What a coincidence. I am currently using an AQ-1003DT and it replaced a Unico. So I have extensive experience with both. I had them both on hand at the same time so I was able to compare them head to head. To me the Unico is a great amp. It combines the best of both worlds perfectly. You get the lushness and warmth of tubes and the bass and dynamics of ss. The ASL is exceptional for the money, actually both of them are but the ASL a little more so. I auditioned numberous tube integrateds before I settled on the ASL, including VTL, Rogue, and Cary. To me the ASL performed well enough against the big boys that I did not think they were worth 3x the price. I have used the ASL with Merlin TSM-M, wich cost almost 4x the price of the 1003, and they were never out of place. That combination was were magical. But do to financial reasons I had to sell the Merlins. I am now using Green Mountain Europas which also work well with the amp. Both amps are very well built. So why did I end up with the ASL instead of the Unico? Mainly because I value that last degree of warmth and lushness of the ASL over the extra bass and dynamics of the Unico. Also price played a huge factor. However I do miss the remote.
What speakers are you planning to use with the amp? If your speakers are easy to drive then both amps should do equally well, but if your speakers are a difficult load the Unico might be the way to go.
Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.
What speakers are you planning to use with the amp? If your speakers are easy to drive then both amps should do equally well, but if your speakers are a difficult load the Unico might be the way to go.
Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.