New reference amp! Unboxing, Ranting, Explaining. Why amps sound different into different speakers.

[@mathieupolli7213]

So cool! I have a A21, Any review of these mono coming soon?

[@hamidrezahabibi8111]

I’m a SUGDEN A21SE PURE CLASS A SIGNATURE owner from Tehran Iran ❤🤍💚 I’m really excited to see that you love this brand from Yorkshire 🇬🇧 I have tried many different brands of amplifiers and there’s no better Class A option in this price range. My SUGDEN could easily compete shoulder to shoulder with a pre/power Class A from a magnificent brand 20 times more expensive. Unfortunately the great SUGDEN CEO; Patrick Miller passed away a year ago. A true legend. I’m honored to be able to represent this magnificent brand in my country Iran. I truly admire your commitment to music 🎵 and music 🎶 reproduction. Thank you 🙏🏼 John DeVore.

[@DalstonVinyl]

Sugden is a fine choice of amplifier, from Yorkshire, like I am.

[@rongreen1538]

A fine place to live, I’m in the Dales, love it.

[@_Sam62]

Sugden A21 has a turned on low end. Like loudness is turned on all the time.

[@JKadison]

Your video's are some of the best out there and this one is awesome!

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

Thank you!

[@haycrossaudio5474]

Thanks John. I have been struggling with this to. I've designed my own line of speakers after years of restoring and upgrading many different speakers. Measurements are great. I use them all the time but when voicing and tweaking it's so important to listen to you creations on different amplifiers and in different environments. Thanks John. Matt from the UK

[@nickmimi3631]

Coming from a Car stereo background of the late 80’ and early 90’s impedance matching speakers to amplifiers was always extremely important to us especially since we always used active crossovers and multiple drivers. Power was also extremely important to us, being able to keep the amplifiers driven when they required the juice most. I’ve been fortunate to have familiarity and use of Sugden amplifiers for over a decade. Yes their design works extremely well with certain products. Mating and synergy continues to be a thing. Happy listening and designing to you sir.

[@medonk12rs]

This has got to be one of the best unboxing videos ever... cheers!

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

Cheers!

[@sixergixer]

John, your videos, even the informal ones like this unboxing video, contain such a wealth of information born of fantastic HiFi and music-related experience and are such a treasure amongst the typical throw-away 'content' of most KZbin channels. That you are so willing -- nay, enthusiastic! -- about sharing this experience with us is so wonderful. Thank you. Despite this gushing, however, I have to say that the biggest takeaway of this video is the discovery of Aleksi Perälä. I am smitten and now have a new artist to deep dive into. Can't wait to get home from work and experience this deeply spatial music on my NOLAs!

[@paulomanique2786]

Very interesting video. I appreciate very much your take on Hifi and the fact that you openly share it with your audience. I’ve gone through a lot of gear and talk to a lot of people from the industry and always feel there is some sort of agenda towards their own brands and gear. Regards from Portugal

[@paulhovenga4138]

True story! I find the same driving my Altec Flamenco speakers with some solid state amps. They are 16 ohm speakers. I use an old Accuphase P-250 that has a switch on the front to adjust damping. Normal, medium, soft. This damping switch adjusts by providing levels of current feedback to the circuit. I have upgraded this amplifier significantly, even make new and improved driver boards for it. It is a bit of a collaboration with me and Ron Sutherland (we all have and use this amp in our systems, and we LOVE your O96 with it). A vintage super simple solid state amp that just sings. I have tried it with the Heathkit AS-101, which is the same speaker, only 8 ohm, as well as some Joseph Audio, Martin Logan, Klipsch Cornwalls, La Scala, and some JBL speakers. All of those sound best on the "normal" setting, and they are all 8 ohm, My Flamenco however, absolutely come alive on the "soft" setting and any other setting is like putting drapes over them. These settings are obvious, like finding the right tap on an output transformer. This amp was built around 1975, and I find it to be the most special solid state amplifier I have ever heard. Congrats on the new amps and thank you for doing this video to share the experience!

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

Interesting!

[@dougg1075]

The bicycle is awesome. My neighbor had one ( 70s) that he wanted to sell me for 15 bucks. Mom said no and I was heartbroken. Anyway, cool video:)

[@MDchaz]

Great video 👍 I enjoyed the backstory and learning about your process of trying different amps.

[@jc51373]

Huge Sugden fan, I've owned just about all their amps and lines, and DAC over the years. I agree the A21Se is their best sounding Int without question. I have not owned the amps you have here, but the amp you referenced in this video that you had trouble remembering, the FBA-800 Sapphire I do own. I can tell you unequivocally it's their best sounding amp. I have it paired with a Leben preamp and it's a match to die for. Enjoy your MPAs, I hear they are great!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

man oh man those are beautiful amps. I think I have a new dream amp instead of the Threshold SA1 mono blocks from years ago.

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

Ha! The SA-1 monos were a dream amp for me for years! Not great into higher impedances it turns out...

[@cardinalfang7725]

Watching you unbox that amp made it seem like Christmas early...for me even...and it isn't my amp. I'd like to see a shot of them in your rack. That is one sharp looking amp.

[@hwrk777]

Great amps John! I've had sellers remorse since the day I sold my Sugden Masterclass IA-4 integrated amp. I do not know what ever possessed me to do it.

[@hoselrocket2001]

Totally makes sense from a speaker designer standpoint on why to integrate data learned from characteristics of amps like these. My experience running a Sugden A21SE into O/96s was that the combo produced a massively juicy rich sound but at the cost of resolution, detail, holographic imaging and overall musical balance for my tastes. The gain also seemed really jacked up and required attenuators to run it at over 3 on the volume dial. I went back to tubes to pair with the O/96s and never looked back. It was my 2nd experience using Class A SS amps with the O/96s (tried a Pass XA30.8 also) and while the pairing objectively "works", it just lacks the magic of tubes with a higher impedance speaker.

[@hennievangalen3789]

When John talks i listen and take note. Now really need to investigate Sugden. That was my very first bicycle somewhere mid sixtees? Mine was metallic purple. Make Love not war.

[@edella1967]

Sorry. I was distracted by the 70s era bicycle with the banana seat, chopper handlebars and chrome sissybar and fender! 😅

[@maryjaneforgie9882]

We called them " monkey bars " when I was a kid 🤣

[@FOH3663]

Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5 speed ... essentially 𝙩𝙝𝙚 bike to have ... late 60's/early 70's! (which I'm guessing many here are fully aware)

[@FOH3663]

​@@maryjaneforgie9882 We called them sissy bars, ... but as I remember we only called the big tall ones sissy bars.

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

I've herd the high handlebars on choppers called "Ape Hangers"

[@FOH3663]

@@DeVOREFIDELITY Yep I suspect we're about the same age, I'm in my early 60's. The chopper craze in the US, late 60's early 70's, for bicycles, was so much fun. I remember the steering wheel chopper being the pinnacle of the diy genre! My Dad was an electrician, drove a service truck, he crafted up two diy choppers utilizing custom conduit forks, for us to ride. He was a legend. He cannibalized a girl's frame bike none of us rode. He cut the stock forks about halfway up, ... thru bolted the conduit to the forks, flattened out the other end and drilled a hole for the front axle. For many young men of that era, our bicycles were everything. ... and then you begin driving ... I sold my tricked out mid-70's BMX racing bike to buy my first car, '67 Mustang for $250! I wish I still had both!

[@kjbiz]

I have been salivating about Sugden amps for the past year or more for when I move back to Australia. Could be a fine match if I win some cash Sugden and Devore Fidelity ❤

[@DrNoahBoddy004]

….. you know John, I don’t like seeing you disappointed, and when Parasound changed hands, my only regret is that there wasn’t the tiniest pause in concentrative, reflective clairvoyance toward keeping that Halo A21. Built under the Old Guard, meant that its status as a reference piece was unquestioned. And all the hype of that new JC series couldn’t be sustained because capacitor output, or power supplies got shortchanged. Losing Halo to that somewhat gutless JC brought undue stress on you, and it’s a generous relief knowing the Sugden Monoblock window was opened. I like it when you’re happy🌷 -scott

[@RC30Kay]

Your video realy resonated with me...love the Historical elements, I was born 10-15 minutes drive away from Sugden factory, living in Hong Kong now... but I will never forget Yorkshire.

[@NawMan357]

Sugden A21se with Devore O/93 owner here! 👍🏾 ** incredible combination**

[@riccitone]

This is so telling, thank you. Although I’d love one (or mono pair) of such sweet amps along the lines of high power class A, I’ll temporarily settle on something like the Hypex Nilai for some of the very same attributes you’ve mentioned (also touted for the Nilai amps). Of course, would absolutely love a pair of your speakers one day 👍🏼🙏🏼

[@donkeyshot1]

Got a Mystro, Sugden's spin on a class-AB amplifier. All I need now is a pair of O/Baby.

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

I have a James Bongiorno Sumo Andromeda 200wpc amp. Each channel is a pair of bridged amps. Lots of power, sounds fabulous!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

you don't have a lot of fan noise with those amps?

[@kenr9447]

Great audio aside, love the classic Schwinn Stingray with the banana seat, chrome fender, and riser handlebars!

[@dilbyjones]

Just learned about this bridged load acting like 1/2 woah!

[@hanscshrader]

I thought my O/96s were roughy 10ohms. Are they closer to 12 or 16? I have a 16ohm tap on my amp but never thought to use it… love the music and discussion!

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

I've generally preferred 16 Ohm taps when available.

[@betze7169]

The cat seems to enjoy it, so, right choice! Greetings from Germany!

[@myself61607]

I liked your video but I am curious about the efficiency and power consumption of the amps.

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

Pure class A so low efficiency and high power consumption.

[@gregdimond9619]

I love my A21 and don't plan on moving on from it anytime soon.

[@kesm66]

Sugden is likely the best kept stereo amp secret here in the states. I have the A21SE..it ‘bested’ everything I’ve owned in my audiophile journey (Krell, Hegel).

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

One of the best integrateds out there.

[@jaybarnhardt2197]

Totally agree. I have owned many amps that were much higher priced but not as good. One of the best values in the audiophile world and a great amp regardless of price.

[@jaybarnhardt2197]

@@DeVOREFIDELITY Absolutely. Am running my Sugden A21SE with a pair of your O'Babys currently. Very good match.

[@michaelcannon3978]

@@jaybarnhardt2197This is exactly the pairing I have been considering for my system. Would you mind sharing your room dimensions? I’d love to get a pair of O/93’s, but I don’t think my small room would be ideal. Hence, the reason I’m considering the O/Babys.

[@steveilich2197]

Cool John, cool!!

[@rega1039]

Please post your listening room sir. Thank you

[@AllenGeorge-x5d]

Hello there, Any details on power output from MPA-4 monoblocks at 4ohms? I can only see that they are 165W at 8 ohms.

[@hanscshrader]

In line with the messages on speaker efficiency and ohms... I get that an efficient load coupled with a high and steady impedance curve, like we have on the O/96s, are friendly to amplifiers. But suppose your speaker has 100 efficiency and a 6ohm avg impedance? Is that more amplifier friendly than a 12ohm avg. and 96 efficiency? What about a 89 efficiency speaker but a 16 ohm avg impedance curve? Just seeking to understand better the relative values, for what is it worth, and how the O/96s fit.

[@andredevries4987]

These are beautiful. I have the audition c from sugden. Gr André.

[@Audiorevue]

I have a question John, not that I'm interested in it just more curious, have you ever made a active speaker? All your talk in the beginning of the video about class d and how it sounded with the orangutans made me think about your thoughts on making an active version of them them and stuffing a couple of modules in them. Also can you finally just admit that you started a speaker company making wonderful high-end speakers just so you can get free gear?

[@robertbarnett1984]

So what is that percussion track that's playing? Dig it.

[@bbfoto7248]

@robertbarnett1984 "Cycles" by Aleksi Parälä as per commenter/viewer @Ivan-Kh posted above.

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Brilliant I love sugden equipment 😊

[@mikeeygauthier2959]

Next time, unbox in that beautiful living room of yours!

[@scottspinner1]

I replaced 20,000 worth of valve amps for a 6000 sugden amp with no adverse affects.

[@gr328]

I feel that the Sugdens really start to sing with their own pre-amp. Tip: the Sapphire pre has a slightly lower noise floor for highly efficient speaker designs 🙂

[@johnhoffman8041]

I have had the same experience with my 96's on solid state amps mainly less clarity in the highs. Is it the output impedance of the amplifier causing this? thanks JH

[@Ivan-Kh]

That lovely music at the end was "Cycles" by Aleksi Parälä.

[@Skebetine]

But which track exactly? He has 12 full albums called Cycles 1 through Cycles 12.

[@Ivan-Kh]

@@Skebetine He has 12 albums called "Cycles 1 日" through "Cycles 12 黻" where the names are followed by Chinese characters, and which are digital only, I wasn't referring to those (I didn't specify a number or Chinese character). He has one album called exactly "Cycles" which was released on vinyl, and that's what he's playing. I think he's playing the second side here.

[@Skebetine]

@@Ivan-Kh OK thank you. So I suppose those of us without the LP can't listen to these tracks online?

[@Ivan-Kh]

@@Skebetine It's at least on Bandcamp, if you want to listen or buy the tracks digitally. Haven't checked anywhere else.

[@myronhelton4441]

Videos should always always always always always tell what track is playing, or else you know what I will d !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[@benromley1604]

Very nice indeed. What's the track at the end of the video? 🙏

[@bbfoto7248]

@benromley "Cycles" by Aleksi Parälä as per commenter/viewer @Ivan-Kh posted above.

[@alistairwilson5344]

Very cool amps, look forward to your impressions once they are fully run in.

[@_Sam62]

Too bad Sugden is not a neutral sounding amplifier. Loudness has been added without the possibility to switch it off.

[@danijel-c]

Cat measured the boxes. ❤

[@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549]

Jonny, we all think you need to get on the Trumptrain and bury the hatchet with Mikey. Masculinity is NOT toxic!

[@bdmcn]

Love the sound from my Nines, being fed solid state Audionet SAM G2. Amazing. And I came from Leben and other tube amps.

[@eprohoda]

Yo-nteresting sharing,

[@twostepped999]

What was “good” or “better” about the A21 and JC5? Could use a little meat on those bones. What was “less good” about the JC5 with the high impedance speakers/ what and how were the A21 “better”? Why not just get the a A21 again? Why do you theorize the JC5 was “less good” than the A21 with the high impedance speakers?(I comment having listened to 12 min of the video. Now it speaks about hypex sounding “good” w 4 ohm. This is a common occurrence wirh hifi reviews and opinions. What is better and why. Really the question is, these are different and here is the manner in which they are different.

[@twostepped999]

“Sound more right”….come on

[@rx4unyc]

Lamm has switch for 1 to 8 And 8 to 16 ohm

[@drdyna]

You should try to take Richard Clark's ABX challenge. $10,000 bucks.

[@JingoLoBa57]

So many men…lift out of the box instead of lifting the box off the item… to risk their back

[@leonardboesger8769]

That any amp, pre, TT, DAC, or speaker is “better” than another suggests that there is a somewhat “snake-oil” element to high fidelity. If Ellington sounds different because anyone of those components is changed, then I am not really hearing Ellington but some component’s interpretation of Ellington. I am done with so-called upgrades.

[@yantrussart6584]

Unless Ellington is playing live in your living room, it will always be some component’interpretation of his music. Welcome to reality…

[@leonardboesger8769]

@@yantrussart6584 Precisely my point.

[@louiesipes2257]

Sent an email to your info address with a link you might enjoy. Have a golden day😊

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Almost doubles ohm load 😮

[@johntan4835]

Aragon 4004

[@derHaze710]

🙄🤤muuulm...

[@stevenkoski228]

Nice amps, speakers look like DIY crap🙈.

[@davepounds8924]

Jesus, 15 minutes into the video and you haven’t opened the amps!! Less talk

[@lynnpoole7830]

After about 15 min and no unboxing......................i got bored and left.

[@Ivan-Kh]

The talk at the beginning is the interesting part of the video. There isn't much to see watching someone take nondescript black metal boxes out of a cardboard box.

[@pietrocoretto1533]

I completely agree with everything that has been said about Sudgen and this video.... but guys! For me the best part is when Jhon puts on the Aleksi Perälä record here kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGKmZpV5btyEb6s ...this is great music from Finland and Jhon is one of the few audiophiles who handles excellent niche music like this. That's why I love this channel, I think the success of DeVore products is that they are crafted by somebody who understands music before speaker specs.

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

Thank you!