Tech
Unison Research Unico PRE v2 & DM v2 Power Amplifier: More Muscle, Sharper Design, and Zero Doubt It’s Italian
With the Unico DM v2, Unison Research makes it clear that evolution, not reinvention is the mission. Now positioned as the flagship power amplifier in the Unico lineup, the DM v2 arrives with a completely renewed, unmistakably Italian design that’s cleaner, more modern, and aligned with the brand’s new visual language—formally introduced alongside the Unico PRE v2. This isn’t a styling exercise for Instagram; it’s a cohesive rethink of how Unico components look, feel, and slot into a contemporary high-end system.
That design confidence isn’t coming out of nowhere. We’ve already spent serious time with Unison Research’s Triode 25 and Simply 845 integrated amplifiers, and both left a lasting impression. Price-sensitive shoppers need not apply, but for listeners who care more about musicality than spreadsheets, they remain two of the most compelling tube amplifiers in their class, combining drop-dead Italian industrial design with a command of tone, texture, and scale that many modern tube amps still struggle to get right. The Unico DM v2 builds on that legacy, just with more power, sharper tailoring, and zero interest in playing it safe.
There’s a clear design pivot happening here. Unison Research has long been celebrated for mixing real hardwoods with machined metal gear that looked handcrafted, tactile, and proudly old-world Italian. The Unico PRE v2 and DM v2don’t abandon that heritage, but they definitely reinterpret it. The lines are cleaner, the surfaces more restrained, and the overall presentation feels less romantic throwback and more contemporary confidence. Think less classic Sophia Loren, more modern Nicole Grimaudo; still unmistakably Italian, still elegant, just sharper, leaner, and very much living in the present rather than trading purely on nostalgia.
Unison Research Unico DM v2: Flagship Power Amplifier with a New Design Direction
The $10,999 USD Unico DM v2 is the new flagship power amplifier in Unison Research’s Unico series. Introduced alongside the Unico PRE v2, it reflects a clear shift in the company’s design language toward a more modern, restrained aesthetic while maintaining the hybrid tube/solid-state approach that has long defined the Unico line.
The chassis design is notably more contemporary than previous Unico models. The front panel is machined from a 15-mm-thick aluminum block, giving the amplifier a dense, solid feel, while the Midnight Black and Velvet Gold finishes emphasize its cleaner lines. A 2-mm aluminum top cover wraps around the enclosure, reinforcing both structural rigidity and visual continuity. Wooden accents remain, but they are used sparingly, serving as a reference to the original Unico logo rather than a dominant visual element. The Unison Research logo also functions as the power switch, integrating branding and operation in a subtle, functional way.
Internally, the Unico DM v2 is built around a dual-mono architecture. Each channel is powered by its own 750 VA encapsulated toroidal transformer, with potting and shielding used to reduce electromagnetic interference. This layout is intended to preserve channel separation and maintain consistency under load. When operated in bridged mono mode, the two power supplies are connected in parallel, increasing available current and output capability.
The amplifier uses a three-stage hybrid amplification circuit. The input stage operates in pure Class A and employs ECC82 / 12AU7 Gold Lion valves, providing the initial voltage gain. A solid-state intermediate stage buffers and adapts the signal for the output section. The power stage uses a complementary push-pull configuration with three parallel pairs of MOSFETs, designed to deliver sufficient current for demanding loudspeaker loads while remaining stable across a wide impedance range.
A key technical addition is A.S.H.A. (Class A-AB) technology, introduced for the first time in the Unico DM v2. This output-stage topology is designed to combine aspects of Class A operation at lower levels with the efficiency and thermal behavior of Class AB at higher power. According to Unison Research, this approach keeps distortion low and consistent up to maximum output while maintaining tonal balance and low-frequency control even at moderate listening levels.
In practical terms, the Unico DM v2 delivers 220 W into 8 ohms and 340 W into 4 ohms in stereo operation, with stability down to 2 ohms. In bridged mono mode, it provides 650 W continuous output into both 8-ohm and 4-ohm loudspeakers, allowing it to function as a high-power monoblock when required.
Connectivity is conventional and system-focused, with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, a remote power-on trigger, and dual binding posts per channel to support bi-wiring. The Unico DM v2 is clearly aimed at listeners who want high output capability, a hybrid circuit design, and a more contemporary visual presentation from Unison Research, without departing from the brand’s established engineering principles.
Unison Research Unico PRE v2: Flagship Preamplifier with Expanded Functionality and a Modernized Look
The $7,499 USD Unico PRE v2 is the new flagship preamplifier in the Unison Research Unico series. Introduced alongside the Unico DM v2 power amplifier, it reflects the same shift toward a more contemporary design language while retaining the hybrid valve/solid-state approach that defines the Unico range. Rather than a cosmetic refresh, the PRE v2 represents a full redesign intended to improve usability, system flexibility, and overall consistency with modern audio systems.
Visually, the Unico PRE v2 follows the same restrained, more architectural styling as the DM v2. The front panel is machined from a 15-mm-thick solid aluminum block, giving the unit a solid, precisely finished appearance. Midnight Black and Velvet Gold finishes highlight the cleaner lines and tighter detailing, while the 2-mm aluminum top coverwraps around the chassis to reinforce both rigidity and visual continuity. Wooden accents remain, but in a reduced, more symbolic role, referencing the original Unico logo rather than dominating the design. As with the DM v2, the Unison Research logo doubles as the power button, integrating branding and function in a straightforward way.
Volume control is handled by a high-quality integrated circuit using precision resistors, chosen to ensure accurate channel balance and consistent attenuation across the full range. The goal here is stability and repeatability rather than novelty, preserving signal integrity regardless of listening level.
Internally, the Unico PRE v2 has been completely reworked. The circuit remains faithful to zero global feedback and a dual-mono topology, design choices Unison Research has long associated with natural, unforced sound. The preamplifier uses a three-stage architecture, with the first stage built around a pair of ECC83 / 12AX7 Gold Lion valves operating in Class A. This stage establishes the preamp’s basic tonal character while maintaining low noise and low distortion. The following solid-state stages handle buffering and output duties, working in tandem with the valve section to maintain consistency and drive capability under a wide range of system conditions.
One of the Unico PRE v2’s strengths is its unusually broad connectivity. On the analog side, it offers three RCA line inputs, three XLR line inputs, a dedicated MM/MC phono input, and an additional Line In for system integration. Outputs include two RCA outputs for bi-amping, a balanced XLR output, an unfiltered dual subwoofer output, and Line Out connections for external processors or recording devices. A 12 V trigger output allows synchronized power control with compatible amplifiers and accessories.
Digital playback is handled by an integrated DAC based on the Sabre ES9018K2M converter. The DAC section uses a balanced output architecture designed to interface cleanly with the valve input stage, aiming for tonal consistency between digital and analog sources. Digital inputs include USB-B, two S/PDIF, and two optical Toslink connections, supporting PCM up to 384 kHz over USB, native DSD up to 256×, and DoP up to 128×, with S/PDIF and Toslink supporting resolutions up to 192 kHz.
The built-in phono stage uses passive RIAA equalization and high-precision components. It supports both MM and MC cartridges, with selectable load and gain settings accessible from the rear panel, making cartridge matching straightforward without internal adjustments.
In practical terms, the Unico PRE v2 is a fully balanced hybrid preamplifier with a solid-state output stage, moderate power consumption, and output voltage levels high enough to drive a wide range of power amplifiers without difficulty. It measures 45 × 43 × 14 cm and weighs 11 kg, placing it firmly in the full-size component category.
Overall, the Unico PRE v2 is less about spectacle and more about refinement—modernized styling, expanded connectivity, and a carefully updated circuit design intended to serve as a flexible control center for contemporary hybrid and high-power systems.
The Bottom Line
The Unico DM v2 separates itself with a high-power, dual-mono hybrid architecture and Unison Research’s new A.S.H.A. Class A-AB output stage, designed for real loudspeaker control rather than headline specs. The Unico PRE v2complements it as a fully balanced control center with a tube-based input stage, broad analog and digital connectivity, and a genuinely useful MM/MC phono stage with selectable load and gain. There’s no internal streamer and no Bluetooth, which feels deliberate—hinting that dedicated digital sources may not be far behind.
At $18,498 USD for the preamp and power amplifier alone—before speakers, sources, and cabling—this is a serious investment. Fidelity Imports represents a wide range of appropriately priced loudspeakers that would make sense with this combination. The takeaway is simple: new look, significantly more power, and pricing that reflects Unison Research’s move further upmarket.
For more information: unisonresearch.com/type/unico/