SUGDEN A21SE 🤤 My Experience In A Nutshell

[@Anand.Asrani]

Superb ! Thanks for the update ... Sounds like a lovely amp !

[@simonirvine1628]

I love your video🔈🔉🔊it has Extremely Powerful Watt's. That's maid my day. Xxx

[@kesm66]

I’ve just recently discovered this brand via the A21SE. It’s upended all that I thought I knew about amp topology & speaker sensitivity. Sugden’s class A offerings are astounding. I prefer it over everything I’ve had to date (Krell or Hegel). Great synergy with Salk Song Encore 3, Spendor 4/5. I’ve yet to try it with the Falcon 3/5 Gold Badge that I have on hand. I imagine it would be spectacular since it has a 15 ohm load.

[@obscurazone]

They're such beautiful and beautiful sounding amps. I grew up very close to the factory so it's always been on my bucket list to get a Sugden. I've heard them many times and nothing else sounds like them. If anyone has one, and is using Audio Physic speakers (ideally Sparks or Tempo - I have Sparks 3) I'd love to hear what you think.

[@adolf72160]

I completely agree with all your words about the sudgen, I have the same experience, my gear is 6x more expensive and this amp sounds better to my ears using tannoy speakers.

[@agx502]

Beautiful amplifier from a classic manufacturer. Enjoy 😌

[@Kowinaida]

Very good of you to speak English. There are virtually no British reviewers who can speak another language. Great review.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Thanks! I appreciate it

[@mohammedalomari1998]

Thanks for your great channel and reviews. Can You Please mention budget AB class amplifier sounds very close to this one? Kind regards

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

In my experience the right answer is that no budget amp that I know of comes close to this Sugden A21SE.

[@peterrichardson9248]

I have a Sugden headmaster. Brilliant unit.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

The spec-sheet says it is 48wpc into 4 ohms

[@jaysworld5378]

Hello Sir, just came across your videos. I have the Vincent SV-500 which I have been enjoying for 2 years now and you also gave it a great review. I wanted to ask your opinion if a Sugden Integrated, as the one you are reviewing here, would be a worthwhile upgrade to the Vincent or what would you think about adding a Sudgen Amp and using the Vincent as a Pre-amp? Thnx

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

This Sugden has a better preamp built in than the SV-500. pairing the 500 with a great sounding source makes it 80% of the Sugden. Besides the DAC I enjoyed everything about the 500 🤩 It is amazing how affordable great Hi-Fi Sound can be

[@audiophileuk1341]

Nice.. I'm thinking of getting the anv 50 sudgen

[@tamayaytam]

I am just thinking to build an ia4 clone. Will it be better than aleph 3? Let's try.

[@AdiMaco]

This is one of the best integrated regardless of the price. It would have been nice to tell us what speaker cables do you usually use and what interconnect cable do you use when you listen to music, especially with this amplifier. Thanks!

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Oehlbach Twin Mix Duo as speaker cables Audioquest Evergreen RCA 60cm

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I am switching my rca to Supra Dual And digital coax to Supra Trico

[@rvbsoundfactory]

Such a beautiful piece of equipment.

[@pliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii]

ITs amperage that counts and i use this amp to drive my Dynaudio Heritage specialls and its perfect !

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

Unfortunately not available anywhere I can find (EU). What did it cost? EDIT// $3,250 was the MSRP

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

One store I know in Germany is called Phono-Phone

[@AjuVignesh]

Great review and I love it. I own a Tannoy XT 6F like you and am looking for an amp. Can you please tell me how A21SE pairs with Tannoy XT 6F? Also, do you have any experience with Schiit audio Frea+ preamp with an Ageir power amp? If yes, how does it compare with A21SE? Sorry for too many questions.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I am sorry for my late reply. The XT 6F sounds jaw dropping powered by the A21SE. Unfortunately I have no experience with Schiit Audio yet

[@AjuVignesh]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Thank you. I went ahead with Schiit Aegir and the combo sounds very good. :)

[@nudawas]

I have technics su g700 mk2 and I like this amp at high volume as well ( monitor audio gold gs60 speakers) but for low volume i prefer my 1970 kenwood ka 4002 wirh 18W of power lol . Today i vent to my local audio store and i was listening to sudgen a21se for a first time with set of 2 way ProAc speakers and i was amazed how good this amp sounds. Sound stage , bass kick and mids are sweet .. fantastic amp but 3500Euro 😢

[@user-yd1ub9ph4f]

Добрый день. Подскажите, с какой именно моделью акустики proac вы слушали sugden?Спасибо. У меня proac d25 и я задуматься о подборе усилителя к ней.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Sorry for my gimbal in the right corner!

[@thepickyaudiophile]

Hi, can I ask how much you payed for the A21SE (assuming you bought it used)? Was going to bid on what I though was the never signature version, now not sure how much to offer, given it’s the older one. Cheers!

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I bought it from a Sugden dealer for 2000€. That’s still a fair price imo

[@peterpixo]

Hi. Too bad there is no date when the video was uploaded. I know this is way more expensive but could you compare it to Vincent SV-5OO you have in your other videos? You said similar words about its trable and midrange (I think).

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Imo the Sugden is the much better amp. Especially when it comes to clarity of simply everything. BUT if I need a little bit of warmth I would still choose the SV-500. Like I did for my beloved Technics SB-C700

[@dimachesebastian6407]

Thank you for review. What speakers you recomend for late night listening for this amp?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Generally I would say go with high sensitivity speakers. In my room (23m2) my Tannoy were amazing even at low levels.

[@dimachesebastian6407]

@@DigitalPhilosophers same advice i found on forums regarding low volume listening. Thank you so much for quick answer and i must say.. I will buy this amp. I have good feeling i wont regret it. Just to decide on speakers.

[@willmac5642]

Not sure this is the base model but it's the sweetspot for ability and price imo(signature version)

[@IIIIIIPETEIIIIII]

The base model is the A21. The A21 has been around for decades in various forms, but its internals have not changed greatly. The SE version provides a few more watts of power and comes in a larger case with a bigger power supply. I auditioned the A21A in the 90’s and loved the sound, but there was no remote volume control, so bought a Musical Fidelity A1 (another class A amp). After a week, that broke, so changed to an Audiolab 8000s and 8000p. 28 years later, I’m still yearning for the Sugden. Now that they come with remote volume, it’s just a matter of time till I get mine. It’s been a very very long wait!!!

[@nguyenkimbao3000]

Thank for your review, how about comparison with smsl A1 class A amp

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

The A1 has also a beautiful tone but even in that regard like in all the other categories the A21SE is better

[@nguyenkimbao3000]

@@DigitalPhilosophers thank for your comment, very appreciated that.

[@r423sdex]

But for the money the A1 is hard to beat. I love the rich tones it gives to Jazz. Always had my eye on the sugden amp !. Makes me proud to be British.

[@Drackleyrva]

Nice review--do you think these would match well with Dynaudio Special 40s?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Unfortunately I don’t know. I don’t want to recommend a match I didn’t listen to myself

[@monsieurlehigh4912]

No precise answer here, just for comparison: I run the Special 40s with a Croft Integrated R, which is rated at 50 W/8 Ohms. The 40s have a benign impedance load with no critical dips below 5 Ohms. In a small to average size room I can listen from low to medium-high volume levels without problems. But once you really get into serious headbanging realms, the system starts to show its limitations. :-) Don't buy the Sugden blindly before you've tested it with the 40s. Maybe it's a wonderful match. But most Dynaudio owners prefer Class AB amplifiers with maximum dynamics, bass grip and punch (Exposure, Atoll, Hegel etc.).

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

If you ask me I would give the new Rega Elicit MK5 a chance

[@stephenlegg262]

Hi. I use this amp with Dali rubicon 2. Power of these are 40 to 150. Do you think this ok as I have been told these speakers need more power. I don’t want to blow them. Thanks.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Hi, your beautiful speakers have an impedance of 4 ohms and the A21SE provides 48wpc into 4 ohms. I didn’t hear both together but I guess your speakers will perform amazing with the A21SE

[@stephenlegg262]

Thank you. Much appreciated. As long as I don’t play them too loud then.

[@mykeldg]

I use the Dali Rubicon 2 with a 20w(40w @ 4ohm) Schiit Aegir and they are plenty loud and have not wished for more power. Class A sounds different and I even feel that it has more dynamics & microdynamics than my previous higher-powered class AB amp at low to medium-high volumes.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

@@mykeldg Exactly what I experienced too

[@cedricplouvier5324]

Great 😊 The sugden is better than Arcam sa20 ?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Yes. In my system and room and opinion.

[@michaelgatti3811]

Too warm for Dynaudio Special 40s or right in the sweet spot?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I am sure this is not too warm. It is quite neutral. Good Class A sound is the most engaging way of neutral

[@MM-ls3vu]

Could you compare the Sudgne A21se to the small SMSL VMV A1 amplifier, pls?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Both are amazing in tone and clarity so voices sound wonderful in both cases. The Sugden has more power so you get more bass out of your speakers with it. Furthermore the sound stage is wider and deeper with the SE and instrument separation and the center image is more “pinpoint“ with the Sugden. But these are small differences. The biggest difference is that the Sugden will more likely awake your speaker if they are hard to drive.

[@MM-ls3vu]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Thank you for answer!

[@Romulus980]

I would imagine this amp presents tone, body and textures very well but what about speed and impact. Can one enjoy eg hard rock (Deep Purple or Ride of the Valkyres by Richard Wagner) or other genres of music...?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I am just guessing here because I didn’t listen to those songs: At low to mid volumes YES. Loud not so much

[@obscurazone]

Don't confuse speed and impact with volume. Class A amps are the kings of speed and impact. Power is instant, so they have absolutely no problems whatsoever playing "fast/complex" music, with SUDDEN highs and lows - it's what class A amps do best and the Sugdens are no exception. BUT, if you intend to play that same music, at consistently high volume, then your focus should be on your speakers first. If they are efficient enough then yes, this amp is ok up to a point. But if you want ear splitting volume you would be better getting their mono blocs and more powerful pre amp to drive your big speakers (presumably big speakers).

[@Romulus980]

Thank you for your message. I was wondering whether to pair the amp with ATC SCM19 orATC SCM11 or is that being too hopeful taking into account the speakers' sensitivity. When you mention 'ear splitting volume' what is that in measurement? I usually play my music over medium volume to loud but not ultimate volume such that may bring a neighbour to the front door to have a word. My musical tastes are quite wide and wanted to know if Class A can cope with a wide genres of music from small instrumentals to large Wagnerian orchestras...?@@obscurazone

[@patrickmeylemans9627]

One can say whatever one likes but the definition of 1 watt is the same for A / B / AB type of amps. That they sound different I can confirm and that one is using way less power than we think is also the case. In most cases we need only a few watt…

[@paulyllow]

You said your speaker is hard to drive. What’s the sensitivity?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

85dB/2.83V (m) sensitivity, 4 ohm impedance

[@ktbrooke]

Two questions - what is the heat like? I know class A amps naturally get hot but does it heat up the room? Is it too hot to touch? Second question, the RCA input sensitivity is quite low. Does this mean sound sometimes clips? Most DACS are 2v output so double the sensitivity of the Sugden.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

It gets hot but not too hot to touch. The sound never clips.

[@ralex3697]

Gets to about 54 -56 Celsius

[@Dr.Richard_Kimble]

What speaker are they and what is the sensitivity

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Technics SB-C700 4 Ohm 85dB

[@samtan6966]

Hi.. How's the mid range? I'm a mid range guy😁.. thanks. ** Great video bro! 👍🏼

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

The midrange is the best part of this amps sonic performance. Crystal clear vocals and instruments on a wide and deep soundstage

[@mariusrobin55]

Do you trinken it would match with tannoy?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Yes I do

[@johnsweda2999]

Yes I wonder how that Compares the Rega's

[@ralex3697]

Probably it is between the Rega Elicit and Aetheos so this sits is in the middle. I just bought one in red and have started putting it though different set ups. It’s wonderful, having said that Rega is excellent and very musical. Until this choice I’ve always respected Rega and owned many of their components. Excellent company

[@Edin8140]

I heard that the sugden makes a hum sound, can you pls confirm?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I can not confirm that. Zero hum with my Sugden.

[@Edin8140]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Thanks for this info. Pls does the sugden A21se has a tone control? Is the heat from it much? What's your take on the sugden Masterclass ANV-50 Integrated Amplifier? Thanks

[@moshegoldstein4663]

I saw that you hooked your sugden to a proac speaker..can you please inform the sensibility of the proac(db) because i have a proac to,and my sugden is not able to drive him...many thanks .moshe

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

That wasn’t me

[@ralex3697]

That’s strange since Proac is highly recommended match with this unit.

[@moshegoldstein4663]

@@ralex3697 ive got a proac 3.8 and he likes a lot of power ..the sugden masterclass,aldo he is class a,is not sufficient for him..if you like a tight bass or a deep bass,you wont get it from sugden...but if ill connect the sugden to a tablette proac, everything will be ok.

[@bananasplitbrain476]

So you are not into tubes?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I loved my Vincent SV-500 which has tubes in the pre-amp section and I would love to hear the Unico Primo or Secondo by Unison Research but didn’t find a bargain yet. Advance Paris MyConnect 150 is one of my favorite amps on the spec sheet so I would love to experience that in real life

[@donaz1500]

Sorry, Damping Factor ?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I‘m sorry I don’t know

[@user-ef3hf1et3t]

If you want to really experience Sugden, you need to step up the ladder. I have 2 systems in my house, the main system are the Sugden MPA-4 mono blocks with the LA-4 pre amp. I have the IA-4 in the basement on my second system. My search is over, i will never own another amp other than these. I have the Confidence30's on the Mono blocks, and the PMC twenty5.22i speakers on the IA-4. Yes the sugden amps deliver so much power to make most speakers work.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Amazing systems 💪

[@user-ef3hf1et3t]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Once you experience Pure ClassA done this way it's hard to listen to anything else. Don't forget about room treatment, audio gear is only part of the equation. Room treatment when done correctly takes the system to another level of listening

[@jonesjoy834]

Hab den mit dem Croft Phono Integrated verglichen…. Der Croft hat den Sugden zerstört

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Which speaker did you use and did you listen at low volumes?

[@jonesjoy834]

@@DigitalPhilosophers not loud … normal volume. My Speakers are Unison Max Mini

[@NawMan357]

@@jonesjoy834I’m surprised that someone found a Croft that works 😮

[@simonirvine1628]

Buy these to go with it = www.grahamaudio.co.uk/products/ls81/

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Oh they look great. Would love to hear them

[@simonirvine1628]

@@DigitalPhilosophers That's right