Unison Research Factory Tour, Part III.

In this final installation of our Unison Research factory tour, we check out the QC and R&D areas within the building. We also take a detour to see where some sub assembly work, where special care and attention is required.

A worker takes a product off the assembly for QC testing.

However, we now take a detour to see where certain parts and sub assemblies that require that bit of extra special attention. like this batch of tubes, which are graded to match the circuit characteristics of the model of intended insertion.

A box of tubes awaiting grading.

Pair matching is crucial for L/R chanel balance.

So are certain parts along the sensitive pre-amp circuit section, where chanel matching is just as important. Otherwise, the power amp section would amplify an imbalanced stereo signal.

Another area that require special care is the volume pot assembly(a.k.a. step attenuator), again the chanel matching element is crucial here.

Not only chanel matching, but feel of the potentiometer is just as important. Not many audio companies build this part in house, due to the tedious work nature and long work time involved. 

The volume knob as shown earlier is now ready for it's crowning moment.

Here! Isn't this a work of art?

Even it's matching remote is not spared of the special care and attention!

Lower end model remotes get the standard assembly line treatment.

Senor Sacchetti seen here giving his personal touch by putting this tube amp thru it's paces and setting the tube biasing prior to final packaging.



More QC test parameters.

Further fine tuning and adjustments.

From the looks of that smile, a satisfied Giovanni indeed. Time to pack this amp up for shipping.

CAD(Computer Aided Design) software is used in the development of PCB circuit boards for optimum sound quality reproduction.

A very serious Giovanni scrutinises a power supply design section on the CAD software, reducing R&D time and cost.

Giovanni measures the small parts for fitting tolerances on a PCB board in a prototype amp design under going testing.

The work of a hifi/audio engineer never ceases!

It's an interesting angle to view how a company like Unison Research, who values traditional craftsmanship, classic tube design metal and wood work, embracing new the latest technology in an attempt to create audio equipment that sounds and looks like masterpieces. To buy and own one of this finely crafted audio equipment is to make a statement of your salutation to the finer things in life!

And lifestyle is something that the Italians have in spades. A special thanks to my buddy Bartolomio for making this factory tour happen.

Unison Research Factory Tour, Part II.

We first saw Unison Research's vast parts bin and storage warehouse section. Now we proceed to the work in progress area, where all the action is, with artisans and craftsman working hand in hand to assemble electronics, tubes, wood and metal work to form the final product. It's a relative large open space, partitioned only by rack and racks of semi finished products in various stages of WIP. At first glance, the work benches look chaotic, however watching the men work shows there's order within the chaos. Now that's assembly line, Italian style for you and me! Let's get on to it.

Rows and rows of racked semi finished products acts as partition in an otherwise open working area.

More semi finished products along the work bench.

Metal casings awaiting stuffing.

The beautifully CNC machined stainless steel volume knob assembly. 



All hand assembled, that's what Unison Research is about!

These nearly finished amps awaiting their precious volume knobs that are being assembled above.

All Unison Research products are hand made, including the entry level Unico line as seen here.

Wiring the inputs and outputs.



In line and awaiting for more tubes and wood work. 

PCB stuffing all done by thru hole, no SMD here. A phono stage seen put together here.

Craftsman at work.

More products awaiting further work on the racks.

Seen here are Unico line amps, awaiting their front panel knobs and switches. 

Beautiful wood work on metal casing, Italian artistry at it's finest! 

Now that you know the Italian assembly line is quite unlike others else where, they are very much like building fine watches and super sports cars(think Lamborghini or Ferrari!). Next, we see the QC and R&D areas and the final touches that goes in to completing the products for shipping.

Unison Research Factory Tour, Part I.

Unison Research is located in the town of Treviso, Northern Italy, just an hours traveling time by road from Venice City. Treviso is an idyllic and scenic place, with a population of just over eighty two thousand. I was invited by Bartalomeo Nasta, to get to know the rest of the Unison Research guys, but my work commitments meant that it was not to be. Dang! I was actually looking forward towards an European holiday.

That meant this factory visit would have to be a virtual tour. After my 10Qs session with Giovanni Sacchetti, founder of Unison Research which allowed us a glimpse in to the man's amplifier design philosophy, and now followed by a factory tour, as promised. Let's start!



The industrial building that houses both Unison Research and Opera Loudspeakers.

First stop, let's raid their parts warehouse, where components and semi assembled modules are stocked, here we have some wire harness ready for assembly.

What does this look like? A volume knob?

The parts warehouse has rows and rows of neatly stacked stocks!

More parts for making amplifiers and CD players.

More wire harness!

Some toroidal transformers seen here.



Caps and more caps!
 

Various caps with values marked for easy identification.
 

Film caps.
 

Just one of the many boxes of tubes in stock!
 

PCB boards awaiting assembly.
 

Power supply e-caps in stock.
 

Next, we look at the assembly and test work stations at Unison Research.

Usher Audio Technology Factory Tour, Part III.

Now, we come to the final part of the Usher Audio Technology factory tour. Here, we take a more detailed look in to one of Usher's less visible product, audio electronics. Usher have a range of very capable, but not necessarily expensive products like CD players, pre/power amps and AV receivers too.

I've grown particularly fond of Usher's power amps, which I found to offer high standards of sound quality, balanced with high power output and keen pricing. They kinda remind me a lot of the ol'skool Krell muscle amps of the 80's, minus the treble harshness and being today's product, offering very neutral and transparent sound.

Lastly, we also take a tour to Usher's auditorium, where all final products R&D stage goes thru the last hurdle of the listening test!

This is a new DAC and output stage PCB board section of Usher's soon to be released new CD player, now under final stages of R&D.

A further look of the near complete CD player, with toroidal power supply transformer on the back of the CD transport and the DAC and output PCB board, as seen above, occupying the left side of the chassis.

The front panel of the above CD player.

Usher Audio technology's AV receiver, coming soon! Remember, you saw it here first on Hifi-Unlimited.

The electronics production line was not working when we visited.

A trial batch of the AV receiver undergoing assembly 

One of the Usher Audio Technology's listening auditoriums. Note the much acoustically treated walls. 

Usher CP-8871 Diamond DMD speakers undergoing listening test, powered by Usher Audio's electronics.

This auditorium also caters for AV and home theater products testing.

A more detailed look of the elaborate acoustic treatment.

Further close up reveals stuffed foam like material beneath angled tile fittings.

Another auditorium to cater for larger speakers and bigger audience groups.

From left: Usher D3 Reference Horn, CP-8871 and BE-718

A close up of the Usher D3 Reference Horn speaker offers tri-amping.tri-wiring.

The larger auditorium has wooden diffusers built in to the rear wall.

And also angled side walls with tile treatments.

With these pictures, we concluded our visit to Usher Audio Technology and came away mighty impressed with their facility size, R&D driven corporate culture, and lastly a growing brand name with world wide recognition and awards.