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Post by stam on Sept 7, 2023 4:07:11 GMT -6
 This one starts shipping next month. I am in love and wanted to share a picture of how sexy she looks. A few changes from the first one from 7 years ago; New US made Input Transformer. Completely nails the original UTC. New US made Output Transformer. Latest and improved Kenetek T4B from Bill Jones in Kentucky. The absolute best Otpo cell I have tried so far and identical time constants to a pristine vintage one. Original VU Meter made in the UK Original raw brushed aluminum faceplate finish including rack ears. All carbon resistors Dry Wet blend control added NOS tubes available. Aside from it not being made point to point this is as accurate as we could get to an original LA-2A. I think it already sold out but we will be making more for sure at the end of the year. Video comparison with a UREI LA-2A coming soon. stamaudio.com/shop/compressors/sa-2a-plus/ |
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Post by enlav on Sept 7, 2023 5:37:28 GMT -6
The brushed aluminum looks great! If I weren't saving up for a vacation, I'd be salivating more.
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Post by lowlou on Sept 7, 2023 5:52:33 GMT -6
What does it take to have the NOS tubes installed inside ? Thanks  . |
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Post by lowlou on Sept 7, 2023 8:30:05 GMT -6
And does it really change the sound ? thx |
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Post by Ward on Sept 7, 2023 9:03:04 GMT -6
Looks beautiful! Still happy with my OG SA2a though . . . best bass comp ever!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2023 9:11:28 GMT -6
And does it really change the sound ? thx Yes because tubes used to be mass produced in western countries to higher standards. Currently tubes are only made in communist era factories in China, Russia, and Slovakia. The best sounding were the Russian tubes matched but they could be very expensive. Obviously those are not a real option now. Chinese tubes are mainly guitar amp tubes. |
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Post by lowlou on Sept 7, 2023 9:48:05 GMT -6
Ok thanks Dan . Always helping & very detailed . Thanks ! And yes it goes without saying, but the Stam comp looks stunning... Precise markings = better and quicker recall. |
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Post by Ward on Sept 7, 2023 11:14:10 GMT -6
SNIP The best sounding were the Russian tubes matched but they could be very expensive. Obviously those are not a real option now. You can still easily get Russian tubes from sellers in Ukraine. The official message and reality are at loggerheads. There are Ukrainian sellers buying Russian tubes, willing to repackage them and sell them to you. And they just pass through the channels with ease. Chinese tubes are mainly ... CRAP!! There. I said it for you. |
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Post by bricejchandler on Sept 7, 2023 14:10:35 GMT -6
I love the raw aluminum faceplate! really cool looking
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Post by aremos on Sept 7, 2023 15:32:53 GMT -6
Looks impressive (love that it looks like my original UREI Teletronix - 3u) & the fact that the opto-cell comes from Bill Jones (he's THE Kenetek T4B cloner)! Which NOS tubes & how much? [thinking to myself (but if Ward or someone wants to chime in): Do I go for this or the AudioScape?] |
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Post by Ward on Sept 7, 2023 17:37:56 GMT -6
Looks impressive (love that it looks like my original UREI Teletronix - 3u) & the fact that the opto-cell comes from Bill Jones (he's THE Kenetek T4B cloner)! Which NOS tubes & how much? [thinking to myself (but if Ward or someone wants to chime in): Do I go for this or the AudioScape?] I can't offer an opinion at this time as I don't presently have an AS Opto nor one of the new Stam SA2a Mk 2 units. But I will confirm I absolutely love my original SA2a and use it on an almost daily basis. I have the Universal Audio reissues from 15 years ago and the SA2a beats them easily. My time with the OPTO made me believe it was better than the UA reissues also. This new one is an unknown at this point, and I am looking forward to learning more about it and/or getting my hands on one. |
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Post by prene1 on Sept 11, 2023 9:56:17 GMT -6
I need a pair.
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Post by Ward on Sept 11, 2023 12:16:59 GMT -6
Someone wants to joke "grow a pair" . . . but not me, I just know someone like chessparov wants to. |
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Post by plinker on Sept 11, 2023 13:53:11 GMT -6
<channeling Chris>..
I once tried to grow a pear, but my efforts were not fruitful.
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Post by Ward on Sept 13, 2023 12:34:35 GMT -6
<channeling Chris>.. I once tried to grow a pear, but my efforts were not fruitful. <channeling chessparov channeling FRank Sinatra> "Eh, who you calling fruit full?" |
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Post by thehightenor on Sept 13, 2023 13:14:45 GMT -6
Looks impressive (love that it looks like my original UREI Teletronix - 3u) & the fact that the opto-cell comes from Bill Jones (he's THE Kenetek T4B cloner)! Which NOS tubes & how much? [thinking to myself (but if Ward or someone wants to chime in): Do I go for this or the AudioScape?] I can't offer an opinion at this time as I don't presently have an AS Opto nor one of the new Stam SA2a Mk 2 units. But I will confirm I absolutely love my original SA2a and use it on an almost daily basis. I have the Universal Audio reissues from 15 years ago and the SA2a beats them easily. My time with the OPTO made me believe it was better than the UA reissues also. This new one is an unknown at this point, and I am looking forward to learning more about it and/or getting my hands on one. Did you stop being an online ambassador for Audioscape? Anyway, I only bought an AS Opto after your glowing reviews and proclamations .... and you were spot on I demoed a UA reissue a while back and I was very underwhelmed so I passed, I wanted that original "68" vintage sound the UA was too vanilla for my personal taste. I honestly think the AS Opto nails that original 68 vibe, maybe it's the NOS tubes or the custom Xformers - or both? But it really is a vibey, rich tone. I find it hard to imagine better, without paying 20K for an original! |
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 13, 2023 13:44:25 GMT -6
Btw on FB today Josh says there are still 45 spots available, I thought this run was sold out ?
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Post by Ward on Sept 13, 2023 13:45:53 GMT -6
Did you stop being an online ambassador for Audioscape? Anyway, I only bought an AS Opto after your glowing reviews and proclamations .... and you were spot on 1. Yes, I am no longer with Audioscape. My role wasn't 'online ambassador'. They made great products. 2. Thank you for the acknowledgement, I only told the truth. They made great products. I sincerely enjoyed my time helping build audioscape and am pleased to see some things I championed come to fruition. |
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Post by mike on Sept 14, 2023 2:39:11 GMT -6
Looks impressive (love that it looks like my original UREI Teletronix - 3u) & the fact that the opto-cell comes from Bill Jones (he's THE Kenetek T4B cloner)! Which NOS tubes & how much? [thinking to myself (but if Ward or someone wants to chime in): Do I go for this or the AudioScape?] I can't offer an opinion at this time as I don't presently have an AS Opto nor one of the new Stam SA2a Mk 2 units. But I will confirm I absolutely love my original SA2a and use it on an almost daily basis. I have the Universal Audio reissues from 15 years ago and the SA2a beats them easily. I'll echo some of the thoughts here and say if you need a LA2A type comp, I wouldn't sleep on this. I preferred the sonics of my Stam SA23+ (that has a fast and slow 2A) over other 2A choices and think the Stam 2A's are pretty hard to beat for the money. If I needed a LA2A, Stam's would be the one I'd buy. |
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Post by enlav on Dec 23, 2023 9:15:51 GMT -6
Was just billed the remainder of my invoice, so hopefully they'll be out in the wild soon. Excited to give it a shot vs the AS Opto. Not excited to figure out where to put it, rearrange/rewire/etc.
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kcatthedog
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SA-2A MK2
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 23, 2023 10:01:11 GMT -6
There was a recent fb post that they are in build phase. “ Not excited to figure out where to put it, rearrange/rewire/etc.”, Gee, what a problem, send it here: I’ll sort that out for you! |
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Post by enlav on Dec 23, 2023 10:06:51 GMT -6
There was a recent fb post that they are in build phase. “ Not excited to figure out where to put it, rearrange/rewire/etc.”, Gee, what a problem, send it here: I’ll sort that out for you! Haha! Though honestly, I believe I've read a post from you before talking about looking for various gear on reverb. If I do need to part with anything (because I really have no need for like.. 10 channels of compression), I'll give you the first chance/offer on it.
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kcatthedog
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SA-2A MK2
Dec 23, 2023 11:23:14 GMT -6
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 23, 2023 11:23:14 GMT -6
Kind of you, thank you, but in the short term I am still paying off some debt: boring, but necessary.
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