Unsupported Browser
The web browser that you are currently using is no longer supported, and as such features of this website may not work as expected. We advise you to update to a currently supported browser (such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) to improve your security, speed, and overall experience.
Union Research's Simply Italy offers a wide range of features, old and new which allows its owner to tailor the sound for their specific music taste. This small integrated valve amplifier is not only classically styled, but has been developed with musical clarity and precision at the forefront of its production.
Product Ref: 201485
If you want a taste of the valve sound at a relatively sensible price, we can think of no finer option than this Unison Research. It’s well built, solidly engineered and sounds great.
When Unison Research decided to introduce a new, small integrated valve amplifier to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italy, they used the Simply Two as their inspiration—and named it the Simply Italy. The Simply Italy shares many of the design features of the Simply Two. Both are single-ended ultralinear Class A designs that produce 12 watts per channel. Both use EL34 valves in the output stage and ECC82 valves in the preamp and driver stages to achieve their trademark wide imaging, clarity and musical precision.
But the Simply Italy offers a wide range of new features that were designed and developed in Union Research's own facilities. First, they have adjusted the output impedance from 8 ohms to 6 ohms to make the Simply Italy compatible with a greater range of loudspeakers—specifically those of the 4 ohm and 8 ohm variety. The Simply Italy has a single-ended ultralinear Class A design that outputs 12 watts per channel. It utilizes EL34 tubes in the output stage and ECC82 tubes in the preamp and driver stages. Since a true dual-mono configuration would be impractical in such a compact amplifier, they designed a power supply which might be called “Quasi-Dual-Mono.” In this configuration, the power transformer and first filter stage the power supply are doubled, separating all preamp stages to the benefit of low crosstalk and low distortion.
Very few manufacturers in the world can boast of being able to produce high-quality transformers in-house. Thanks in large measure to these particular transformers it has been possible to create an output stage for Simply Italy consisting of one EL34 in a single-ended ultralinear configuration. This mode of operation for the output transformers allows the pentode EL34s to operate almost as if they were triodes. Unison Research have also added a unique feature that allows the user, through a simply toggle switch on the top of the chassis, to adjust the amount of negative feedback in the circuit. This allows the owner of the Simply Italy to tailor the sound for specific types of music, or even specific tastes of the listener.
The appearance of the Simply Italy is surprisingly smooth with its wood accents enhancing the front panel for a more streamlined look. Contrasting circular inserts also made of wood, provide a distinctive and attractive look for the controls.The wooden parts are important for the aesthetic design but also play an important role in damping chassis resonances. Two satin stainless-steel bands beneath the valves add a touch of refinement, and also assist the thermic isolation of the electronic circuit and output transformers. This provides a clear benefit to both sound quality and the overall reliability of the amplifier.
Simply Italy is supplied with a classically styled remote which is just as attractive looking as the amplifier itself. It sports a wooden body and steel face and is quite comfortable to hold. This remote works with other Unison Research components such as CD players and tuners and hence its face is filled with over 30 tiny buttons.
When it comes to designing high-quality integrated amplifiers—from the legendary Absolute 845 to the new Simply Italy—Unison Research is well-known for creating pieces that ultimately become classics that are highly valued among music lovers. The Simply Italy will undoubtedly become such a classic.
Type | Stereo Integrated Valve Amplifier |
---|---|
Output stage | Single-ended, ultralinear, Class-A |
Output power | Approx. 12 watts per channel |
Output impedance | 6 Ohm |
Input impedance | 47kohm / 50 pF |
Negative feedback | 5 dB or 1.8 dB |
Valve complement | 2 x ECC82 (12AU7), 2 x EL34 (6CA7) |
Power consumption | 85 watt |
Fuses | T2A from 100V to 130V, T1A from 220V to 240V |
Dimensions HXWXD | 190 x 260 x 350 mm |
Weight | 15kg |