Sugden: Bijou Headmaster

Aug 11, 2008 at 11:51 AM Post #2 of 20
I've been using it for a couple of years until I got the Rudistor. I've had the oportunity to drive Senn 6xx, K701, DX-1000, ULE 2200.
IMO it's the paradigm of the "Flat-earth sound", which aims more to the rhythmic and PRAT aspects of the sound than to the timbric and resolutive ones. With the HD600 it manages to put the missing fun factor that these cans have when used with other amps. With the K701 it's just OK, it has power enough to drive them, but the sound is a bit weirder, as if this amp enhanced the K701's flaws.
With the Ultrasones is a very good match too, it pumps up the fun factor of the cans and makes them more enjoyable. It doesn't cover their lack of coherence nor injects any band aid to their lack of resolution, but overall they sounded better to me than when used with the X-Cans.

I didn't like the result using the DX-1000. These cans put in evidence that timbric correction isn't one of the strong points of this amp. Playing pop-rock the sound is OK, quite fun, kind of open, alive and fast, but when listening to classical or jazz, there was something weird on the tonality. Maybe it was just the amp enhancing the slightly flawed midrange on the DX-1000, I can't be sure, but the DX-1000 sound more correct to my ears on the Rudi or even on the HP output of my PC card or TV.

Overall it's a good amp, maybe overpriced for the sonic results, but considering it is also a more than decent preamp with 3 inputs, includes remote volume control, and has a very good built quality, it's a fair option.

Rgrds
 
Aug 11, 2008 at 4:55 PM Post #4 of 20
It sells for 745 GBP at Stone Audio UK I suppose it can be found cheaper. I paid for mine about 800 euros two years ago. For europeans not having customs issues and being shipping expenses still sensible, it's a good price. IMO and despite my comments, the amp is interesting and depending on sound preferences, most listened music and the cans you may be using, it could be a definitive amp for many people.

IIRC there was a review posted on the "Featured Full Reviews forum" which has now disappeared. I suppose it will come back when they finish the amps directory. Maybe a thorough search can find it for you.

Rgrds
 
Aug 11, 2008 at 6:22 PM Post #6 of 20
I purchased my Headmaster brand new from Stoneaudio in April 04 and it was 600 GBP back then. It has had a price increase a few times since.

It is certainly a quality product as you would expect from a brand like Sugden. It is built like a tank, the build oozes quality. The ability to use up to 3 inputs is nice and the remote is more than welcome. Many a happy night have been spent in bed with the Suggie as company, nothing perverted you understand. It used to annoy me to have to get out of my bed to go and adjust the volume if needed, no such problem with this amp.

Out of all my headphones I would say it has best synergy with the HD600's and DR150's. I tend to use if alot for vinyl duties these days.

I find it has an open, mid range with good resolving abilitiy. Treble is nice, lets lots of details through. If it has one weakness for my tastes then it would be in the amount of bass it produces.

Nobody really mentions it now. It is a bit of a veteran. I know I will not be selling mine in a hurry.
 
Aug 11, 2008 at 6:27 PM Post #7 of 20
Quote:

Originally Posted by argentum /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Torpedo what is your go to amp with k701 ?


FWIW I'm not using them very much lately, so I can't give a worth answer. They sounded best to me from the HP out of my Audigy soundcard. Not very loud but less uneven than using the Sugden or X-Cans. To be honest I haven't given them a good run on the Rudi.

Rgrds
 
Aug 11, 2008 at 8:57 PM Post #8 of 20
I listened through one last year when on a business trip, but I can not remember which 'phones were in use. However I do remember quite a sweet sound with plenty of foot-tapping-rhythm. There was certainly nothing glaringly obviously wrong, and plenty of things very right with it.
 
Aug 11, 2008 at 11:15 PM Post #9 of 20
Many had reported to be very good with the AT...One of thme has a remote with make it a convenient amp for long distances...
 
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:38 AM Post #10 of 20
Quote:

Originally Posted by Sovkiller /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Many had reported to be very good with the AT


True, but only after significant modifications (by a long-gone Head-fier). Most reports indicate that a stock unit did not have the same synergy.

There are many old threads on this model. A simple search should yield plenty of reading material for a while.

A very nicely made piece of kit. If you need preamp capability along with a discrete headphone amp, this is one option.
 
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:47 AM Post #11 of 20
I used to have one. Very nice amp. Well made and indeed, as described, very "flat-earthy." Had I not gone with tubes, I would still own it.
 

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