET pairs per channel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower supply — 750VA encapsulated toroidal transformer per channel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInputs — 1× RCA unbalanced; 1× XLR balanced; 1× remote power-on\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutputs — 4 + 4 binding posts (bi-wiring); 1× remote power-on output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions — 46 × 42 × 21 cm (W × D × H)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight — 33 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish — Midnight Black or Velvet Gold\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin — Handcrafted in Italy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuestions about pairing the DM v2 with the Unico PRE v2, or how it fits into your existing system? We're happy to help you think it through.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fidelity Imports","offers":[{"title":"Midnight Black \/ No thank you.","offer_id":43025074847811,"sku":null,"price":10999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Midnight Black \/ Yes","offer_id":43009391132739,"sku":null,"price":18498.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Velvet Gold (Special Order) \/ No thank you.","offer_id":43025074880579,"sku":null,"price":10999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Velvet Gold (Special Order) \/ Yes","offer_id":43009391165507,"sku":null,"price":18498.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0522\/7587\/files\/Unico-DM-V2-Tweek-Geek-27115228889155.jpg?v=1779251941"}],"url":"https:\/\/tweekgeek.com\/collections\/unison-research-separates.oembed","provider":"Tweek Geek","version":"1.0","type":"link"}