Optional USB DSD 128 DAC £310
 
Unison Research took what was learned from designing their largest amplifiers, and applied to this small yet brilliant gem.
The Simply Italy integrated amplifier builds on the legendary strengths of the Unison Research Simply Two, one of the most successful integrated amplifier designs in the world. This integrated amplifier, thanks to more efficient engineering, provides better sound quality as well as better reliability and tube life.
Because of the overwhelming success of the design, the Simply Italy shares many of the design features of the Simply Two. Both are ultra-linear, single-ended Class A designs that produce 12W per channel, and both use EL34 valves in the output stage and ECC82 valves in the pre-amp and driver stages to achieve Unison Research’s trademark imaging, clarity and musical precision. But the Simply Italy offers a wide range of new features that were designed and developed more recently.
First, the output impedance has been adjusted from 8Ω to 6Ω, making the amplifier compatible with a greater variety of loudspeakers. Also, since a true dual-mono configuration would be impractical in such a compact amplifier, Unison Research designed a new “Quasi-Dual-Mono” power supply. In this configuration, the power transformer and first filter stage of the power supply are doubled, separating all pre-amp stages to allow for lower cross-talk and low distortion.
Thanks to Unison Research’s ability to design specialised transformers in house, the Simply Italy is able to have an output stage consisting of one EL34 in a single-ended ultra-linear configuration. This mode of operation for the output transformers allows the pentode EL34s to operate almost as if they were triodes. Furthermore, an additional toggle switch allows for an adjustment of negative feedback in the circuit. This means the sound character of the amplifier can be adjusted to suit specific types of music or listening environments.