Dear reader, attending Warsaw’s recent Audio Video Show 2024, I ended up at some point in the Unitra set of rooms at the Radisson Blu location. I was deeply impressed with the fact that Unitra is more alive than ever, has good new products and they look classic but fresh at the same time. In this room I stayed a while, and I got in touch with their new series composed of Hi-Fi separates inspired from their classic era. So, let’s dig in and understand what Unitra is doing these days.
The stars of the Show were these new Hi-Fi series that were featured right from the entrance in the Unitra exhibition. The series are comprised of a pick-up (the GSH-630 Fryderyk), a CD-Player (the CSH-801) and an integrated amplifier (the WSH-805).
Unitra is the polish Hi-Fi brand of ancient times, the brand goes back to 1961 when it was launched, and it remained in action until the fall of the iron curtain in 1989. Unitra was always active, but as of recent times there is a serious force behind the brand, a force that wants to bring Unitra back into the spotlight and to produce again great gear as they did back in the day.
I was amazed by the new line of products, the CD-Player especially has an amazing design, with a special drawer and a display made with e-ink. In the same manner, the integrated amplifier looks amazingly classic, but it has modern stuff inside, dual-mono architecture and a nice DAC included.
The turntable is equally amazing and also classical in terms of design, but also it keeps the Unitra pedigree intact. Fryderyk is a direct-drive turntable with a proprietary Unitra motor, using a proprietary speed stabilization algorithm. Also special, created by Unitra for Unitra turntables, is the arm, called the R10, made of aluminum and running on two pairs of bearings. Many color options are available, if you ask me this is the most beautiful – Silver / American Walnut:
Besides turntables, integrated amplifiers and CD-Players, Unitra is making also speakers, speaker cables and many accessories for vinyl. You can find all about this on unitra.com where you can also buy their products directly.
So, dear reader, here you go – the Unitra brand is definitely alive, and it still builds great audio gear, all designed in Poland. Unitra – the pride of the polish Hi-Fi enthusiasts. Nice! I wished more brands like these to make this kind of comeback with classic products! This timeless design says a lot about humanity.
