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is the Unico enough?

Hello everyone,

I'm just curiuos to know if the Unison Research Unico (80 w/ch) integrated has enough juice to properly drive the NHT 2.5i's. The room is fairly small (11.5 X 14 x 8). The source is a Rotel RCD971 with MSB link DAC III w/ half Nelson upgrade. The speaker's specs are 86db/w/m , 6 ohm, although apparently they are a pretty stable load.

If the Unico isn't powerful enough, can anyone recommend a good match to this setup?

I find that the NHT's along with the given source can sound fairly sterile with the wrong pream and amplification. I am looking for something that will give me depth and overall dimensionality, control , body, musicality and sheer drivability. The cost of the Unico is as high as I can go (even that's pushing it).

thanks
loose
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
I'm not familiar w/the NHT's but may I suggest you consider
a seperate amp/pre-amp combination. A Rotel RB-990 (200w.) would probably be a great amp to use. Used around $450. What I've heard this is a great amp. Perhaps a Rotel RTC-940/950 pre-amp/tuner or a tube pre-amp to warm/mellow out the sound? I have the feeling (after reading your last
paragraph) you're going to need more power.
loose OP
239 posts
 
Thanks for your posting regarding the Rotel, however, I'm searching for components that have a little more sophistication than that product line. You are correct in that my speakers would do well with higher power, however in their case, they are more reliant on current reserves. I have already driven them with a Bryston 4bst which I was going to use along with a HQ preamp, but I decided to go with a higher quality integrated instead (I'm trying to get away from separates b/c there are sooo many excellent integrateds out there)

Never have been and never will be a fan of Rotel (even though I have owned some of their products and actually currently use a Rotel cd player as a transport).

thanks for the replies thus far.

Steve
loki7177
18 posts
 
i am using a unico with a pair of sonus faber concerto, original version which is only 86 db at 8 ohms. my room is about 12x18x8 but it is opened to the rest of the house which is about 40 feet long. i don't listen to music that loud but i never have to turn the volume past a third of the way. it is a very smooth and refine amp. you will not be disappointed. i don't even think mine is fully broken in yet and i have gotten to tube rolling yet. can not wait to put in some nos mullards or telefunkens. good luck and let me know if you have any questions.
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
Steve, the Unico looks very impressive and the price seems reasonable. The wooden remote is unique. You're absolutely right about power supply and current capabilities. If you decide to try this int. amp out, please post a follow-up as I'm a big fan of int. amps. and this one has me curious. Thanks, Bill.
celiacoyled315
1 posts
 
Having read an article by Ken Kessler in an English HiFi magazine on the Unico amp, I waited for the matching hybrid CD-player and bought the pair along with the Spendor S3/5se's which had vg write-ups in Gramophone and Steriophile. (KK had said the Unico's should "adore certain small Spendor monitors".) Room 16ft x 11ft. I find this set up magical and I can only wind the wick up 3-4 notches (out of 10) before I have to worry about the neighbours. For nearfield listening, the music fills the room as much as you could possibly want. Go for it!
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