LOSE YOURSELF IN THE MUSIC - Sugden Masterclass IA4 Amplifier Review

[@AliRafati-xk9jg]

YES!!!!!! You did it. You are a man of your word. I messaged you about a month or so ago about how there were no KZbin reviews of this amp. This has made my weekend. Bravo. My next purchase with an orange front. Thank you.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@AliRafati-xk9jg great. I hope you enjoyed the review 😊👍

[@AliRafati-xk9jg]

@ As always. Very classy. You, Harley Lovegrove and Mike and Dave from Hi Fi Riff set the tone for Hi Fi reviews and general observations. All different, all entertaining and coincidentally all British! 🇬🇧 We are lucky to still have such a great industry on the Hi Fi front having lost motor manufacturing. May be start the year with the new Heybrook HB1s!

[@markjohnathanappleton8642]

over the years,ive had many sugden products,pre and power p28,c28,au51 pre power,then the above product along with the masterclass cd player i belive it was the very first ones ever built ,i had many trips to sugden factory and got to know both Tony miller and Patrick sadley for me i made the mistake of selling both units ,thinking i could do better in the audio world looking for the next big hit in the audio world ,i never got there,i only wished i kept them,both Tony and Patrick were top,top people just down to earth people,i hope Sugden audio will go from strenth to strenth,at this moment in time my health is not good as ive been fighting cancer,but hopefully i will get back into the audio industry and sure enthough Sugden will right up there,your youtube channel as kept me going through difficult times ,always a joy

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@markjohnathanappleton8642 thank you Mark. What a great anecdote. Keep the faith and stay strong brother. I am sure another Sugden is in your future 😊🙏

[@tillaard61]

Big Sugden fan, thank you very much Tarun!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@tillaard61 thank you for watching 😊

[@JerryM-p2v]

Glad you finally got around to this great amp. As you know I am a Sugden Fan. I have this amp as a second system, main listening room is filled with the Sugden MPA-4 mono blocks and LA-4 pre amp. As for the IA-4, it is an amazing little amp with big soundstage and bold presentation. Absolutely nothing falls off, I have taken the time to find the correct components and cables to make sure of this on both of my systems. I have the IA-4 paired with a set of PMC Twenty5 22i speakers, and amazing marriage if you will. The front end is an Aqua La-Voce S3 Dac with an Audiolab 9000CDt transfer. I have all WireWorld cables. For Analog, I have an older Rega P3 with Michael Lim Platter upgrades. I run a Goldring Eroica XL MC cart with a Charisma Audio Music Phono stage. The Vinyl sounds every bit as good as my digital.The articulation and clarity of the vowels and consonants are beautiful coming from the singers lips. The plucking of the upright bass and the acoustic guitar is insane. I have fabulous bass control, could be due to the room treatment. The Bass is tight and fast, very full. The soundstage is wide and there is no overlap, you can pinpoint each musician on the stage and where they are standing. As for the Hegel amps, I took one home as a demo, and took it back the next day. The Hegel was the worst thing I had ever heard in my life. Dead, flat lifeless. Anyway it's all Mute as we all hear the music differently, and our listening spaced and supporting gear will be entirely different. Thank you for this review, it was very well presented.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@JerryM-p2v thx for sharing your experience 😊

[@philpepp]

Amazing little amp!😂

[@paulrose8967]

I'm thinking of getting a demo with my pmc twenty5 26 speakers currently using a naim supernait 2 these speakers need more power to get the most out of them hopefully the class A masterclass will be able to drive them plus some additional texture and warmth

[@GeneralLao]

@@paulrose8967 The PMC and the Sugden are an amazing pairing. They are my end game speaker now.

[@swiss889]

I can't believe you haven't got a million subscribers, I've been enjoying your expert reviews for a long time, bravo 👏👏

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@swiss889 thank you. That is very kind 😊👍

[@estenray5385]

Terun! That is one beautiful piece of audio engineering and modern Art! Just visually the thing is stunningly beautiful! If it sounds half as good as it looks. I’ve got to have one!!! Thank you for presenting it here with your usual singular aplomb and clarity!

[@aitchr8770]

Lovely review. Class A is a thing. Implementation - stiffness of power supply - separation of power supplies from the pre and power sections in an integrated like my A1000 all matter. All the attributes you describe is in one of those - except - with a soggy bottom end - though very full - not lacking - just bouncy and very deep.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

It's great you show the USA what our friends are building in the UK. Thank-you👍 Acid Jazz. Funk & Brass 🔉🔉🔊

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx buddy 😊

[@theoriginaldanalogue]

Great review. Class a solid state is in my opinion, the sweet spot. It’s not warm like valves, it’s natural and open. I have the original A21 and a Musical Fidelity A1000. 50w pure class a! Heats up my lounge!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Great 👍

[@sevensixtysteve8662]

Fantastic review, the quality of your episodes is outstanding.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@sevensixtysteve8662 thank you, much appreciated 😊👍

[@kenockwell3099]

Another Great review. I had the Quad 33/303 then a 405 followed by Krell/Audio Research., followed by what I have now the Sugden La pre-amp and masterclass power. Never been happier with the Sugden, forget about the individual nuances and just enjoy the music they allow you to listen to. :)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx for sharing 😊

[@thomaslanser926]

Glad to hear similar praise for the ia4. I’m running mine through ProAc D2rs and I just upgraded the source to the Innuos Pulsar. (transformed the bass response and control imo) Cheers!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@thomaslanser926 cool 😎 thx for sharing 😊

[@bengleason508]

Thank you for the review. I would love for you to dedicate a video or two to late night listening. Thank you for the great content!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@bengleason508 thank you. I appreciate the suggestion. This amp would be great for late night low level listening 😊👍

[@Tardy13]

A friend of mine got the IA4. Vocals sounds superb! I wish you could review the Rega Aethos. Its musicality is extremely addictive :) Great review as always.

[@MichaelKing-uf3db]

I still have my Proac1SCs, and my amp is a Musical Fidelity M3 Nu Vista integrated. Both purchased early 2000's. I have always wondered how a Sugden Masterclass amp would sound with the Proacs. Your great review goes a long way to answer the question. So thanks for that 👍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@MichaelKing-uf3db thank you 😊

[@OgamJan]

Sounds like an amplifier to drool over. Thanks for another great review. I will repeat a review suggestion I did before; the Cyrus Classic Amp and the Rega Elex mk4.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😊

[@ghitadr]

Thanks. I was looking for a review of this unit. On my list

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@ghitadr cool 😎

[@martinaston1715]

Wow that looks drop dead gorgeous…

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@martinaston1715 I agree 😉

[@rmzidann]

Hi Tarun, wonderful review. Thank you! 😊

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@rmzidann thank you kindly 😊👍

[@RigVader]

Meat on the bones in the lower mids, low level champ, not an overdamled control freak? Yes please! 👍😄 Was unaware that Patrick had passed away.. A real class act from my limited interactions with him.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😊

[@thomashuckz4274]

I would love to see a comparison between the new Exposure pre and power amps and your system ( the 21 & 18s ), set up the same as your personal system, to see if a bit of tweaking to an old line of amps or even just finding a gem can hold up to modern systems for less money.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@thomashuckz4274 thx. I have requested that but Exposure and in similar position Sugden. Back orders to fulfill and reviews are not a priority😊

[@cesarjlisboa7586]

One more outstanding review. WoW. Great job Tarun! Congratulations 🍾🎊

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you kindly 😊👍

[@Tom-z9y2e]

Glad you review it, one of my favorite amps, very engaging. Even if it's light on it's feet tonally (but with good bass compare their 21 series), which makes it sounding messy but very engaging. It also doesn't seem to provide a large soundstage, but nobody cares when the engagement is there. There's some class AB (Moonriver, LFD) trying to provide the same sound without the heat and power consumption, but I think they miss the last touch of dynamism Sugden provides with that airy timbre.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@Tom-z9y2e thx for sharing your experiences 😊

[@Charles12509]

Very good review Tarun, I love Class A amplifiers, my first Class A was the Pass Labs XA-25 which I still have and most recently the First Watt Sit-4 Class A, 10 watts into my horn speakers…glorious sound…I even sold all my tube gear and tubes in favor of the Class A…truly a beautiful sound…I am very interested in the Sugden, my speakers are very sensitive, Volti Audio horn speakers, did you notice any hiss or noise in your speakers with the volume off and the amp on..

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@Charles12509 thx. No noise but the speakers I used had a sensitivity around the 85dB range 😊

[@Charles12509]

@ …ok thanks…

[@johncallaghan3097]

Enjoyed the review. However, the thing is, I have an allergy to class A for integrated/power amps on account of heat generated and consequent electricity bills -- sometimes I have my main system on for most of the day. So I use a class A preamp coupled with a a neutral and transparent class D power amp -- runs cool as a cucumber with, IMHO, all the benefits of class A sound. Suggestions for next year? Please, please review at least one pair of open baffle speakers. I know there are reviews of various models on other channels, but I specially value yours for their objectivity. I built my own in less than a day for £1300 and I prefer them to my Quad Revela 1s which cost £500 more -- may well be selling soon.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@johncallaghan3097 thank you for sharing John 😊

[@stephenschmitt8630]

Great honest reviews! I would like to see you review the PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC. Maybe Paul will send you one, thanks much

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@stephenschmitt8630 thank you. I should reach out to PS Audio 😊👍

[@ronchambers3713]

Very nice final review for the year

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@ronchambers3713 thank you. A class A Sugden amp to finish off as the winter nights draw in over here 😊

[@hrvojekant9415]

Great ! One more outstaning review again. Thank You.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@hrvojekant9415 much appreciated 😊👍

[@phetmoz]

Thanks for the review Tarun. For 2025, I would love for you to review a YBA product. I would recommend The Yba Passion IA350A MKII Integrated. (4500 pounds) It houses Dual DAC Chips, Dual-Mono configuration with a third transformer for the digital section. They are one of the top 5 brands in the transistor amplifier world. They use "αlpha Class A" - where the driver stage is class-A but the output stage is class-A/B, an arrangement that is said to maintain the sonic advantages of class-A design while allowing for cool running and low power consumption. Unusually, there are no series passive components (resistors or capacitors) in the signal path, only transistors, which makes for an ultra short signal path. It is provides unusually High Current (to drive difficult loads) Anti-Vibration techniques including: • Thick 9mm solid bottom plate to function as a vibrational grounding sink • 3-feet with one foot providing a mechanical ground to evacuate vibrational distortions • Wood blocks on DAC chips to mitigate vibration (on select models)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx. I reached out to the U.K. distributor ages ago. They initially responded but them didn’t reply further. Time to try again 😊

[@arte2arquiteto]

The SUGDEN is getting closer to an ideal amplifier for your ProAc 1SCs. Separates may always have a slight edge over the integrated amplifiers. My ProAc 1SCs enjoy tubes. If you ever get your hands on the Quicksilver brand, I heard it marries well with the ProAc line of speakers.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@arte2arquiteto thx for the heads-up 😊

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Now your talking that is a great amplifier, that’s all I’d need nice review 😊

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😊

[@markcarrington8565]

Great review, Tarun. Good to see the big integrated amps still getting a look in, it’s my personal favourite format. For next year, how about that Leema. I know the Tucana has been around for a while, but the Anniversary edition isn’t that old, and it’s British. Speaking of which, at the other end of the scale, Peter Tyson, our friendly discount hi-fi specialist in the North of England, has just announced an entry level British made amp. It sells for £599 and it looks like a revamped A&R A60! You have to get it in! Anyway, have a good weekend and I look forward to the call on Sunday.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx Mark. Mian Acoustics distribute Leema. I need to get on to them. Don’t have a contact a Peter Tyson yet. I think the Fell amp has a chip based power amp. Would be interesting to put up against the Cambridge Audio AXA35 😊

[@jarms40]

Well, the Sugden, the ProACs and a snifter of brandy by the fireplace. Yeah.... Happy Christmas indeed. BTW, just got back from Capital Audiofest. Heard a lot of great stuff. The little Stenheims are sleepers!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😊

[@spaniyell]

A21 entry level ;) I have a Sugden Audition T, a 90's AB integrated. But it's a beauty, the phono stage is the finest i've managed to sample. Just enough power for my B&W 704's. On a budget, i've not been able to improve.

[@hirdeshirde]

Another technically informative plus describing the performance with admirable richness. I would like you to review Accuphase E480 next year. Thanks .

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@cenkisil574]

Thank you Tarun. Great review, again. For 2025 I’d love to see a couple of reviews of digital amps. Just to see if digital is actually improving. Thank you.

[@052RC]

There's no such thing as a digital amp. Its a marketing term.

[@kiddcapri1711]

Great video as usual Tarun. Good looking amp too, bonus that you can pick colours. Unfortunately £3,000-4,000 too expensive for any one separate item for me.😢 As for what to review for next year? I personally like CD player, amp and speaker reviews up to £2k per. Only because that's all my system consists of and next year will be the last I ever spend on my system for those components. Not to put pressure on you but your videos and comments carry a lot of weight in my decision making. Have a good weekend.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@kiddcapri1711 thank you. I appreciate the suggestion 😊

[@jos5067]

Very interesting and thorough review, thanks! 🙏 Although, a little bit too expensive for me.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@condostereo]

2025 I think the future of dacs is hybrid r2r / delta sigma. Love your reviews. Thanks.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@condostereo thank you 😊

[@milagroscaviglia5034]

Great review Tarun!Maybe yo could review some Harbeth or Spendor speakers,as well as Dynaudio Special 40 or ByW 705 S3!!!!???cheers from Argentina

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

great amp, great vid mt loved it.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Much appreciated 😊👍

[@tunejunky]

i love this review. my mind's eye had this matched with a set of Tannoy Westministers...

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx. Much appreciated 😊👍

[@mariol6071]

Good review ❤ Definitely one of my dream amps. For 2025 i would love to see auralic aries s1 with psu comparison to your lovely g1.1. It looks like g1.1 is going out of production

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@mariol6071 thx. I have reviewed the Auralic Vega S1. Link below 😊 DARE TO DO BETTER ! New Auralic Vega S1 & PSU Review kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3fCfK2Vo8ymr5I

[@gnostalgick9353]

Great review as always. I'm pretty sure I'd be a big fan of Sugden, but haven't had a chance to hear one here in the states. I'd love to hear your opinion on a Pass Labs / First Watt amp (what i ended up getting for my ProAcs) if you can get a hold of one over there.

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

For 2025 I’m looking to upgrade my turntable to the tune of about $4,000 USD from a belt drive costing $1,100 USD, also looking at phono stages capable of USB output. Not sure you’re into vinyl, but I have a modest collection. Otherwise I enjoy your detailed reviews of amps and streamers (I accepted your challenge of something better and bought an Auralic Altair); especially your detailed examination of the insides of the electronics and your comparisons with similar gear. I learn so much more about a product when it is compared to something with which I am familiar. Asides from the turntable, I’m in search of speakers appropriate for my room size. I have several larger, vintage, speakers, and they sound great, but I fear they’re swamping the room. I’m looking for soundstage and imaging. I have B&W 801 Series 2, Warfedale E-70, and AR-2AX. Room size: 10’ x 14’ x 8’ with furniture, concrete floor.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing Jeremiah 😊

[@fletchermunson6225]

Thank You , Tarun. The amp is beautiful. Wish I could hear one. Sounds like it's right up my street. Maybe some French and Italian speakers next year if they will cough something up?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx Jim 😊

[@carlbrown3634]

Very good review! Thanks for sharing.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thanks 😊

[@thomasgreene2567]

Great styling. I remember the look of Sugdens in the 1970s. They seemed to me to be made by some bloke in a shed out of recycled biscuit tins and the knobs and switches an army surplus job lot. Of course, my memory might be faulty…

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx was pronto far from the truth back then. It was a cottage industry 😊

[@rmzidann]

Tarun, I recently bought a cheap Chinese tube DAC based on the AD1865 multi bit 18 bit DAC chip. Wow! I prefer it over my Pontus II DAC. In fact, the Pontus will be sold! Have you listened to the Sugden DAC? It’s remarkably good. You might prefer it over your Venus 2. There are other manufacturers that make DACs based on the AD1865 chip. You might want to listen to some of these multi bit DACs. To me they sound better than R2R DACs of similar or even higher price.

[@johncallaghan3097]

Might I ask what the Chinese DAC you bought was?

[@mikecees2230]

Does this DAC have a particular brand/model?

[@JonnyParker-]

You are gambling with chifi stuff though some of it is ok then some of it is just terrible and you are only hearing distortion which you think sounds better as it's pushing certain frequencies up .

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx. The AD1865 is an 18 bit chip of which the 14 LSBs are R2R. Similar to the chip used in the Merason Frerot that I reviewed, of if I remember correctly 🤔

[@rmzidann]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Yes Tarun, it’s an R2R Chip based DAC. While the TDA1541a is a 16 bit R2R Chip, the AD1865 is 18 bits as you said. I don’t know why these chips are not more popular? To me they sound better, more natural timbre and better bass compared to my Pontus II

[@condostereo]

Would also like to see an amp that has baked in bi amp: class a section (solid state) for mids and uppers, class d for bass. Integrated with the proper taps for each. Love your videos. Thanks.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@condostereo thank you 😊

[@carlitomelon4610]

Beautiful amp! Splendid review Mr Tarun, lad... If it's from Yorkshire, maybe we've been mispronouncing the name all along. ¿Soogden? Put t'kettle on lad 😉

[@peterd1364]

Such an interesting review as always, some tech stuff does go over my head a bit but then i'm always more interested in the sound ...as far as next years reviews are concerned it's difficult to be specific but I would like to see the Totem signature 1's or Bison bookshelf models as if I were at some point able to upgrade then I have these two on my list..

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Peter 😊

[@hueyw1916]

I'm interested to know your opinion on the current Quad current dumpers, the Artera Stereo or Mono amps. For some reason these amps don't get much attention from reviewers, and an objective comparison with other class A amps would be nice, along with some background info on the current dumping technology etc thanks

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@sharingfamspace3156]

Awesome end game amp❤

[@mikecees2230]

Good review although IA4 is out of my price range. MF A1 would be closer to what I'm able to spend. Haven't heard it yet but keep imagining muddy sound with flabby bass I would like to see a review of the Rega Elex or Brio if/when a new version comes out and also Totem Bison stand mounts. Thanks

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@mikecees2230 thank you 😊

[@DeMorcan]

I would like to see you review suggested systems. A speaker, amp, and DAC combination that has a special sound or a deeper soundstage or cleaner imaging. So many things are bnot available at showrooms. You do the suggested pairing as part of your reviews. I would just like to know systems for different thignhs as what matters most is different for each of us.

[@heiko_1974]

Great video of an amp to drool over. Suggestion for upcoming reviews: maybe Lavardin amps, 0.5k to 2 k phono stages and gold note gear

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😊

[@matthewwright4458]

Tarun, I'd like to see you review a Parasound A21+. It'd be nice to hear your thoughts on a high power amp. Thanks!

[@filofilo8127]

Review Vienna Acoustic speakers if you can get your hands on a pair.

[@dennis3779]

Absolutely one of the best Class A amps. Class A amps are the opposite of uninvolving artificial so all others are automatically inferior so there is no excuse to waste your money on that crap such as the Hegel amps. This amp is almost as expensive as the great powerful Synthesis A100 and the SE Fezz Lybra Evo for instance so also worth a try.

[@dougg1075]

Bring wood cases back:) Orange please. Bet it would sound great with HeresyIV’s or Cornwall

[@chrisvand2678]

I would try The Dovedals from Wharfedale, or the new Super Lintons. That's a cool setup!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@dougg1075 cool 😎

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

Hmmm... can I hope for a future review of the Accuphase A36/A48? I'd surely like to know how you rate these against the Sugden(s). What would the A36 go for in the UK--I'd imagine it would be slightly more than the IA4.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Yeh, I think they will be more 🤔

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Well, we'll be here!

[@sloboat55]

Excellent

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

I bet it and your proac speakers sounded amazing

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

They did. It was a great paring 😊

[@metatron-007]

For 2025 it would be nice to watch a review of the Nat Audio Single HPS Intergrated Amplifier.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@metatron-007 thx. I’ll check it out 😊

[@Boban85]

Please review the Wharfedale Super Lintons!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😊

[@D1N02]

Some new promising lesser known brands would be nice. Ones that offer good value.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I will always try to that 😊

[@MisterJDee]

I’d love to hear your opinion of the McIntosh MA7200 integrated amp if you’re able to get your hands on one in the UK?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😊

[@fredrikannell3703]

I run mine with a pair of Harbeth M30.2 XD, a Lampizator dac and a Kuzma turntable. Will probably never sell the Sugden.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎

[@carlesjuliavallmajo3812]

hi , great rewiew , very interesting , for next year : eversolo dmp10 ??? and the new rose dac rd160 es well as the node icon , 3 interesting new pieces , thanks and nice " hollydays" and merry Chrystmas , thanks ans regards

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@dennis3779]

Not interesting. Too artificial. Huff gave them a try. Better try the LTA Aero dac and maybe the Holo Red streamer for instance.

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

16:43 Although it is fairly obvious from the video, you need to mention the distance from the speakers here to complete the picture. I'd say, for about 2 metres (or 2.5m) 85db (let's say 86db) equates to 6db over the speakers' sensitivity. That would call for 8W per channel? I nearly always get this wrong but it seems to me that 33W will be more than ample to handle 85db SPL.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Yes, I am about 2.5m away from the speakers 😊

[@adibbybros]

What would be the best way to go about selling Proac response 4 speakers?

[@photographersphotographers2776]

Figured on a Sugden A21 Signature then listened to Naim Nait 50 with my ATC SCM 11s, source Rega P6 with ND7 cartridge. As you compile your reviews through streamed media could you venture your opinion on the Naim Nait 50 in your current setup's?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I would like to review it at some point 😊

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

Judging from the looks of the innards and your mention of solely NPNs being used in this class A amp, I'd risk claiming that this is probably a beefed up A21. If so, why didn't they simply call it A51 to keep up the Sugden lineage? Also, on the basis of this, I'd debate it is a single ended amp but I think some people consider A21 to be single ended. With regards to the use of Sanwa's my guess would be that the decision for their use is probably due to a combination of cost, reliability and sonic character. It is certainly good news for the customer knowing that there will not be a need to fork out hundreds of pounds to re-cap the power supply should these start to degrade after a number of decades.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx Stelios. Definitely, two NPN transistors running single-ended, in parallel. Sugden confirmed that themselves 😊

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Ah! In parallel! I thought I didn't hear clearly in the video. Not an A21 variation then! Thank you for clarifying this. That would make it quite a unique beast then. Maybe only Pathos has something similar (as well as some experimental Pass pieces)?

[@jedi-mic]

You could look on that data sheet to see what the lifespan of the capacitors were the NVA preamp is just a passive there's no gain on the output no? That's what it needs! do they say what gain the poweramps like or maximum? Probably the Sugden could drive it well do they have a output on the preamp on the Sugden se? Why don't you drive your exposure power amps with the Sugden pre-out, I would be curious to hear what it sounds like should sound very good!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx for sharing 😊

[@gavinc74]

Cambridge Audio EXA100 amplifier review please. As I'm thinking of upgrading my current Cambridge amp 👍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

That is on my radar 😊

[@DJWerkz]

Beautiful to look at but not my sonic signature. Going to take a lot to move me from my old Krell S550i integrated.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@DJWerkz thx for sharing 😊

[@nudawas]

Super linton please!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😎

[@richmck007]

Pardon my ignorance but what speakers would you recommend with this amp..? I have a pair of floor standing Focal 714 130rms watts at 8ohms but am not sure whether you product would be compatible and I am keen from the few reviews I have seen. Thanks.

[@chrisvand2678]

Get a Denon 1700..

[@JerryM-p2v]

I have this amp, and have tried several speakers. The best pairing which I enjoy, are the PMC Twenty5 22i speakers. Made in the UK as well, and are a lovely pairing.

[@user-ys4og2vv8k]

It's a shame you didn't compare it with a tube amp from the same price range...

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

The Gallion TS120SE is the only amplifier at this price range I have reviewed. It is a nice amp when running in Class A but doesn’t have the midrange richness and resolution of the Sugden Masterclass IA4 😊

[@arturomartinez3354]

What!!?? We still have month and a half in 2024!!! 😜 Enjoy the end of the year and hope to see you back in 2025.

[@johncallaghan3097]

Last review, but not last video if I heard Tarun right.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@arturomartinez3354 I am overseas next week, so no video. I plan to do 3 videos in December. Best Source Components, Best Amplifiers, Best Speakers of 2024 😊

[@robertasbenediktavicius1059]

How mach with Audio physics?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@robertasbenediktavicius1059 I appreciate your suggestion 😊

[@surfrico]

"totally immersed in the music" It doesn't get any better than that.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

True 😉

[@dragomirpetrov6469]

How about an active subwoofer as the Rel T line? Is there any safe way to output ?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I have reviewed the REL T7X 😊

[@dragomirpetrov6469]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you for your reply. I meant to ask if there are options to connect the Sugden IA4(or even Sugden A21) with active subwoofers such as the Rel brand.

[@dragomirpetrov6469]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you for your reply :) I meant asking if there are options for the Sugden Masterclass IA4 (or even the A21) with the Rel brand of subwoofers . Would it work if connecting the speaker output to the high level port of the Rel 5T or 7T?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@dragomirpetrov6469 yes, connection high level input to the speaker terminals 😊

[@dragomirpetrov6469]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thanks Arun.

[@bc8251]

Nice

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx 😊

[@peterferrier5833]

i have nothing against streaming Tarin. i totally get the everyone chooses how they listen to music. however, for me, i have always been a fan of the sound of vinyl. it has a certain sound that draws me in. when i listen to steaming, its almost too accurate and clinical for me. i like the imperfection of vinyl. for next year, how about trying it out. you might even like what i do. but bear in mind. its much harder work. you have to clean and adjust. adjust again and clean. it's a chore that many don't like. so i think vinyl should be your next project.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@peterferrier5833 I appreciate the suggestion Peter. I can’t accommodate one in my current room but have a plan for the future. I used my Auralic G1 mainly for server duties. Accessing a local stored hard drive which is my music library 😊

[@dennis3779]

Be aware. What they do not tell you is that the Hegel is the opposite of Class A so very soulless and artificial just as most dacs such as the Ares and Pontus. One of the few dacs to try are the Sugden dac 4 or LTA Aero or AN 0.1 or AAdac or the FX glass tube dac and then maybe the Powerdac BX and AudioGD and Cyan 2 dac 🤔

[@jonnyberggren4598]

My humble opinion is that Sugden is, for me, is the absolute finest in hifi from the UK. I still today miss my little A25B that powered my Dynaudio 1.1 speakers in my little student room. It's not an optimal combination with the heavy driven 1.1s and Sugdens 2x25 Watts, If I remember correctly. But I could never play loud anyway, and the sound was just mesmerizing.... Sugden will always have a special part in my heart... And later , I heard much more expensive Sugden gear., that made my heart do freelaps.... So if I win some money.... :)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@jonnyberggren4598 thx for sharing your experience 😊

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

2:24 Huh? This looks like an early Leak amp (tuner/preamp to be more precise)!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thx for sharing 😊

[@steven3557]

OOOOH. Sweeeeeet.

[@webersteve1547]

I don't understand why a amp that expensive don't have more xlr inputs

[@misterzero8667]

Because 99% of people don't need them , it seems to be an American thing

[@TheDjcarlos67]

In my experience XLR connections for home HiFi are rarely, if ever, worth the effort and the additional costs of fitting them

[@webersteve1547]

@TheDjcarlos67 I think it depends: if the circuit is symetrical from the beginning to the end, then it is certainly a superior concept and can give an edge

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

The benefit of XLR is noise rejection over long cable runs. A key benefit of a single-ended Class A amp is the purity of the design. For example, push-pull amplifiers normally use phase spitters to deal with positive and negative wave cycles. These degrade the signal. Also, balanced connections adds a stage of circuitry on any amp which doesn’t have a natively balance circuit. One set of balanced XLR inputs are provided on the Sugden IA4. I personally wouldn’t use them on this amp unless I had to use long cable runs 😊

[@matytinman]

33 watts class A, two channels -> at least 270 watts of consumption -> a lot of heat in summer in a medium-sized room

[@FarrukhButt-f8c]

Ya, use in winter 😊

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

350VA transformer, not that much additional heat in a U.K. climate for 10 months of the year 😊

[@GeneralLao]

Thats a small price to pay for the sound you get in return.

[@edwardbit8225]

junk

[@freemind279]

Sound demo please.