Today I set up what I'm calling my interim system, and it's an unlikely one. As you can see from above, I have the new Simply Italy integrated amplifier in from Unison Research, and I have it hooked up to my Trenner & Friedl ART Monitors. The problem here is that the Simply Italy is relatively low-powered tube amplifier--12 watts per channel--and the ARTs are fairly inefficient speakers at 85 dB. (They do have an 8 ohm impedance, however, which is the only reason why I would try such a match.)
The Simply Italy is going to be one hot little amp, and the Unison factory is already working overtime to fill orders. I got ten of them in today and five went right back out the door to waiting customers. But many of those customers had questions about whether or not this amp could power their speakers. Almost every speaker mentioned was far more efficient than the ARTs. Yet this system here is making music, beautiful music. I started off with "Rise" from the Flobots' Fight with Tools just to see if the Simply Italy and the ARTs could make that gorgeous bass guitar sing, and the answer is an absolute yes.
I'm not going to rock out to Tool or System of a Down with this set-up, but the deep bass is solid and the soundstage is hefty and organic. I'm probably going to swap out the ARTs in the next day or so with the far more efficient and far more sizeable Opera Grand Callas, and we'll see what the Simply Italy can really do. But for now I'm pretty pleased with the overall sound of this match-up.
When I was into low-powered SET amps (remember that I used a two watt per channel Yamamoto Sound Craft A-08 for a few years), speaker matching was always a question. With two watts per channel, you'd better stick with speakers with efficiencies greater than 96 or 97 dB. I used 101 dB Zu Audio Druids with the A-08 and was very happy for some time. But by the time you get to 10 or 15 watts per channel, you can be surprised what actually works. As long as your room is on the small side (mine is) and you aren't cranking it to 11 (I usually don't) and you aren't using Magnepans, ATCs, Apogees or other hard-to-drive speakers, anything goes.
Thanks Marc for the review. I'm considering between the Simply Italy and S6. Just wondering what are their differences in terms of vocal presentation. My CD collections is 80% jazz vocals, so the human voice expression is most important to me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTheir tonal quality is almost identical, with the S6 ultimately more dynamic and possessing deeper bass. The circuits are very similar, it's all about 12wpc vs. 35wpc. So it will mostly depend on your speakers.
DeleteThank you for the review. Have you tried Simply Italy with the Grand Callas ? I'm considering Grand Callas and would like to explore the best options from Unison Research. All the best !
ReplyDeleteThe Simply Italy is an excellent match with every current model in the Opera line-up except for the Callas monitor. All the other Operas are 89dB, 4 ohm speakers but the Callas monitor is just 86 dB. The first time I ever listened to the Simply Italy was with the Grand Callas, and it was a perfect match.
ReplyDeleteAmazing little amp. I paired it to a couple of Cabasse Altura Riva (92dB and 8 ohm), and the match was excellent. The soundstage and detail is much higher than with my previous amp, an -otherwise very good- Audio Analogue Puccini Settanta. For a medium size room, it delivers more than enough power -I've never turned the volume any higher of 30%.
ReplyDeleteHi Marc,
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of Opera Grand Mezza speakers with the Simply Italy. Do you think this match is underpowered for the speakers? Any recommended speakers? I like harbeth but maybe not the best synergy. Cheers for Canada. Joel
The Simply Italy and the Grand Mezza are fine together. The new Opera Prima is more sensitive (91 dB) and is probably a little more optimal.
DeleteCheers. Thanks. I'll keep my eyes open for a used set of prima
DeleteConsidering it's a brand new model, I think you'll be looking for a while.
DeleteYeah. Likely so. Grand Mezza will have to hold me for a bit. Any experience with Harbeth and the Simply Italy?
ReplyDelete