Love my A21SE, having used it for several months now and can say this amp is the best value (and probably best sounding) amp I have ever owned. I've been an Audiophile on and off for well over 20 years and heard alot of memorable pieces and this one ranks highest in terms of value, performance and sound. So much so I am buying it's larger brother the IA4 for a second system. I weighed all the pros and cons, and really wanted something different just to experience a different sound, but honestly, there is no reason to since I get ALL of what I want with the A21SE. Sugden most certainly satisfies the Audiophile itch.
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Just bought one...Have a little concern about the heat since it will be a part of a desktop based system. It was really the only way for me get a musical piece of equipment without dealing with the size of tube integrateds. I also consider Class A a dying topology for amps, so I feel lucky to be able to snag one of these amps. It will be all Class D soon and Class D implementations are coming alont but not there yet as far as sound. |
Yup! Great match, tannoys & sugden. I think you too will love the combo. There is just something so right about the sound. I run the a21se to drive my eatons, and they sound dreamy....pair it with a nice tubed phono preamp and you will forever be happy. I use the tavish design classic, but the vintage and adagio would also be fantastic. Go for the a21se, bigger power supply and more watts (30 @ 8 ohm/40 @ 4 ohm). Provide plenty of ventilation or space as they run hot. Here is a nice review for you to peruse: https://www.tonepublications.com/review/sugden-a21se-signature-edition/ |
Never had integrated amp from Sugden but in the 90's I bought new (demo) a set of Au41 pre and Au31 power amp, still have these in my second listening room with either Magnepan SMG or Tangent RS6. Few years ago I had the chance to find a Au51 pre and Au51 power amp used, they are with Snell Acoustics CII. SUGDEN FOREVER AND EVER |
I own the A21se and love it. Check out the recent Tone Publications review. The review ends this way: “I guarantee that this is an amplifier, that once you hear it, you will never forget it. Very enthusiastically recommended, especially in a world where we mistakenly think that “high end sound” requires a six figure budget.” |
After trying Bryston 17b cubed with Bryston 4b cubed with my PMC twenty 5/26 and not really enjoying the sound I decided to go the Sugden route I purchased a Masterclass 1A4 integrated pure class A 33 watts/ channel and now I am in heaven Sugden has all the power I need to produce the soundstage the detail the base and balance the pmc is capable of making. I was thinking of purchasing another Masterclass for my Fact 8s but I am waiting for delivery of my Goldnote IS 1000 integrated built in dac streamer and gain adjustment if it doesn’t work out I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase another Sugden for my Facts. |