Audio Hungary Qualiton X200 Integrated



History of Audio Hungary. Source AH website.

The history of AH is important to illustrate that they are not a newcomer to the industry.

The history of our firm started in the late 1940s. Rafilm National Radio-and Film technical Company was established by that time. The profile was very wide.

In 1951 Audio Voice-, and Film technical Co., which was specialized in voice technology left from it. Audio line contained sound film projecting -, and amplifying equipment’s ,which became dominant. The development turned into electro acoustics and audio technology.

Its name changed into Electroacoustic Factory, using the abbreviation EAG since 1960. Under the pressure of the German firm AEG it changed its name into BEAG (Budapest Electroacoustic Factory). The successful history of the Co. started by that time. It produced complete studios, sound systems, teaching equipment’s. Manufacturing in Nyíregyháza has developed from 1970. One of the most successful movements was the building of the full sound-system of the Moscow Olympics in 1980. BEAG, the biggest electroacoustic factory of the eastern block, broke into smaller units in the privatization period. The main line, which contained the producing of amplifiers, loudspeakers, and microphones was continued by UNIVOX Ltd.

In 1990, the old-established Budapest Electroacoustic Factory (better known as BEAG) which mainly produced PA systems, was disbanded. At this time, based on the Nyíregyháza plant of the company, Univox Kft was established. This new company continued to offer a considerable portion of the product range of BEAG, including amps for industrial use, outdoor and indoor speakers, intercom systems and microphones. This extraordinarily wide product range was available for our customers until the beginning of 2014. In 2014, Univox Kft was bought by Audio Hungary Kft which perpetuated the name UNIVOX as a brand name. The production range did not cease to exist, but the number of products went significantly down.

Due to the fusion of the two companies, the huge body of this acquired knowledge and production experience enabled to create and produce premium category audio products. Following the most possible recent electrical and mechanical engineering solutions, by the first quarter of 2015, our specialists, relying on their considerable hands-on expertise—and complemented by the young engineering team of Audio-Hungary Kft—came up with the very first amp of the company, designed under supervision of the new management: the UNIVOX APX 200 tube power amp. This is our way of paying tribute to the appliance APX 100 of the company BEAG which now has been rendered into a remarkable piece of home consumer electronics by us.

When engineers at Audio-Hungary were trying to get the measurements for their amplifiers as perfect as possible, Laszlo Fabian decided to train the ears of the engineers by exposing them to natural sound via live symphony concerts. That’s the kind of bold and different thinking that has led the company’s Qualiton brand of tube amplifiers and preamplifiers to quickly gain recognition in the European high-end audiophile market

Review Qualiton X200 by Audio Hungary.

Build Quality: Right off the X200 exudes quality. It is a heavy integrated and it weighs in at 23 kg (50.6lbs) and the remote control a massive piece weighs in a ¾ of pound according to my fish scale. So, I have established that the X200 is built lake a tank and yet as a standard footprint for integrated amps of this type. The X200 is in the same size range as my Raven Blackhawk 3.1 and only slightly larger than my Quicksilver Integrated and for that matter my SS amps like the Moon by Simaudio 340ix and my 600 v2 are about the same dimensions 43 x 47.5 x 20 cm.

Setup: Unboxing the X200 was a task. I think a few other manufacturers should take a Q from the packaging engineers at Audio Hungary. This integrated was packed in a double wall corrugated cardboard box that is stapled together not taped, though all seam were taped. Specifically engineered foam insert to cradle the tubes and integrated amp line the box and ensure to isolate any vibrations or impacts when shipping. The box was shrink wrapped and there was at least a ¼ of an inch of shrink wrap cocooning the box.

So, once I got the package opened, I removed the manual, power cord and tubes. Below is the list of the supplied tubes.

Tung-Sol: 4 x KT120 (KT150 or KT170 optionally) I have ordered KT170 and will review later.

Electro-Harmonix :2 x 6922

Electro-Harmonix Gold: 2 x 12AX7

I installed the tubes per the extremely well written and exact owner’s manual. I am not going to bore you with the detail, but the tubes are all matched and the power tubes will need to be installed as indicated on the tube box and manual. I have linked the manual to this review. https://audiohungary.com/files/productpdfs/x200users-manual.pdf

Bias was perfect and setting bias on this unit is a piece of cake and all adjustments are done from the front of the unit and no meters are needed Green is go, Blue or Red mean adjust your bias.

Burn In/Break In/Dyno Test/Heat Treat/Case Carburizing/Through Hardening: Whatever you want to call it.

I talked to Constantin @ https://www.atelier13-usa.com/audio-hungary-qualiton and he said just run a few heat cycles though the tubes and transformers and you should be good to go. Unlike Solid State or Hybrid Integrated Amps the time frame should be more compressed. I know with my Pathos Integrated and Simaudio it was like 500 plus hours.

I hooked up the power using Raven Audio Soniquil power cord, hooked up the digital and analog front end using Raven Audio Soniquil interconnects RCA, XLR. Attached my Sonus faber Olympica Nova II’s using Raven Audio Soniquil speaker cables (love the Soniquils as they are neutral and no coloration).

Fired up the Moon 280D Mind 2 and played several rock playlists on Roon/Tidal for 48 hours cycling the gear on and off in 8-hour shifts. Yes my wife thought I lost my mind.

HOW’S IT SOUND MAN!!!

Okay let’s talk about the 100 watts of A/AB PP Tube Sound from this wonderfully engineered machine.

The Qualiton X200 was built with the ANALOG GUY IN MIND. This machine is just as talented in the digital arena so the DIGITAL GUY’s will love it too.

The X200 is equipped with a MM Phono Section that will work with your HV MC cartridges. I have a lovely Lejonklou Gia 2 MM phono section that that is connected to a Clearaudio Concept Black with Concept tonearm and Nagoka MP200 cartridge, yep I am one of those guys that loves MM cartridges. At some point I will try the X200 installed phono section but that is for another day.

The X200 also several features that are highlighted here:

The Qualiton X200 is designed to serve analog enthusiasts who need a combination of a high-performance vacuum tube power amplifier and a versatile preamplifier, along with sophisticated technical details, built into a single chassis. In this way, perfect matching is achieved - both sonically and technically - between the main signal processing sections.


The most important aspect of the design process was to meet the widest possible range of user needs in a compact footprint. All internal circuits were designed from scratch, avoiding the usual clichés throughout, to create a complete all-rounder.

The X200 can be used as a separate pre-amplifier, as an integrated power amplifier, as a stand-alone power amplifier with direct inputs, or as a headphone amplifier, but other configurations are possible.

The low noise analog front-end is built around a wide-band and transparent circuit and features a phono preamp with enhanced precision too. Line level and subwoofer outputs are an absolute necessity in this category, and these ports are included on the back.

We’ve added a real specialty too: a built-in, studio grade Parallel Equalizer. This kind of tools is primarily used as a master channel effect in recording studios, to bring fresh air into the mix, as a finishing touch. We’ve found that this effect can also be a huge help at home as well, as it can breathe new life into certain, not so vivid records.

So I queued up a few albums to see how the analog feature worked. Well work it does and how. No matter what I played I was in musical haven even listening to an old worn out copy of The J Giles Band “LIVE FULL HOUSE” using the equalization curves did not make this record sound new but made it enjoyable playing with the curves and making this piss poor engineered record sound fuller and well like I engineered it (joke).

Overall the thing that really stood out no matter the source was how quite, black, dead silent the background was. The music stood out and it was if you are there at the studio or concert hall. Detailed, transparent, all the cliches that every reviewer uses.

I am just going to say this the Qualiton X200 Integrated KICKS ASS!! Musical, Delicate, Rocks when you want it to and is one of the best tube amps I have ever owned and I have owned a pile of them Mac, AR, Raven, Pathos, PL, and none of them IMMERSED ME IN THE MUSIC like the X200.

The X200 has me rethinking my recent acquisition of the Moon by Simaudio 600i V2. Yes the X200 is that good and I have 30 days to decide if I am sending the 600i back,  I am sending it back.

Discography.

Nils Frahm, Spaces

King Crimson, In The Court Of The Crimson King an Observation by King Crimson Atlantic org 1969 pressing

Radiohead, The Bends

Queens Of The Stone Age, Songs For The Deaf

Yes, The Yes Album Atlantic org 1971 pressing

XTC, Black Sea.

Marvin Gaye, Let’s Get It On

Pat Metheny, From This Place

Norah Jones, Pick Me Up Off The Floor

J Giles Band, Full House Live

Beethoven The Nine Symphonies, London Festival Edition, Josef Krips and the LSO.

Qualiton X200 Specs.

Pre Amp Section

Input impedance - Phono 47 kOhm || 120 pF

Input impedance - Line 25 kOhm || 10 pF

Max. input signal - Phono 40 mV (f = 1 kHz)

Max. input signal - Line 8 V

Gain - Phono +46 dB (f = 1 kHz)

Gain - Line 0 dB

Max. deviation from RIAA curve - Phono +/- 0.5 dB

Frequency response - Line 4 Hz to 1 MHz (-3 dB)

Total Harmonic Distortion - Phono < 0.03% (f = 10 kHz)

Total Harmonic Distortion - Line < 0.001% (f = 20 Hz to 20 kHz)

Total Harmonic Distortion - EQ < 0.002% (f = 20 Hz to 20 kHz)

Signal-to-noise ratio - Phono > 60 dB (1 V, without A-filter)

Signal-to-noise ratio - Line > 90 dB (1 V, without A-filter)

Signal-to-noise ratio - EQ > 90 dB (1 V, without A-filter)

Bass boost in setting I - EQ + 5.6 dB

Bass boost in setting II - EQ + 7.6 dB

Treble boost in setting I - EQ + 6 dB

Treble boost in setting II - EQ + 8 dB

Head Phone

Rated output power 2 x 0.3 W (RL = 32 Ohm)

Gain -6 dB (RL = 32 Ohm)

Frequency response 4 Hz to 1 MHz (-3 dB)

Total Harmonic Distortion < 0.008% (RL = 32 Ohm, 0.125 W)

Signal-to-noise ratio > 95 dB (RL = 32 Ohm, rated output))

Power Amp

Rated output power 2 x 100 W

Input impedance, Direct balanced IN 20 kOhm

Input impedance, Direct unbalanced IN 10 kOhm

Input sensitivity, Direct balanced IN 460 mV, to rated output

Input sensitivity, Preamp IN 460 mV, to rated output

Input sensitivity, Phono IN 2.25 mV, to rated output

Gain +35.5 dB (RL = 8 Ohm)

Frequency response 27 Hz to 70 kHz (-3 dB, rated output)

Total Harmonic Distortion < 0.5% (f = 1 kHz, rated output)

Signal-to-noise ratio > 100 dB (RL = 8 Ohm, rated output)

Load impedance 4 to 8 Ohm


128x128earlflynn

I think x200 are just designed as single use units. If works- great. If broken - replace. Like a cheap Chinese crap

So I was in touch with AH since the beginning. Nobody jas offered me sending x200 back to them on their cost whoch would cost a lot. As the repair reached $1k because the design is crap I got this answer from AH. Hello Jerzy! When I told you we cant take responsibility if there is any famage on the device, I have warned you! Now you have complaining because you have a problem and you dont have normal service. I sent Ivan many schematics, video, photo how to fix, even how to renove the buttons. Did not succeed. This is less than an hour work to fix. The design is modular, so you can replace every parts by removing few screws and plugs. So Dont say that it is not easy to repair according to one opinion.
 

now when I mde my feedback they got softer bit still insist on sending the amp back - this tome on their cost. They would fix ot and send back. I would probably have to pay 1k customs on top of the cost pf repair I paid. I think sending me another one with apology would do then they can this piece of junk.

@jernow I was talking to the guy who wrote this review this morning. He is my cousin and lives down in Texas and he also owns a X200 and had a similar issue. He said that he reached out to Constantine at ATELIER 13 AUDIO in Nashville. They had the unit sent to the service center and it came back a couple of weeks later and things were fine.

Earl said that he had no issues, did a tube swap and could not get one opt to bias. Then a tube hot plated. Called Constantin at ATELIER 13 AUDIO and he reached out to the distributor/importer and they had a NEW UNIT DROP SHIPPED to his house in Dallas. Yep in less than 2 weeks he had a brand new unit shipped straight to his house from the factory.

Everything is perfect with the new unit, tube rolling and loving his X200 as I love my X200.

As @riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook said you messed up and should have sent an email to the factory or worked the distributor. Or your distributor is lame.

I am betting you messed up.

Well life is hard and spares no fools.

Earl said he still pops in here and read some posts.

Said there are a few folks here he misses but bunch of OG’s he don’t.

Have a blessed Easter.

 

Dude signs up today just to slam Audio Hungary.

Funny a bunch of us hear own them and no issues.

Must be he is in NZ and the toilets' flush backwards too. 

Maybe you should have done your homework before purchasing. That goes for ANY brand. If Company "X" doesnt have service in your country or another nearby location WHY would you buy its product??  I GUARANTEE you could have that serviced if you shipped it back to Hungary OR to whoever the DISTRIBUTOR is that supplied it.

Great sound, very bad quality. My x200 broke after 1 month! The boas board got fried. Repair is like a nightmare even with AH instructions. It costed me $1k to fix as I don’t have a warranty service in New Zealand. Buy on your own risk.

Post removed 

I just got a quad of KT170 for my APX200....( not the X200) will report if any of you interested.

 

@jerryg123 Thanks for this. Which power tubes do you have on your X200, KT120 or KT150?
I am using all Signal Cable in my X200.
Excellent build quality at a very fair price.
Very happy new owner of X200 here. What power cable works well with the Qualiton?
Mind Boggling the reviewer didnt mention that 170's could be used.

I have the X200 and the 170's and prefer the 120's.
Also when this person wrote the review if you look at their posts he did get the 170's.

Post removed 
@wig that would be interesting I have some EL34 here and may try that when I get back from Ft. Bliss.
I imagine the X200 would sound stellar with EL34 tubes especially if you are using efficient speakers; so many possibilities with this Integrated!

Wig
@arafiq Sorry to hear that but that's the world these days! Trying to get anything out of Austria for example has been almost impossible. I'm in the wine biz but have been told that's everything Austria not just wine. Hang in there!
You're probably right. I didn't mean to imply that it was the government customs clearance. But apparently, there is a clearance process that does require oversight. Anyways, talked to an agent and it seems that the real issue is the reduced number of outbound flights due to COVID ... at least that's the story I got from Fedex customer service. Unfortunately, they have no idea what the scheduled delivery date is going to be at this point.
I dont get that at all. FEDEX has their own Customs clearance process in Foreign countries. They dont have to go thru the normal customs BS when you send something thru the mail. You might want to call FEDEX here in the USA and ask what could the holdup possibly be.
AH used FedEx in my case. Today’s the 6th day of the package just sitting in Germany waiting for clearance. 
You think thats bad??? Try sending a package to Germany thru the post office. Can be delayed in Customs for up to 6 weeks. Almost all my customers are in Europe.  Only way around it is to ship FEDEX....then there is no delay. I can send a package on a Monday and it arrives in the customers hands on Thursday or Friday. Fedex is the way to go.
How long did it take for you guys to get your Audio Hungary amps shipped from Hungary? I thought I was lucky that AH shipped it out (Fedex) within 48 hours of receiving the order and was hoping to get it before the end of this week. Unfortunately, it has been sitting in Germany for 5 days due to backlogs and delays in customs clearance. No idea how long it will sit there. I know .. first world problems. But still it’s so frustrating to see the same status for 5 days in a row. C’mon Germany, you can do better! Lol!
@riaa_award_collectors_on_facebookThanks very much. Your post does indeed help. At this point I'm trying to find my tube forever electronics to go with my forever SG Guarneri Homage. I'm already covered in the solid state department.  Excellent thread, this one.

My dealer says they are not neutral...warmer....but NOT as "tubey" as Class A Tube amps if that helps
Great review EarlFlynn

Is the X200 on the warmer side of neutral, neutral, or a bit cool? Or my question a matter of "compared to what?" My primary speakers are SF Guarneri H’s. They love tubes.

Hope you derive many happy listening hours.  Thanks.
Guys,

Read another popular review which said the X200 is compatible with KT88 but they are not mentioned in the Amps description of suitable tubes.

Would KT88 work! Also, any issues with thinness in sound with small signal tubes in comparison to 6SN7?

Thanks,
Wig
Going to say the headphone section is quite nice.
On par with my Felkis and my Focals are enjoying it.
I too have the X200 (using the KT120s) and am loving it.  Looking forward to your thoughts on the KT170s in it.
Awesome review! Maybe something that will challenge the highly praised Jadis...

Wig
earlflynn

Excellent review! Always good to see J.Giles Band -Full House Live- make the cut.

Happy Listening!
KT170's are in and wow nice jump for the KT120's.

Letting them bun in and more to come.
@ozzy62 may shake that out this weekend. Just got back home for a business trip and box of KT170 arrived so there will be some playing and tweaking this weekend.
Thanks for the review. I will be curious to hear how the MM phono section shakes out.


Oz


@riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook You should listen to them both as I have. It was a hard decision and the Hungarian won. Also that tube sound with a silent background and expansive soundstage.
Thanks for the review. Just saved me some dough on the V2!! Now I gotta make a deal on the 200  LOL
Earl congrats on your new amp glad to hear it was as good as you hoped! And please post some pics of the X200 and your main system for us to check out! Also curious to hear how the phono stage compares to your outboard unit. Happy listening!