Stam Audio Engineering SA-78T+ • Vintage Stereo FET Compressor

OVERVIEW

Introducing the SA-78T+, a faithful and enhanced replica of the legendary UREI 1178.

The UREI 1178 stereo compressor has been, for decades, the secret weapon of countless renowned engineers around the world for overheads, acoustic guitars, room mics, backing vocals, and parallel drum mixes.

After several requests to manufacture this unit, Stam Audio Engineering thought it was time to bring this unit back to life with all premium parts, BUT with critical improvements to overcome the “shortcomings” of the original design.

Despite being extremely popular amongst experienced engineers, the UREI 1178 had two major limitations that prevented it from being as popular as its mono sibling, the 1176:

1) The Lack of a Slower Attack Time for Mix Buss Duties:

Perhaps the most important shortcoming of 1178 was the lack of a slower attack setting to utilize this stereo unit for drum bus and mix bus duties. Stam Audio grabbed the famous super slow attack mode from 1176AE and added it to the SA-78T Plus at 15ms, giving it the perfect attack time to be used on drum bus and mix bus duties. This new feature opens a world of possibilities that were previously impossible while preserving the original audio path and timbre of an old 1178.

2) The Lack of a Side-Chain High-Pass Filter:

Music and audio engineering have changed a lot in the past 50 years. With music becoming so bass-heavy, it was critical to add a side-chain high-pass filter to this stereo compressor. Stam Audio Engineering decided to grab the five-position sidechain HPF used on our popular SA-4000 and integrate it into the SA78, giving you 5 different frequency options.

Its unique stereo design and new flexible controls for coloration and time constants will make it the perfect stereo compressor for tracking and taking over mixing duties that were previously not possible.

The team at Stam Audio believes that making a 1:1 replica is great, but just not good enough. They want to offer customers not just a great-sounding unit, but the best-sounding replica on the market at the best possible price, as well as the most flexible one.

Taking the brave decision to make everything by hand at the lab instead of mass-producing units takes time to manufacture, and it’s no secret that there are waiting lists. However, this also allows Stam Audio to tweak each unit to perfection so that every single SA78+ and jFET compressor that leaves our lab not only sounds the same as an old UREI, but also will last for decades to come.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Introducing the SA-78 Iron MOD:

While the SA78 is a glorious-sounding unit, thanks to its rich output transformers, it can be further enhanced by adding back the missing UTC 0-12 input transformer, which was replaced by an IC circuit on the 1176 from Rev G onwards. This input transformer was found on the famous 1176 Rev A, D, and F and imparts a unique character, adding a beautiful coloration, low-end, and harmonic distortion, taking this unit to a whole new level.

For those who chose the Input Transformer MOD, Stam Audio Engineering gives you the option to select it at the flip of a knob, simply called Iron.

Further Upgrades:

On top of the super slow attack and the 5-position high pass filter, Stam Audio also added a much-needed Dry-Wet blend control. This feature is key for parallel drum bus duties, and when used in conjunction with the slower attack time, opens a whole new level of sonic capabilities. The SA-78 Plus also comes with a true bypass and a GR bypass to pass audio through the unit without compression for coloration.

Premium Components:

Each SA-78+ is hand-made at our lab in Chile with UK-made Carnhill output transformers, Vishay capacitors, Alpha potentiometers, custom VU meters, and Carbon comp resistors, respecting the original components that gave this unit its famous sound.

FEATURES & TECHNICAL SPECS

• Original UREI 1178 schematic
• Carnhill Output Transformers
• Optional US custom-made Input Transformers (Iron Mod, 300 USD)
• Super Slow Attack Mod (15ms)
• 0.02ms to 0.8ms attack time
• Dry-Wet Blend Control
• jFET gain reduction
• Adjustable release time
• Stereo and A/B mode
• Five-position High Pass Filter
• Custom US-made Input Transformers (optional)
• Voltage switch selector (115V or 230V)
• Handmade in Chile
• 2-year warranty