I’ve had my Sugden A21SE (bigger version of this one) for about 15 years and it has been excellent. I had to get it repaired last year but I sent it back to the factory and they did the work quickly and for a reasonable price. It’s nice to own something that can be repaired rather than disposed of - a real long term ownership proposition.
I have the SUGDEN A21SE Signature Graphite. It sounds fantastic and it’s definitely an audiophile integrated amplifier that will last forever without putting holes 🕳 🕳 in one’s pockets. Made in The UK 🇬🇧👍👑✨💎🌞
i habe a question and i hope to learn from your experience. i currently have a hegel h199. since half a year i am thinking about purchasing the sugden A21SE. i do not need an all in one solution because i am using an external dac and turntable. do you think sound wise there is a big difference between h190 and the sugden? is it worth the change or should i perhaps more concentrate perhaps on changing to a step up in turntable cartridge? if the change to the sugden is only minor, it is probably not worth the investment but i have no chance of direct comparison. thx for your thoughts on this
@@0x21co I have never heard a Hegel amp so can't really make a meaningful comparison. The Sugden is very good but bear in mind it is Class A so has high energy consumption, gets quite hot and can produce some transformer hum. I really like the sound and the fact it can be repaired easily but sometimes feel tempted by a more modern design with fewer quirks and less power consumption - like a Hegel for example!
Nothing can replace the musicality of Class A. Once you've tasted it, it's hard to go back. Sugden is a pioneer, it is one of the few manufacturers to offer real pure Class A quality, with incomparable sound, at an affordable price, when others tell you that only the first watts are in Class A. Listen to a Sugden is adopting it, for life.
As a university lecturer who has had to get to grips with online delivery, I really appreciate how clear and informative your videos are and how much preparation must have gone into them. Good work!
I can only confirm that Sugden is extremely well built and lasts forever!! I still have an A28 Mk2 that I bought in 1989 with Rogers LS3/5A speakers and it is still as good as 32 years ago! It is only 20 Watts class A, but blows you away. Great stuff
Nice to hear a small UK based company going strong. Sounds like a great place to work, the satisfaction of seeing a job through to completion and being able to see what you've spent all your time on... Even in farming it's satisfying to see a field ploughed/mown/topped/etc, looking back at it as you close the gate, thinking "yep, a job well done there".
Hello Tarun, this review is one of the reasons I bought the Sugden A21SE recently. And it brings me everything I hoped it would. After owned four or five previous amplifiers I can say: this is my last one. The balance and soothing while listening Magnus Ringblom Quartet - The Gotland Session is breathtaking. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. Best regards, Jos
I ended my audiophile journey with Sugden, they stuck with me now for 8 yrs. Love the warm sound of class A. Have the LA4 and SPA4 still current models!
The British audiophile is such a class act. I really enjoy the information you give and doesn't sound scripted either like some other chans. Happy new year !!
Thank you buddy. It isn’t scripted. I just make some listening and design notes so that I don’t leave anything important out. I appreciate you watching and your support. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
I don’t need a new amplifier, but if I did I would not hesitate at buying the Sugden, I absolutely love the idea that is built in Britain and you get a name tag of the person that put it together, how fantastic is that !!
So good to hear Sugden getting attention. I've had an A21a for a couple of years and it's a beautiful piece of kit. I rarely need to set the volume above ten o'clock and it sounds great. I got hold of the matching CD player, which they no longer produce and it is a wonderful combination.
Yet an another amazingly accurate and technical review. Thank you for your A and AB description. Thank you as well for your time and effort sharing this info.
Another excellent review. I can honestly say Taran, I find your descriptions genuinely relatable, not the usual hiperbole of most reviews. Keep up the good work, Terry from Oz.
Interesting review, I am a happy owner of a Sudden A21 Signature and can confirm that the sound is excellent and that 23W are more than needed. To confirm this, I never cranked the volume over 12h or 1h at the max. I am pairing it with a pair of ProACs SM100 and they sound amazing with the Sugden. Very firm and muscular bass, lively midrange and refined highs. I also use the built-in phono stage and can confirm it plays well with a Rega P3 with an Ortofon 2M black. Probably not as well as with a separate pre-phono, but still very silent and detailed. I have been using the A21 for one year and would never exchange it for a similar priced amp! Limited power and heat are not a problem at all! Only one comment on the limitations of the amp.... the power is 23w at 8 ohm, but goes down to 15w at 4 ohms. For this reason, I would recommend careful pairing with speakers that are either 8 ohms rated or that do not drop lower than 4 ohms.
Thank you buddy. This is an amp that does feel like something special. Also the way it has been designed, it can be serviced for decades to come. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Late to the party, but I got here. You are getting more popular, it is time to convert to American when you do your reviews. Thank You, Good Review, Paul
Thanks for a fair and honest review. I have been a fan of Sugden since they were at Cleckheaton and I went with a friend to discuss buying one and was shown round by the great Jim. I have an ancient A21a and an equally old Audition Amp which have given no trouble for 30+ years. I find that they match well with my Naim Allae speakers whose fairly high efficiency and rather cool analytical sound match the amp well - probably with Naim amplification they might not please everyone. I would suggest that if buying the Sugden you would pay much attention to speaker efficiency so as to get the full benefit of the lowish power- even better get a pair of Masterclass power amps and a control (a lottery win might help).
Enjoy your reviews Tarun. As a Canadian Hegel dealer, I can tell you that much of the criticism you have of the H160 was resolved with the H190. It's a considerable improvement. We're also an Acoustic Energy dealer and thanks for your insightful review of the AE1. Keep up the good work.
What a great breakdown on a review! I agree a class A amp sounds romantic and when when played at relaxing listening levels, it is hard-to-beat. The Hegels seems to have ventured into a different kind of audience and it’s working out really well for them.
I agree with every word of that Lowell. I am listening to my Hegel at low volumes and wishing I hadn’t boxed up the Sugden to send back. Thank you for watching and your kind words of support 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I agree with David. We're missing out on so many quality products that offer value for money because you're not paying to offset huge marketing expenses. I had no idea of this company until your video, Tarun. Look forward to more such reviews of lesser known but quality products.
@@jeremylynnchagaspereira3926 I would love to do more of these reviews as long as small companies are prepared to send products to me. A lot of them seem rather shy when it comes to having their equipment reviewed on RUclips.
I own this amp and mainly listen to rock and I can't believe how loud a 23 watt amp can be. I have it matched with 99db Tekton Lore Floorstanders. The pair is a match made in heaven.
Now that brought back some memories from the very early 1970s when I was first learning about hi-fi! A friend purchased a Sugden A21 when the trend was to higher power amps such as Phase Linear and Crown. For me it was a revelation and have always pursued the _quality_ of sound ever since rather than volume. I’m also a fan of near field listening at sensible SPLs. Thanks again Tarun from the bottom of the planet :-)
The Sugden was on my list but I couldn't find much information on it. So your review will be very helpfully for others in the market for a better amp. Great to see you are now over 25k subs.
I am really glad that you did this particular review and comparison. One of my all-time favourite listening experiences was a CAL Alpha DAC feeding an early vintage Sugden A21a, playing into a pair of Meadowlark Audio Kestrels. The only reason that I did not buy the amp then is that I felt that it was lacking a little oomph in the bass. Now, about 20 years later, I regret the decision - and own a Hegel H80. And now I want to find one of those A21a's and play it side-by-side with the Hegel. Cheers from Montreal.
People say things about Yamaha but I bought their cheapest 2 channel and I love it. It was my first amp. And I bought two more amps. The Arcam is not the same. The sound difference is dramatic. I’m new to audio. Trial and error is my new path.
This review and all the glazing comments about the sugden make me want to buy it. See, in about 8 months time i’ll put together my first system, it’s been years since I’ve started to love the audio world and said to my self that i would have a good system one day. I think the sugden will be my amp… ! Now i need to find the speakers to pair it with !
I'm very familiar with class A, having owned a Sugden A21 I bought in 1972 (£56), great amplifier. I'm fully aware of the difference between class A, class B and class AB - I think your explanation with the ball was a superb way of giving people an idea of the main difference.
In my head, single ended operation (which is where the ball metaphor comes in) isn't the same thing as Class A operation (which is what generates the heat; because the output devices are "always on", rather than switching in and out as they detect current). Perhaps I'm wrong, but Arun's explanation seems to confuse the two.
As always another fine review/comparison Tarun ,within few minutes I understand both these amplifiers so well & the importance of equipment pairing ....
Ahh yes , wilkinsons Hi fi. I've been a customer of theirs for years now . I remember when they got these sugden amps in . Ive not heard them but look very nice and well built . Good review as always 👍
Great review. As a Sugden owner (A48B) which is over 25yrs old, I can vouch for their quality, reliability & musicality. If you get a chance try and review their AV50 amplifier, I’ve not listened to it myself but from what I’ve read this has more power than A21 Signature. Sugden also provide a service for any amplifier and can repair most amplifiers from the 1960’s onwards. So if you want to give your Sugden some TLC, fill out the form on their website and send it to them once they’ve got in touch. You can also have your Sugden products in a range of colours, just decide which finish before purchase. Sugden, a great Yorkshire company.
All the best of 2021 to you and yours Tarun. It's nice to see the manufacturers and distributors starting to give you the recognition you deserve. It looks like 2021 will be a busy year for A British Audiophile. I recently picked up a pair of Schiit Aegir class A monoblocks. A small American company with another variation of class A design, attempting to maximize the benefits and minimize the shortcomings of class A. I'm using the Aegirs with a pair of Tannoy floorstanders, and I must say that they sound glorious in the midrange. See you soon mate.
Thank you Richard. Happy new year to you and your loved ones too. I am planning to reach out to Schiit this year. Glad to hear your are enjoying your Aegirs 🥳👍
As usual a very excellent illustration of a technical issue. You do a great job and each video is a little better than the previous one. Thank you and happy New Year.
Thank you eholmwood. I am still very much a work in progress. I hope they are improving. Thank you for noticing and your continued support my friend 😊👍
Good Job on the review. Being from the middle of nowhere in the States. I never heard of Sugden but you gave such wonderful detail on the its pros and cons, it is on my bucket list to audition one. Be well.
Great review. I think the some of the last points were some of the most pertinent. Matched correctly with sympathetic speakers these amplifiers are truly legacy products. Very few manufacturers can claim the history Sugden have. The fact they are all handmade in the UK I think makes them something of a bargain. Whilst the Hegel may be designed in Norway the amps are made in China with all the cost savings that provides.
Thank you for watching Rob. Hegel and Sugden are too brands that couldn’t be further apart in their approach to building an amplifier. Both sound great but for long term satisfaction, the Sugden is hard to beat 😊👍
Happy new year to you too Panagiotis. PMC used Sugden amps for years to demo their gear. I wish I still has the Twenty5.21i here to try with the A21 Signature. 😉👍
A great insightful review Taran........ Good to hear such a knowledgeable reviewer.... No B S..... Enjoyed it immensely.... Cheers and look forward to another video.....
I’ve had my a21sig for a few years now. Best amp I’ve owned. Yes as you said not the loudest but with right speakers you can rock out the same as the Hegel. I pair mine with some klipsch heresy 3s and easily get 95db out of them. Paired the class A output of the chord qutest magical sound tbh certainly be here for a very long time.
Tarun, EXCELLENT inspired illustration of crossover distortion with the ball! Nice description too of the sound when combined with different speakers. If people haven't had the opportunity to compare like you did here, I think often it's hard to imagine what these effects can be. I appreciate your reviewing a Sugden: they've been making desirable amplifiers for as long as I've been into hifi (50 years). All the best for 2021, Rob
Thank you Rob. I tried to keep the Class A Vs AB explanation as simple as I could. It was also useful to have my Hegel H160 to compare. Once again, thank you for your kind words of support 😊👍👍
Happy new year. That is a nice review, not only how it sounds but also how it is to live with it. And I agree, these Sugden amplifiers are beautifully build by the look of it on the internals. If I owned one, I would almost fancy a plexiglass cover on it.
Thank you Doug. Sugden are a small business with a excellent reputation within the industry and a loyal following amongst it’s customers. They don’t really need to advertise or send products out to review as they don’t plan to sell loads of them. I was very pleased when they seemed to like what I was doing with my channel and agreed to organise an amplifier for me to review. It is fair to say, the reputation is deserved 😊👍
Tarun,Happy New Year! A very good review. I've never had a chance to see or hear a Sugden - there has never been a dealer in my state. I do remember the old Musical Fidelity A-1, a fine sounding integrated amp/ hot plate. Back in the mid nineties I said to my friend Ralph (who owned the local High End audio store); "I'm very biased about amplifiers, I prefer pure class A!" I bought a Forte 4a from him back in 1994 and It's still my favorite amp. It was based on a Nelson Pass DIY design and he hired Michael Bladelius to do a redesign and it was actually better sounding than some of the Threshold amps at the time. It had body in the mid bass and midrange and loads of current, it also had the smoothest top end of any of the amps that I have owned.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Tarun, back in the nineties Corey Greenberg wrote a rave review of the Forte 4a in Stereophile magazine I was fortunate to get one on sale a few months later. Also look up Michael Bladelius - he's a very interesting electronics designer.
Great review of a brand that I have followed since the late 1970s.i hope you will get round to reviewing the new Copland CSA 100 integrated amplifier. It will be very interesting to see what you make of it.Your reviews are a delight to listen to.Happy new year to you.
Thank you Francis. I appreciate your support. Happy new year to you too. I haven’t heard a Copland in years. Thank you for the suggestion. I wonder who is distributes them in the U.K.?
The U.K Sugden distributor is also a dealer and he has many customers that have been delighted with their Sugden amp with ProAc speakers. I enjoyed it with my 1SCs. Thank you for watching and sharing. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Great review!! I hope you get also the chance to review the A21SE Signature and especially the ANV50, there is almost no review of this unit out there. Keep up the good work and happy new year!
VG review once again. I've long admired the look of the Sugden gear and I've had a Plinius class A power amp putting out 125watts, which got hot enough to fry an egg. It was also a beast weighing 38kg! Now all gone replaced with a Leben valve integrated pumping out a massive 15watts! Plenty for my close listening (3m) and small room.
Happy new year Sir. Even if I have already pulled the trigger for the Buchardt A500, I am still curious to hear about your impressions. Thank you very much for your reviews and professional and clear comments.
Tarun, you have the deep knowledge and skill to explain very well the complexity of the technology involved in HiFi equipments related to the listening experience. Many thanks again and have an Happy New Year.
Happy New Year!! Superb! Superb review and a huge thank you for giving Sugden e credit and justice they deserve!! Back in the days it (A21a) was one of the best sounding amp at that price point, would certainly have bought one if I didn’t own power/current hungry Dynaudio Contour 1.3mk2, and couldn’t afford their beefier masterclass.
Welcome back. I was quite bored over the holidays. It cost me the addition of a pair of subwoofers. That inspection tag looks like a legacy from 1967. He must have printed a lot of them.
Great to hear from you James. Sound like you had an expensive Christmas. As for the tags, I think Sugden take the approach, if it ain’t broke... Happy new year to you buddy 😊👍
Happy New Year Tarun. And thanks for another interesting video. Must confess I'd never heard of Sugden. And hand made in the UK! Btw my class A monoblocks are on their way from a company in my home area. Looking forward as always to more videos from you. Cheers.
Tarun...Happy New Year first of all! With this very beautiful review You gave us all a touch of enjoyment at the very start of the Year 2021...and in the same time most likely for all of us very wellcomed additional New Year's present. Thank You !
Thank you my friend. Great to hear from you as always. This amplifiers is a bit special. A nice way to kick off 2021. Happy new year to you and your loved ones 🥳👍👍
Another fine review Tarun! Still dreaming of the Hegel when I can save enough money. The thing that would put me off the sugden is the heat output, the wife is bound to complain especially in the summer
Thank you Ossie. The A21 Signature isn’t probably going warm up the room too much. The bigger class A amps will be more noticeable in this regard but I think your wife has a point 😊👍
I have been rather late in catching this report but I must say it is excellent. You describe the differences very well (in that it parallels my own experience ;)).
Happy New Year Taran. Another great review, concise and too the point. I now have a good idea what the Sugden sounds like, so much so, I'd love to hear it in own system. Maybe someday. Your clear explanations are worth so much more than someone on the Tube playing music and gushing about the qualities we can only imagine.
Hi tarun, I took your advice and bought klipsh rp600m speakers for my 30 w tube amp icon audio and am more than pleased with the higher sensitivity speaker , I was surprised at the bass when reviews said it lacked , and clarity and vocals are more than I expected , not harsh or bright at all , happy New year , ps I use my amp as a radiator 😁
Happy New Year Tarun. Please consider reviewing some class AB musical amps like Sonneteer Alabaster, Lavardin IT & IS, Heed Obelisk and Belles Aria. Also recent Exposure vs Naim integrated
Good review Tarun. Did consider this amp at one time but went with Exposure pre/power combination instead. Look forward to further reviews this year............Cheers.
Your 2021 lineup to come looks amazing and will generate quite a bit of interests, especially the Buchardt’s. I hope you will test the prima Luna product line at some point.
There is some very good stuff coming out of China at the moment but it was nice to take a look at something that is built for longevity and built by hand in the U.K.
wow... proud of you... an honest Hegel comparison. Everyone is kissing Hegel a$$ for last year... but to me... they make music sound like they have NO decay of sound... like a digital ON off sounding. I do think in some cases... too much dampning factor is a bad thing. I still love my Marantz PM7000n middle of road product for reasonable price. I do miss my McIntosh amp warmth... but hated its lack of features.
Happy new year Tarun. Wow! Into 2021 with a bang with this classy looking Sugden amp. I like the sound of the voicing on the Sugden by what you are saying. A wee bit of warmth in the midrange and treble is good in my books. A good matching speaker for this amp would be something like the Focal Aria 926 or 936 or KEF LS 50 meta's. This amp would be great for Jazz and easy listening music I would say. Great first review of the year. 😊👍🎸
Thank you Steve. It is great a low level listening. Makes my Hegel H160 sound like a boy playing a man’s game. I suspect it will work well with Focal’s and Kef’s too. Happy new year to you and your loved ones too 🥳👍
Happy New Year Taran! Wishing you a year of reviews, with audio gems and audio surprises. Hope you have enough space for gear! I see a lot coming your way for 2021.
Thanks again Tarun. This is like the fourth time I watched this. I have ordered the S21 and hopefully I like as much as you did. I wanted to pair this with a set of Harbeth or QLN but due to my trade and limitation I opted for a set of paradigm Founders 80. I am currently breaking those in, I was just going to sell them, but I would have taking quite a loss. They do however have a very natural and warm sound on my Rega Aethos. This will be a different setup mostly for a turntable. The Founders are 90-93 db, not sure how that goes but lets assume 90 I think the Sugden will fair just fine.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Okay I know this one is a couple years old but I got the Sugden in Blue. Gorgeous . But the sound. I have two amps that cost more then this one. And boast many more watts. But the deep weight of this Class A is in itself Magic. I have a set of QLN Sonora speakers that overwhelm the room with this musical presents that is almost daunting. I have a chord qutest and matches very well and I know this because I also have a ifi dac that is out of place in this realm. When one get this kind of sound, it leaves you speechless and then you relies the audio journey is over. Its easy to get caught up in the next item or device cause that is what we like as much as the music. Anyone who wants to experience such a musical, and a firm authority on the bass. You really should look into this. Do not let the 23 Watts fool you, this amp is outplaying my rega with ease, And I like the Rega. But in this case the A has outclassed it. Thank you Jason
I’ve had my Sugden A21SE (bigger version of this one) for about 15 years and it has been excellent. I had to get it repaired last year but I sent it back to the factory and they did the work quickly and for a reasonable price. It’s nice to own something that can be repaired rather than disposed of - a real long term ownership proposition.
That is great Gian. It is a very serviceable design. Thank you sharing your experiences 😊👍
I have the SUGDEN A21SE Signature Graphite. It sounds fantastic and it’s definitely an audiophile integrated amplifier that will last forever without putting holes 🕳 🕳 in one’s pockets. Made in The UK 🇬🇧👍👑✨💎🌞
you cant argue with that. Must be a fantastic company.
i habe a question and i hope to learn from your experience. i currently have a hegel h199. since half a year i am thinking about purchasing the sugden A21SE. i do not need an all in one solution because i am using an external dac and turntable. do you think sound wise there is a big difference between h190 and the sugden? is it worth the change or should i perhaps more concentrate perhaps on changing to a step up in turntable cartridge? if the change to the sugden is only minor, it is probably not worth the investment but i have no chance of direct comparison. thx for your thoughts on this
@@0x21co I have never heard a Hegel amp so can't really make a meaningful comparison. The Sugden is very good but bear in mind it is Class A so has high energy consumption, gets quite hot and can produce some transformer hum. I really like the sound and the fact it can be repaired easily but sometimes feel tempted by a more modern design with fewer quirks and less power consumption - like a Hegel for example!
Great review. Balanced, intelligent and practical advice about balancing amp strengths and weakness with speakers
.
Thank you kindly 😊👍
Let’s give a shout out to Melanie 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I agree 👏👏👏👏
Nothing can replace the musicality of Class A. Once you've tasted it, it's hard to go back. Sugden is a pioneer, it is one of the few manufacturers to offer real pure Class A quality, with incomparable sound, at an affordable price, when others tell you that only the first watts are in Class A. Listen to a Sugden is adopting it, for life.
I have at the moment a denon pma 900v it's also a class a amplifier. Next step is a sugden.
@@fcber1891 Denon is not a real class A - is a A/B design
As a university lecturer who has had to get to grips with online delivery, I really appreciate how clear and informative your videos are and how much preparation must have gone into them. Good work!
Thank you Kevin. That is high praise indeed and very much appreciated 😊👍👍
I can only confirm that Sugden is extremely well built and lasts forever!! I still have an A28 Mk2 that I bought in 1989 with Rogers LS3/5A speakers and it is still as good as 32 years ago! It is only 20 Watts class A, but blows you away. Great stuff
What a lovely system. Thank you Jaap 😊👍
Nice to hear a small UK based company going strong. Sounds like a great place to work, the satisfaction of seeing a job through to completion and being able to see what you've spent all your time on...
Even in farming it's satisfying to see a field ploughed/mown/topped/etc, looking back at it as you close the gate, thinking "yep, a job well done there".
I thought the same thing. I wonder if Melanie Caruso will ever see the video and see the comments with people admiring her handy work?
Hello Tarun, this review is one of the reasons I bought the Sugden A21SE recently. And it brings me everything I hoped it would. After owned four or five previous amplifiers I can say: this is my last one. The balance and soothing while listening Magnus Ringblom Quartet - The Gotland Session is breathtaking. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. Best regards, Jos
That is great Jos. Thank you for letting me know 😊👍
I ended my audiophile journey with Sugden, they stuck with me now for 8 yrs. Love the warm sound of class A. Have the LA4 and SPA4 still current models!
Great 👍
The British audiophile is such a class act. I really enjoy the information you give and doesn't sound scripted either like some other chans. Happy new year !!
Thank you buddy. It isn’t scripted. I just make some listening and design notes so that I don’t leave anything important out. I appreciate you watching and your support. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
He’s a bloody fine chap. He isn’t farting about like some of these bloakes. Right then, on with review.
@@MrJason9142002 thank you buddy 😊👍👍
Class A electric heaters have always been my favorite way to keep warm in the winter ❄️❄️
I can see the appeal 😉
Try some KT88 tubes. (:^)
Since 3 years' time I enjoy listening to my stereo set based upon Sugden A21 Signature. And I am convinced that it will stay with me for good.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Janusz 😊
What about electricity bills? 'A' class use more current than AB class. Is that shows on your electricity bills?
@@vjekoslavkovacic6911 , listening ca 2-3h per day I can still afford to pay electricity bills.
I don’t need a new amplifier, but if I did I would not hesitate at buying the Sugden, I absolutely love the idea that is built in Britain and you get a name tag of the person that put it together, how fantastic is that !!
I agree 👍
So good to hear Sugden getting attention. I've had an A21a for a couple of years and it's a beautiful piece of kit. I rarely need to set the volume above ten o'clock and it sounds great. I got hold of the matching CD player, which they no longer produce and it is a wonderful combination.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Donald 😊👍
Yet an another amazingly accurate and technical review. Thank you for your A and AB description. Thank you as well for your time and effort sharing this info.
Thank you Simon. Much appreciated 😊👍
Another excellent review. I can honestly say Taran, I find your descriptions genuinely relatable, not the usual hiperbole of most reviews. Keep up the good work, Terry from Oz.
Thank you Terry. I really appreciate your support 😊👍👍
Interesting review, I am a happy owner of a Sudden A21 Signature and can confirm that the sound is excellent and that 23W are more than needed. To confirm this, I never cranked the volume over 12h or 1h at the max. I am pairing it with a pair of ProACs SM100 and they sound amazing with the Sugden. Very firm and muscular bass, lively midrange and refined highs. I also use the built-in phono stage and can confirm it plays well with a Rega P3 with an Ortofon 2M black. Probably not as well as with a separate pre-phono, but still very silent and detailed.
I have been using the A21 for one year and would never exchange it for a similar priced amp! Limited power and heat are not a problem at all!
Only one comment on the limitations of the amp.... the power is 23w at 8 ohm, but goes down to 15w at 4 ohms. For this reason, I would recommend careful pairing with speakers that are either 8 ohms rated or that do not drop lower than 4 ohms.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Francesco 😊
Another fantastic review where you have a clear idea of how the reviewed item should sound
Thank you Vicente 😊👍
Happy new year, Tarun! Good to know that Sugden are still independent and building to a standard rather than a price point.
Thank you buddy. This is an amp that does feel like something special. Also the way it has been designed, it can be serviced for decades to come. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Hell yes! 2021. The year Taran doesn’t hold back.
Thank you Paul. Happy new year 🥳👍
I had the A21 SE for a while. Beautiful smooth sounding amp. Quality British Hifi.
I would like to review more of their products. Thank you for watching and sharing James 😊👍
Now what amp do you have please? There is something better, like soundstage, instruments tonality....!?
Late to the party, but I got here. You are getting more popular, it is time to convert to American when you do your reviews. Thank You, Good Review, Paul
Thank you. That would require a change of branding 😂
Thanks for a fair and honest review. I have been a fan of Sugden since they were at Cleckheaton and I went with a friend to discuss buying one and was shown round by the great Jim. I have an ancient A21a and an equally old Audition Amp which have given no trouble for 30+ years. I find that they match well with my Naim Allae speakers whose fairly high efficiency and rather cool analytical sound match the amp well - probably with Naim amplification they might not please everyone. I would suggest that if buying the Sugden you would pay much attention to speaker efficiency so as to get the full benefit of the lowish power- even better get a pair of Masterclass power amps and a control (a lottery win might help).
Thank you Gareth. That is excellent advice. I really enjoyed learning about your experiences. Thank you for watching and your support 😊👍
Enjoy your reviews Tarun. As a Canadian Hegel dealer, I can tell you that much of the criticism you have of the H160 was resolved with the H190. It's a considerable improvement. We're also an Acoustic Energy dealer and thanks for your insightful review of the AE1. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Neil. I appreciate you watching and taking the time to share that 😊👍
Which exactly criticism you mean
? The lack of warmth
Thanks
Sugden A21 Signature + Dynaudio Sp40 wonderful sound!
Thank you József 😊👍
What a great breakdown on a review! I agree a class A amp sounds romantic and when when played at relaxing listening levels, it is hard-to-beat. The Hegels seems to have ventured into a different kind of audience and it’s working out really well for them.
I agree with every word of that Lowell. I am listening to my Hegel at low volumes and wishing I hadn’t boxed up the Sugden to send back. Thank you for watching and your kind words of support 😊👍
An independent, local audio company getting some deserved recognition
It is nice to shine some light on the small guys. Thank you for watching and commenting David 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I agree with David. We're missing out on so many quality products that offer value for money because you're not paying to offset huge marketing expenses. I had no idea of this company until your video, Tarun. Look forward to more such reviews of lesser known but quality products.
@@jeremylynnchagaspereira3926 I would love to do more of these reviews as long as small companies are prepared to send products to me. A lot of them seem rather shy when it comes to having their equipment reviewed on RUclips.
I own this amp and mainly listen to rock and I can't believe how loud a 23 watt amp can be. I have it matched with 99db Tekton Lore Floorstanders. The pair is a match made in heaven.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Roger 😊👍
Now that brought back some memories from the very early 1970s when I was first learning about hi-fi! A friend purchased a Sugden A21 when the trend was to higher power amps such as Phase Linear and Crown. For me it was a revelation and have always pursued the _quality_ of sound ever since rather than volume. I’m also a fan of near field listening at sensible SPLs. Thanks again Tarun from the bottom of the planet :-)
I used to lust after the A21 as a college student in the 90s. It was way out of my league. Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊👍
ho finally someone reviwing sugden !!! thankyou
Thank you for watching Matthew 😊👍
The Sugden was on my list but I couldn't find much information on it. So your review will be very helpfully for others in the market for a better amp. Great to see you are now over 25k subs.
Thank you buddy. I hope you liked the review 😊👍
I am really glad that you did this particular review and comparison. One of my all-time favourite listening experiences was a CAL Alpha DAC feeding an early vintage Sugden A21a, playing into a pair of Meadowlark Audio Kestrels. The only reason that I did not buy the amp then is that I felt that it was lacking a little oomph in the bass. Now, about 20 years later, I regret the decision - and own a Hegel H80. And now I want to find one of those A21a's and play it side-by-side with the Hegel. Cheers from Montreal.
Thank you David. I really enjoyed reading about your experiences. Thank you for sharing 😊👍
People say things about Yamaha but I bought their cheapest 2 channel and I love it. It was my first amp. And I bought two more amps. The Arcam is not the same. The sound difference is dramatic. I’m new to audio. Trial and error is my new path.
That is great. Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊👍
This review and all the glazing comments about the sugden make me want to buy it. See, in about 8 months time i’ll put together my first system, it’s been years since I’ve started to love the audio world and said to my self that i would have a good system one day.
I think the sugden will be my amp… ! Now i need to find the speakers to pair it with !
@@flash4973 cool 😎
I'm very familiar with class A, having owned a Sugden A21 I bought in 1972 (£56), great amplifier. I'm fully aware of the difference between class A, class B and class AB - I think your explanation with the ball was a superb way of giving people an idea of the main difference.
Thank you Amok. Much appreciated 😊👍
In my head, single ended operation (which is where the ball metaphor comes in) isn't the same thing as Class A operation (which is what generates the heat; because the output devices are "always on", rather than switching in and out as they detect current). Perhaps I'm wrong, but Arun's explanation seems to confuse the two.
As always another fine review/comparison Tarun ,within few minutes I understand both these amplifiers so well & the importance of equipment pairing ....
Thank you Anand 😊👍
Ahh yes , wilkinsons Hi fi. I've been a customer of theirs for years now . I remember when they got these sugden amps in . Ive not heard them but look very nice and well built . Good review as always 👍
Thank you Calel 😊👍
Great review. As a Sugden owner (A48B) which is over 25yrs old, I can vouch for their quality, reliability & musicality. If you get a chance try and review their AV50 amplifier, I’ve not listened to it myself but from what I’ve read this has more power than A21 Signature. Sugden also provide a service for any amplifier and can repair most amplifiers from the 1960’s onwards. So if you want to give your Sugden some TLC, fill out the form on their website and send it to them once they’ve got in touch. You can also have your Sugden products in a range of colours, just decide which finish before purchase. Sugden, a great Yorkshire company.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Christopher. I appreciate your kind words of support 😊👍
All the best of 2021 to you and yours Tarun. It's nice to see the manufacturers and distributors starting to give you the recognition you deserve. It looks like 2021 will be a busy year for A British Audiophile.
I recently picked up a pair of Schiit Aegir class A monoblocks. A small American company with another variation of class A design, attempting to maximize the benefits and minimize the shortcomings of class A. I'm using the Aegirs with a pair of Tannoy floorstanders, and I must say that they sound glorious in the midrange.
See you soon mate.
Thank you Richard. Happy new year to you and your loved ones too. I am planning to reach out to Schiit this year. Glad to hear your are enjoying your Aegirs 🥳👍
As usual a very excellent illustration of a technical issue. You do a great job and each video is a little better than the previous one. Thank you and happy New Year.
Thank you eholmwood. I am still very much a work in progress. I hope they are improving. Thank you for noticing and your continued support my friend 😊👍
Another great review, thanks! I’ve always been fond of this amp for years and hope to hear it one day.
Thank you Sean 😊👍
Good Job on the review. Being from the middle of nowhere in the States. I never heard of Sugden but you gave such wonderful detail on the its pros and cons, it is on my bucket list to audition one. Be well.
Thank you Ridire. I appreciate you watching and your kind words of support 😊👍
Reviews of small and relatively unknown manufacturers are very welcome! Thanks
It certainly is. Thank you for watching 😊
One of the very few RUclips reviewers that I trust. This is an excellent review Tarun
Thank you. That is greatly appreciated 😊👍
Great review. I think the some of the last points were some of the most pertinent. Matched correctly with sympathetic speakers these amplifiers are truly legacy products. Very few manufacturers can claim the history Sugden have. The fact they are all handmade in the UK I think makes them something of a bargain. Whilst the Hegel may be designed in Norway the amps are made in China with all the cost savings that provides.
Thank you for watching Rob. Hegel and Sugden are too brands that couldn’t be further apart in their approach to building an amplifier. Both sound great but for long term satisfaction, the Sugden is hard to beat 😊👍
Finally I got the push-pull vs. full class A topology with your ball explanation. Thanks. And I actually own a Pass XA25!
Thank you 😊
Cheers Taran and a Happy New Year. I am a Sugden believer. Years back I tested the PMC GB1i with the Masterclass IA4 and it was the best much ever.
Happy new year to you too Panagiotis. PMC used Sugden amps for years to demo their gear. I wish I still has the Twenty5.21i here to try with the A21 Signature. 😉👍
I still have my Sugden A48 Mk 2 bought in 1981. It's still a wonderful sounding amp and it's still going strong.
Thank you for watching and sharing Mark 😊
Have used sugden class A amps over the last thirty years on and off amongst other UK class A amps, excellent brand and equipment highly recommended.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Paul 😊
Excellent review. I like the way you explain the differences.
Thank you Hung. Much appreciated 😊👍👍
A great insightful review Taran........ Good to hear such a knowledgeable reviewer.... No B S..... Enjoyed it immensely.... Cheers and look forward to another video.....
Thank you Michael. I appreciate you watching and your kind words of support 😊👍
Loving your reviews, calm and informative.
Thank you Tony 😊👍
I’ve had my a21sig for a few years now. Best amp I’ve owned. Yes as you said not the loudest but with right speakers you can rock out the same as the Hegel. I pair mine with some klipsch heresy 3s and easily get 95db out of them. Paired the class A output of the chord qutest magical sound tbh certainly be here for a very long time.
I can imagine that being a great combination. Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences my friend 😊👍
Tarun, EXCELLENT inspired illustration of crossover distortion with the ball! Nice description too of the sound when combined with different speakers. If people haven't had the opportunity to compare like you did here, I think often it's hard to imagine what these effects can be.
I appreciate your reviewing a Sugden: they've been making desirable amplifiers for as long as I've been into hifi (50 years).
All the best for 2021, Rob
Thank you Rob. I tried to keep the Class A Vs AB explanation as simple as I could. It was also useful to have my Hegel H160 to compare. Once again, thank you for your kind words of support 😊👍👍
A very nice review with excellent technical explanations.
Thank you John. Very much appreciated 😊👍👍
Good review Tarun, I’ve only had my Sugden A21se for a week and I love it, it’s tied to a pair of KEF R3’s and the results are very musical.
I can see how that combination would work very well. Thank you for watching 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 it’s decent, I actually ran it by you just before Xmas.
What a start to the new year, than you THARUN.
Thank you Reinhart. It is good to be back. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
All the best for the new year.
Happy new year.
That is a nice review, not only how it sounds but also how it is to live with it.
And I agree, these Sugden amplifiers are beautifully build by the look of it on the internals. If I owned one, I would almost fancy a plexiglass cover on it.
Great to hear from you Hugo. Thank you for watching and your support 😊👍
Your reviews are always really good.
Thank you Erik. That is very kind of you to say 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I really mean it. Keep up the good work.
A great review. I forgot about Sugden. anyone got one of the headphone amps. back in the day there were superb and probably still are.
I wanted one when I was in college. It was way out of my league back then 😉
Happy new year. Im waiting to take delivery of the Hegel H390..
Happy new year to you too. Hope you enjoy the H360 😉👍
Excellent! Thought I would never see a RUclips Sugden review. I’ve been interested in Sugden for years .
They generally don’t let there stuff out for review. They don’t need it reviewed
@@gaza4543 is that just because they've got such a good reputation?
Thank you Doug. Sugden are a small business with a excellent reputation within the industry and a loyal following amongst it’s customers. They don’t really need to advertise or send products out to review as they don’t plan to sell loads of them. I was very pleased when they seemed to like what I was doing with my channel and agreed to organise an amplifier for me to review. It is fair to say, the reputation is deserved 😊👍
Tarun,Happy New Year! A very good review. I've never had a chance to see or hear a Sugden - there has never been a dealer in my state. I do remember the old Musical Fidelity A-1, a fine sounding integrated amp/ hot plate. Back in the mid nineties I said to my friend Ralph (who owned the local High End audio store); "I'm very biased about amplifiers, I prefer pure class A!" I bought a Forte 4a from him back in 1994 and It's still my favorite amp. It was based on a Nelson Pass DIY design and he hired Michael Bladelius to do a redesign and it was actually better sounding than some of the Threshold amps at the time. It had body in the mid bass and midrange and loads of current, it also had the smoothest top end of any of the amps that I have owned.
Happy new year to you too Miles. Very interesting. Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314
Tarun, back in the nineties Corey Greenberg wrote a rave review of the Forte 4a in Stereophile magazine I was fortunate to get one on sale a few months later. Also look up Michael Bladelius - he's a very interesting electronics designer.
A good review, happy New year to the British Audiophile.
Thank you Benjamin. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Great review of a brand that I have followed since the late 1970s.i hope you will get round to reviewing the new Copland CSA 100 integrated amplifier. It will be very interesting to see what you make of it.Your reviews are a delight to listen to.Happy new year to you.
Thank you Francis. I appreciate your support. Happy new year to you too. I haven’t heard a Copland in years. Thank you for the suggestion. I wonder who is distributes them in the U.K.?
Happy new year Tarun and all... Sugden with ProAc... Long been a combination I've appreciated.
The U.K Sugden distributor is also a dealer and he has many customers that have been delighted with their Sugden amp with ProAc speakers. I enjoyed it with my 1SCs. Thank you for watching and sharing. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Great review!! I hope you get also the chance to review the A21SE Signature and especially the ANV50, there is almost no review of this unit out there. Keep up the good work and happy new year!
Thank you Thiago. I hope I can get around to them in time 😊👍
VG review once again. I've long admired the look of the Sugden gear and I've had a Plinius class A power amp putting out 125watts, which got hot enough to fry an egg. It was also a beast weighing 38kg! Now all gone replaced with a Leben valve integrated pumping out a massive 15watts! Plenty for my close listening (3m) and small room.
Thank you Tony. I hope to get some valve amps in soon 😊👍
Happy new year Sir. Even if I have already pulled the trigger for the Buchardt A500, I am still curious to hear about your impressions. Thank you very much for your reviews and professional and clear comments.
Thank you Fabrizio. I hope I won’t keep,you waiting too long. Happy new year to you 😊👍
Tarun, you have the deep knowledge and skill to explain very well the complexity of the technology involved in HiFi equipments related to the listening experience. Many thanks again and have an Happy New Year.
Always a pleasure to hear from you my friend. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Happy New Year!! Superb! Superb review and a huge thank you for giving Sugden e credit and justice they deserve!! Back in the days it (A21a) was one of the best sounding amp at that price point, would certainly have bought one if I didn’t own power/current hungry Dynaudio Contour 1.3mk2, and couldn’t afford their beefier masterclass.
Thank you William. It is a very nice amplifier. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Welcome back. I was quite bored over the holidays. It cost me the addition of a pair of subwoofers. That inspection tag looks like a legacy from 1967. He must have printed a lot of them.
Great to hear from you James. Sound like you had an expensive Christmas. As for the tags, I think Sugden take the approach, if it ain’t broke...
Happy new year to you buddy 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I need an app to remove "Buy it now" from my computer.
Happy New Year Tarun. And thanks for another interesting video. Must confess I'd never heard of Sugden. And hand made in the UK! Btw my class A monoblocks are on their way from a company in my home area. Looking forward as always to more videos from you. Cheers.
Thank you buddy. Great to hear from you as always. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Happy new year Tarun. I am glad I can go back spending my lunch break watching you channel.
Thank you buddy. Much appreciated 😊👍
Great to see you again, looking forward to your review of the Buchardts.
Thank you buddy. I hope I won’t keep you waiting too long 😊👍
Tarun...Happy New Year first of all!
With this very beautiful review You gave us all a touch of enjoyment at the very start of the Year 2021...and in the same time most likely for all of us very wellcomed additional New Year's present. Thank You !
Thank you my friend. Great to hear from you as always. This amplifiers is a bit special. A nice way to kick off 2021. Happy new year to you and your loved ones 🥳👍👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank You so much...btw. Sudgen A 21 Signature is my favorite solid state amp.
Another fine review Tarun! Still dreaming of the Hegel when I can save enough money. The thing that would put me off the sugden is the heat output, the wife is bound to complain especially in the summer
Thank you Ossie. The A21 Signature isn’t probably going warm up the room too much. The bigger class A amps will be more noticeable in this regard but I think your wife has a point 😊👍
I have been rather late in catching this report but I must say it is excellent. You describe the differences very well (in that it parallels my own experience ;)).
Thank you my friend. Much appreciated 😊👍
Happy New Year Taran.
Another great review, concise and too the point.
I now have a good idea what the Sugden sounds like, so much so, I'd love to hear it in own system.
Maybe someday.
Your clear explanations are worth so much more than someone on the Tube playing music and gushing about the qualities we can only imagine.
Thank you John. That is very much appreciated. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Thanks for your review Tarun
l Love Class A amps! I built the baby Pass 'Amp Camp Amp'. I enjoy your reviews!
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Lynn 😊👍
Hi tarun, I took your advice and bought klipsh rp600m speakers for my 30 w tube amp icon audio and am more than pleased with the higher sensitivity speaker , I was surprised at the bass when reviews said it lacked , and clarity and vocals are more than I expected , not harsh or bright at all , happy New year , ps I use my amp as a radiator 😁
That is great. I am so pleased it worked out. Any extra heating in the winter helps 😉 Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Happy New Year Tarun. Please consider reviewing some class AB musical amps like Sonneteer Alabaster, Lavardin IT & IS, Heed Obelisk and Belles Aria. Also recent Exposure vs Naim integrated
Thank you for watching and the suggestion Sunil. Happy new year to you too 😊
Extremely thorough & balanced review, Happy New Year Tarun
Thank you buddy. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Solid review. This amp was on my shortlist but ultimately I decided it was time to go tubular.
Thank you for watching and sharing Joe 😊👍
Had a legendary A48 for many years...wonderful sound.
Thank you for watching and sharing Guy 😊👍
Welcome back and happy new year, Tarun - back earlier than I expected, but I'm not complaining!
Thank you Sebastian. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍
Hi Tarun, happy new year.
Another very interesting video and I am looking forward to your other new videos!
Happy NY Tarun. Well done on the year and look forward to the reviews ahead
Thank you Kjbiz. Happy new year to you too 😊👍
Good review Tarun. Did consider this amp at one time but went with Exposure pre/power combination instead.
Look forward to further reviews this year............Cheers.
Thank you for watching and your support filofilo. I am hoping to get the new Exposure amps in for review myself at some point this year 😊👍
Your 2021 lineup to come looks amazing and will generate quite a bit of interests, especially the Buchardt’s. I hope you will test the prima Luna product line at some point.
I hope to Hemant as I have been in touch with the Prima Luna U.K. distributor. Thank you for watching and as always I appreciate your support 😊👍
Thx for reviewing a not- chinese amp. Especially one where you know the person that actually built it that is cool.
There is some very good stuff coming out of China at the moment but it was nice to take a look at something that is built for longevity and built by hand in the U.K.
wow... proud of you... an honest Hegel comparison. Everyone is kissing Hegel a$$ for last year... but to me... they make music sound like they have NO decay of sound... like a digital ON off sounding. I do think in some cases... too much dampning factor is a bad thing. I still love my Marantz PM7000n middle of road product for reasonable price. I do miss my McIntosh amp warmth... but hated its lack of features.
Thank you Francisco. Very kind of you to say. Great to hear about your experiences too 😊👍
Happy New Year Tarun. Really enjoyable and informative review.
Many thanks
Thank you Ajay. Happy new year to you too 😊👍
Beautifully presented review. It would be interesting to see how this compares with its bigger brother, the A21 SE.
Thank you Gavin. I hope to review more Sugden amplifiers in the future 😊👍
Happy new year Tarun. Wow! Into 2021 with a bang with this classy looking Sugden amp. I like the sound of the voicing on the Sugden by what you are saying. A wee bit of warmth in the midrange and treble is good in my books. A good matching speaker for this amp would be something like the Focal Aria 926 or 936 or KEF LS 50 meta's. This amp would be great for Jazz and easy listening music I would say. Great first review of the year. 😊👍🎸
Thank you Steve. It is great a low level listening. Makes my Hegel H160 sound like a boy playing a man’s game. I suspect it will work well with Focal’s and Kef’s too. Happy new year to you and your loved ones too 🥳👍
Sugden 21 SE + Focal Aria 926 + T+A DSD8 DAC + Rel T5 + Chord Epic cables + DSD music = ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happy New Year Taran! Wishing you a year of reviews, with audio gems and audio surprises. Hope you have enough space for gear! I see a lot coming your way for 2021.
Thank you juniper1. Very kind of you to say. Happy new year to you too 🥳👍👍
Top reviewer on RUclips now soon be hitting 100k subs Tarun
That is extremely kind of you Justin. Happy new year to you and your loved ones 😊👍👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 happy new year to you and all
Happy new year Tarun,
informative and detail review as usual, your a class act.
Thank you Stephen. I appreciate you watching and your very kind words of support. Happy new year to you too 😊👍👍
Thanks again Tarun. This is like the fourth time I watched this. I have ordered the S21 and hopefully I like as much as you did.
I wanted to pair this with a set of Harbeth or QLN but due to my trade and limitation I opted for a set of paradigm Founders 80. I am currently breaking those in, I was just going to sell them, but I would have taking quite a loss. They do however have a very natural and warm sound on my Rega Aethos.
This will be a different setup mostly for a turntable. The Founders are 90-93 db, not sure how that goes but lets assume 90 I think the Sugden will fair just fine.
Thank you for sharing Jason. Please let me know how you get on 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Okay I know this one is a couple years old but I got the Sugden in Blue. Gorgeous . But the sound. I have two amps that cost more then this one. And boast many more watts. But the deep weight of this Class A is in itself Magic. I have a set of QLN Sonora speakers that overwhelm the room with this musical presents that is almost daunting. I have a chord qutest and matches very well and I know this because I also have a ifi dac that is out of place in this realm.
When one get this kind of sound, it leaves you speechless and then you relies the audio journey is over. Its easy to get caught up in the next item or device cause that is what we like as much as the music. Anyone who wants to experience such a musical, and a firm authority on the bass. You really should look into this.
Do not let the 23 Watts fool you, this amp is outplaying my rega with ease, And I like the Rega. But in this case the A has outclassed it.
Thank you
Jason