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REVIEW: Sugden A21a Integrated Amplifier (SS)

12.20.130.131


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Model: A21a
Category: Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $1600.00
Description: Pure class A - 25 Watts per channel
Manufacturer URL: Sugden
Manufacturer URL: Sugden

Review by hairydog ( A ) on August 02, 2006 at 11:17:55
IP Address: 12.20.130.131
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for the A21a


Firstly I have to say this is a really hot running amp (I dont use mine in the summer months). It's heat sinks run hotter than a Pass Aleph 30. As the other reviewer says it is nice to get something built in England these days, which is important to me. Even the power supply capacitors are UK made. The volume pot is a good quality japanese alps. I should note the amp is now more than 1600, I paid 2000 with phono for mine. Build and appearance I find to be solid and practical. The amp sounds very musical while still pulling off a good number of hi-fi attributes. It has a natural tonality, piano has the right timbre and decay. Imaging is good. Transparency and detail is less than some other amps I have used, but still up to scratch. Bass could be a bit tighter, but it is not fat and flabby either. The overall quality the amp has, sorry to be redudndant, is that I simply enjoy listening to music on it, more than anything I have used (some pricier). It does all kinds of music well but really shines on classical and classic jazz. The phono stage performs well, I suppose an outboard could outdo it but I like having everything in one box (which after all is the point of getting an integrated). Certain products like the Sugden pure class A integrated stay classics for a long time maybe not because they are the greatest out there but because they represent a simple, good sounding, good value product. It does what it was designed for and does it well. The design has remained largely unchanged for many years. It also holds the possibility of lasting charm.......it might even take you off the hi-fi merry go round, at least it did me. I love the Sugden.


Product Weakness: Very Hot. Blows mains fuse sometimes.
Product Strengths: Musical and enjoyable but still with solid hi-fi attributes. Good build quality.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Sugden A21 or Rega Mira
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rega P3 /Rega Jupiter
Speakers: Monitor audio studio 2
Cables/Interconnects: kimber
Music Used (Genre/Selections): classical/ jazz/rock
Room Size (LxWxH): 14 x 13 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: none
Time Period/Length of Audition: A year
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster HTS
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Sugden A21a Integrated Amplifier (SS) - hairydog 11:17:55 08/2/06 ( 9)