The Hungarian lands tomorrow.


My new Audio Hungary Qualiton X200 lands here tomorrow.

Can not wait…… exciting.

https://www.atelier13-usa.com/audio-hungary-qualiton
128x128earlflynn
@earflynn --
More to come best $6000.00 I have spent in a while.
That's some high praise indeed! Hopefully you'll share more info once you've had a chance to do some critical listening. But so far, looks like you're really impressed! BTW, when you were doing your research, did you look into Qualiton's A series -- A50i and A20i? What led you towards the X200? I'm wondering if the X200 is more in the sweet spot. I will definitely reach out to Constantin tomorrow. Thank you for the update. 

@cejohnston -- while I cannot tell you about the Luxman, what I can tell you is that a friend of mine recently got the Qualiton A50i and previously owned the Primaluna Dialog HP as well as the Blackhawk. According to him, there's simply no competition. Qualiton is competing at a higher level with the likes of Jadis, Octave, etc. From what I understand Audio Hungary builds and test almost everything in-house.
@earlflynn Thanks anyway! Still looking forward to hearing your impressions of the X200 after your post burn-in listening session.
@arafiq I appreciate the input! I was gathering that (that AH are really focused on producing truly high end gear) from how they were positioning the Qualiton line, but it’s great to have some confirmation from an actual listener. Also for me is the added bonus of the aesthetic value of the AH line—that A50i really is a beautiful integrated! I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but if I go with the 204 it will be replacing my vintage SS Mac C38, and I (and my wife) are hoping to get a piece that not only supersedes the performance of the C38, but also stands up to the Mac standard, aesthetically.
@arafiq Nice review of A20i
The biggest reason for my selection of the X200 is the versatility of this integrated. The ability to use as a power or pr-amp with the Direct in switch for both balanced and unbalanced inputs. So if get the need for SS I can pull my Simaudio A330's out and run them as mono blocks or run my 390 as a preamp streamer.

As an Integrated the X200 is black I mean silent as silent as my 600v2.

The X200 can be used as a separate preamplifier, 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 wideband 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.

 I am a big analog guy and these features really appealed to me.

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 breath new life into certain, not so vivid records.
 

The specs allowed the wider selection of speakers also. I have Sonus faber Olympica Nova 3, Raven CeLest, Klipsch Hersey IV and others that I swap in and out of my system.


Topology

Tube PP Class A-AB        
Output Power

100 W/ch CL AB & 12 W/ch CL A - into 8 Ω
Gain

+35.5 dB (8 Ohm)

Input Impedance    

10 kΩ SE / 20 kΩ balanced
Input Sensitivity      

460 mV unbalanced & balanced input (LINE1)
Power Bandwidth  

27 Hz - 70 kHz (-3 dB, rated output power)

THD

<0.5% (f = 1 kHz, rated output power)

Signal-to-noise ratio

> 101 dB; output noise < 1 mV (LINE1)

Power requirements

720 W

Tubes required

4 x KT120, KT150 or KT90 ; 4 x ECC88;

4 x Tungsram ECC83

Inputs   3 x RC -- 1 x XLR

Outputs  

1 x Speaker [ 4 & 8 ohm taps ]

1 LINE RCA

LINE - PHONO - HPA

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)

THD - Phono

< 0.03% (f = 10 kHz)

THD - Line

< 0.001% (f = 20 Hz to 20 kHz)

EQUALISATION

THD - 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


That EQ/Tone Controls is a nice bonus...as is the ability to use the new KT 170 tubes. Congrats!!  I can get a great discount on this brand so might have to try one myself