Notes to You

May 2026

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you all well!

It has been some time since I wrote about the products from Unison Research, and with their introduction of several new products, I thought it would be a good time to do so.

Unison was founded in 1987 and remains family-owned. Located in Treviso near Venice, they have grown to become one of the largest and most highly respected audio manufacturers in the world. They have worldwide distribution and, in the US, are represented by Fidelity Imports. They were first known for their tube amps but now make a well-regarded line of hybrid products. Unison also makes horn speakers under their own name and more traditional speakers under the Opera trade name.

They just introduced several new products. The Unico PRE v2 ($7499) is their new flagship preamplifier. It retains the classic Unison look, only more modern and elegant. It is a three-stage hybrid; the first stage uses 12AX7 tubes followed by two solid-state stages. It also has a phono stage and DAC, which uses the popular Sabre ES9018K2M chip.

The Unico DM v2 ($10,999) is the matching amplifier. Like the PRE, it is also hybrid and uses no global feedback. It’s a real powerhouse, rated at 220 watts into 8 ohms. It is a dual mono design, heavily biased into Class A before transitioning into AB for demanding passages. Like the PRE, it is available in both black and gold finishes.

I have yet to see or hear these amps, but that will be fixed in a few weeks when I visit the Vienna High End Show. I’ll let you know what I think, but I will say the reviews in the overseas press have been excellent.

Presently on display at Hi Notes are some more modest products from Unison: the CD Uno at $3699, the hybrid Unico at $3299, and the sleeper of the entire line, the Triode 25 at $4999.

I was speaking with the sales manager of Fidelity Imports the other day, and he was telling me that they sold over 100 units of the Unico amp last year. This is pretty remarkable, but it is easy to see why. The amp is rated at 95 watts and will drive just about anything you can imagine. When I had the great Diptyque speakers in stock, the Unico sounded great with them. This past week, I paired it with my Wolf von Langers ($37,000) for the first time, and the combination sounded great.

The Triode 25 is the only pure tube amp on display in the shop. It is pretty unique, and you can tailor the sound to your taste and requirements. It will play in triode mode at 25 watts, while in pentode mode, you get 40 watts. It uses the famous EL34 tube and is the only push-pull tube amp that Unison makes. I should add that it is a breeze to bias; just a matter of seconds. If you have ever struggled biasing a tube amp with a voltmeter, you know what a blessing this can be.

Not everyone wants a lot of boxes and cables around their house, and if this is the case with you, the CD Uno may be of interest. This CD player has given me great pleasure for the approximately two years I have had it on display. It is also a hybrid and based on the ESS ES9018K2M. There are four filters, and you can also bypass the tube circuitry if you elect to. Please do not tell anyone, but I have also been known to use its built-in Bluetooth streamer on occasion. With no internet at the lake and no streamer, I sometimes like to take advantage of the wide range of music on Tidal and Idagio.

In all my experience with Unison, I have never had any trouble with any of the products. They have a touch and feel to them that only the Italians can duplicate. Please let me know if any of this is of interest.

As far as what’s new at the shop, we took delivery of a Zero Pure DAC ($5400) from another Italian company, Canever. Like all their products, this has some of the most out-of-the-box thinking you’ll ever see in audio. I’ll not write about this now, as I expect delivery of one of their Olimpico ($18,000) amplifiers in June and will write about both at the same time. I will say initial listening sessions have been very favorable.

As I mentioned, I’ll be going to the Vienna High End Show in a few weeks. I’m departing JFK on the 26th and will first travel to Prague for a few days, a country I have always wanted to visit. From there, it will be a short train ride to Vienna for the show. Obviously, I’ll not be available for any demos from the 25th to June 6th, and my responses to your calls and emails may be delayed as well. I will try to post photos as I go on our Facebook and Instagram accounts and invite you to follow my adventures there!

As always, thank you for your support.

Happy listening,

Jim Schaeffer

April 2026

Dear Friends,

April 15 sure sneaks up on me! As I prepared Hi Notes’ accounts to hand over to our CPA, I found myself reflecting with pleasure on each transaction we made this year. I hope the components we supplied continue to bring you enjoyment. Without exception, we have been fortunate to have wonderful customers, with none of the games so often played by dealers and customers alike. Thank you.

One thing that struck me while reviewing the accounts is that, after five years in business, our sweet spot appears to be in the $3,000 to $10,000 range. I’ve sold a few components under $3,000 and only a handful above $10,000. Don’t get me wrong—I would love to sell a $50,000 amplifier—but at this point, I don’t think that’s likely. More importantly, as I’ve often said, you don’t need to purchase expensive components to achieve true musical pleasure.

I will continue to proudly represent my reference components: Bergmann turntables and arms, Cinnamon DACs, CanEVER and Thöress amplification, and Wolf von Langa speakers. I truly love all of these products. That said, I will be refocusing my demo inventory toward products in the $3,000 to $10,000 range.

In that regard, we have been doing quite well with the excellent speakers from Acoustic Energy in the U.K. Founded in 1987 by Phil Jones, a recording engineer, the company set out to create a small monitor with real dynamics—something quite different from the more subdued monitors of the time, such as the BBC LS5/3A. The result was the now-famous AE1, which sold in the thousands.

Acoustic Energy organizes its speaker lineup into tiers reflecting increasing levels of performance, materials, and design sophistication. The 100 Series sits at the entry level, focusing on affordability and compact form factors. These speakers use simpler cabinet construction and more basic drivers, yet are still tuned for a clean, balanced sound—ideal for smaller rooms, desktop setups, or casual listening.

The 300 Series represents a clear step up, with improved engineering throughout: better cabinet bracing, upgraded drivers (often aluminum), and more refined crossovers. This results in tighter bass, a clearer midrange, and more precise imaging.

At the top, the 500 Series is designed for critical listening, featuring premium materials such as constrained-layer damped cabinets and advanced driver technologies like carbon fiber cones. These speakers deliver greater detail, deeper bass, and a wider, more immersive soundstage, aimed squarely at audiophiles seeking top-tier performance.

Beyond these three series, Acoustic Energy also offers a 40th Anniversary edition of the AE1, as well as the Corinium Project. The Corinium represents the brand at its absolute pinnacle—a no-compromise, flagship design created to push Acoustic Energy into the high-end audiophile space. Developed over several years as a “clean-sheet” project, it introduces entirely new driver technology, advanced crossover design, and highly engineered cabinets to maximize rigidity and minimize resonance.

In terms of sound, the Corinium is built for scale, precision, and realism. It combines deep, tightly controlled bass with highly detailed and refined highs, along with a wide, immersive soundstage. In essence, it blends the clarity and imaging of smaller speakers with the power and extension of large floorstanders, delivering a dynamic, lifelike, and emotionally engaging listening experience.

As today is Record Store Day, I’d like to encourage vinyl enthusiasts to support their local record stores. This is a tough business with low margins, and I’m sure they would appreciate your support. While CDs remain my primary listening source, there are few things I enjoy more than pouring a nice cognac on a Saturday night and spinning a favorite record.

Here in Durham, we’re fortunate to have Carolina Soul Records, Hunky Dory Records, The Fuzzy Needle, and Bull City Records. I hope you’ll give them your support.

While on the subject of vinyl, I’m excited to share that a new turntable line will soon be coming to Hi Notes: Pear Audio from Slovenia. These tables are based on the innovative designs of the late Tom Fletcher of Nottingham Analogue. I’ll share more once my demo table arrives.

As always, thank you for your support. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Happy listening,

Jim Schaeffer

February 2026

Dear Friends,

I trust everyone had a nice holiday season and that your new year is off to a great start.

As most of you know, I rarely add or drop product lines. I’m very happy with the brands I carry and can offer products at virtually every budget level up to about $35,000, which is the upper limit I’ve established for the store. Sadly, however, I recently had to drop Cyrus. For the second time in about four years, they lost their U.S. distribution, and it’s unclear whether they will find another. This was a real shame, as I loved their products and was told that I sold more Cyrus than any dealer in the country.

So the question then became: what do I replace this with?

I’ve always been a fan of British audio. To my mind and ears, it is characterized by superb sonics, fine build quality, sensible size, and reasonable pricing. When I lived in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire many years ago, I became aware of the UK’s many fine audio brands—most of which are still with us today. Audiolab was one such brand I admired then, and I am delighted to welcome them to Hi Notes.

Audiolab was founded in 1983 by Philip Swift and Derek Scotland, who set out to deliver high-quality sound without unnecessary complexity or cost. The company quickly gained recognition with the Audiolab 8000A integrated amplifier, which became a landmark product in UK audio and established Audiolab’s reputation for clean, neutral sound and solid engineering. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, the wider 8000 Series expanded into amplifiers, CD players, and tuners, making Audiolab a staple of serious yet affordable audiophile systems.

In 1998, Audiolab was acquired by TAG McLaren and briefly operated as TAG McLaren Audio before financial difficulties led to the brand’s dormancy in the early 2000s. Audiolab was revived in 2004 by the International Audio Group (IAG), which relaunched the brand with modernized designs while preserving its original ethos. Since then, Audiolab has produced successful ranges such as the 6000, 7000, and 9000 Series, earning numerous awards and maintaining its reputation for transparent, well-engineered sound at realistic prices.

To help me get off on the right foot with Audiolab, the importers have offered some very attractive pricing on their entry-level 6000 Series. For example, a bundle consisting of the 6000A integrated amplifier (including DAC and phono stage), the 6000CDT transport, and the 6000N streamer would normally retail for $2,600. I am able to offer this package to you for $1,999. I hope you’ll come by and have a listen.

https://www.audiolab.co.uk/

In other news, for those who have been waiting to hear the Gradient 1.4 speakers, I have good news: my next demo pair will be arriving soon. Gradient recently changed cabinet manufacturers—still made in Finland—and it took the new contractor some time to achieve the level of quality Gradient requires. https://gradient.fi/en/

Way back in my undergraduate days at North Texas State, now the University of North Texas, everyone had to take four semesters of either higher math or a hard science regardless of major. I chose four semesters of acoustics, thinking it would assist me as a music major. The math got pretty challenging, but I made it through. I’ve actually used what I learned many times over the years and particularly remember one important fact: we all perceive sound differently.

Recently, a colleague pointed me to an “influencer” (what a godawful word!) called Cheap Audio Man, who made a video I thought you might enjoy. While his delivery and presentation were off-putting—at least to me—his points are basically valid and sound. He discusses why we perceive sound differently, along with other variables in the listening process, and does so as well as anyone I’ve heard outside of academia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vggC5VsV_TI

Lastly, as I finished up the store's accounts, I’m happy to report that we had our best year yet. This was only possible because of your continued support. Thank you, as always.

Kind regards,

Jim Schaeffer

www.hinotesmusic.com

PS. We archive the previous year's newsletters each January. If you would like to see any past years' editions of Notes to You, please let us know.. info@hinotesmusic.com