Sugden Audio A21L Integrated Amplifier (Line Level only)

The Sugden A21 Pure Class ‘A’ Integrated Amplifier has a lineage stretching over 55 years.

In 1967 James Edward Sugden designed and produced the worlds first commercially available solid state pure Class ‘A’ amplifier the A21. The initial A21 was sold under the Richard Allan brand name, which had an established quality line of loudspeakers.

However, in 1967 the A21 was also marketed under the Sugden brand name – JES (short for James Edward Sugden). The A21 was for the audiophile the first experience of high fidelity music reproduction in the home.

The latest version, the A21 Signature was released in 2015. Obviously its original origins are the A21, but this series started in 1989 as the A21a Essentially this version remained unchanged for 18 years until it was released in the Series 2 format in 2007.

The A21a Series 2 featured the following upgrades: heavier chassis and strengthened case, 10mm thick aluminium front panel, remote volume control and beefier power supply. At the same time the mono and tape loop switching and the balance control were deleted enabling improvements to the pre-amplifier circuit by shortening signal paths.

While the A21 has a legendary heritage it also maintains hand made craftsmanship rare in the current automated and mass-produced manufacturing settings. The A21 Signature continues to be hand made and individually tested. Sugden manufacture in-house the metal cases, assemblies, knobs and parts and carry out the finishing processes, including screen-printing.

The Sugden pure class A design provides affordable high-end performance from a beautifully engineered single box integrated amplifier.  Compact in size with a simple but stylish design, the A21 is possibly the only amplifier you will ever need. With many of the original A21’s still in daily use after fifty years, it could also last a life time. Providing a large soundstage and depth to all types of music, the A21 is an amplifier you can listen to for hours without fatigue.  The single ended voltage rail circuit provides impressive dynamics and incredible bass.

The A21 Signature integrated amplifier is available with or without a MM/MC phono input.

Without a phono input it is designated the A21L (line input only).

FACILITIES

• Inputs: Five line level (four on A21 Integrated) optional MM/MC phono board
• Outputs: Pre-Amplifier Out (Variable), tape out (fixed) and one pair stereo multi-way binding posts
• Remote Control: Volume up/down Earth terminal