Author Topic: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp  (Read 4828 times)

Offline Nick B

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my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« on: July 26, 2018, 10:00:07 AM »
I’ve been looking at preamps for a long time and have considered pres like the K & K mir,
Allnic L3000 mk2, Cary SLP 98 and Herron VTPH 3a. Our own Charles Rollo has stated on a
number of occasions that the Audio Hungary 204 is a superb preamp and great value for the
money (it retails for $2,000). I had never heard of this company, but started reading up on it
and looking at some YouTube videos. The idea of buying a foreign product and one that I hadn’t
heard of wasn’t very appealing.
But the more I looked at the other products and their pricing, the more interested I became in
the 204. I also sent some emails to the company and received prompt responses. Charles has
access to great equipment while I don’t. So his comments, for me, were very much worth
paying attention to.
I finally took the plunge and it arrived a few days ago. The packaging was meticulous
and the build quality was superb. It has a very comfortable remote and even has material on the
underside ..maybe leather...so that it doesn’t scratch a wood finish for example or make a
sound like my metal Antelope dac remote when I put it on my glass coffee table.
Right out of the box, it sounded very good. So good, in fact, that I emailed Charles to ask if
AH did some break in on these. Sure enough, they put 100 hours on them at the factory.
The 204 has a very natural and engaging sound and is a perfect complement to the ICE amp
and Border Patrol dac. It resolves very nicely and is enticing and fun to listen to. I’ve been listening
to new stuff on Tidal for the last few days, but I’d say the soundstage has widened a bit as well.
I will be considering adding a Synergistic Blue fuse....the latest that Charles likes.
So I’m very, very pleased with this purchase and I got a very nice discount as well 👍....thanks Charles.
My only nitpick is it has an annoying white led, just like my Antelope dac. Maybe it’s time for a
blue marker :)
I highly recommend this unit and it has an internal phono stage as well!
Nick
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline rollo

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2018, 12:51:14 PM »
  Thanks for the kind words. So happy you like it. Enjoy !!

charles
contact me  at rollo14@verizon.net or visit us on Facebook
Lamm Industries - Aqua Acoustic, Formula & La Scala DAC- INNUOS  - Rethm - Kuzma - QLN - Audio Hungary Qualiton - Fritz speakers -Gigawatt -Vinnie Rossi,TWL, Swiss Cables, Merason DAC.

Offline TomS

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2018, 02:10:43 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW
PS Audio Directstream DAC, PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp, Nagra Classic Amp, Focal Sopra No 2's, SVS SB16 Ultra

Offline tmazz

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2018, 02:59:37 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW

Sounds like a nice idea. Have you used them?
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline TomS

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2018, 03:01:49 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW

Sounds like a nice idea. Have you used them?
Yes, I use them on EVERYTHING  :thumb:
PS Audio Directstream DAC, PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp, Nagra Classic Amp, Focal Sopra No 2's, SVS SB16 Ultra

Offline Nick B

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2018, 03:34:46 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW

Tom,
I had no idea these thingys existed. What a great solution. Some leds are flat and others are rounded. Will these kind of work on the rounded ones?
Nick
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline richidoo

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2018, 03:45:52 PM »
Easier than soldering in a resistor!  :thumb:

Offline TomS

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2018, 04:25:45 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW

Tom,
I had no idea these thingys existed. What a great solution. Some leds are flat and others are rounded. Will these kind of work on the rounded ones?
Nick
They give you all different shapes, so yes. Also, you can double them up to go even darker if you choose. My Apple TV has a searing bright white LED. I put 3 of them on it, and no longer a problem  8)
PS Audio Directstream DAC, PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp, Nagra Classic Amp, Focal Sopra No 2's, SVS SB16 Ultra

djdube525

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2018, 05:59:46 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW

I just went to the Amazon link...

You can get this with "Expert Installation" for $129.59...  :shock:

Offline TomS

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2018, 06:40:02 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW

I just went to the Amazon link...

You can get this with "Expert Installation" for $129.59...  :shock:
I may have a new career!
PS Audio Directstream DAC, PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp, Nagra Classic Amp, Focal Sopra No 2's, SVS SB16 Ultra

Offline rollo

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2018, 07:38:02 AM »
  For ALL my gear the LED'S are covered with felt or colored with a marker. I have, blue,white and red LED.  :D


charles
contact me  at rollo14@verizon.net or visit us on Facebook
Lamm Industries - Aqua Acoustic, Formula & La Scala DAC- INNUOS  - Rethm - Kuzma - QLN - Audio Hungary Qualiton - Fritz speakers -Gigawatt -Vinnie Rossi,TWL, Swiss Cables, Merason DAC.

Offline tmazz

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2018, 03:47:34 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW

I just went to the Amazon link...

You can get this with "Expert Installation" for $129.59...  :shock:

Amazon is funny with some of these add on services.
I recently ordered a package of Chinese Sky Lanterns. These are basically paper hot air ballons. You lite a fuel soaked fiber wick in the bottom of the bag and it fills with hot air and floats off into oblivon. Aboslutely a single use item.

When I purchased the package of them I got an offer asking if I wanted to buy a two year extended warranty for them.  :roll:

I also once got an offer to buy a two years extended warranty for $4.00 on an item I was purchasing for  $1.99.  :shock:

Go figure.

That said, this looks like an interesting idea. I just ordered a pack.
« Last Edit: July 27, 2018, 03:51:35 PM by tmazz »
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline richidoo

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2018, 07:14:37 PM »
I also once got an offer to buy a two years extended warranty for $4.00 on an item I was purchasing for  $1.99.  :shock:

Somehow that makes my upcoming car warranty extension seem a little better value, since it's only 15% of the original price.  :rofl:  :roll:

Offline tmazz

  • Out Of My Speaker Cabinet
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  • Posts: 12088
  • Just basking in the glow of my tubes.....
Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2018, 04:52:13 PM »
Nick,

"Dims" are your friend for those pesky bright LEDs  8)

https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Original-Strength-Electronics-Appliances/dp/B009WSJNCW

I just went to the Amazon link...

You can get this with "Expert Installation" for $129.59...  :shock:

Amazon is funny with some of these add on services.
I recently ordered a package of Chinese Sky Lanterns. These are basically paper hot air ballons. You lite a fuel soaked fiber wick in the bottom of the bag and it fills with hot air and floats off into oblivon. Aboslutely a single use item.

When I purchased the package of them I got an offer asking if I wanted to buy a two year extended warranty for them.  :roll:

I also once got an offer to buy a two years extended warranty for $4.00 on an item I was purchasing for  $1.99.  :shock:

Go figure.

That said, this looks like an interesting idea. I just ordered a pack.

Update:

Ordered the Dims via Amazon Prime and they arrived promptly in two days.



What a great product. I have a Monster HTS 3500 Power Center that has red , yellow and blue LED status lights. The red and yellow are fine, but the single blue LED is just piercing it is so bright. When I listened with all of the room lights off except the salt lamps (which in the House of the Vampire is the ONLY way to listen to DSOTM  8)) the blue LED was so annoying I ended up having to lean a CD case in front of the 3500 to block it.

But one single dot from the LightDims sheet and the blue LED is now no longer any brighter than the rest of the LEDs. That single dot alone justified the purchase of the whole set for me.
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline TomS

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Re: my new Audio Hungary APR 204 tube preamp
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2018, 05:45:03 PM »
Glad to hear it worked for you  :thumb:
PS Audio Directstream DAC, PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp, Nagra Classic Amp, Focal Sopra No 2's, SVS SB16 Ultra