Unitra WSH-805

REVIEW
Ed Selley
Sep 29, 2026

Nostalgia is a powerful influence in product design, but even so, it’s surprising how many different forms it can take. Unitra was the name of a collective of Polish companies involved in consumer electronics during the Cold War. Although I am keen on history, Unitra isn’t my specialist subject, but its output was well regarded. Nonetheless, faced with rising competition, the original Unitra ceased operations in 1989. The re-established Unitra appeared a few years ago, drawing inspiration from the original company but offering entirely new products.

The WSH-805 is partly inspired by the WSH-205 from ‘in period’ Unitra. There isn’t much information about this amp (in Polish or otherwise), but the 805 definitely looks similar. It is important to emphasise that this is not in the ‘nice box, that’ll do’ school of industrial design. Instead, it uses a dual mono layout. Both the pre and power stages are arranged to use current feedback in the circuit. There is a substantial basket-type transformer for each channel. In addition, the power amplifier is fully discreet in construction and uses the components that Unitra requires in the quantities and arrangement they specify.

Two measurements

This amp delivers 80 watts into eight-ohms, increasing to 125 watts into four. Where it becomes more interesting is that there is a second set of measurements provided as well. Flick a switch on the front panel, and the Unitra switches to pure Class A operation. In this mode, power output drops to eight watts into eight-ohms and 16 into four. It’s a relatively rare feature at this price point, offering an extra use case for the Unitra that competitors lack.

This amplifier section provides exclusively analogue inputs. It features a single XLR input alongside five RCA inputs and a phono stage supporting both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. Like most internal phono stages, the moving coil section is optimally matched for impedance with no option to adjust it. Nevertheless, this remains a useful feature.

In and out

The WSH-805 also includes a direct AV input and a stereo pre-out, both via RCA connections. While an extra XLR connection and a balanced pre-out would be appreciated, their absence is not a major issue.

Your appreciation for the Unitra’s appearance will depend largely on your love for retro design. I am very enthusiastic about it and absolutely adore it (and I believe the black version possesses an underrated elegance all of its own). However, I think it’s worth mentioning that some positive aspects of the WSH-805 are likely to stand out even if you aren’t particularly enthusiastic. The first is that no aspect of its styling interferes with what is a very logical and intuitive interface. Everything is within easy reach. This makes using the Unitra a true pleasure. The second is that the WSH-805 feels exceptionally special. Indeed, the way it is assembled is utterly unmatched. There is nothing I’ve tested at £4,500 from any part of the world that feels more solid than this in the realm of audio equipment.

Party piece

There is also a party piece that is likely to win over even the most jaded and cynical hearts. When you look at the various two-position switches on the front panel, you might assume you’ll need to physically interact with them to operate. And while they can be very satisfying to use (and indeed they are), that might get old quite quickly. You would, however, be wrong. Each switch is motorised and pressing the relevant button on the small but elegant remote control will make them snap to their second position like a prop in a horror movie. This feature has no effect whatsoever on sound quality. However, you’ll be too busy playing with it and showing your friends who care about details like that. Unitra understands that any purchase of this nature will be at least partly emotionally driven and embraces that.

Something else that warrants mention while we’re on the subject of ‘retro’ is that absolutely none of it has permeated the performance of the WSH-805. There have been moments during testing when I’ve wondered if the WSH-805 would have benefited from a muted casework with all the functionality hidden on a screen. This may be needed to be taken seriously. More than anything else, there have been instances where the closest sonic equivalent to what I have heard from the Unitra is the Naim Supernait 3. There is a propulsive energy that underpins everything the WSH-805 does.

Muscularity

This means that as the title track of Standing at the Sky’s Edge by Richard Hawley [Parlophone] builds from its slow start, there is a muscularity from the Unitra that ensures everything sounds potent and weighty. The deep drum at the beginning is delivered with a fantastic feeling of weight that is achieved without any hint of sluggishness or bloat. Hawley himself is a beautifully defined, gravelly-voiced presence at the forefront of the track as it builds. He is defined against the instruments but never separated from them.

There’s an effortless quality to how the Unitra handles everything, even when connected to the current hungry Kudos Titan 505s, which means you can quite easily underestimate how good it truly is until you listen to any device that isn’t as effortlessly talented. It’s a brilliance that requires a moment to appreciate, but brilliance nonetheless.

Personality shift

There’s also the minor issue of the Class A operating state. Flick the (remote) switch and the Unitra’s personality shifts subtly. It’s not obvious; the same components are engaged, but there is a heightened sweetness and delicacy from 100hz upwards that is noticeable and highly compelling. The sublime Punch Brothers cover of The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald [Nonesuch] takes on an almost fluid quality. Indeed, it is as if the Unitra is conducting the flow of music rather than merely amplifying an electrical signal.

Of course, there are limitations to this output, as there must be. With the Kudos in place, it is possible to reach the limits of this output at fairly reasonable listening levels and notice the sound becoming more solid. Using the resident Focal Kanta No1; which isn’t a hypersensitive speaker but is still quite easy to drive, broadens the range of its effective use.

Lovely pairing

This pairing of these two devices is genuinely lovely. The exceptional detail retrieval and tonal realism of the Focal blends with the sweet character of the Unitra. As a result, it creates one of the most deeply satisfying combinations I’ve tested in a little while.

That phono stage is more than just a convenience feature. Like many moving coil capable designs, I believe it performs best in moving magnet mode. There is more gain available (an important factor when considering the class A mode) and fewer issues with cartridges that have impedances deviating from the 100 ohm ideal. Given the wide range of high-quality moving magnet designs currently available, this shouldn’t be seen as a drawback. A lively rendition of the electric ‘Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline’ by Gomez [Virgin], played through an AVID Ingenium Twin, SME M2, and Gold Note Vasari Shibata, captures the diverse moods Gomez excels at. It also demonstrates the same energy and drive that the WSH-805 provides.

Excels

And, to sum up, the Unitra excels in many areas. Some may look at those VU meters and chunky switches, along with hearing the Unitra backstory, and assume this is a hopelessly nostalgic, rose-tinted take on an amplifier. However, in line with the lack of other sonic coloration, this is not the case. The Unitra WSH-805 is a thoroughly modern demonstration that careful design and high-quality components remain timeless. It offers numerous nods to the past without being bound by it. This makes it a true joy to live with and listen to. If this is the standard the company aims to uphold, Unitra is certainly one to watch.

Find out more about what went into the making of the WSH-805 here.