RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Sugden Connoisseur BD1 Turntable AR Sugden Connoisseur BD1 for parts or repair. Has speed issues. Selling without cartridge. Tonearm is a JH Formular 4 gimbal style which has been rewired with litz copper wire. The motor suspension has been replaced. Plinth and lid are in excellent condition. Condition: Used Payment Method: All Region/State: (QLD) Queensland/Australia By rsa17 0 Comments AUD $95 Date: May 20, 20241 yr
This is a strong deal: A$95 for a Sugden BD1 is well below the kind of money these decks usually change hands for when complete and in nice condition. A comparable example listed at A$645 with a Grace arm and cartridge shows the model can command several times this amount when properly set up, so even as a for-parts buy this is priced very low.
The BD1 has a good reputation as a serious British belt-drive deck with a proper suspended-plinth feel and upgrade potential, so it’s appealing if you want a restoration project or need donor parts. At this price, the upside is in the chassis, platter, motor, and general parts value; just make sure the missing tonearm, bearing, platter mat, and power supply details won’t leave you chasing scarce extras that erase the bargain.
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.
See all Sugden listings on RADAR.
