For Sale Sugden A21 SE Signature Integrated Amplifier (Solid State)

Further Information

Large price drop to $4,100.  I'm not sure how to change the price.

Up for sale is my favourite integrated amp so far but it's time to try something else.  I purchased the Sugden from an Australian retailer in August 23 and it was a brand new item.

There are so many highly positive reviews, which for I found to be accurate and reflective of the quality and sound of the amp. I ended up selling my Lavardin IT after hearing the A21 SE and the Lavardin is a very special amp.

The modern A21SE Signature integrated amplifier is a transistor, pure Class A amplifier.  The SE Sig is a special edition that builds on the strengths of the classic A21. While it is a more modern class A single ended amp, the sound remains distinctively ‘Sugden’.

Upgraded with a fifty percent larger power supply and increased power output, the dynamics are even more impressive. A sophisticated pre-amplifier stage is another improvement on the A21SE.

The A21SE Sig has five line-level inputs operated by relays. It has one preamp output and one fixed tape out. It also has high-quality RCA inputs and a five-way binding post. Both channels have their own transformer windings and relay-switched source selection.  

"Honestly, the Sugden A21 SE doesn’t sound much like most audiophile amplifiers. The sound is all about hearing the textures and the harmonics of the music. It’s about hearing the decay of the notes from instruments. It’s about how the music blooms and experiencing the sound like real music and how it makes me feel. It’s about experiencing music in a way that transcends the electronics that are reproducing it". https://theaudiobeatnik.com/review-sugden-a21se-signature-integrated-amplifier/

Tone Publications

"Record after record proves that this is an amplifier completely free of fatigue. There’s a level of inner detail present, that will have you scratching your head (or reaching for the screwdriver to take the top cover off) to find the vacuum tubes inside. While you won’t find them, this is the result of decades of engineering refinement.

Regardless of the music you love, the A21SE Sig allows an incredibly musical experience. Bass is powerful, controlled, and anything but one-note. As the Focals go down to 16hz, the sheer amount of control and texture that this little amplifier delivers might be lost on a listener with a pair of LS3/5as, but through the mighty Focals, it was dramatic and impressive.

Inner detail is equally fantastic. Especially when listening to music with densely packed, similarly voiced harmonies, like Crosby, Stills and Nash, Utopia, or Crowded House. Where lesser amplifiers would leave these tunes sounding like a fat, or maybe slightly overdubbed vocal, the A21SE Sig gives each vocalist and individual space within the recording. CSN’s “Helplessly Hoping” is just beautiful to behold. Going back to the 80’s self-titled Utopia, Todd Rundgren, Willie Wilcox, Kasim Sulton and Roger Powell all go back and forth trading lead vocals on each track, yet because they all have such a similar vocal range, it’s easy (on an lesser resolving amplifier) to think TR is doing all the lead vocals. Again, the A21SE Sig clearly reveals the subtle differences between the group members.

Acoustic music lovers will be equally, if not more enthralled. The sheer amount of texture this amplifier reveals when listening to violins and pianos of different kinds is amazing. Everyone who’s ever claimed that “solid-state doesn’t/can’t sound as good as tubes” needs to hear this amplifier". https://www.tonepublications.com/review/sugden-a21se-signature-edition/

There are so many reviews of this amp - it doesn't disappoint.

Pick up is preferred but as I do have the original box postage is available at buyers risk and cost.