Sugden A21a Question

[southall-1998]

In my possession I like having the Sugden A21a, that I use from time to time.

My A21a as pictured has the black face plate and orange colour on/off switch. The writing on the face plate is in ''signature'' style. I'm guessing, this example was perhaps built back in the 90's. But I stand corrected.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/TDL-STUDIO/_57_zpshjjlpwrt.jpg (http://s602.photobucket.com/user/TDL-STUDIO/media/_57_zpshjjlpwrt.jpg.html)

I've also had 2 other A21a, this time with the silver face plate, black dials and non signature writing. Some people tend to call this A21a the ''2000 model''. The internals are very much the same though.

Does the A21a share some close traits to the original 1960's A21? Or did things change substantially when the ''Miller'' family bought the brand 25 + years ago?

S.

[Ali Tait]

AFAIK, they all use the same circuit, just the newer versions have more power.

[southall-1998]

OK.

S.

[petrat]

I thought the early A21 had germanium transistors, and a circuit based on an earlier Richard Allan (?) amp ... but I may be mis-remembering.
The A21a was a new (but similar) circuit, which has persisted since its launch, so were all the same internally ... as you say Shane.

IME, the A21a is more detailed, incisive and 'modern sounding' than the original A21, which had a bigger, warmer tone. When I owned both, to my ears they sounded very different.

[Ali Tait]

Well that's what I was told when I spoke to the service department.

I did say the circuit was the same, not the components used to build it..

[petrat]

Yes, you may well be correct, Ali ... seems to depend how far back you go ... further info here ...

http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/JES/
http://www.inner-magazines.com/news/140/67/Patric-Miller-Sugden-Audio/

[Ali Tait]

I have an original wooden sleeve version BTW,

[southall-1998]

Thanks gents!

S.

[Arkless Electronics]

They are different. The original uses silicon transistors and although it was first sold as a "Richard Allen" product it was made for them by Sugden. There was a later Sugden A21 which was not class A and was a different design again but looked the same as the class A one other than, IIRC, than it had no headphone socket.
Mine will be coming up for sale on here with the matching tuner when I get round to it...

[vinyljunky]

Ooh goody have to keep an eye out for when it comes up:stalks:

[walpurgis]

They are different. The original uses silicon transistors and although it was first sold as a "Richard Allen" product it was made for them by Sugden. There was a later Sugden A21 which was not class A and was a different design again but looked the same as the class A one other than, IIRC, than it had no headphone socket.
Mine will be coming up for sale on here with the matching tuner when I get round to it...

You wouldn't be referring to the original A48 would you Jez?

http://i65.tinypic.com/2eq53zb.jpg

Not Class A, but it did have a headphone socket.

[Arkless Electronics]

No not the A48. As I say there is an A21 that's not class A. I think it's 20WPC rather than the 10 of the class A model. It looks similar to that series 1 A48 and to the "real" class A A21, photos of which can be seen in "Private exhibitions" where I happen to have one for sale :eyebrows: