From Stam Audio
The Stam Audio SA-76+ is a handcrafted, two-channel discrete FET compressor engineered to recreate the lightning-fast attack times, explosive punch, and rich harmonic color of the classic 1176 revision D and revision A (Bluestripe) limiting amplifiers. Built by hand in Chile, the SA-76+ puts two completely independent channels of vintage FET compression into a single 2U rackmount chassis, offering discrete circuit topologies and flexible ratio routing for critical tracking, mixing, and bus processing.
At the core of the SA-76+ is Stam Audio’s commitment to component-level accuracy. The unit incorporates custom-wound Cinemag input transformers and Carnhill output transformers, alongside discrete transistor gain stages, tantalum capacitors, and premium Vishay/WIMA audio components. In addition to standard single-ratio operation ($4:1$,$8:1$,$12:1$, and $20:1$), the SA-76+ features dedicated front-panel switches for the famous "All-Buttons-In" (British Mode) and "Nuke" modes, delivering aggressive transient shaping, heavy harmonic distortion, and explosive room-mic squash.
Key Features
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Dual-Channel Discrete FET Circuitry: Features two identical channels of classic 1176-style FET compression with ultra-fast attack times (down to $20\text{ microseconds}$).
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Premium Cinemag & Carnhill Transformers: Custom-wound Cinemag input transformers paired with UK-made Carnhill output transformers deliver authentic low-end weight, mid-range presence, and transformer saturation.
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Revision A / D Tonal Flexibility: Precision-matched discrete transistor stages capture the iconic aggressive punch of the revision A "Bluestripe" and the lower-noise clarity of the revision D circuit.
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All-Buttons-In & Nuke Modes: Dedicated front-panel push-buttons effortlessly trigger classic "British Mode" and extreme "Nuke" compression ratios without jamming mechanical switches.
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Precision Stereo Link Capability: Front-panel stereo link switch enables phase-coherent stereo compression across drum overheads, room mics, stereo acoustic guitars, and submixes.
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Selectable High-Pass Sidechain Filter: Onboard switchable low-cut sidechain filter prevents low-frequency bass energy from over-triggering the compressor on kick drums and mix buses.
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Audiophile Componentry & Build: Hand-assembled with tantalum and polystyrene capacitors, vintage-style VU meters, stepped potentiometers, and a heavy-duty 2U aluminum chassis.
- Circuit Architecture
- Discrete Class-A FET limiting amplifier (1176-style)
- Channels
- 2 (Dual Mono / Stereo Linkable)
- Attack Time
- Continuously variable from $20\text{ }\mu\text{s to } 800\text{ }\mu\text{s}$
- Release Time
- Continuously variable from $50\text{ ms to } 1.1\text{ s}$
- Ratios
- $4:1$,$8:1$,$12:1$,$20:1$, plus "All-Buttons-In" and "Nuke" modes
- Input Transformer
- Custom Cinemag (USA)
- Output Transformer
- Custom Carnhill (UK)
- Frequency Response
- $20\text{ Hz to } 20\text{ kHz}$ ($\pm 0.5\text{ dB}$)
- Maximum Output Level
- $+24\text{ dBu}$ into $600\ \Omega$
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
- $< 0.5\%$ at nominal operating levels
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- Greater than $80\text{ dB}$ at nominal output
- Sidechain High-Pass Filter
- Off / $90\text{ Hz}$ / $180\text{ Hz}$ (switchable)
- Power Requirements
- External power supply ($115\text{V} / 230\text{V}$ switchable)
- Chassis
- 2U 19-inch rackmount
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