Switch from Naim to Sugden?

It is very personal. Sometimes it takes living with a piece of kit for a month to realize just how good it is ie. In the very subtle ways that may have gone unnoticed in the audition.

There is also the fact that, as your system gets better and better, the differences can be magnified.

I suspect, that if after listening to the Avalons for a month with your new TT, and you then inserted the Sugden, you would realize the full extent of the difference.

As has been said many times, a system is about balance, not just in terms of sound, but also in terms of cost. I suspected you had caught the bug and really wanted to push the envelope, which is why I suggested the better amp, which would then keep up with the extraordinary pace of change.

There is also the fact that you've happened to hook up with the wrong person, if your aim was to avoid temptation!!

I did home demo a used  (not in particularly good condition) AMS earlier in the year, just to satisfy my curiosity after reading so much about it and like I said, a superb amp.

However, I decided against the change from Sugden for a few reasons... yes, the SQ is excellent, but in my small listening room it would have been a case of overkill, plus I didn't find it as good for low level listening, but if you like your music loud and crashing over you it's fantastic.

The other thing was, although the IA-4 runs pretty warm, you can almost cook your fry up on the 35I!

Overall, I didn't feel the step up in SQ warrented the extra expense.

Not wishing to spend your money for you, but Roby was quite correct about the ProAcs, they are an excellent match for Sugden, although I found Harbeth to be even better.

Cheers

Mac

Hi Singslinger, If you're happy with the Sugden-Spendor combo, I may suggest go for it Now if you can get the AMS at a discounted price(like me at 35% off)that would be another story >)

Hi Malthus80 - yes I agree with you but in my case space does not permit, which is why I'm aiming for the best possible integrated I can find.

 Actually, for 18 years I used a Naim NAC 82, 2 Hicaps and 2 NAP 135 monoblocks into a pair of ProAc Response 1 SCs. Brilliant sound but since I moved to a smaller house, I sold the lot and bought a SuperNait. Unfortunately, the sound isn't quite to my taste, hence my decision to switch to a Class A amp, which then led to the debate above about the Sugden and the MF AMS 35i. 

 Yes I agree.

Brief update - the IA4 has arrived.

Initial impressions based on listening over the past three days can be summed up in one word - magnificent! Loads of power yet with detail and finesse - even at low levels.

Vastly different (and IMO, better) than the SuperNait, though to be fair, it is about 50% more expensive. To my ears, a perfect match for the Spendor Classic series.

To all those who replied to this thread especially Macspur, CnoEvil, Roby & Gregvet - many thanks.  All I can say is that the class A sound has me hooked, probably for life!

You are more than welcome.

Glad you are sorted and happy.

Cno

Welcome to the A club

Hum.. Class A sound, how does it sound..?..

a few months ago I was looking for a new system. I demoed a pair of Spendor A5 with Sugden A21SE and a similar cd player from Sugden, probably the same series. It happened in Singapore at Electrades. I can only tell you that this combo gave the sweetest sound of everything else I tried

Go give it a try. I know you have different speakers but the A5 are not easy to drive.sugden did a very good job driving them with ease. The clarity and powerful.sound at low volume was the most impresive. Room filling. 

never tried with Naim but hope my little experience with sugden can help. It was the first time I learned that amount of watts is not that important.  If in Singapore go to Adelphi at Electrades. Very nice persons, can bring your own music etc. offers are negotiable too

I did once have a listen to a Sugden amp, & liked the sound very much but not really thought of doing another demo ever since then. I may have to have another listen now if I still feel the same about the sound. I once listened to a MF class A AMP, but did not like the sound.. If was just very powerful, but brash & harsh sounding. It could well be the speakers there were paired with.

Excellent!

So glad for you... the pleasure is all mine, just knowing I've helped a fellow HiFi enthusiast achieve the SQ they're looking for.

As Cno once told me... "once you've tasted Class A, it's very hard to find anything else that hits that sweet spot"

It's still early days for the amp, it will only get better and better!

Keep in touch.

Mac

Yes, class A has something extra about it, a fullness and body that isn't present elsewhere. A bit like an iron fist in a velvet glove, is the best I can describe it.

Anyway thanks again and yes, will keep posting!

Congrats..enjoy your music