Sugden Integrated IA-4 versus Ayre AX-7

Look at the norma ipa-140

@jc51373 I agree on you statement about BS info in these forums. I have been in the shadows here for years and see it all the time.

Have you considered the Ayre EX-8 2.0 integrated amplifier? It comes as an analog version only or can be ordered with a DAC.

https://www.ayre.com/products/amplification/ex-8/

I was very impressed with the EX-8 2.0 sound quality meaning it was like my previous Ayre AX-7e amp BUT sounds much, much better.

Ayre reports the 2.0 version"adds the extra ventilation to the unit and with the extra devices, brought the temperature down considerably, particularly on the front of the unit (and I agree). Their 2.0 upgrade doubled the number of output devices and capacitance for the output stage of the amplifier. Ayre reports the more capacitance, the better, and the doubled number of devices helps the EX-8 drive harder-to-drive and lower ohm speakers more effortlessly and lets their benefits shine. Ayre also optimized several places in the Diamond circuit that we discovered after first releasing the EX-8 that overall improves the sound. In all, the EX-8 simply sounds like it has more power better range. Bass feels stronger and the mids clearer without losing any of the resolution it had". The Ayre EX-8 2.0 is an excellent sounding amplifier.

I have an Ia4 and an A21 SE...Firehazard my a**. no idea where the above poster came up with that. I sense some favoritism of Ayre, which I like. It's a much dryer sound than Sugden though. Sugden is lush, truthful, detailed spacious and airy. All pure Class A gets warm, but I have been running my A21SE for a few year not even close to a fire hazard. 

Sometimes I can't believe the bullsh*t perpetrated on these forums. What you choose will depend on your taste. 

Did you end up upgrading to the Sugden IA-4?  I'm curious to know your opinion on the amp.  Thx

Because the CX-7 is a CD player which I replaced with an Oppo 105 and I saw a Sugden amp and I thought might just replace my amp also.

"I basically have an Ayre CX-7 that I no longer use and I have seen a Sugden at a decent price so I thought a system overhaul might be in order-I can get the Sugden on a deposit for a trial so I was interested in opinions."

I'm not clear on the above statement. If you have the Ayre and don't use it, why would you get something else?

I'd love the AX-5 but the price is out of my range and I do like the sound of my AX-7-I basically have an Ayre CX-7 that I no longer use and I have seen a Sugden at a decent price so I thought a system overhaul might be in order-I can get the Sugden on a deposit for a trial so I was interested in opinions.

Thanks for the replies so far.

I had the 2.5's. I can't imagine you not getting good results with the Ayre. One of my friends has a Sugden. The things a fire hazard. If you need a little more power than the Ayre, the BAT300 sounds great with the 2.5's.

Have you considered the new AX-5 from Ayre? It's getting a lot of great press and sounds really good...