Unison Research Unico CD Uno CD Player and DAC at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The Unico CD Uno is a CD player and DAC from Unison Research (Treviso, Italy), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Sharing the same ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC and visual design language as the flagship Unico CD Due, the CD Uno offers broad digital input flexibility -- including USB up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256, Toslink, and Bluetooth BT 3.0 -- in a more focused, single-output-stage configuration. Its analog output uses one ECC82 tube in a pure Class A stage, with an optional NE5532AD solid-state buffer that bypasses the tube stage at the touch of a remote button. The CD Uno achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of 125 dB and THD+N of 0.0003% from the ES9018K2M conversion stage. A 128 x 64 white OLED display and the same wood-and-metal IR remote as the CD Due complete the matching aesthetic trio with the Unico 90 and Unico 150 amplifiers.

ESS Sabre DAC and Flexible Digital Inputs

Like the Unico CD Due, the CD Uno centers its digital conversion on the ESS Sabre ES9018K2M -- a reference-grade DAC with a measured SNR of 125 dB and THD+N of 0.0003%. Low phase-noise, high-precision crystal oscillators provide the master clock, and the jitter eliminator circuit within the ES9018K2M further reduces data-induced timing errors. The IV conversion stage uses NE5532AD op-amps -- high-performance, very low noise devices paired with Wima film capacitors and Vishay precision resistors. The USB input operates in asynchronous USB 2.0 Audio Class mode, ensuring the DAC's crystal oscillator governs the conversion timing rather than the computer's clock. DSD256 support via USB means the CD Uno accommodates the highest-resolution DSD releases currently available. The Toslink input accepts up to 96 kHz PCM and DSD64 via DoP with high-efficiency transmitters.

Single ECC82 Tube Output Stage with Solid-State Buffer Option

The CD Uno's analog output stage uses a single ECC82 (12AU7) double triode in a pure Class A configuration -- a simpler and less tube-intensive arrangement than the CD Due's four-ECC83 differential totem-pole, but one that retains the fundamental warmth and harmonic character that Unison Research considers essential in any product bearing the Unico brand name. The NE5532AD solid-state Class A buffer can be switched in by remote control to bypass the tube stage, providing a very low output impedance and a more neutral, studio-reference tonal character for listeners who prefer that alternative. A Bluetooth BT 3.0 receiver with A2DP and SPP profile support enables wireless streaming from smartphones and computers at 44.1/48 kHz with 16-bit resolution -- a convenient addition for casual listening without disrupting the primary analog connections.

Key Features

• ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC: 125 dB SNR and 0.0003% THD+N with integrated jitter elimination and low phase-noise crystal oscillator timing.
• USB up to 32-Bit / 384 kHz and DSD256: Asynchronous USB 2.0 input supporting PCM and DSD formats up to the highest currently available resolutions.
• Single ECC82 Tube Class A Output: One ECC82 double triode in pure Class A provides the analog warmth characteristic of Unison Research's tube output stage philosophy.
• NE5532AD Solid-State Buffer Option: Remote-activated bypass of the tube stage for a solid-state Class A output character.
• Bluetooth BT 3.0 with A2DP: Wireless streaming from smartphones and tablets at standard resolution.
• S/PDIF Digital Output: Coaxial RCA digital output for use as a CD transport feeding an external DAC.
• White OLED Display: 128 x 64 white OLED display matching the Unico 90 and Unico 150 amplifiers in a coordinated system aesthetic.
• Wood and Metal IR Remote: Infrared remote in the same material specification as the Unico 90 and Unico 150 amplifiers for system aesthetic consistency.

Digital Input Specifications

• USB: 32-bit, 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 / 352.8 / 384 kHz PCM; DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
• Toslink: 16-24 bit, up to 96 kHz (DSD64 DoP with high-efficiency transmitters)
• Bluetooth: BT 3.0, A2DP + SPP, 44.1 / 48 kHz, 16-bit

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Unison Research Unico CD Uno?

The Unison Research Unico CD Uno is a CD player and DAC from Treviso, Italy, using an ESS Sabre ES9018K2M conversion stage with 125 dB SNR and 0.0003% THD+N, a single ECC82 tube in a Class A output stage, USB input up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256, and Bluetooth BT 3.0. It provides an S/PDIF digital output for transport use and an optional remote-activated solid-state output buffer.

How does the CD Uno compare to the Unico CD Due?

Both the CD Uno and CD Due use the same ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC with 125 dB SNR and identical IV conversion performance. The CD Due uses four ECC83 tubes in a differential Class A totem-pole output stage, while the CD Uno uses one ECC82. The CD Due adds AES/EBU and S/PDIF coaxial digital inputs and a balanced XLR analog output absent from the CD Uno. The CD Uno's IV converter uses NE5532AD op-amps versus the CD Due's AD8597/AD8599. The CD Due is the more tube-intensive and more comprehensively connected flagship; the CD Uno is the focused, accessible partner to the Unico 90 and Unico 150 amplifiers.

What digital audio formats does the CD Uno support via USB?

The CD Uno's asynchronous USB 2.0 Audio Class input supports PCM at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, and 384 kHz at up to 32 bits, plus DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256 in native or DoP format. This encompasses all current high-resolution audio formats available from services such as Qobuz, HDtracks, NativeDSD, and downloaded SACD rips.

Where can I buy the Unison Research Unico CD Uno in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Unison Research Unico CD Uno 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 system-matching advice with the Unico 90 or Unico 150 amplifiers.