UNISON RESEARCH Smart 845 Monos

[Track2Side1]

My first thread … just after a few opinions.
Has anyone noticed the UR S845s on eBay? Do they seem overpriced?
I’m looking for some tubes to make my Living Voice IBX RW4s sing. Opinions?
Also, what’s the general consensus on using the AuralicVega G2’s passive volume control as a pre with high end tube amps?

 

[George 47]

The guy is genuine and you could always go see and hear them in Alton. Appreciate Manchester is a fair way but it would be worth it. A little confusing in that the ad says £4,500 per unit. Is that a pair or each monoblock? A pair it is a good price, at £9K...not really.

 

[hearhere]

I'd suggest that's a crazy price for these (let's face it) ancient amps.

I love them but only because of their looks. I bought a pair 15 or so years ago but didn't keep them as they disappointed sound-wise. I then used an Art Audio Carissa (845-based SET) and later Consonance Cyber 845 SET monos that I sold quite recently. Both offered appreciably better sound than the UR.

Take a look at the "Sold / Expired" listings at HiFiShark and you'll see that about £1800 per pair seems more like it.

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

My first thread … just after a few opinions.
Has anyone noticed the UR S845s on eBay? Do they seem overpriced?
I’m looking for some tubes to make my Living Voice IBX RW4s sing. Opinions?
Also, what’s the general consensus on using the AuralicVega G2’s passive volume control as a pre with high end tube amps?

If you just want to try tubes, go to a dealer or I can pop over sometime with a Graaf GM20 OTL.

 

[montesquieu]

I had the Unison Research S8 which is an 845 integrated. It was one of the worst amps I've ever owned in my life. At this price - actually, even at less than half the price listed - you'd need your head examined.

Graaf GM20 OTL a much better bet.

 

[rabski]

845s and Living Voice are a superb combination. But... not all 845 amps are equal. Like most big triodes, 845s have specific requirements to sound as they should. For a start, they need a very large voltage swing from the driver section. The UR appears to use a 12AX7 and 12AU7 and with respect, there is no way on earth that's going to drive an 845 properly.

I normally like UR stuff, but these are an exception to that. Fundamentally bad design basically.

 

[Lurch]

If its 845s your after, I have a pair of Signature Edition Icon Audio MB845 here doing nothing and at 2/3 of what the URs are up for. Stonking amps and 90wpc. Only reason I'm not using them is they're not ideal for my Martin Logans as they're a difficult load (drop below 1 Ohm) otherwise I wouldn't be thinking about moving them on.

 

[Track2Side1]

845s and Living Voice are a superb combination. But... not all 845 amps are equal. Like most big triodes, 845s have specific requirements to sound as they should. For a start, they need a very large voltage swing from the driver section. The UR appears to use a 12AX7 and 12AU7 and with respect, there is no way on earth that's going to drive an 845 properly.

I normally like UR stuff, but these are an exception to that. Fundamentally bad design basically.

Thanks so much for the advice. I got carried away by their looks. Now looking elsewhere.

 

[Track2Side1]

If its 845s your after, I have a pair of Signature Edition Icon Audio MB845 here doing nothing and at 2/3 of what the URs are up for. Stonking amps and 90wpc. Only reason I'm not using them is they're not ideal for my Martin Logans as they're a difficult load (drop below 1 Ohm) otherwise I wouldn't be thinking about moving them on.

I’ve considered the Icons a few times. I like the fact they’re less than 100 miles away.
So are yours the early model without the dials on the front?

 

[Track2Side1]

I had the Unison Research S8 which is an 845 integrated. It was one of the worst amps I've ever owned in my life. At this price - actually, even at less than half the price listed - you'd need your head examined.

Graaf GM20 OTL a much better bet.

Thanks for the warning … UR interest abandoned. I was

I'd suggest that's a crazy price for these (let's face it) ancient amps.

I love them but only because of their looks. I bought a pair 15 or so years ago but didn't keep them as they disappointed sound-wise. I then used an Art Audio Carissa (845-based SET) and later Consonance Cyber 845 SET monos that I sold quite recently. Both offered appreciably better sound than the UR.

Take a look at the "Sold / Expired" listings at HiFiShark and you'll see that about £1800 per pair seems more like it.

thanks for the warning … everybody seems to being saying the same thing.
Pity because they look great.

 

[Track2Side1]

If you just want to try tubes, go to a dealer or I can pop over sometime with a Graaf GM20 OTL.

I’ve never considered a Graaf. I’ll do some research this evening.
Are you selling one?

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

I’ve never considered a Graaf. I’ll do some research this evening.
Are you selling one?

I could do.

 

[Track2Side1]

I had the Unison Research S8 which is an 845 integrated. It was one of the worst amps I've ever owned in my life. At this price - actually, even at less than half the price listed - you'd need your head examined.

Graaf GM20 OTL a much better bet.

Thanks for the straight talking advice. Sounds like a bullet well dodged.
And another Graaf fan. I’m going to look into them this evening.

 

[Track2Side1]

I'd suggest that's a crazy price for these (let's face it) ancient amps.

I love them but only because of their looks. I bought a pair 15 or so years ago but didn't keep them as they disappointed sound-wise. I then used an Art Audio Carissa (845-based SET) and later Consonance Cyber 845 SET monos that I sold quite recently. Both offered appreciably better sound than the UR.

Take a look at the "Sold / Expired" listings at HiFiShark and you'll see that about £1800 per pair seems more like it.

Thanks for the advice. 100% thumbs down so far.
Art Audio are definitely on my list.

 

[Lurch]

I’ve considered the Icons a few times. I like the fact they’re less than 100 miles away.
So are yours the early model without the dials on the front?

Yes, they're the mk1 with no dials and all black body, the same as the 2 pairs currently on eBay.

 

[hearhere]

Thanks for the straight talking advice. Sounds like a bullet well dodged.
And another Graaf fan. I’m going to look into them this evening.

I had a Graaf GM20 for a while. I liked its sound very much but my particular one had anannoying buzzing from its mains transformer. It had to go. I'd suggest you check out anty Graaf you are considering and listen out for mechanical noise - not noise through the speakers!

Peter

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

I had a Graaf GM20 for a while. I liked its sound very much but my particular one had anannoying buzzing from its mains transformer. It had to go. I'd suggest you check out anty Graaf you are considering and listen out for mechanical noise - not noise through the speakers!

Peter

Annoying mechanical buzzes are usually DC on your mains, some kit doesn't like it.

I have had 3 Graaf bits, none buzzed.

 

[hearhere]

Annoying mechanical buzzes are usually DC on your mains, some kit doesn't like it.

I have had 3 Graaf bits, none buzzed.

My mains is definitely AC - as is every house in the country connected to the Grid! I suspect the buzzing was more related to Alternating Current passing through a poorly wound (or bound) mains transformer.

However, I was probably just unlicky with mine. Had it been new, it'd have gone straight back to the dealer and hopefully to Graaf for replacement of the noisy culprit. Peter

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

My mains is definitely AC - as is every house in the country connected to the Grid! I suspect the buzzing was more related to Alternating Current passing through a poorly wound (or bound) mains transformer.

However, I was probably just unlicky with mine. Had it been new, it'd have gone straight back to the dealer and hopefully to Graaf for replacement of the noisy culprit. Peter

Things like fridges, switch mode power supplies put DC in with the AC. I bet if you tested your house mains you would have DC in there.

 

[hearhere]

Things like fridges, switch mode power supplies put DC in with the AC. I bet if you tested your house mains you would have DC in there.

If any DC that may have found its way into my AC supply (doubtful as it was on a different ring main) and it only affected the Graaf amp, I'd point my finger towards that amp rather than the fridge! Yes, fridges occasionally cause a near-silent click through the speakers but never a continually buzzing mains transformer.