Audio Hungaray Qualiton A50i vs LTA Z40+ Integrated


I need help deciding between the Audio Hungaray Qualiton A50i and the LTA Z40+ Integrated Amp. Both seem to be great but I can get the Hungarian for 1k cheaper. I will be using them strictly for music. I plan on powering a pair of Focal Aria 936 K2's and a sealed sub, maybe two. Like everyone else here, I am looking for the best sound quality possible. Thanks

128x128edwinf

I agree with the others who are saying that the first thing to upgrade is your streamer/DAC situation before upgrading amps.  That is a lofi solution you're using with ifi and your phone.

Having said that, I have the Qualiton 50i and it is amazing.  Musical, holographic, and very powerful.  I happen to have it paired with Audio Solutions Figaro M speakers.  That's a perfect match because Audio Solutions uses the Qualiton 50i to voice their Figaro M speakers.  I have also run Harbeth S-HL5  speakers on this amp, and I have never heard the Harbeths sound better.  

I am not familiar with the LTA amp.

Given your stated tastes it would seem the AH Qualiton would be the better choice although it’s really hard to see going wrong with either, especially when you factor in tube rolling.  You’re in for a treat, but please get your source sorted out first.  I mentioned the iFi Zen Stream because it’s very good at its price point, but if you can stretch a bit by all means go for the new Innuos Pulse Mini as it’s better on all levels, and Innuos actually provides great customer support, which iFi definitely does not.  

Minimum impedance for those Focals is 2.8 ohms, will be a very tough load if the attending phase angle is steep and if this minimum is in the bass frequency range (which it most often is). The two amps you are weighing have power ratings at 4 ohms that could be an issue IMO. You might want to consider a hybrid integrated (Copland makes a good one) with a solid 4 ohm rating OR ditch the Focals for the  new Mofi Sourcepoint 10s, that way you could be sure the amps you're weighing are gonna flourish (if your room isn't big at least).

I too owned and loved the Qualiton a50i. I replaced my Luxman 590AXII with the Qualiton and couldn't be happier. This is one amp I will gladly buy again for my second system when the funds are available. As someone here mentioned, it is powerful, musical, and holographic. IMO, it really does a great job of creating a lush, full, holographic, airy sound without getting too tubey or syrupy. Great execution of pure class A with classic tube sound!

The a50i drove all the following speakers in my listening room quite well -- Harbeth SHL5+, Fritz Carrera BE, and Joseph Audio Perspective2. Although, it did struggle just a little bit with the Joseph Audio with respect to reproducing the lower frequencies, but the JA is not a particularly efficient speaker to begin with. 

I have not heard the LTA, but from what I read it is more on the neutral side compared to other tube amps. Best to audition both if you can, but in either case the AH Qualiton a50i is a fantastic amp that will make you very happy!

@edwinf - Hi! I'm so sorry for the delay in my reply. Once I got home I was crushed with work. 

I, for the life of me, can't seem to figure out how to send you a private message. 

I'll try to diplomatically communicate what I'd wanted to share. 

As noted, I have a 100 Watt Qualiton tube amp. It's worked great and the sound is fantastic. Previously, I did have an older model preamp from them which had to be replaced. Qualiton was super helpful and committed to helping me. Can't give them enough credit. They are great!!!! 

That said, there is no USA-based repair center, so any repair/maintenance is a little more problematic than ideally desired. It's a minor side point, but something worth considering. 

The LTA team is based in the USA and would be more available for support, etc. 

In the end, you can't go wrong with either brand. But the repair side of things is something to think about...