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Sugden Sapphire DAP-800 Pre Amplifier Purchased new in September 2023. Used infrequently. Excellent condition. Here's a link to the specs https://www.sugdenaudio.com/dap-800-digital-analogue-pre-amplifier Condition: Excellent Payment Method: Direct Deposit, Cash on Pickup Region/State: (QLD) Queensland/Australia By D. Love 0 Comments Secure Ad AUD $6,900 Date: May 5, 2025May 5
The Sugden Sapphire DAP-800 is a respected, compact control center that combines a dedicated DAC with a high-quality analogue preamp, prized for its clean, detailed sound and separate power circuits. At A$6,900 for an excellent-condition unit, this listing is a strong deal: new prices range from A$9,445 to A$14,495, and typical used examples in the UK hover around A$3,500–A$4,000 (converted from £2,000–£3,350), making this A$6,900 offer well below the 75th percentile for used market value in AUD.
This is a worthwhile buy because the DAP-800 delivers versatile connectivity (six analogue and six digital inputs, including USB and balanced options) while avoiding the noise and complexity of streaming or phono stages. The included Chord Epic RCA or XLR cables (worth A$720–A$900) add immediate value, and the original-owner condition with original box and paperwork suggests careful use. For enthusiasts seeking a refined, all-in-one preamp/DAC without overspending, this represents a genuine buying opportunity at a fair-to-great price.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sugden Audio: British Heritage and Class A Excellence
Sugden Audio was founded in 1967 by James Edward Sugden in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, as a division of Research Electronics, his earlier scientific instrument manufacturing company. Sugden's background in precision engineering and broadcast equipment design at EMI informed the company's founding philosophy of meticulous craftsmanship and sonic integrity. The brand has remained rooted in British manufacturing throughout its history, maintaining its West Yorkshire base and family involvement through successive generations, most recently under the stewardship of the Miller family alongside the long-term Sugden team.
The company is synonymous with Class A solid-state amplification, having pioneered this technology with the legendary A21 integrated amplifier in 1967—widely recognized as the first commercially produced pure Class A solid-state amplifier. Sugden's product portfolio centers on high-end electronics, particularly integrated and power amplifiers, alongside preamplifiers. The brand's design philosophy emphasizes minimalism and musicality over unnecessary features, captured in their tagline "Rescuing Music from technology." All products are hand-built to exacting standards, reflecting Sugden's commitment to quality over mass-market appeal.
Sugden occupies a distinctive position in high-end audio as a niche boutique manufacturer with deep credibility among serious audiophiles and collectors. The A21 remains in continuous production—now in its A21a iteration—making it one of the longest-running models in specialist hi-fi. Vintage Sugden equipment has become highly sought-after by collectors, while contemporary designs maintain the brand's reputation for sonic excellence and engineering precision that has defined British audio craftsmanship for nearly six decades.
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