The challenge: NAD C372 vs Union Research Unico P vs Unico

[admin_exported]

The first two amps are available here at roughly the same price, £600 or so, while the Unico is £300 more and really pushing the budget. Speakers are the SF Minimas - 84db 8 ohm.

Which would you choose, and why? Bear in mind I'm not envisaging another change for a decade or so. [🙂]

 

[chebby]

Tarquinh:Re: The challenge: NAD C372 vs Union Research Unico P vs Unico

You mean the Unison Research Unico Primo? (If so which other Unico amp do you mean when you say "Unico P vs Unico"? The Secondo?)

 

[Anonymous]

The Primo. The Secundo is way above my budget, unfortunately, and not available anyway.

 

[matthewpiano]

I'm a fan of NAD amps but moving up to that sort of price point I would want something that feels a bit more special. Obviously the Unison Research amp wins out in that respect but I've not heard it so couldn't comment on the sound.

Of course there is the new Audio Analogue Crescendo at £599 and the Creek Evolution 2 at about the same price, both of which could be well worth a listen.

 

[the record spot]

The Unico P would be a good find if you can land one for £500 or so, they were £799 on release, and you occasionally see the next Unico up for a discount, but they don't crop up often.

I thought a nearby dealer had a secondhand one, but no luck. Looking at the Leema Pulse and Harman HK990 today I think.

 

[Anonymous]

I heard the Unison Unico P (50W?) with SF Concerto Domos speakers and the matching CDP. It sounded extremely smooth, very natural and had a lot of texture. It worked well with all music, although many would find it all far too smooth for modern stuff. Having those valves in the amp and CDP really made a difference as compared to a normal tranny amp like the Cyrus 8VS I tried at the time. All of that hardness was gone as it all flowed in a way I think will suit you.

Def push to the Unison kit if you can, and then save for the matching CDP - very good kit.

 

[drummerman]

Tarquinh:
The first two amps are available here at roughly the same price, £600 or so, while the Unico is £300 more and really pushing the budget. Speakers are the SF Minimas - 84db 8 ohm.

Which would you choose, and why? Bear in mind I'm not envisaging another change for a decade or so.

I read somewhere SF use a 50w amplifier to develop/test most of their speakers. As not all amps are created equal that probably does'nt mean to much but something to keep in mind.

 

[d_a_n1979]

matthewpiano:I'm a fan of NAD amps but moving up to that sort of price point I would want something that feels a bit more special. Obviously the Unison Research amp wins out in that respect but I've not heard it so couldn't comment on the sound.

Of course there is the new Audio Analogue Crescendo at £599 and the Creek Evolution 2 at about the same price, both of which could be well worth a listen.

Even though I'm a huge NAD (and Arcam) lover I have to agree with MP's comments...

With those prices I think higher up the scale needs to be viewed IMO

The NAD C372 is a good amp with a huge power reserve BUT it's still the NAD sound. Powerful and fairly full but looking at amps like the Union or even the Cyrus 8XP will show it's slight downfall in overall dynamics