Sugden

Sugden Audio is a pioneering British hi-fi manufacturer founded in 1967 by James Edward Sugden in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, renowned for creating the world's first commercially available Class A transistor amplifier. Born in 1936, Sugden began with Research Electronics in 1960 before forming J.E. Sugden & Co Ltd in 1967, initially partnering with Richard Allan loudspeakers before establishing the independent Sugden brand. The company's revolutionary A21 amplifier, introduced in 1967, solved crossover distortion problems common in Class B solid-state designs and remains in production today, tracing its lineage back over 55 years. Operating from their current factory in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire (Valley Works Station Lane, WF16 0NF), Sugden Audio has maintained its commitment to handcrafted, high-quality Class A amplifiers, CD players, and speakers with the company motto 'rescuing music from technology.' The business experienced significant leadership transitions with Tony Miller serving as managing director for 40 years until his death in 2021, followed by his son Patrick Miller who worked at Sugdens from 1982 until his passing in September 2023. Today, Sugden continues manufacturing premium audio equipment with half their team having over thirty years of experience, each product handmade by individual skilled craftsmen. The company maintains its reputation for exceptional British engineering while providing service and repair for older units alongside new product manufacturing, representing one of the UK's most respected independent audio equipment manufacturers with an unbroken tradition of Class A amplification excellence.