Why make you wait until the last paragraph? Unison Research has done what I thought was impossible: followed the universally-praised (no, make that ) Unico integrated tube-hybrid amplifier with a matching CD player. And I don't mean 'matching' just in terms of looks and dimensions: the Unico CD corresponds to the integrated in terms of performance AND value for money, which makes it another world-class bargain. It just may be CD player to buy if you're shopping for something around a grand.

It's not just a case of slipping someone else's sub-assemblies and modules into a fancy enclosure. Somehow, Unison Research has managed to cram the thing full of designer bits, radical solutions, a cutting-edge transport, valves and more, but at a sane price. When you read what they've done, you can but marvel. Even its bare bones description would do justice to a £2500 machine. So forget anything I've ever told you about settling, circa 2003, for a compromised, sub-£1000 universal SACD/DVD-A player. This is the way to go until the record industry gets its head out of its arse.

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As in the past, Ing. Sacchetti has collaborated with Prof. Leopoldo Rossetto of the University of Padua's Dept. of Applied Electronics. The two settled on a design using a proper CD-ROM mechanism, a fully-balanced pure triode valve amplification stage, with true balanced analogue output, a 24-bit/192kHz Crystal digital-to-analogue converter, their own sophisticated microprocessor control, a unique, high quality power supply worthy of a power amplifier and the kind of construction we've grown to love in the Unico integrated. It even boasts a serious heat sink on the back...just like an amplifier.

Sacchetti and Rossetto carried out exhaustive tests on a number of drives before deciding that the only way to go was with a CD-ROM mechanism, especially because of the digital output that this type of transport offers. It required a redesign of the interface between transport and DAC because of the different communication standard, but this in turn allowed the player's performance to be kicked up a notch by inserting a 're-conversion circuit' and PLL circuit, resulting in a significant reduction in jitter. Additionally, the CD-ROM mechanism is more robust, offers superior disc reading accuracy, operates with better quality brushless, low-noise synchronous motors, employs a glass laser lens instead of plastic and the CD tray runs on lapped metal guides. Again: not plastic.

As is Unison Research practice for its Unico range, the Unico CD's amplification section is pure triode valve, while the output stage is solid-state. These stages are all-new - the Unico CD has been in development for a couple of years by my reckoning - and consist of two triodes for each channel, allied to a network of bipolar transistors and other passive components. The entire circuit is totally symmetrical, runs pure Class-A and, as mentioned before, is fully balanced. Unison Research chose 5814/A twin triode valves, the military spec version of the familiar ECC82/12AU7 tubes, carefully selecting the pairs to guarantee the same amplification for both channels. The company also specifies the best grade of ceramic valves bases.

Another unexpected-at-this-price-point bonus is an overkill, proprietary power supply, consisting of six separate, fully-independent sections based on precision linear non-switching regulators. It's built to cope with voltage variations of +/-20%, which accounts for the heat sink on the rear panel (to dissipate heat from the stabilizers). Also in keeping with Unison Research amplifier philosophy, the 85W mains power transformer has been designed and constructed using grain-oriented cores and low flux dispersion. A copper electrostatic screen separates the analogue and digital windings to minimize interference.

For the digital heart of the Unico CD, with criteria established by the use of balanced operation, Sacchetti and Rossetto selected the Crystal CS4392 for its ability to supply voltage suitable for use with balanced outputs. Moreover, it operates with digital signals
up to 24-bit/192kHz. To satisfy the requirement of the CD-ROM drive's re-conversion and PLL circuits, the pair chose the Crystal CS8414 chip. With the ante upped so high, a sophisticated control microprocessor was required; the Unico CD uses an upgradeable Philips 64kB flash memory chip, which also enabled the designers to fit a distinctive and highly-legible, green-lit, personalised graphic display. It can provide the company logo and visual information such as 'valve warm up' and countdown when the Unico CD is first switched on, as well as 'time elapsed', 'time remaining' and the usual track information. I was slightly disappointed that the review sample's display wasn't in Italian!

Read more on Page 2.