Which Integrated?

Why not the Portalaudio integrated? 60 day home trial. Good reviews to date. Joe Abrams is a long-time and highly respected industry player and I can only guess who designed the unit. Check out www.portalaudio.com and give Joe a call. If you do not want to go that route, I cast my vote for the Aronov.

I have not heard the Unico, but being a hybrid design I am very interested in it. Such a design should give you a, smoother, more relaxed sound than an all SS setup. I owned the Simaudio Moon I-5 and Electrocompaniet ECI-3 and feel neither could match the lush, open presentation of the Blue Circle BC21 tube preamp/BC22 solid state amp combo I'm using now.

Interesting that you didn't like the Blue Circle CS, but I don't know to what degree it's sound varies from the BC21/22 separates if at all. You seem to like the Unison, but I think the integrated you ultimately choose should be considered along with the speakers and cables you intend to match them with.

Oh, and my whole system was purchased through contacts I made on Audiogon. I always try to buy used. In the past when I've liked something I auditioned at a store, I bought it from them. But these days I do so much research and know many of the tendencies of the frequent posters here on the 'Gon, I feel confident in buying used gear without a listen.

You could try the Portal Audio "Panache":

http://www.portalaudio.com/panache.html

a little over your budget but you can keep it for 60 days and if you don't like it you can return it - full refund no questions asked. Looks interesting!