SET Asylum: REVIEW: Unison Research Smart 845 Amplifier (Tube) by smart845

Forget Cary 805C's, forget 300B's of any description, here's the real deal.
Unison Research Smart 845SE's are killer amps but require a little coaxing to get the best out of them (isn't that always the case). If you have a pair, here's what to do or at least what I did. If you haven't then go and buy a pair. At the moment you can get them for about £1800 second hand.

Firstly make sure the power supply is as pure as can be. I use RATA high current cable from the cicuit breaker box to a RATA distribution box. Kimber power chords on all units and the new RATA super purifier (a must have). Signal tubes (ecc82/83's) were replaced with groove tubes, rectifier replaced with Mullard and 845's fixed with cork around their bases to prevent vibration. Everything cleaned with Kontak and supported on vibration proof stands and v-damp isolation feet. (dont forget to remove the feet off the pre and power amps)

Source is Meridian 508 24 bit and speakers are horn loaded Impulse Lali, probably the best bargain speaker ever produced better than Audio Physic virgo but no longer produced. All cables are solid silver unbranded comparable to argento silver cables. I wish I could afford Kimber select!

How can I describe the sound, not one of my strong points, but to tell you that imaging, depth, width and height of the soundstage are incredible. The noisefloor is below the ambient room noise due to the Super Purifier. Bass is down to about 30HZ and the treble has sparkling extension. Mid and upper mid-band is as pure and uncoloured as any electrostatic but what I thrill to is the phenomenal PRESENCE of the vocalist or group. Artists are not just voices but bodies too. To hear Sarah Vaughan sing in the flesh in the room is emotional to say the least. The system loves JVCXRCD's and Chesky discs like no other, revealing all the acoustic of a performance and somehow integrating the performance as a whole and not just performers in different places. I find this hard to describe but know it when I hear it.

Give them a try, you'll never want a 300B again.

REVIEW: Unison Research Smart 845 Amplifier (Tube) Review by smart845 at Audio Asylum