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Current Product Range: 1 2 3 4
The A21SE Series
The Class A A21a integrated amplifier has been a popular Sugden product since the late 1980s and continues to sell well and retain reference status in international audio literature. The common thread which runs through the A21 series of amplifiers is the Pure class A output stage operating with current feedback and a single voltage rail. The audio/musical potential of this output configuration is limited only by the preceding gain stages of the overall amplifier and the power supply.
The new A21 SE is more than just an up-rated A21a. The A21SE provides increased power availability and stiffness with low impedance characteristics to give the amplifier greater load tolerance. The A21SE also benefits from wider bandwidth, with maximum phase linearity and reduced distortion as well as improved input paths with active relay switching and remote volume control. The all-new case design, which is now available in 'graphite' as well as traditional 'titanium' finishes boasts larger and more efficient heat sinks to absorb the 50% increase in installed power.
Quite a number of the improvements were the result of developments encompassed in the company's Masterclass range of products. Whilst the original sound structure of the A21a has been retained it is now more immediate, dynamic and focused in a larger soundstage. The reduced distortion, increased bandwidth and greater headroom has retained the fatigue free listening of the A21a, albeit in a larger power envelope.
All 21SE audio components are designed and manufactured at the Sugden factory in West Yorkshire, England. Each product is hand built by a single highly skilled technician and each sub-assembly undergoes testing prior to final assembly. Each product receives a thorough 'burn-in' and final inspection check before despatch. Production of case components and fine finishing are carried out in-house at Sugden's own custom engineering workshop. High quality powder coating, plating and anodised finishes provide durability with attractive colour contrast to the fascias and casework.
A21SE Integrated Amplifier
The A21SE Integrated Amplifier is a single ended solid state pure class A design. The pre-amplifier has a cascode input stage, current feedback with the input and output being in phase. Other design points include high input impedence, high voltage gain in the first stage with low distortion, wide bandwidth, low noise and very low output impedence. Left and right line stages have current shunt power supplies from a dedicated transformer winding. The input signals are relay switched reducing signal paths to a minimum. The line stages (left and right) are supplied by their own current shunt power supplies driven by a separate transformer winding. This new power supply combined with minimal input signal path, relay switched input facilities and the new line stages give us the opportunity to fully exploit the benefits of the Pure Class A power output stages.
A21SE Phono Amplifiers
Sugden have always had a passion for vinyl and recognise it as possibly the most rewarding way of listening to music. The Introduction of our award winning A21SE as a line level only amplifier has given Sugden the opportunity to develop two new external phono amplifiers.
The A21SE Stage One has some useful features and an excellent specification. Housed in a heavy weight compact case, the single input will accept both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges. There is an internal adjustment for gain and the circuit is able to recognise the input impedance and adjust accordingly. Unusually for a design at this price the circuit is totally discrete enabling us to tailor the output transistors for the best possible sound, combining it with a high gain front-end. As the circuit is single ended like the A21SE amplifier, there is now an LTVS low tension voltage supply facility on the rear panel of the A21SE amplifier. This three pin socket provides a high current power supply for the Stage One.
The Stage Two phono amplifier was developed to offer true high-end phono amplification in a compact, heavy weight, minimalist two box design (above). Splitting the amplification from the power supply helps reduce interference and increase resistance to pickup and noise. There is a single input that accepts both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges. Input selection is internal together with adjustments for 47K, 100 and 470-Ohm impedance settings. The input of the Stage Two is a Low noise, low distortion instrumentation amplifier. Current feedback circuitry achieves wide bandwidth and an excellent dynamic response. This circuit has been combined with a dual FET-input, low distortion operational amplifier with excellent dynamic response and low noise.
CD21SE Compact Disc Player
The CD21SE Compact Disc Player uses a dedicated CD loader/laser mechanism that is specifically designed to replay red book specification audio and CDR discs. Digital conversion is by DAC 7 hybrid IC with four times oversampling. All digital filtering, noise shaping and digital-to-analogue stages are Sugden designed and manufactured circuit boards. The analogue output stage is a low impedence cascode current circuit with zero feedback. A substantial audio gain mains transformer provides power for seven regulated power supplies.
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