Who it comes up against
9 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
free of solid-state irritantHomeTheaterReview 2009 (Masterclass mono)
4 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Characterful brief, the Audiolab 9000P keeps the slot decisively.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
With the Neat Petite Classic, the pairing gives up most on bass control.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
deep, tight, controlled bass without overbearingHiFiMART user review + Audio Tailor review
4 lost · Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Characterful brief, the NVA S80 Stereo keeps the slot clearly.
With the NVA P50 MKII, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the stronger power amplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the NVA P50 MKII gives up vocal presence under the Characterful weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the power amplifier position.
free of solid-state irritantHomeTheaterReview 2009 (Masterclass mono)
3 lost· 1 won · BBC Sound, Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Sugden ANV 50 keeps the slot by a whisker.
3 lost · Vocals-First
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
3 lost · BBC Sound, Vocals-First
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 890 keeps the slot decisively.
With the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line), the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
Sugden Class A stereo power ampSugden Masterclass SPA-4 stereo power
2 lost · Characterful, Romantic
Against the Characterful brief, the Leema Hydra II keeps the slot decisively.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Leema Neutron, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
Hydra II reference Leema stereo power ampLeema Hydra II positioning
1 lost · Anchored
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) keeps the slot decisively.
With the Neat Petite Classic, the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
free of solid-state irritantHomeTheaterReview 2009 (Masterclass mono)
1 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan) keeps the slot decisively.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the stronger power amplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the NVA P50SA MKII gives up quietness at rest under the Intimate weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the power amplifier position.
free of solid-state irritantHomeTheaterReview 2009 (Masterclass mono)
1 lost · Twin Arms
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
1 lost · BBC Sound
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
1 lost · Twin Arms
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
1 lost · Vocals-First
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
1 lost · BBC Sound
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
1 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the Audio Note P1 SE keeps the slot decisively.
With the Audio Note M2 Phono, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gains most on timing and drive.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
Sugden Class A stereo power ampSugden Masterclass SPA-4 stereo power
1 lost · PRaT
Against the PRaT brief, the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Sugden Masterclass SPA-4 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
free of solid-state irritantHomeTheaterReview 2009 (Masterclass mono)
only matched in terms of dynamicsStereo Magazine 2021