A replica of one of the most popular condenser microphone in history
The SA-87i is an exact sounding replica of the finest vintage U87 we could find. After repairing, testing and shooting out dozens of original U87’s for over a decade we stumbled across a 1979 rev 16 that sounded incredible on every single source so we decided to replicate it.
After years of testing every single capsule under the sun and combining them with different transformers and circuit values the SA-87i finally come to live and we managed to make it indistinguishable from our beloved vintage U87 microphone to the very last detail, and for the first time, at a price that makes it affordable to anyone.
The SA-87i is made with premium components
The SA-87i features premium Vishay capacitors on the audio path as well as polystyrene capacitors, which are more stable and much more linear in the top end. This makes them the perfect choice for feedback circuitry. Every unit comes with a Sowter output transformer made in UK and a custom BG K-87 capsule from Rome.
The main shortcoming with current offerings is polarization voltage. While current models feature 60V, the vintage units were rated at 48V. The lower voltage of polarization makes the capsule sound more musical and mellow as well as increasing the microphone’s headroom, hence making it less susceptible to distortion.
We have remained 100% faithful to the original vintage circuit and schematic and have made no compromise in parts which ensures you are getting the best sounding microphone possible.
100% satisfaction guarantee – if you don’t love your SA-87i, we’ll refund you
If you’ve used an original vintage U87 before, we’re extremely confident the SA-87i will put a big smile on your face every time you use it.
However, if you’ve never touched the original before, as gear-lovers ourselves we understand that the only way to really know if this microphone is for you, is to put it through its paces. That’s why the SA-87 comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. This allows you to get it into your studio and see how it impacts your recordings. If you love it (and we think you will!), great…keep the unit and create amazing music with it. If not, no problems. Just send it back to us and we’ll fully refund your purchase.
Araks –
I can’t wait to receive the microphone. I have the SA-87 and I had to get the SA-87i knowing this one is going to be the best one. I know Josh has made this microphone to sound amazing. Can’t wait to record with it!
Alan Schwartz –
I’m a guitarist-I play sessions for people all over the world, in my home treated studio. The best acoustic guitar sound I had gotten before was on many sessions at P Diddys studio in nyc, on a vintage Neumann U87 into a Neve 1073. I recorded acoustic gtrs through my Stam Audio Sa-87i which arrived today, into a Stam 1073 mpa. I no longer need to go anywhere to get the richest, most expressive acoustic gtr tracks that fit perfectly in a mix (with a little eq & compression). Thank you Joshua! You are an artiste. I never liked the 87ai I’d used on many sessions in other studios. This SA-87i gives me the acoustic guitar sounds I’ve always hoped for. I’ll try it on vocals mañana…
keelsj83 (verified owner) –
This is the one right here. Shipping was fast from the mic being in stock so no long wait there. Holding the mic has great weight and build quality right from the jump.
I did my first recording today and I am amazed at how my vocals sound raw. My vocals are full sounding in all frequencies and the top end sounds amazing. Not harsh or sibilant at all. Very smooth. I did not have to do much processing at all for my vocals compared to the other mice I’ve used.
I’m very amazed at how this sounds. Even though I’ve never used an 87 before, this mic gives me the exact quality I was looking for out of my vocals. I primarily record rap vocals so this sounds perfect to me.
Highly recommended. Amazing job on building this mic.
Celec Frankenstein –
Excelente micrófono, sin lugar a dudas una de las mejores inversiones que eh hecho en mi estudio.
Ya grabé mis primeras canciones con el y las voces suenan fenomenales.
Muchas gracias por tanto Stam Audio!
Bryan Bridges (verified owner) –
I was a bit hesitant to buy straight from the company, I’m suspicious of items made in batches, it takes lots of money up front and sometimes puts you on a waiting list for parts to come in. However, Stam was perfect with the handling of my order. It took only two days to get to Viginia, USA from Chile! The mic is just like the videos I watched, like a Neumann, and able to be used as one would a paintbrush for any sound quality I want to capture. Great quality, less expensive and quite frankly better than most other mics in this category. Joshua was always prompt with answering my questions, great customer service, really nice experience. 100% A+
Berg Whyliams –
The Sa-87i is an absolute beast!
I put mine side by side with my U 87 AI & they both sound identical, that’s crazy!
Definitely my new « go-to » mic!
Wanja Slavin –
incredible mic! thanks a lot!
Zyon Odinson (verified owner) –
So…this was my very first purchase with Stam Audio and because of how great this mic sounded, I decided to purchase more items. I have used the newer model of the U87 and the vintage version and I have always thought the vintage version sounds way better. It always presented more warmth where the newer version just had too much highs. Well, in my humble opinion, Stam hit a home run with this one! This SA-87i sounds almost identical to the warmth I hear from the vintage U87. Blessed!
Reeseonthekeys –
Simply amazing, tried with the Neumann it was identical, there is no better value in recording mics than Stam! Coming back for a compressor
Tristan Huffaker –
This microphone sounds amazing. There was a bit of a waiting time, but it was definitely worth it. I don’t have the Neumann to compare it to, however the SA-87i stands its ground nonetheless and projects the audio source in a very smooth and shimmering way. I will be back for more!
My compliment to Joshua and his team for making such quality gear for a reasonable price!
gregcoop7 –
My first purchase from Stam, I like this SA87i better than a Neumann 87ai. I have not used the vintage Neumann 87 like the one Josh compared this to, in his video ( which sold me on this mic) it is really a no frills 87 that just sounds real good. Very smooth, no top end harshness. It takes eq really well, but you don’t need much, and also1176 and LA2a sound good with this mic, but you don’t need much , if any. Workmanship and microphone shockmount are very good. I like this mic better than the United Audio or the Warm Audio. I’m keeping it and ordered an SA47 mk3..which I am also very impressed with… see review
Coop: Colorado home studio/ Musician
JoeLSoLmusic –
What a lovely microphone. This is the holy grail mic and finally got it. The SA 87ai sounds fantastic. It smooths out the vocals in a pleasant way. I’m sure the value of this mic will increase as the years go by. Very happy first time customer. It matches well with my BAE 1073 DMP. I also use the Tubetech CL1B compressor plugin. Thank you Josh for the outstanding customer service. Well worth the wait!
Caveman Studio (verified owner) –
I got to try out my new SA-87i today on some vocal tracks. Wow, what a beautiful sounding microphone. Ran it through a 1073 into a 1176F. Love It!!!
Jake Macdonald –
The first Stam mic I purchased around 2018 was the first rendition of this, and it put in some serious hours at our studio. We did pretty much every style imaginable, and used it for vocals, acoustic guitars, amps, room mics, and even a mono overhead. Very versatile, and an absolute steal of a deal at this price.