FORUMS
Over the years, Sam Tellig's reviews have, more than once, led me to audition equipment which I later bought and loved. There's lots of overlap in our musical tastes and equipment preferences. It seems only yesterday that I put the Unico SE on my "good stuff" list, largely based on the amp's characteristics, Sam's wildly enthusiastic evaluation, and his willingness to nominate it for "Component of the Year".
Now comes Sam with Sugden Audio A21SE. He Loves it. Pure Class A without the fuss of tubes. Probably unique in that sense, and with enough output to make my little Sonus Fabers sing. What's not to like? It doubles as a hotplate, that's what. Can't leave it on all the time except during the winter, it will heat the house. Takes half an hour to warm up after being off, so if you want a little Mozart with your morning coffee, you better get up half an hour earlier.
Why would I pay a 30% premium over the Unico to accept that major shortcoming? Would I feel differently if I too enjoyed enough of Roy Hall's fine whiskey?
