Unison Research Simply Italy

Unison Research ‘s Simply Italy is a “simple” amplifier. Because it has only one final tube per channel, an EL34, it then has “simple” if refined circuitry, and it is a beautiful object, if again “simple” in its lines. Many times “simple,” not to minimize Simply Italy, far from it, but, rather, to celebrate its uniqueness. And it is also a courageous amplifier, because it fearlessly faces the great competition from the East, which offers so many alternatives, often more powerful or seemingly more bodied. Nobsound, Dayton, Yaquin, just to name a few.

Made in Italy, inside and out

In addition to sonic excellence, Simply Italy brings with it a strong appeal to the Italian aesthetic tradition. The wood-finished front panel and elegant hand controls evoke the classic design of vintage hi-fi amplifiers, interpreted with contemporary taste. This combination of form and function underscores the product’s strong sense of territorial identity: an object not only to be listened to, but also to be admired, something we had also appreciated with the S6 Black Edition and the Simply 845, after all. The decision to make the project entirely in Italy-from the concept phase to production-is a key element in Simply Italy’s positioning in the market, where craftsmanship and performance are two essential pillars. Let’s take a step back. Unison is a company born out of passion, not business, from the genius of Giovanni Nasta, a great visionary who had the courage to invest at a time, far in the past, when the Hi-Fi of the good living rooms was not made in Italy but rather overseas. The tricolor manufacturers were few and all passionate. Now Unison is captained by the same lineage, Bartolomeo Nasta, son of the late Giovanni, and animated at least by the same passion and equal competence, one of those few cases in which the son does “at least” as much as the father. Simply Italy was born in its primitive version in 2012, and was very similar to what it is now and is based on the design philosophy of the Simply Two it replaces: both ultralinear Class A tubes, with power of about 12 W per channel, EL34 output and ECC82 preamplifier. Revamped design, and many updated technical details (such as output impedance suitable for a wider range of speakers). Simply Italy uses a power supply configuration called “Quasi Dual-Mono” that improves separation between channels and many other design attentions. There is also a Black Edition version of the Simply Italy, which implements electronic tube bias and an internal DAC equipped with SPDIF and Toslink inputs as well as USB. The idea behind it is simple and ambitious: to offer a warm, natural and exciting listening experience without sacrificing the practicality of an integrated amplifier. In an age of increasingly digital products, Simply Italy proposes a return to the roots, where it is only sound that is the absolute protagonist.

A classic heart with a contemporary soul

Despite the relatively low power compared to the standards of modern solid-state amplifiers, the tube architecture allows an extremely rich interpretation of microdetails, with a warm and engaging timbre. The possibility of selecting two levels of negative feedback is interesting, allowing two very different interpretations of the musical message, although the perceptible differences also depend on the speaker being used. The manual does not favor one position or the other, and we too think it is purely a matter of taste. From the aesthetic point of view, the shape is that of the classic tube with exposed tubes, with a beautiful grille supplied that probably few will use, enriched by two reflective elements that start from the preamp tubes and accompany the EL34s and that besides having a technical function (reflecting heat) embellish and slender a lot the lines of Simply Italy. On the front panel a few things, volume, inputs and power switch; below the latter a porthole concealing the power LED and IR sensor. The front panel can be had in black or cherry. In the former case, the one in our test, the knobs and switch coaxially have a wood insert; in the other case the front is cherry with black trim. There are 5 inputs, including a USB if the machine is equipped with the DAC not supplied, to cover most needs. The remote control, however, acts only on the volume, although it is that of all Unison devices, and thus has many function buttons in this case completely unused.

A very simple circuit

Circuit-wise, the Simply Italy uses a single-ended class A configuration with the final tube conducting current throughout the signal cycle, without alternation as in push-pull stages. The anode current thus remains present at all times, and the musical signal modulates the voltage at the valve ends. This mode of operation eliminates the crossover distortion typical of class AB amplifiers and contributes to reproduction perceived as smoother and more continuous, albeit at the cost of rather low energy efficiency and limited available power. The input and drive stage is connected directly to the EL34 grid via JPX Supreme coupling capacitors. A central element of the entire design is the output transformer. Valves work with very high impedances, on the order of several kΩ, while speakers have, as we know, much lower impedances, typically between four and eight ohms. The transformer then performs the function of matching these two impedances and efficiently transferring energy from the anode circuit of the valve to the load represented by the speaker by preventing the DC component present in the valve circuit from reaching the speaker. The construction quality of the transformer directly affects the frequency response of the amplifier, the ability to reproduce low frequencies without saturating the magnetic core, and the overall distortion of the system. In the Simply Italy design, however, the overall feedback -adjustable to two values- is kept relatively low. This means that a smaller part of the output signal is returned to the input to correct the distortion. From a measurement point of view, this results in higher harmonic distortion values than strongly counterreacted amplifiers, but the type of distortion produced is dominated by even harmonics, particularly the second harmonic, which tends to be less annoying to listen to and is often perceived as more natural and musical. The relatively low power of the amplifier also implies some sensitivity to the type of speakers connected. With easy loads and high-efficiency speakers, the circuit works in optimal conditions and can express all available dynamics. With inefficient speakers or speakers with widely varying impedance, the required current may become higher and the output transformer may find itself working close to its limits, resulting in a reduction in perceived dynamics. Overall, the Simply Italy represents a rather pure example of a modern single-ended tube amplifier. The circuit is relatively simple, with few stages and a short signal path, and relies heavily on the quality of passive components and transformers rather than complex circuit solutions. This type of design emphasizes tonal coherence and microdynamics more than power or measured distortion values

Listening and conclusions

Listening to the Simply Italy is characterized from the very first minutes by a very natural and smooth reproduction of music. The amplifier gives back a warm but not overly colored sound, with a rich harmonic texture that brings out the typical imprint of single-ended tube amplifications. The midrange emerges excitingly: voices are dense, present in space, and with a good sense of texture. Singers and acoustic instruments are reproduced with a credible timbre and a remarkable ability to render the subtlest dynamic nuances. The soundstage tends to develop with good depth and stable placement of the sound sources between the speakers. Rather than aiming for spectacular lateral width, the amplifier favors a coherent, three-dimensional representation of space, with an arrangement of instruments that appears natural and well-layered. Microdynamics is one of the most convincing aspects: small changes in intensity, breathings of singers and variations in the attack of instruments are reproduced with great sensitivity, contributing to a very engaging listening experience. The high range is smooth and refined, devoid of aggression and with a velvety character that favors long listening sessions without fatigue. Details are present but not artificially highlighted; rather they emerge gradually within the musical fabric. Drum cymbals, guitar harmonics and ambient reverberations are well integrated into the overall context without taking on an edgy character. The bass range does not aim for quantity or physical impact typical of more powerful amplifications, but favors control and articulation. With adequately efficient speakers, the bass appears defined and readable, with good distinction of double bass or electric bass lines. In more complex orchestral passages or in musical genres that require a lot of low-frequency energy, the limit of the available power is perceived, but the behavior always remains composed and musical. Overall, the Simply Italy offers a very coherent and refined listening experience, capable of enhancing especially acoustic music, jazz, small ensembles and vocal recordings. The overall feeling is that of an amplifier that favors timbral realism and naturalness of presentation over impact or showiness, offering an intimate and engaging listening experience that clearly reflects the tradition of quality tube amplification. In short, within the limits of about 12W of power per channel, this Simply Italy is a stupendous amplifier that can win over virtually any enthusiast.

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