The Hungarian lands tomorrow.
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Great review! Thank you for taking the time to share your impressions with the community. Getting unbiased, no-nonsense reviews from folks with no ulterior motives or conflict of interest is really what makes this site worth its weight in gold. Knowing how much you like Simaudio Moon products, there can be no bigger 'seal of approval' for the XP200 if you're considering selling your 600i. Perhaps when you have some more time, you can discuss the areas in which you think the Qualiton exceeds the 600. TIA. |
THE HUNGARIAN IS HOME!!! History of Audio Hungary. Source AH website. The history of AH is important to illustrate that they are not a newcomer to the industry.
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 like a tank and yet has 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.
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 |
@rixthetrick love the story. Great people and a wonderful region of the world. @arafiq you are right you will be much happier than with your current set up. The 200 is just awesome and being an analog guy this thing is built for vinyl. And is awesome in the digital realm also (I enjoy streaming and CDs also, sacrilege lol) Review to come later this evening. |
I talked to Costantin for almost an hour yesterday. Very nice gentleman with a passion for all things audio, especially classical music. When comparing the Qualiton A50i to XP200, he said that both are excellent amps with the same house sound. XP200 is more versatile with more power, but the A50i has more tube-like qualities when it comes to midrange (more liquid, according to him), and the highs are a bit sweeter. On the other hand, the XP200 has better control over the woofers owing to its 100 watts of power. Both have excellent holographic qualities, and unlike some other modern tube amp instances, they are not trying to mimic solid state, which is a good thing IMO. It’s a tough call, but so far I’m leaning heavily towards A50i, although I’m sure I’ll be happy either way. |
@earlflynn - I met three Belgians in Budapest, while I was with an American friend (airline hostess) and they were buying used fashion to sell in Belgium. One of the Belgians saw an angelic stunning Hungarian lady, and tried to talk to her. She said in broken English that she wasn't able to understand English. With that the fellow told her he was in love with her, and she was the love of his life. After she was out of earshot, we all laughed at his crazy actions. The cost of living at the time was one of the cheapest in Europe, I ate great food at great prices. |
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 @riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook, My thoughts exactly. That damn sure flies in the face of the 'no tone control crowd' to boot. |
PTA / Graig Neville review of the Audio Hungary Qualiton A20i integrated amp: https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2021/06/11/audio-hungary-qualiton-a20i-integrated-amplifier-review/ |
@rocray. I found out about them when I was at our plant in Romania pre pandemic. Was at one of our engineers home for dinner and he had the x200 driving Martin Monitors and I just had to have one. So I am 24 hours into the burn in and this X200 sounds freaking fantastic. Killing my Simaudio 340ix and a very close second to my 600 v2. Yes that good. Detailed, expansive, great base and black, dead silent. More to come. |
Looking through the Qualiton amps page anyone who doesn't need all the functionality that @earlflynn is getting in the X200 should look at the A20i. I love the 6L6 family of tubes and PP class A tube amps sound tremendous in my experience. That should be a really sweet little amp especially with some KT66s rolled in it. |
@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 100 W/ch CL AB & 12 W/ch CL A - into 8 Ω +35.5 dB (8 Ohm) Input Impedance 10 kΩ SE / 20 kΩ balanced 460 mV unbalanced & balanced input (LINE1) 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 |
@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. |
@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. |
@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. |
@arafiq the X200 is the middle brother and 100 watts.…..It landed here today and the build quality is exquisite. A1 shipping material and packed to go well overseas. Manual is clear, concise and well written. Za Za is burning in right now with Jimi Hendrix CD on repeat. Will not sit down and do any critical listening until Sunday at least. Will say this out of the Box it blows the Blackhawk away but so did my Quicksilver Integrated. More to come best $6000.00 I have spent in a while. Give Constantin a call he is knowledgeable and sells some kick ass gear. https://www.atelier13-usa.com/audio-hungary-qualiton |
