UNISON RESEARCH UNICO 150

Unison Unico 150 is the flagship dual-mono integrated amplifier from the Italian brand, capable of delivering 150W at 8 Ohms and 220W at 4 Ohms. This "powerhouse" uses a three-stage circuit to achieve unrivaled linearity. All the gain – and with it, the amplifier's sonic character – is controlled by the first two pure Class A valve stages, which are combined with MOSFET output stages.

Unison Unico 150 is the integrated amplifier capable of delivering 150W RMS at an 8 Ohm load, rising to 220W with a halved impedance. Thanks to the decades of experience of the Italian brand, the design was executed following highly scientific criteria, but with the primary goal of satisfying even the most demanding audiophiles. This dual approach has led to the creation of a unique integrated amplifier, different from any amplifier released by other manufacturers or even Unison Research itself, currently representing the flagship model of Italian production.

The circuit heart, like the rest of the Unico series, is a hybrid structure, but in this case, we are facing a very powerful dual-mono amplifier with exceptional sound, using only three stages. It combines the refinement of the two valve preamplifier stages with the power of the MOSFET output stage. The company designed its amplifiers with the fewest stages possible, following the “less is more” philosophy. In this Unico 150, the input stage uses two ECC83 triodes in a totem-pole configuration, while the driver stage uses two 6H30 triodes, also in a totem-pole configuration, for almost zero distortion, minimum output impedance, and well-controlled gain. The configuration of these stages, as well as the use of a high-quality passive ALPS Blue volume control and armored input switching relays, ensures that the Unico 150 offers unmatched clarity in its sonic performance.

The entire preamplifier section is directly coupled to the power stage of each channel to achieve consistent and complete output, consisting of A/B Class solid-state dual-mono MOSFETs without feedback, capable of delivering substantial power, sufficient to provide high volume levels to most speakers. Furthermore, the power section has been designed to offer a wide reliability margin, without compromising sound performance or the amplifier’s driving capacity.

All of this is supported by two large, encapsulated, counter-phase toroidal transformers positioned in the central front area, capable of delivering a continuous 400VA + 400VA.

The Unison Research Unico range, consisting of hybrid Hi-Fi electronic components, has earned a solid reputation among audiophiles worldwide in recent years. Its elegant yet imposing style, combined with high-end sonic performance, has created an enviable line of amplifiers and sources, complementing the iconic purely valve-based offerings of the Italian brand. This dual-mono integrated amplifier, Unico 150, was designed from the ground up through extensive electrical and listening tests, becoming the flagship of the Unico range.

It could even represent the amplifier that satisfies both valve and silicon enthusiasts, thanks to a clever blend of the two elements, combined with meticulous technical and sonic engineering. These choices have led to a simple, linear structure, with no global feedback and minimal local feedback.
The circuit is developed on a single PCB, which reduces the signal path and rationalizes the layout. Together with savings in resources and space, this represents one of the most obvious advantages of an integrated project, in line with the principles of the founder Giovanni Maria Sacchetti.
The combination of valve and transistor technologies, as well as pre and power sections within a single chassis, demonstrates the immense design, engineering, and construction experience of the Italian brand in question.
As always, the chosen components are top-level: interstage capacitors are polypropylene, and filter capacitors are the Italian-made Itelcond, supported in the finals by polypropylene microfarads from Mundorf.
Once again, Unison Research has created electronics that are 100% Made in Italy, with materials and components of not only great quality but also sourced locally.

Like the smaller Unison Unico 90, we are dealing with a fully analog machine. The rear connections of the Unico 150 are of high quality, featuring a decent number of line-level inputs: four RCA inputs (CD, Tuner, Aux1, and Bypass, which can be used in a multichannel configuration where volume control is handled by an external AV processor), as well as a pair of balanced XLRs.
For balanced inputs, transformers are used for true balanced transmission, also acting as galvanic isolators. These details, along with the high-quality RCA connections and elegant appearance, as well as the speaker connections bearing the Unison Research logo, elevate this Unico 150 above the norm.
Regarding outputs, there is a line-level output to connect a subwoofer. Finally, the speaker terminals feature double gold-plated connections with transparent insulation, allowing for bi-wiring.

The Unison Unico 150, weighing 25 kg, exudes pure solidity. The large, well-finished chassis is built to the same meticulous standards as the previous models in the Unico line, but this integrated amplifier is the first to feature the aesthetic upgrade represented by the new three-plate front, which inspired the design of its smaller sibling, the Unico 90.
Elegant yet simple, the brushed anodized aluminum front, available in black or silver, consists of three 15mm thick vertical aluminum panels, beveled near their junction.
The integrated amplifier is massive but well-proportioned; its appearance is pleasant and looks slimmer than it actually is. But don’t be deceived by its minimalist look: the high-end technology hidden inside and the build quality, as well as the finishes and materials – as always with Unison Research – reach meticulous levels.
Thanks to two large aluminum heat sinks, joined by a metal bar that further increases the rigidity of the chassis, and the well-ventilated upper section, heat is kept above the heat sinks: in short, the Unico 150 doesn’t get particularly hot.
As for the interface, there are two large aluminum knobs symmetrically placed: the volume control and the rotary input selector that activates the relays. In the center, a small window conceals the infrared receiver, and on the sides, two lines of white LEDs indicate the selected input. The operation is simple: in addition to the front panel controls, a remote control is included.
The Unico 150 has a short warm-up cycle before use, during which the power indicator LEDs of the two channels flash. Unison recommends at least 10 minutes of warm-up before listening.

Unison Research claims to have made many prototypes and conducted hours of listening tests before releasing this powerful Unico 150, which will keep you in your listening room for hours without tiring or boring you. In fact, this integrated amplifier was designed and built to allow every audiophile to truly enjoy their favorite music.
The Unico 150 is a combination of sweetness and smoothness, delivering fluid and delicate performances reminiscent of some of the company's all-valve designs, while at the same time revealing a lively and articulate nature.
The amplifier’s energy delivery is excellent: there is really plenty of push, it’s exciting, extraordinarily articulate, and very engaging, without any harshness even at high volumes.
Tonally, it is very balanced, with excellent timing, good width and depth of the soundstage, always offering a clean and detailed sound.
In essence, this "powerhouse" was designed to drive a wide variety of speakers, even with very demanding loads: speakers like the ATC SCM50 posed no challenge for this Unico 150.
To make it compatible with digital sources, pairing it with a top-of-the-line DAC such as the Chord Electronics Dave is recommended.
It is also recommended to use high-quality power, signal, and speaker cables, such as those offered by Chord Company.

Technical specifications:

• Power: Ultra-linear 40W x 2 (EL34) (8 Ohm, 1% THD)
• Inputs: 4x stereo RCA
• Outputs: 4 & 8 Ohm
• Tape out: RCA stereo
• Headphone output: 1/4" jack
• Frequency Response: 10Hz–32kHz ±1dB, 10Hz–75kHz ±3dB
• THD: < 0.2% @ 1W, < 2% @ rated power
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 90 dB (EL34)
• Input sensitivity: 260 mV (EL34)
• Power consumption: 270W (EL34)
• Valves included: 2 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AU7, 4 x EL34
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 28 x 19 x 40.4 cm
• Weight: 18 kg