Unison Research
Unison Research Unico PRE v2
Unison Research Unico PRE v2
The PRE v2 is the new flagship preamplifier of Unison Research's Unico series. It's a fully balanced hybrid with a Class A tube input stage, a built-in DAC, and a phono stage, so one chassis can sit at the center of a system. It also introduces a new look for the Unico family, which it shares with the DM v2 power amplifier.
Tube character up front, solid-state authority behind it.
The Design
The front panel is machined from a solid 15 mm block of aluminum, and a 2 mm aluminum cover wraps around the whole amplifier. Wooden inserts echo the historic Unico logo, and the Unison Research logo doubles as the power button. It comes in Midnight Black or Velvet Gold, the latter as a special order.
Unison Research redesigned the architecture and kept its fully dual-mono circuit and its no-global-feedback philosophy. The new three-stage structure aims for a more balanced, dynamic, and engaging sound. The first stage uses a pair of ECC83/12AX7 Gold Lion tubes, which Unison Research says defines the amplifier's sonic character, with high signal purity, very low distortion, and very quiet operation. The solid-state stages that follow work with the tubes to give fluid, precise reproduction in demanding listening conditions. Volume control comes from a high-quality integrated circuit with precision resistors and an infrared remote, which Unison Research says gives perfect balance between channels and very accurate level adjustment.
Connectivity and DAC
The PRE v2 is built to fit any system. It has three RCA and three XLR line inputs, a phono input, and a Line In, plus XLR and two RCA outputs, with the RCA pair intended for bi-amping. It also has an unfiltered subwoofer output, a Line Out for external processors or recording, and a 12 V trigger output on a 3.5 mm jack for switching power amplifiers on together.
The built-in DAC uses the Sabre ES9018K2M converter in a balanced-output design that Unison Research developed to work with the tube circuitry. It has one USB input (PCM to 384 kHz, native DSD to 256x, DoP to 128x), two S/PDIF inputs, and two Toslink inputs, each to 192 kHz.
Phono Stage
The integrated phono stage uses semi-passive RIAA equalization and high-precision components. Load and gain are selectable from the rear panel for both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, so you can match the stage to your cartridge's electrical needs.
Where It Fits
The PRE v2 suits a system that wants one preamplifier to handle digital, vinyl, and line sources, and it's the matching partner to the DM v2 power amplifier. We can supply the pair together. We're happy to help you decide between the PRE v2 with the DM v2 and an integrated amplifier.
Press Recognition
- Hi-Fi News, reviewing the Pre/DM v2 pair, gave it an Outstanding badge. The reviewer wrote that naming them merely "v2" understates the improvement in performance, found them markedly different from earlier Unico separates, and called the pair consistently thrilling and involving. Hi-Fi News also published lab reports on both units. Read the review at Hi-Fi News
Questions about the PRE v2 as a standalone preamp, or paired with the DM v2? Give us a call.
Specifications
- Type: Fully balanced hybrid preamplifier
- Tubes: 2 x ECC83 / 12AX7 Gold Lion, Class A
- Output stage: Solid state
- Global feedback: 0 dB
- Volume control: Infrared remote
- Analog inputs: 3 x RCA line; 3 x XLR line; 1 x phono MM/MC; 1 x Line In
- Digital inputs: 1 x USB; 2 x Toslink; 2 x S/PDIF
- Max input voltage: 2.58 Vrms (RCA); 5 Vrms (XLR)
- Input impedance: 20 kΩ (RCA); 57 kΩ (XLR)
- Gain: 20 dB (RCA); 15 dB (XLR)
- Outputs: 2 x RCA; 1 x XLR; dual subwoofer output; Line Out; 12 V remote power-on
- Max output voltage (1% THD+N, 1 kHz): 8 V (RCA); 16 V (XLR)
- Output impedance: 770 Ω (RCA); 1,500 Ω (XLR)
- DAC: Sabre ES9018K2M; USB-B to PCM 384 kHz, native DSD to 256x, DoP to 128x; Toslink and S/PDIF to 192 kHz
- Phono: Semi-passive RIAA; selectable load and gain for MM and MC
- Power consumption: 50 VA
- Dimensions: 45 x 43 x 14 cm (17.5 x 17 x 5.5 in)
- Weight: 11 kg net
- Finishes: Midnight Black; Velvet Gold (special order)
- Maker: Unison Research, handcrafted in Italy
