Unison Research is best known for its tube amplifiers. With the Unison Research Unico DS, the Italian company now applies that expertise to a digital source. The Unico DS combines a network streamer, a CD transport and a DAC with a fully balanced, Class A tube output stage. It costs €6,999.
The new model is the digital partner for the latest Unico PRE preamplifier and Unico DM power amplifier.
Unison Research Unico DS: four tubes in Class A
The analogue output stage of the Unison Research Unico DS uses four vacuum tubes in Class A. Two Gold Lion ECC83/12AX7 double triodes form the differential input stage, and two Gold Lion ECC82/12AU7 tubes handle the output stage. Unison Research stresses that this is a complete analogue circuit, not a tube buffer added after an off-the-shelf DAC.
New is a technology called F.D.F., short for Frequency-Dependent Feedback. The amount of feedback changes with frequency: more in the bass for control and damping, less in the higher frequencies for openness.
ESS SABRE DAC and seven filters
In the Unison Research Unico DS, conversion is handled by an ESS SABRE ES9038Q2M chip, fed by five independent low-noise regulators. An FPGA routes the digital signals, two low-jitter oscillators provide the clock, and seven digital filters let you tune the sound. Unison Research quotes a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB and distortion of 0.001%.
Streaming, CD and plenty of inputs
The Unison Research Unico DS supports Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect, and it is Roon Ready. DLNA and UPnP are supported too. Wired Ethernet is standard; Wi-Fi needs an optional USB adapter.
As a DAC, it accepts USB up to 768 kHz and DSD256, plus AES/EBU, coaxial, two optical inputs and Bluetooth. Digital outputs let it act as a transport, and there are RCA and balanced XLR outputs. Tubes in a digital source are becoming more common: Shanling recently showed the tube-equipped SM3.3, as we reported in our Shanling M10 article.
Pricing and availability
The Unison Research Unico DS costs €6,999 in Europe, in Midnight Black or Velvet Gold. US and UK prices have not been confirmed. The details were reported by StereoLife.
Key specifications
- Type: network streamer, CD player and DAC
- Tubes: 2 x ECC83/12AX7, 2 x ECC82/12AU7 (Gold Lion), Class A, balanced
- DAC: ESS SABRE ES9038Q2M, 7 digital filters
- Streaming: Spotify, TIDAL and Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready, DLNA/UPnP
- Inputs: USB-B (768 kHz, DSD256), AES/EBU, coaxial, 2 x optical, Bluetooth, 2 x USB storage
- Outputs: XLR (5 V), RCA (2.5 V), AES/EBU, coaxial, optical
- SNR: 120 dB
- Dimensions: 450 x 430 x 140 mm
- Weight: approx. 10 kg
- Finishes: Midnight Black, Velvet Gold
- Price: €6,999
Would you trust tubes in your digital source, and is a CD drive still a must-have for you?
