Via the internet, I found a dealer on the other side of the country who had the Sugden Bijou pieces in stock, but as display items only. Hmmm - let me think - why does it continue to sell?. It doesn't look great it runs bloody hot, has no remote control - and if that were not enough most people who go into the shop have never heard of Sugden. The thing has been identical since 1989 when it was revamped and has been selling since 1968. They could not kill Sugden because Sugden never advertised - they didn't rely on that crap to sell their amplifiers and they still don't advertise - they have dealers who sometimes will because dealers want to make money but Sugden doesn't.you'll find them if you were interested in good sound. The A21a is the longest running amplifier in history and UHF even credited the amp for saving the entire high end industry in the 70s when dozens of companies were going out of business or forced to get out of retail because the japanese were killing them. Interstingly both companies also employ the same 1980s internal DAC chip in their cd players(well some of them for Audio Note), that both companies believe is the best. Audio Note doesn't have the cost constraints selling amps at $250,000.00US - so to say that about a sub $1kGBP integrated and Solid State amp something he usually despises is high praise indeed - well from him - you don't have to look far for high praise for the A21a. You have to understand.Peter hates Solid State amplifiers though he respected Jim Sugden's A21a and the companies' approach to solid state (since Peter dealt Jim Sugden's gear) - even saying they're good amplifiers given the cost constraints. And Sugden's owner Peter Qvortrup(When he was an Importer/dealer) use to import Snell Speakers and use Sugden(even my Sugden) as demo gear. Interestingly one of the designers working at Audio Note now works at Sugden. What makes the Headmaster a bit different is that it is not a tube amp and it is not a Solid State unit either - it's kind of strange - but it's supposed t be terrific. It is class A though most - ALL - preamps are class A. It's a dilemma because it's a world class Headphone amp - so good they made it into a preamp as well - even comes with remote.
#Sugden bijou musicmaster plus
Plus I would not mind also upgrading my headphone amp at the same time.
#Sugden bijou musicmaster upgrade
I have considered the Headmaster preamp myself to upgrade my A48b's preamp. The last I was there they only had one Sugden and that was the Optimus 140 a now discontinued product - has been for years. Soundhounds carries a lot in stock but because they carry SO MANY different companies they have a very tiny sample from each. I have not heard them but Soundhounds is an authorized Sugden Dealer -but you have to order it - and pay for it.no audition first.
#Sugden bijou musicmaster series
The Headmaster and the resto of the Bijou series was given product of the year in What Hi-Fi Magazine. Speaking of mine they would run you $1500.00Cdn at Soundhounds in Victoria because they're last years' model.everywhere else you'r looking at a $1950.00US list. The A21a is one of the best SS amps available provided you have a relatively easy load speaker like mine. I've no need of highest volume levels as I live in an apartment (hence my special interest in the HeadMaster unit) and don't listen to rock.Īre you in Canada or US? Which funds are we in? My music taste is primarily early music and baroque opera, plus some blues/jazz. Well, maybe I could push to $3000 if I have too. My speaker budget (if I go for the Class A amp) will be no more than $2500.
I have no components at present due to selling off my Sony ES gear which I became disatisfied with, so I only have to match the new items, without needing to consider existing units. I suppose my thinking is that, since I want the HeadMaster pre-amp/headphone amp anyway, it would be nice to have the visual match of the other Bijou components, so long as they are of sufficient quality.
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