Blackmore Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Last Tuesday DHL came to my door with heavy package, so, after two weeks waiting glad I was... I had day off from work, but was to busy with my son to set it up directly, however open up anyway to make first check. It was very interesting for my boy as well, cos he loves all that buttons. First impression wasnt shocking, cos I have seen this mashine in real life before, but getting one myself still exciting after all. Build quality is good, nothing fancy, just simply good. Metal case, massive metal front panel and some useful stuff on it, like display and buttons...:)Display light is not irritating at all, mild green color with quite huge indication of what happening, so you can see it from distance, nice... Setting up the first time and preparing for quick comparison with NAD C542 taking some time, but after that just pushing all buttons one by one and grrr... I am not ready yet to write the fully impressions, but from the first second I understood, there is no real comparison need it, NAD can be packed in, which is done now, and my listening expiriance will continue between me an my new set up, only. But for now here are some pics... The first thing you see on display is VALVE WARM UP and the clock starting from 30 second counting down, so, after that ready for use... More front with some friends... Here another one Back Right side, ON en OFF Lets see what inside... Tubes baby, tubes... Side shot... Thats where transport sitting on... Looks like I bought an computer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreadhead Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Congrats looks like fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torpedo Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Congrats mate. Any first impressions about sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmore Posted January 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 The first thing hits is the reproduction of piano, simply amazing. The overall impressions are very good, need more time to appreciate the sound more. Yes, sounds wierd maybe, but for me its way different source than NAD C542. The whole sound picture are hell closer to you and I am not cracking the volume pot higher than 7.30-8.30, depends on record. Details and clarity are more present, still scares me, like I wrote need more time to get use to it. Those NATIONALS 5814A arent that bad at all, would be ineresting to hear the difference with coming CV4003 Mullards... Will come with more later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duggeh Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 I've never seen such an undisguised pc drive in a CDP before, molex and IDE and everything. Looks to be a more solid unit than the NAD though. You'll have to do some tube rolling too of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 It has a separate tube warm-up phase controlled digitally? That's pretty effin' cool, right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 that drive is as good as any other non-purpose built audio CD drive, no need to disguise it, in my opinion. It will also be a lot easier to replace then that DVS crap Meridian and everybody else is using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingwe Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 I've never seen such an undisguised pc drive in a CDP before, molex and IDE and everything. <snip/> Ayre does this too--they write their own firmware for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkam Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 It has a separate tube warm-up phase controlled digitally? That's pretty effin' cool, right there. It probably just does what a lot of other tube gear does which is mute the outputs till the warm-up time is over. Cool yes, but not exactly something special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riceboy Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Really nice source. Congrats and keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augsburger Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Very nice, keep us posted with impressions. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Congrats on the new source! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 It probably just does what a lot of other tube gear does which is mute the outputs till the warm-up time is over. Cool yes, but not exactly something special.Okay, Mr. Wet Towel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asr Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Nice-looking CDP on the inside, except for that small power transformer. Kinda interesting to see the same transport as my CDP too. Are there also 4 DACs in there, as in 2 per channel? Kinda hard to tell from the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swt61 Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 I've never seen such an undisguised pc drive in a CDP before, molex and IDE and everything. Looks to be a more solid unit than the NAD though. You'll have to do some tube rolling too of course that drive is as good as any other non-purpose built audio CD drive, no need to disguise it, in my opinion. It will also be one of the easiest swap outs, should it ever need to be replaced. Very nice rig you have there now Blackmore! Enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomana Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Congrats, Blackmore! I'm curious what you chose for your first listening session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmore Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Not sure if there are 4 DAC's, how can I see it? From their catalog isnt that clear as well http://www.unisonresearch.com/docs/cat_unico.pdf This is the another link where you can read some of it Unico CD My player is from earlier production, which were using ASUS drive, but now they use one from TEAC. I did ask them about the reason of change and possible replacement, but didnt get any answer yet, maybe later... Nice-looking CDP on the inside, except for that small power transformer. Kinda interesting to see the same transport as my CDP too. Are there also 4 DACs in there, as in 2 per channel? Kinda hard to tell from the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmore Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 THX! I chose this trio, their CD "Frost" Joona Toivanen trio - The Music - Frost Then I put some Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Diana Krall and some LOUNGE/AMBIENT from Buddha Bar. I am going to select some CD's for my impressions, need to wait for 2 new CD's from E.S.T. Esbj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purk Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Nice looking CD player! Nice Ear HP4 though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarium Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Not sure if there are 4 DAC's, how can I see it? From their catalog isnt that clear as well http://www.unisonresearch.com/docs/cat_unico.pdf This is the another link where you can read some of it Unico CD My player is from earlier production, which were using ASUS drive, but now they use one from TEAC. I did ask them about the reason of change and possible replacement, but didnt get any answer yet, maybe later... Mmmm teac transport units. I'm somewhat of a fan myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 It looks spiffy, congrats on the newest member of the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmore Posted February 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 Thanks, matches quite good with the rest as well. Nice looking CD player! Nice Ear HP4 though!! Yeah, just still wonder what differences are there. Have got an answer from Unison and if I want to change to TEAC, there are some mods need it first, but I am totally fine with ASUS so far, however both of them are not without flaws... Mmmm teac transport units. I'm somewhat of a fan myself Thanks, looks nice indeed, but sounds very good, especially after I changed NATIONALS to the new TUNG SOL tubes. It looks spiffy, congrats on the newest member of the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmore Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Seems not, here is the anwer from Unison Research tech dep in UnicoCD we use a single stereo DAC with balanced outputs, the balanced signal goes to a hibrid (tube + BJT) differential stage that drives both XLR and RCA output. Nice-looking CDP on the inside, except for that small power transformer. Kinda interesting to see the same transport as my CDP too. Are there also 4 DACs in there, as in 2 per channel? Kinda hard to tell from the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manaox2 Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 It looks really great all around, congrats! OT: I heard mention of Ayre's custom firmware for standard purpose cd drive, now I immediately want to study it. Something like that seems like it might give some great tips for someone making a homemade transport using a DIY cdrom controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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