A21 Series 2 Amplifier
Sugden's first commercial amplifier was the A21 in the mid-1960s. It is generally recognised as the first commercial, solid state Pure Class A amplifier to be available for audio enthusists. It was a very special amplifier with a single-ended Class A output configuration and current feedback. This design concept did not appear generally in commercial audio amplifiers until over a decade later. Capable of recreating a musical performance well in advance of its peers, it made the name of Sugden synonymous with musical performance. The true potential of the output configuration was realised in the 1980s when it was coupled to modern components, reduced internal filtering and multi emitter solid state output devices.
The result was an amplifier of extended and more controlled bass and treble but still retaining the wonderfully detailed mid range of the original design. The amplifier became the A21a, a reference amplifier on many continents. Further improvements have achieved significant enhancement of performance and the amplifier has been rebranded as the Sugden A21a Series 2.
A21SE Amplifier
The A21SE is a further expansion of the musical performance available from the Sugden single ended Class A output circuitry. Designed to provide more power output, greater speaker compatibility and a larger sound stage, it is not an uprated A21 Series 2 but a definitive amplifier in its own right.
The SE contains a pre-amp stage with high input impedance, high voltage gain, low noise, wide bandwidth, low distortion and low impedance to drive the Class A power stages. This pre-amp stage coupled to a fifty percent increase in the low impedance power supply enables a very dynamic sound stage to be developed with pin point imaging and fine tonal balance. An amplifier of unforced spontaneity which will satisfy the most discerning enthusiast with ‘simply more music’.
The A21SE is a line level input integrated amplifier without an integrated phono stage option. Sugdens are pleased to offer optional phono stages.
CD21 Compact Disc Player
The Sugden CD21 compact disc player has been specially developed to allow the listener to take advantage of the musical prowess of the A21a pure Class A integrated amplifier. It is designed with music in mind not ‘bells and whistles’.
Corner stoned by a Sugden-modified Philips CD head and dac 7 servo the output feeds a Sugden D.A. converter and analogue output board. The circuits are powered by no less than six regulated dc power supplies to minimise HF spuriae and protect the sanctity of the musical performance. The converter used is a hybrid, bit stream/multi bit unit which gives respective benefits in the low and mid frequencies. The analogue converter is via a discrete component DC-coupled Class A output stage. This combination results in a CD player with the ability to develop the complete music spectrum, with natural dynamics and a clean sweet extended top end.
CD21SE Compact Disc Player
Utilising the same CD transport as the CD21, the SE version has been further enhanced by a more sophisticated analogue output stage and further discrimination in the regulated power supplies.
This output stage ensures absolute compatibility with the very special line amplifier of the A21SE to develop the extremely low noise, high speed and low distortion characteristics. The careful consideration of the high frequency registers in the CD and amplifier interstages allows the Sugden units to maintain superb details and clarity without any trace of hardness.