Sugden Audio

Sugden Audio is an engineering company that manufactures hi-fi and audio equipment. Founded by James Edward Sugden in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire in 1967,[1] the company is best known as the manufacturer of the Sugden A21 amplifier.

Sugden had been involved in the manufacture of scientific equipment since 1960 with his company Research Electronics.[1][2] Sugden was keenly interested in hi-fi, in particular in overcoming the problem of crossover distortion common in Class B designs at the time. He developed a Class A solid state amplifier, the Si 402, which avoided this, however it was extremely expensive, costing 100 Guineas (£105) at the time and few if any were sold.[2] Sugden was the first company to use the Class A design in their amplifiers.[1]

The following year Sugden agreed to work with local loudspeaker manufacture Richard Allan, who were a company who manufactured loudspeakers. They would market his amplifiers under their brand name.[3] In April 1968 the A21 amplifier was premiered at an audio fair in London. It would sell for a much more attractive £52 and received good reviews in the audio press.[3]

Shortly after they set up a factory at Carr Street in Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire and started producing the A21 amplifier under their own name.[1] They subsequently expanded their range of products to include other amplifiers and tuners.

In 1981 they relocated to Valley Road in Heckmondwike where they remain.