Masterclass IA-4 Integrated Amplifier
The largest and most powerful integrated amplifier in the Sugden family which takes advantage of the initial Sugden class A output configuration. The Pure Class A solid state output stage equipped with greater power from a custom-built transformer and low impedance supply can project and fill an enormous holographic sound stage with ‘simply more music’.
An extraordinary, organic, euphonic, acoustic performance, achieved by the integration of a state of the art preamplifier and the classic Sugden Class A output stage. The integrated system of pre-amp and power amp driven by individual power supplies enables the ultimate in musical performance. Just listen - you will find it worth more than a thousand words. Despite the high power installed, Sugden have included an MM phono stage of extremely high quality.
Masterclass SPA-4 & MPA-4 Power Amplifiers
The stereo power amplifier SPA-4 and its big brother, mono power amplifier MPA-4, have been developed to present a holographic three dimensional soundstage where the listener can almost walk in and touch the musicians. Tremendous headroom is available in which to develop a wonderfully dynamic portrayal of music in all of its moods - ‘simply more music’.
The stereo power amp has facilities for asymmetric (phono/RCA) or balanced inputs, the latter utilising a virtual transformer (discreet) balanced input circuit. The power amplifiers are symmetrical, current feedback, dc-coupled, gain stages with servo controlled dc off-set and multi emitter output devices. In the balanced mono amps the two power output stages of the stereo power amp are connected in balanced mode giving a mono amplifier. The mono amplifiers give single channel power twice that of the stereo amps. Among some of the gains of the balanced configuration is a much lower noise floor, even greater dynamics and a rock solid musical sound stage.
Masterclass PA-4 Phono Amplifier
The full potential of the musical magic contained on vinyl discs can only be realised by the passionate treatment of the low level signals emanating from the disc and stylus. Class A circuitry is renowned for its recovery of and synergy with, low level signals and Sugdens is synonymous with Class A circuitry. This combination is fully exploited in the, PA-4, dual mono, two stage, Class A Phono amplifier. The two stages are the moving coil pre-amplifier and the moving magnet, RIAA-correction amplifier.
The moving coil stage is a Class A current feedback circuit and the moving magnet amplifier a Class A voltage feedback circuit incorporating the RIAA correction in the negative feedback loop. DC servo circuits enable direct coupling of the musical signal from moving coil input to final output. The power supply which Sugdens considers an integral part of the amplifier circuitry is a ‘current shunt’ design with a specially designed voltage regulator to prevent rising impedance with higher frequencies.
Constructed with components of exceptional quality, hand assembled on long term stability gold plated circuit boards, the resultant performance is a phono stage of absolute transparency and natural sound.
The user interfaces are all externally selected i.e. input selection 1x MM, 2x MC, the latter with external loading facilities. There are two stereo outputs for recording or line amplifier.
Masterclass LA-4 Pre-amplifier
The Sugden Masterclass LA-4 is a line level stereo pre-amplifier with authority, finesse and the capability to develop a sound stage with imaging, dimensional realism, and time/space elements in perfect harmony. The units primary function is ‘Simply More Music’ with a neutrality to allow end users to choose mating components and obtain customised performance.
The LA-4 was developed to complement the Sugden Masterclass Power Amplifiers and at its heart has dual mono, dc-coupled, Class A, current feed back gain stages. The gain stages are each powered by current shunt differential power supplies which enable the fastest transients and most powerful crescendos with true musical empathy.
The LA-4 has provision for stereo pairs of balanced inputs, four single ended RCA (phono) inputs, a By-Pass input, Input and output recording facility, two main pre-amp outputs and a balanced output.
Masterclass PDT-4 Compact Disc Player
Rescuing music from the technology of compact disc is an art form and the Masterclass CD player is the consummate artist. The Sugden PDT-4 is the ultimate seamless fusion of digital and analogue technology creating ‘simply more music’. From the retrieval of the Bits from the disc through the decoding, filtering, shaping, DA conversion and analogue output, ultimate care is taken to reconstruct the original performance. There are no spuriae infesting the power supplies and a special suction loop filter is employed to remove hf noise from the analogue signal prior to the analogue output stage.
Separate transformers are used to power the digital and analogue circuitry and there are no fewer than seven regulated and conditioned power rails. These power supplies include two current shunt rails for the discreet component, Class A output stages. The CD player has facilities for digital out and balanced analogue output as well as asymmetric stereo (phono/RCA) outputs. The compact disc has the potential to satisfy the most sceptical music listener but it needs treating with care to optimise performance - that care is built into the design and accomplishment of the Masterclass CD player PDT-4.