Home
AudioAsylum Trader
Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

Unison Research Smart 845 Amplifier (Tube) Review by GEO


[ Audio Asylum ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ]
[ Video Asylum ] [ Films ] [ Pro Audio ] [ myAsylum ] [ Chat ] [ Reviews ] [ Inmate Systems ] [ FAQ ]
[ Search ] [ Support Our Asylum ] Forums are moderated. Here are the rules.

Model: Smart 845
Category: Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $6500
Description: 845 Single Ended Triode Mono Blocks
Manufacturer URL: Unison Research

Review by GEO on August 22, 2000 at 07:08:42
IP Address: 204.146.164.129
Add Your Review
for the Smart 845


I changed the two coupling caps in each amp to rel-cap exoticas (teflon)and after playing around with 0 negative feedback, I settled on 3 db of negative feedback to provide more control on the bottom of my Spendor SP 9/1s. The stock caps were by ICEL, which I had never heard of, and were very small. Not that this mattered but as an upgrade the company recommends changing the coupling caps so I figured that this was an area for potential improvement.

The amps have gone from very very good to superb. Better extension at both high and low ends. The leading transients are faster and come out of a blacker background. Microdynamics are greatly improved as musical artifacts such as the sound the tip of a drum stick makes when striking different parts of a cymbal is fully realized and the the weight given to different notes on the piano is more distinguishable. The subtle difference in volume is clearer. The amp have a more textured and robust sound. There is more depth to the soundstage from front to back and the sound is richer while at the same time being quicker. The sound of these amps is pure and creamy. ( I use to see others, particularly Brian F) use this term and I always laughed about it. Now I see what is meant by creamy. A very smooth and effortless sound with a great amount of warmth and body.

I can't compare these caps to other audiophile caps, but I settled on this cap after reading as much as I could and took note of the fact that the cap is supposed to be very transparent and as close to direct coupling as one could get with a capacitor. I am so satisfied with the results that I may now tweak my CD player by putting in better PSU caps among other things.


Product Weakness: The low end control is good but still not the last word in bass definition. More of a reflection of the speaker than the amp.
Product Strengths: Effortless sound. Very organic with superb tranparency and resolution. Musically involving.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: UR Smart 845
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Blue Circle BC-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable): EAD Ultradisc 2000 and NA Hyperspacedeck
Speakers: Spendor SP 9/1
Cables/Interconnects: Wireworld Silver Eclipse
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 22 x 13 x 8
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Audio Prism Foundation One
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner


Follow Ups: