Hi,
I've had the new Unico tube CD player for audition during 2-3 weeks now. Here are some impressions:
Sound: A bit on the warm side, detailed, good enough bass, good soundstage. I own an Arcam FMJ CD23T; comparing the Arcam and the Unico CD, the Unico sounds better in my system. The amp is the Unico hybrid. Overall, soundwise, the Unico amp + CD combination is very good, distinctly better than the Arcam FMJ + Unico amp combo.
Ergonomics: Bad. The CD tray is "industrial grade" which means that it's a plasticky thing of the same quality as the CD-R or CD-RW on your computer. Rattles ominously during operation. The remote is IR, not radio waves, like the Unico amp. The IR operation is insensitive; you have to point it directly at the bullseye of the CD, and even then the CD reacts very slowly. So operation is overall slow and requires patience.
Overall opinion: Bad ergonomics, but wonderful sound. I just love it, slow operation or not. I'm going to trade the Arcam FMJ for the Unico CD. The Unico just sounds better in my system (Unico amp, Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE speakers). Audition of the Unico CD is warmly recommended; you may find the sound better than in most CD:s you have ever listened to, if you just can live with the slo-mo action.
Good luck,
Lars
I've had the new Unico tube CD player for audition during 2-3 weeks now. Here are some impressions:
Sound: A bit on the warm side, detailed, good enough bass, good soundstage. I own an Arcam FMJ CD23T; comparing the Arcam and the Unico CD, the Unico sounds better in my system. The amp is the Unico hybrid. Overall, soundwise, the Unico amp + CD combination is very good, distinctly better than the Arcam FMJ + Unico amp combo.
Ergonomics: Bad. The CD tray is "industrial grade" which means that it's a plasticky thing of the same quality as the CD-R or CD-RW on your computer. Rattles ominously during operation. The remote is IR, not radio waves, like the Unico amp. The IR operation is insensitive; you have to point it directly at the bullseye of the CD, and even then the CD reacts very slowly. So operation is overall slow and requires patience.
Overall opinion: Bad ergonomics, but wonderful sound. I just love it, slow operation or not. I'm going to trade the Arcam FMJ for the Unico CD. The Unico just sounds better in my system (Unico amp, Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE speakers). Audition of the Unico CD is warmly recommended; you may find the sound better than in most CD:s you have ever listened to, if you just can live with the slo-mo action.
Good luck,
Lars