Its always refreshing to evaluate something new, that you cannot really pin down into the usual labeling and Audio Hungary certainly doesn’t fit under the usual high end audio labeling.
While Audio Hungary might appear as a new comer, its actually a brand with the deeper audio DNA. They’ve bought the company called UNIVOX, which was manufacturer of the iconic PA systems and changed the “pro” profile to high-end audio. They’ve also acquired the talented workers from the old company, with the great experiences in manufacturing amplifiers, speakers etc. In this way they man power and know how needed for the production was there from the very start of the new venture. They didn’t have to go through the process, that many high-end audio struggle with - the finding of the skilled people, that are ready to produce and design product right away.
After some serious capital investment into the company Audio Hungary renewed the factory and bought many new machines for processing steel (banding, cutting, punching, grinding). The other important investment was the purchase of transformer winding machines, that helped in cutting down the the developing time for the new products.
Even more importantly, Audio Hungary have a refreshingly young engineers team, approximately 30 years old.
MEET THE QUALITON APX 200 AND APR 204
Audio Hungary Qualiton APX 200 power amplifier introduction followed their market research, that has shown, how there’s no grand variety of similar amplifiers available. APX 200 was inspired by the old BEAG APX 100 amplifier, that was made in eastern block in the 1970’s and many of them still operate today.
Few of the APX 200 highlights
- Four output tubes can make in 150 wattspeak.
- APX 200 can drive loudspeakers with very low impedance.
- The low frequency breakpoint of the frequency response is 15 Hz, the upper cutoff frequency is 100 kHz (-3 dB points).
- power tubes 6P45S are equivavlent with EL519.
I’ve asked Andras Fabian (Audio-Hungary Business development manager and CEO) to describe and break down what sets their brand and particularly APX 200 AND APR 204 apart from the competition:
- NOS Russian military tubes and sockets
- All the tubes are selected in house
- Each product goes through the 100 hours burn in and test process in the factory
- Most of the transformers are winded in house with a strict criteria
- Transformers are winded by special geometry
- Transformers are shielded in house
- Special in house heat treatment
- Passive RIAA
- Carefully selected components
- Every product is handcrafted
- Everything is made in the EU under ISO9001 Quality control and satisfies CE standard.
-The price of the amplifier and the preamplifier is relative low compared to other European companies.
All in all there was more then enough reasons to explore both of the APX 200 AND APR 204 with an open mind (and ears).
OPERATIONAL
There is something primal, that draws the mind to the black, understated design. Its not about the utilitarian approach. Perhaps its more connected with a mechanical, man appeal. My friend’s comments were of similar fashion, when he saw the APX 200 and APR 204 photos in the initial article. I guess, the simplicity and straightforwardness cuts through the layers of many men’s modus operandi.
QUALITON APX 200
APX 200 power amplifier controls and connections are straightforward and no brainer to operate. On the front panel there are; main on/off switch, input gain knob and bias control knob.
The gain knob comes handy as you can match the level of the incoming gain from the preamplifier. We still don’t have a unified gain value in our niche industry and this will help finding a proper balance and open up the doors to most of the preamps other.
Neaty VU meter displays bias of the output tubes and the rotary switch under the indicator set the position of the particular tube. Four potentiometers under the cover adjusts the bias in connection with VU meter, without the need of dedicated instrument. So no need for an engineer’s help.
On the back panel there is main IEC Male Socket power connector, RCA inputs and a set of speaker binding posts, that have separate 4 and 8 ohm taps.
Massive bended steel chassis have enough cut holes for the heat to dispatch, but do mind that APX 200 will get hot.
Qualiton APX 200 is a massive and hefty amplifier and I wouldn’t recommend moving it alone. Lesson learned :).
QUALITON APR 204
Before I write anything, let me share some remarks. This preamplifier comes packed with lots of features for under the 1500 EUR. And yes, its actually made in Europe. I’ll reflect on the value at the end of the review, but APR 204 include line level preamplifier, headphone preamp and MM phono module!
On the front panel, left corner is reserved for the main power on/off switch, the middle position host the input selector and on the right corner resides volume knob.
Back panel simple layout shares the RCA line outputs on the far right, followed by three line inputs. Middle space is reserved for the phono input with ground connector and far right for IEC Male Socket power connector.
As with APX 200, everything is laid down with no hassle to operate. Simple and straightforward.
Both APX 200 power amplifier and APR 204 preamplifier innards were designed with enough space around the tubes for proper heat dissipation and all the electronic parts and transformers are logically positioned.
The PCB’s layout was designed in such way, that it leaves enough space around them as all the electronic parts are through-hole soldered. This takes more time, but some companies still uses this process as its considered to bring better sonic performance.
The PCB’s layout was designed in such way, that it leaves enough space around them as all the electronic parts are through-hole soldered. This takes more time, but some companies still uses this process as its considered to bring better sonic performance.
THE MUSIC
Vlatko Stefanovski & Miroslav Tadić - Treta Majka (Featuring Theodosii Spasov)
One of my desert island albums, that I simply cannot digest enough. This musucal masterpiece by Vlatko Stefanovski and Miroslav Tadić melts my inner compass with its emotional burst. On top of it greatly recorded sound really shows how well any high end audio system can perform. I know album by hearth and this let me draw the conclusions more easily and objectivly.
APX 200:
In order to make Treta Majka resonate in its fullest, the massive amount of raw, unaltered power is needed.
Vlatko Stefanovski was long time ago highlighted as one of the best balkanian and European guitarists and one can only appreciate him for his tireless and lyrical playing. I have even bigger respect for him, as after all the years, he’s still practices around eight to ten hours per day! When he was asked why he still pushes himself so hard, he replied, how he believe his fans are expecting this from him. I can easily name quite few of highly praised “top” guitarist, that feels and act completely opposite…
Macedonian folk songs recorded on this album packs emotional and energetic potency, that calls for power amplifier with not only massive power reserve, but also with the ability to render the overlaying and overlapping notes with their full complexity.
Qualitone APX 200 allowed the guitar notes to become forte, rather then reserved and managed to levitate them with the captivating gravitas. The sense of speed and power reminded me more of the usual solid state qualities and this is one of the attributes, that sets APX 200 apart. It operates within the sonic palette of 21st century, rather then following the archaic and reserved sonic performance of the past. Too many tube power amplifiers are still stuck within former audio norms, that doesn’t hold up with the contemporary audiophile demands. Qualitone APX 200 encapsulates more then enough qualities, that makes it both modern and potent sounding amp.
APR 204:
While Treta Majka will sound generally fine even on the modest system and with decent preamplifier, it takes a bit more to decipher almost mystical musical impact of this album in full. Especially with the song “Ne si go prodavaj Koljo” where Vlatko Stefanovski & Miroslav Tadić are joined by Theodosii Spasov on the Kaval. Trio have managed to materialize phenomenal archaic mood into this old Macedonian folk song and their interplay resonate with the same emotionally charged DNA.
Kaval really needs the air to become lifelike and this represent quite a challenge for any preamp.
Preamplifier still represent the heart of the matter of the high-end audio system, no matter how optimistic some audiophiles are in their quest of making it obsolete in the signal path. APR 204 has proven itself as a potent performer with the musical embodiment, that was both refreshing and inspiring.
Fluctuation on of the Kaval’s notes joined by the mighty, duo guitar duo playing is no small task to handle. Everything can collapses to easily at the preamplifier’s gate, yet Qualiton APR 204 ability to portray irregularities of the Treta Majka’s sonic landscape was packed with the emotional and musical impact, that reached out to the very core of the album’s inner hearth. This should be big enough compliment at any time.
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - The Sky Is Crying
Stevie Ray Vaughan needs no more garlands or introduction. Still, he’s among my favorite guitar players and as many legendary musician, he leave this planet too early…
APX 200:
Many tube power amplifier to often (willingly or unwillingly) steps into the oblique universe where actual form and shape looses its original identity and deduce the original intent of primary amplifier role; the pure mirroring of the music without adding or subtracting something from the original music material.
Especially with The Sky Is Crying, signal integrity should be no far cry, but evenly distributed handling of the energy, motion and form.
Qualiton APR 200 locked to the Stevie Ray’s playing with the firm grip and without sounding bland. Even more importantly, APR 200 materialized the excitement and potency, that has lurked into the epicenter of the music far above expected. Stevie Ray’s tempestuous playing was reproduced with a believable impact and a sense of being there, that is crucial for any performance, that want ever remotely to be called high-end. APR 200 has lay down the essentials without sounding overemphasized and overblown, as its often connected with many tube amplifiers.
APR 204:
I might even cross the heretic line for like and loving Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rendition of Little Wing so much. Yes, Jimi Hendrix is THE mastermind behind it, but somehow Stevie Ray not only nails it to the perfection, but operates with the spirit within. After all the re-plays, I’m still mesmerized each time its on the repertoire. The heck, more then often, I even reach out for that virtual guitar :).
There is so much tension and density within this particular song. As simplistic as it might seems from the outside, Little Wings crave for the augmented gain handling in order to reveal subtle and spatial attributes.
APR 204 has operated with a collective signal flow, allowing spectral quality of the music to stay firm, without entering into the mechanical realms. Relief like structure of notes decay and delay development was enriched by the right tone. For its given price APR 204 embraced heck a lot of density and gain purity, that brought big smile on my face. It always feels good, when something is done properly and in this case also priced more then properly.
Both Qualiton APX 200 and APR 204 have formed grand enough sonic shape shifting abilities to elevate themselves above the typical norms. Its no easy, to exactly stand out of the such a big audiophile products crowd, yet Audio Hungary pulled the right strings with the initial designs of APX 200 power amplifier and APR 204 preamplifier.
CONCLUSION
We’re living in the interesting times, where its too easy to be distracted by the continuing forte magnitude of déjà vu products. Anyone, that presents himself as audio connoisseur and genuine enthusiast needs to keep an open mind and welcome new companies, new products and new endeavors from our largly ponded, but still niche industry.
Its is even more encouraging, when something works beyond expected and differ enough to stand out of the crowd. Like with many products coming in and out of Mono & Stereo HQ’s, I really didn’t know exactly, what to expect with Qualitons. Of course… I did my homework and lurk into the technical materials and specs before the initial evaluation momentum. Still, in our field you cannot exactly envision the exact sonic scenario. And at the end its the sound that holds the highest merit.
Being around and doing this for a long time can be a double edged sword. On one side you can predict some of the impact with the upcoming product, based on the similarly designed products. On the other hand, being to self absorbed and feeling all mighty prevents one to experience and discover some of the gems, that are already out there or pop up every year.
In this field of work, genuine enthusiasm is the main force that drives and should ignite the reviewer regardless of mileage and recognition.
Investing into the tube electronic business in present times surely calls for quite some market research and healthy dose of objectivism and nonetheless optimism. Tube electronics, like vinyl are proving the opposite of what people in general would like to think (some audiophiles included). The heck, at htmoment they’re highly opportunistic.
Audio Hungary Qualiton APX 200 and APR 204 brings a refreshing impact at the price point, that will open many doors. The sonic potency of Qualtions resolve with controlled power and with musicality, that can “glue” one into a prolonged music listening.
For the value and the level of the sonic performance, that they’re bringing I’m happily awarding both Audio Hungary Qualtion APX 200 AND APR 204 with the Mono and Stereo Best Buy Award.
I hope, that this is only the beginning of the Audio Hungary’s foray at the high-end audio market.
Matej Isak
PRICE
MSRP: APR 204 - 1450€, APX 200 - 3200€
TECHNICAL
APX 200
Rated output power: 2 x 100 W, stereo
Total harmonic distortion: < 1% (f = 1 kHz, rated output power)
Frequency response: 15 Hz - 100 kHz (-3 dB, rated output power)
Input sensitivity: 665 mV, unbalanced input
Number of input ports: 1 unbalanced input per channel
Number of output ports : 1 output terminal pair per channel
Gain : +32.5 dB (8 Ohm); +29.5 dB (4 Ohm)
Input impedance: 10 kOhm
Nominal load impedance : 4 Ohm and 8 Ohm
Output polarity: non-inverting
Signal-to-noise ratio: > 101 dB
Power requirements : 520 W
Tubes required: 4 x 6P45S; 2 x 6N23P; 2 x 12AX7LP
Weight: 29.6 kg
APR 204
Nominal output level: - Line 2 V
Input sensitivity: - Line 500 mV, to nominal output level
Input sensitivity: - Phono 5 mV, to nominal output level
Number of input ports: 3 unbalanced input per channel, 1 MM-level input per channel
Number of output ports: 1 unbalanced line level output per channel, 1 headphone output per channel
Max. input signal: - Line 7 V
Max. input signal: - Phono 200 mV
Gain: - Line +12 dB
Gain: - Phono +52 dB, (f = 1 kHz)
Total harmonic distortion: - Line < 0.05%, (f = 1 kHz, input level: 500 mV)
Total harmonic distortion: - Phono < 0.5%, (f = 1 kHz, input level: 5 mV)
Frequency response: - Line 4 Hz - 300 kHz, (-1 dB)
Frequency response: - Phono 20 Hz - 20 kHz, (-0.3 dB)
Input impedance: - Line 100 kOhm
Input impedance: - Phono 47 kOhm
Signal-to-noise ratio: - Line > 100 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio: - Phono > 70 dB
Tubes required: 4 x Tungsram ECC83; 2 x Tesla E88CC
Weight : 8.4 kg
CONTACT
Audio-Hungary Kft.
Nádor u. 28
4400 NyÃregyháza
Hungary
Tel: +362 02595922
Email: info@audiohungary.com
Web: www.audiohungary.com