Sugden Legends - 1960s Onwards - Novel, Musical, Classic & Collectable
Sugden have been producing individually hand-made audio products designed and made in England since the 1960s.
There are a string of extraordinary products, these are a few:
Sugden Si402 Pure Class ‘A’ Stereo Power Amplifier (1960s)
Sugden Si402 Pure Class ‘A’ all silicon transistor stereo power amplifier (early 1960s). Special features of the Si402 include two completely independent amplifier sections, common transformer, a choice of high or medium damping factors for high quality loudspeakers including electrostatics.
Sugden A21 (Original) Pure Class 'A' Integrated Amplifier (1964)
Sugden A21 (Original) Pure Class 'A' Integrated Amplifier was designed by James Edward Sugden.
Released in 1964 it is regarded the longest produced amplifier model as it is still a current Sugden model - nearly 50 years on! The A21 is also regarded as the first commercially made solid state Pure Class ‘A’ amplifier to appear on the market.
Whilst the designs were unconventional, the sound performance won wide acclaim and established the company at the forefront of domestic hi-fi.
Earlier versions of the identical A21 amplifier made by Sugdens were badged and sold as Richard Allan amplifiers in the early 1960s to complement Richard Allan's loudspeakers.
In 2011 The Absolute Sound and Hi-Fi+ recognised the Sugden A21 for changing the face of audio significantly and included it in the hall of fame as One of The Ten Most Significant European Amplifiers of All Time.
Sugden A51 Pure Class 'A' Stereo Power Amplifier (1967)
The Sugden A51 Pure Class 'A' Stereo Power Amplifier released in 1967 still has amazing sound reproduction and disgraces many current brands of power amplifiers. Very collectable and rare to find. We are looking for one for our Sugden Museum. If you have one you would like to let go to a good home let us know.
Sugden A21 Series 2 Pure Class 'A' Integrated Amplifier (1968)
The Sugden A21 Series 2 Pure Class 'A' Integrated Amplifier was released circa 1968 with power output increased from 10 watts to 12 watts from the popular Series 1 version.
The current model is the Sugden A21a Pure Class 'A' Integrated Amplifier. Acknowledging a pedigree of nearly 50 years from 1964 to now!
Sugden A48 Stereo Amplifier - 40 watts per channel. (1973)
From the original 1973 Sugden brochure: ‘The A48 amplifier is a ‘luxury’ development of the A21 amplifier. It is in many ways similar, almost identical in size and appearance, except for the 10 button push button bank instead of 6.’
Sugden A48II Integrated Stereo Amplifier (1976)
Sugden A48 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier released in 1976. The A48 S2's smooth fatigue free listening owes much to the Class A circuitry of the power stages. The configuration chosen gave maximum benefits of the better reproduction qualities of Class A and the economic output of Class B. The amplifier was dynamic, precise imaging, sound stage and separation normally found in more expensive "separate" combinations. The novel colour combination of light brown, orange and white are now in fashion!
Sugden A21a (Original) Pure Class 'A' Integrated & Power Amplifier (1989-2000)
Continuing evolution of the 1964 Sugden A21 Original, now Sugden A21a Original Pure Class ‘A’ Integrated Stereo Amplifier and Sugden A21a Power Amplifier.
Sugden A21a Pure Class 'A' Integrated Amplifier & Sugden CD21 Compact Disc Player (2000-2007)
Evolution of the 1989 Sugden A21a Original: no change to model code, still Sugden A21a Pure Class ‘A’ Integrated Stereo Amplifier and now a matching Sugden CD21 Compact Disc Player.
Sugden Au51c Pre-Amplifier with Sugden Au51cs Power Supply and Sugden Au51p Power Amplifier (1990-1999)
The Sugden Au51c Pre-Amplifier with Sugden Au51cs Power Supply & Sugden Au51p Power Amplifier set a new benchmark for music reproduction. The Pre-Amplifier, Power Supply and Power amplifier were all dual mono to guarantee no degradation of sound quality.
Sugden Masterclass AA Pre-Amplifier, Sugden Masterclass AA Class 'A' Stereo Power Amplifier & Masterclass Compact Disc Player (1999-2007)
The Sugden Masterclass AA Pre-Amplifier, Sugden Masterclass AA Class 'A' Stereo Power Amplifier & Masterclass Compact Disc Player replaced the Sugden Au51 Series.
In the Masterclass Sugden introduced gold-plated circuit boards and silver soldering. The improvements to sound quality were simply amazing with even more music being presented.
Sugden Bijou MusicMaster Pure Class 'A' Power Amplifier (2004-2008)
The Sugden Bijou MusicMaster is an extraordinary Pure Class ‘A’ Power Amplifier, very deceiving for a 16 watts per channel amplifier.
Other models that must be included are:
Sugden C51 Pre-Amplifier and P51 Power Amplifier - Simply amazing and better than most current brands - Several series in the 1970s.
Sugden A25 Mosfet Integrated Amplifier - 1980s.
