Unison Research SIMPLY ITALY Class A Integrated Stereo Tube Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The SIMPLY ITALY is a Class A single-ended ultra-linear integrated valve amplifier from Unison Research (Treviso, Italy), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. The SIMPLY ITALY received a What Hi-Fi? review that concluded it is "well built, solidly engineered and sounds great" -- one of the publication's most unequivocal endorsements. Designed to honor the 150th anniversary of Italian national unification, it uses two EL34 output tubes with two ECC82 preamplifier tubes in a self-biasing single-ended Class A circuit, producing approximately 12 watts per channel at a 6-ohm output impedance. Selectable negative feedback of 5 dB or 1.8 dB is controlled by a front-panel switch, and the steel and hardwood chassis combination serves the dual purposes of electromagnetic shielding and mechanical vibration damping.

Steel, Wood, and Vibration Control

The SIMPLY ITALY's chassis construction merges a metal body with hardwood front panel trim -- a combination Unison Research has employed across its integrated amplifier range since the early 2000s. The steel outer chassis provides shielding against electromagnetic interference from external sources as well as from the power transformer and output stage operating inside the same enclosure. The hardwood trim adds a significant degree of mechanical damping: wood's internal grain structure dissipates chassis resonances at frequencies that would otherwise be transmitted to the audio circuit boards via the chassis itself. Metal-covered transformers at the rear and front-facing EL34 tubes with protective cages complete the visual and functional layout. At 15 kilograms for a compact amplifier of 26 x 35 x 19 cm dimensions, the SIMPLY ITALY's mass reflects the quality of its transformer and chassis construction.

Self-Biasing EL34 Output Stage and Selectable Feedback

The SIMPLY ITALY's EL34 output stage uses cathode self-biasing -- a technique in which the operating point of each EL34 is automatically maintained by a cathode resistor rather than an externally applied fixed voltage. This eliminates the need for periodic bias adjustment by the user, making the amplifier straightforward to own and operate. The selectable feedback control -- switching between 5 dB and 1.8 dB -- allows meaningful adjustment of the amplifier's perceived sonic character: 5 dB feedback provides tighter bass control and a slightly more neutral tonal balance, while 1.8 dB feedback allows the EL34's natural harmonic richness to express itself more fully in the midrange and treble. The preamplifier uses two ECC82 (12AU7) dual triodes in a Class A stage fed by a stabilized power supply designed to reject mains-borne noise.

Key Features

• What Hi-Fi? Critical Acclaim: Reviewed and praised by What Hi-Fi? as well built, solidly engineered, and sounding great -- an outstanding value for a valve amplifier at this level.
• 12 W/Channel Single-Ended Class A: Two EL34 output tubes in a self-biasing single-ended ultra-linear Class A configuration deliver 12 watts per channel of pure Class A power.
• Selectable Feedback (5 dB / 1.8 dB): Front-panel switch allows the user to adjust the amplifier's damping and tonal character between two feedback levels during listening.
• Steel and Hardwood Chassis: Combined electromagnetic shielding (steel) and mechanical vibration damping (hardwood) in a single compact chassis design.
• Self-Biasing Output Stage: Cathode self-biasing eliminates the need for periodic bias adjustment, simplifying ownership and maintenance.
• Italian Design Heritage: Named for the 150th anniversary of Italian national unification, designed by Professor Giovanni Maria Sacchetti in Treviso, Italy.
• Compact and Substantial: At 26 x 35 x 19 cm and 15 kg, the SIMPLY ITALY is compact in footprint but dense in construction quality.

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• What Hi-Fi? -- Review: "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Unison Research SIMPLY ITALY?

The Unison Research SIMPLY ITALY is a Class A single-ended ultra-linear integrated valve amplifier from Treviso, Italy, producing approximately 12 watts per channel through two EL34 output tubes and two ECC82 preamplifier tubes. It features selectable feedback of 5 dB or 1.8 dB, a combined steel and hardwood chassis, and self-biasing output stage design. It was reviewed favorably by What Hi-Fi? magazine.

How does the SIMPLY ITALY compare to the Unison Research TRIODE 25?

The SIMPLY ITALY uses two EL34 tubes in a single-ended Class A output stage producing 12 watts per channel, with no built-in DAC and a simpler two-tube output complement. The TRIODE 25 uses four EL34 tubes in a push-pull Class-AB ultralinear output stage producing up to 45 watts per channel in pentode mode, with a built-in 32-bit/DSD128 USB DAC and switchable triode/pentode modes. The SIMPLY ITALY is the purer, lower-powered single-ended design for high-sensitivity loudspeaker systems and listeners prioritizing Class A harmonic character; the TRIODE 25 is the higher-powered push-pull option with digital connectivity for computer audio users.

What does selectable feedback mean on the SIMPLY ITALY?

Negative feedback in a valve amplifier is a technique that feeds a portion of the output signal back to an earlier stage 180 degrees out of phase, reducing distortion and widening frequency response but also slightly reducing the harmonic richness of the output stage's natural character. The SIMPLY ITALY's front-panel switch allows the user to select 5 dB of negative feedback -- for tighter bass and more neutral tonality -- or 1.8 dB of feedback, which allows the EL34's natural harmonic warmth to emerge more prominently. The difference is audible and meaningful: many users prefer 1.8 dB for vocals and acoustic music, and 5 dB for orchestral or rhythmic material.

Where can I buy the Unison Research SIMPLY ITALY in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Unison Research SIMPLY ITALY is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Unison Research dealer serving western New York and the United States. Contact the Vinyl Sound team for current availability and to arrange a listening demonstration.