Sugden IA-4

Thanks!! This is a fascinating perspective and I can see the logic in it quite clearly - also a key factor in my usual preference for tube amps. The IA-4 has a damping factor of 45 and its bass is natural and believable with the O93s with good continuity between bass and mid bass. The LTA Ultralinear perhaps had “faster” bass response but I am very satisfied with the organic quality of the Sugden (which has meaningful advantages over that LTA power amp) and am of course curious to see what the Modwright 300B push-pull brings to the table. Nice to rule out the Int-25 as a contender using your sound deduction and experience. I hope you are loving the Super Nines by the way!

@transience Coming up on two years, are you still using the Sugden IA-4? Asking because I’m considering an LTA Z10 or MZ3 preamp, but your comments give me pause as a friend has very high regard for Sugden.

Despite the long time, would you be able to more insights into the differences between the LTA and Sugden? Maybe if there is any comparison around the tube sound character (or not)? The LTA units are not marketed as "tube sound," but your direct comparison with the IA-4 is more relevant and I'm curious to learn more, please.

I prefer the IA-4 to the Z10 when used with the Devore 93s - a much more dynamic, clear, and spacious presentation. The Z10 has a mild sweetness to the sound but is a little too delicate and undramatic for me; I do like the microzotl preamps and love the Ultralinear amp and integrated. The IA-4 is more directly comparable to those, yet having a broader soundstage and better resolution of space and detail, but isn’t as hard hitting or quite as palpable. I think I just very barely prefer the Ultralinear overall but I’m sure many others would go for the Sugden instead. Both are killer integrateds.
I’m not using any of these amps right now, as I’m moving to an SA Lab Thunderbird on the basis of a suggestion by a dealer I trust. I flipped too much gear and am happy to defer to someone else!

Thank you for the update. To your point about flipping, I really think I should just be happy as I've been for so long with my semi-peculiar Naim setup. I've heard the MZ3 do its thing and that's what got me started, though. Thanks again!