| Author |
Thread: Unison Research Unico P vs Rega Mira 3 |
    
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9357
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 06:06 pm: |
|
I have a chance to trade my 2 1/2 yr old Mira 3 for the Unico P. The Unison is used as well. They had tried changing out speakers with the amp on and blew a cap and it had to be repaired. It has a clean bill of health and is on its way down to me for an audition.
Would you be concerned about it's ongoing health? If it sounds better than the Mira 3 would you dismiss the fact that it's been repaired and just enjoy? How do ya'll feel about it?
Has anyone here had any experience with the brand and how did you find it? |
|
|
|
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 12024
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 06:43 pm: |
|
I use Unico canned tomatoes and Olives...
No opinion other than a dead cap in a new unit. |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 13487
Registered: May-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 07:57 pm: |
|
Everything breaks, that's why there are repair departments. Any competent technician should have repaired the unit properly and made certain it performed to spec or better before returning the amplifier. I would no more be concerned about a repaired amplifier with an otherwise clean bill of health than I would a car with a new set of tires.
. |
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 12025
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 08:34 pm: |
|
So long as the tire dealer is nearby and quick to respond.
Firestone 721 radials... |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9360
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 09:05 pm: |
|
He is 2 1/2 hr drive away and I belive would be quick to respond if there was a problem.
I'm looking forward to giving it a run. |
Silver Member Username: Jazzman71
Phoenix,
AZ
USA
Post Number: 625
Registered: Dec-07
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 12:58 am: |
|
"They had tried changing out speakers with the amp on and blew a cap and it had to be repaired."
I don't think blowing a cap under those conditions is a fatal flaw, particularly if the amp is not designed for that kind of abuse.
Art, you will want to know about the design limitations, even though you may not plan to push up against them, but I agree with Jan that an amp repaired by a competent tech is nothing to shy away from. Nuck's 721s are another matter...
Look forward to your impressions when you get it. |
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 12026
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 04:27 am: |
|
I didn't find a great deal of information on it.
Have you heard the line before, Art?
Maybe with Devore bookshelves? |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9362
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 07:52 am: |
|
Never heard any Unison before. It was mentioned once here on the Forum by Jan (in a group of products recommended) I think. Also another forum where I'm a member it is highly regarded. It reviewed pretty well. |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 13488
Registered: May-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 09:57 am: |
|
.
It's Italian. What's not to love? It plays music instead of distortion graphs.
Open a chilled bottle of Prosseco and enjoy the music.
. |
Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10
Post Number: 2417
Registered: Jun-07
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 12:10 pm: |
|
Art- I have a magazine I will dig out that did a article on a Unison integrated. It was very highly regarded. From the look of the thing they are hand built by a man, for a man.lol Enjoy. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9364
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 01:10 pm: |
|
It arrives this evening...think I'll follow Jan's recommendation... |
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 12028
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 03:53 pm: |
|
Prego! |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 13491
Registered: May-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 05:16 pm: |
|
.
"Please"? |
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 12032
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 05:40 pm: |
|
Skol?
ciao? |
Silver Member Username: Soundgame
Richmond Hill Toronto,
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 735
Registered: Jun-08
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 06:32 pm: |
|
Salute! |
Silver Member Username: Soundgame
Richmond Hill Toronto,
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 736
Registered: Jun-08
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 06:44 pm: |
|
No really Art, it does look interesting. I like the tube/solid-state hybrid. I'd be interested to hear your take once you get it all hooked up.
Let us know. |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 13493
Registered: May-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 07:24 pm: |
|
.
Godere/enjoy.
You know, like, "He godere and hecame back with a smile and a disease".
. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9365
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 11:12 pm: |
|
LOL!
So far so good guys. Very nice sounding amp. A little less control over the bass drivers and just a hair less depth in imaging...but if you believe, as I do, that the music lives first and foremost in the midrange this amp is very good. It's really just warming up.
It's not in the condition I had hoped for it has a small, only noticeable in the right light ding on the top of the front panel and just a little little mark on top as though someone sat a dring on it or something. Both aren't noticeable unless you have a light directly on it which I did while hooking it up. In other words it's 7 or 8 on Agon which makes it a 9 for Kurt...to be expected.
I rolled the volume knob all the way around and it's dead silent...quieter than the Mira 3, that surprised me. It also runs very cool.
They forgot to send the owners manual so I'm not sure how to determine whether the phono is set for MM without risk. Also since I listen to this system on the weekend is it ok to leave it on for the weekend then turn it off for the work week...hmm.
Obviously much, much more listening has to be done to determine a winner and make valid comparisons to the Mira 3...much fun to had! |
Silver Member Username: Soundgame
Richmond Hill Toronto,
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 738
Registered: Jun-08
|
| Posted on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 12:26 am: |
|
This will be interesting, especially since you've got it hooked into an all Rega setup. |
Silver Member Username: Lamcam
Orange County,
CA
USA
Post Number: 161
Registered: Nov-07
|
| Posted on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 02:16 pm: |
|
You'll love it Art. When I had the Pathos (also Italian), which is hybrid, I loved it. To my ears, better than all solid state amp I had before... I love tube... |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9371
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 07:49 pm: |
|
Question for anyone who might know the answer...I have a slight hum or buzz next to the unit when I get close and listen...not through the speakers but from the unit, is this ok or normal. I don't hear it when listening...at least not yet. A late night listening session may reveal it. I have to get within a couple of feet of it with the music off during the day to hear it. |
Silver Member Username: Soundgame
Richmond Hill Toronto,
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 740
Registered: Jun-08
|
| Posted on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 09:13 pm: |
|
Art, sounds like a mechanical hum. My Bryston 3B-ST does it. When I've got the ground lift open, there is not hum on the speakers but the amp itself hums. Bryston told me some hum can be normal but if you can hear it in a quiet room from 3 or more feet away then they will fix it. Mine you can hear at that distance or a little farther so one of these days I'm sending it in for warranty service.
Art, it may be better after it warms up a bit - like 3 hrs, mine does. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9373
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 09:52 pm: |
|
It's been on for about 24 hrs now. I confirmed with another owner of the same amp that it's normal and his does the same thing. I will write my impressions later but let it suffice to say that in spite of the fact that I hate hum I'm addicted to the sound of the amp and it ain't goin' anywhere. Couldn't go back to the Mira 3 after hearing this. Better in every way including the ways in which I didn't think it was better to start with such as controlling the bass drivers and imaging. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 3242
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 11:28 pm: |
|
I heard a Unico in passing a few years ago. It was out of my price range at the time, and I can't remember what was connected on either end of it. It sounded very good to my ears.
STO has a new Unico P listed on Agon for $1049. Not sure if you're interested in going that direction instead.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1243702251&/Unison-Research-Unic o-P-50w-hy |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 3244
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 11:28 pm: |
|
If you're looking to go with a tube integrated again, I have two words - Manley Stingray. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9378
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 12:20 am: |
|
This is a straight trade for my Mira 3...can't be beat! The hum is never audible unless you are within a foot or so with no other sound in the room...not a problem.
My Unico P is sounding incredible as I type. When and if I go tube integrated again I have 2 words (and some numbers)Stu...Mastersound Compact 845! |
Silver Member Username: Soundgame
Richmond Hill Toronto,
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 745
Registered: Jun-08
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 08:31 am: |
|
Wow Art! That is a big move for you. Sounded like you were with Rega all the way. Clearly the Unico P made a real impression on you. All the best with it!
Congrats! |
Gold Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 2136
Registered: Nov-05
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 05:53 pm: |
|
Congrats Art and I thought you'll hath no other God but Rega also :-) |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9389
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 06:30 pm: |
|
The Mira 3 is on the UPS truck headin' due north and the Unison is at home in my rack!
 |
Gold Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 2140
Registered: Nov-05
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 07:16 pm: |
|
Tres cool Art! |
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 12047
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 07:55 pm: |
|
Very nice Art!
Prego! |
Silver Member Username: Jazzman71
Phoenix,
AZ
USA
Post Number: 636
Registered: Dec-07
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 07:58 pm: |
|
Very nice Art. Have you run down a manual yet? Glad you're enjoying it. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9393
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 08:07 pm: |
|
Have a manual on the way. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 3245
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 10:03 pm: |
|
I haven't heard a Mastersound. Maybe I'll run in to one one of these days. I really liked the Unico when I heard it. Its definitely one of the must audition amps for anyone looking in its range.
Two questions if I may...
Have you heard their CD players? Contemplating it?
Any pics of the remote? They still use the wooden one, right? If its the same one, it was one of the coolest remotes I've ever seen. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9394
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 11:29 pm: |
|
For the P it's a cheap plastic remote..sorry.
I haven't heard their cd players but if I had the dough I'd be giving one a listen. I was going to save this for the write up but here it is...
The Unico kicks the snot out of the Mira 3 in every way that I know. with special attention to....PRaT.
Yep this amp is so much more rhythmic and pacey than the Mira that it's amazing. For my ears it has the entry level Naim amp beat all to heck in that department. There are many cd's that I enjoyed in the past that now make so much more sense musically that it has me bewildered.
For example I always liked Luciana Souza and have seen her a number of times live...then my wife and I go home and break out her cd's and though I still enjoy her my wife totally loses interest because she sounds just kind of avearge and her voice loses alot of the life of the live performance. Friday night I played the Brazilian Duos cd and for the first time that cd made total sense...I could follow every line and Luciana sounded like the singer we love to see live...just alive and vital as it should be. |
Gold Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 2141
Registered: Nov-05
|
| Posted on Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 04:32 am: |
|
Sounds like you've found a great amp Art.
An amp that's past due to come out of the closet it seems. |
Silver Member Username: Soundgame
Richmond Hill Toronto,
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 746
Registered: Jun-08
|
| Posted on Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 11:39 am: |
|
Hey Art, that Unico has very nice lines. Your shots do much more justice than the one's on their website..maybe it's the lighting.
It must be something really find to move you off the Mira so fast. We'll just have to wait for your full review but what you've provided is sweet. |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 13497
Registered: May-04
|
| Posted on Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 02:59 pm: |
|
.
IMO those who deny the existence of PRaT should listen to some "difficult" music through a system capable of separating multiple rhythmic lines and placing them in the context of the whole and then through a system that schmushes them all together into one unlistenable and ultimately irritating blob. If we all had Italian, French or high end Japanese components and speakers, those "national sounds" that respect the music above the on paper numbers, Mose Allison would be far more highly regarded.
. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 9399
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 03:10 pm: |
|
Totally agree. |
