Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units)
13 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
Sugden ANV 50
Integrated amplifier
Relative price
above typical
Among the 59 integrated amplifiers in the catalogue, this one is above typical.
A band places a component against its peers and carries no price. It is deliberately the only price indicator on this page: a second one, measured against a different set, would narrow the two together far enough to give the figure away.
What it is
Sugden Anniversary 50 — 50th anniversary commemorative Class A.
Architecture: pure 4W Class A first stage + Sugden Error Correction (SEC) comparator-amplifier final stage that "magnifies" the Class A output. 1MHz switching power supply for instant transient response (vs 50Hz mains). MTBF 100 years on PSU per Sugden.
Competition record
Assessed against 14 rivals across the sixty systems: 1 head-to-head won, 43 lost.
Where it gives ground
The dimension the engine names as the weakest link, counted across every head-to-head it lost.
- low-level clarity ×2
Who it comes up against
Leema Hydra II
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Hydra II keeps the slot decisively.
Audiolab 9000P
4 lost · Characterful, PRaT, Romantic, Silent Path
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan)
4 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE (KT150)
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE (KT150) keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Sugden ANV 50 is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Audio Note P1 SE
3 lost · Intimate, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Audio Note P1 SE keeps the slot decisively.
EAR Yoshino V12
3 lost · BBC Sound, Vocals-First
Against the BBC Sound brief, the EAR Yoshino V12 keeps the slot by a whisker.
With the Rega Aura Reference MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the Falcon LS3/5a Gold Badge, the pairing gains most on bass control.
On its own merits the Sugden ANV 50 is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units)
3 lost · Artisan, PRaT, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
EAR Yoshino 890
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 890 keeps the slot decisively.
Chord ULTIMA 6
1 lost · Cavity-Native
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Chord ULTIMA 6 keeps the slot decisively.
Longdog Audio P6100M (pair)
1 lost · Anchored
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) keeps the slot decisively.
Exposure 3510
1 lost · Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Exposure 3510 keeps the slot clearly.
On its own merits the Sugden ANV 50 is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Quad Artera Stereo
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Quad Artera Stereo keeps the slot decisively.
Sugden A21 Signature
0 lost· 1 won · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Sugden ANV 50 takes the slot clearly.
With the Harbeth P3ESR XD2, the pairing gains most on bass control.
On its own merits the Sugden ANV 50 is the weaker integrated amplifier — yet it wins here on fit: the pairing with the Harbeth P3ESR XD2 gains bass control under the BBC Sound weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Systems it is part of
- Tier H · Twin Arms as Amplification
- Tier Hi · Twin Arms as Amplification
- Tier M · Twin Arms as Amplification
- Tier M · BBC Sound as Amplification
What the reviewers said
ANV 50 50th Anniversary Class A Sugden ANV 50 50th Anniversary· Harmonic texture
Fast, detailed, and insightful, with explosive transients Hi-Fi+, Dickinson, 2020· Transient attack
beautiful tonal colour and tunefulness that Sugden does so well Hi-Fi+, Dickinson, 2020· Harmonic texture
micro-dynamic details lesser amps airbrush away; the Sugden owns it Hi-Fi+, Dickinson, 2020· Micro-dynamic resolution
an absolute wonder at creating tension and drama Hi-Fi+, Dickinson, 2020· Dynamic coherence
Pastorius' bass goes boing not Boing Hi-Fi+, Dickinson, 2020· Physical impact
How it scores
Clarity
- Electrical noise floor 78 from specification
Voice
- Harmonic texture 77 from listening evidence
Rhythm
- Transient attack 76 from listening evidence
Bass
- Bass control 66 from specification
- Physical impact 64 from listening evidence
- Bass extension 64 from specification
LowerVolume
- Low-level noise floor 78 from specification
- Micro-dynamic resolution 82 from listening evidence
- Tonal consistency 76 from specification
Specifications
| power 8ohm w | 50.0 |
|---|---|
| power 4ohm w | 100.0 |
| power class | A |
| damping factor | 80.0 |
| line inputs | 5 |
| xlr inputs | 0 |
| line input sensitivity mv | 110.0 |
| line input impedance kohm | 50.0 |
| has phono | False |
| pre out | True |
| pre power separable | pre_out_parallel |
| internal bass management | none |
| headphone out | True |
| frequency response hz | 12/45000 |
| snr db | 85.0 |
| dimensions mm | 430/143/370 |
| weight kg | 11.0 |
| power consumption w | 20 |
| notes |