Classic American sound taken to the next level.
The Stam 312-5T is famously known in the recording world as a “Turbo API”. Essentially a tube A312 preamplifier, it retains the aggressive character of the original while adding further harmonic distortion and coloration with the addition of a ECC83 tube output stage and a US-made 5:1 steel output transformer.
The 312-5T is built with premium components
The US-made 1:8 input transformer and our very own reverse engineered SA-25 discrete op-amp are exact replicas of those found in an vintage API 312 card from the 70’s and have been carefully auditioned to impart the same character and punch that these units are famous for. The op-amp is followed by a ECC83 tube that adds further coloration and mojo to the circuit before hitting the output transformer which is also custom made in the US with steel laminations like the original AP2503. Each preamp comes with 1% tolerance resistors as well as Vishay capacitors and the most accurate sounding 2520 DOA replica in the market!
All tubes are auditioned and selected for the best possible performance, tone and specs. The 312-5T also features our own Stam aluminum knobs made in the EU. Each unit comes with phantom power, impedance and polarity switch and a built in DI.
Sometimes strict adherence to an original design is absolutely called for, but sometimes an updated and improved version with the same great sound but more flexibility is just what a modern engineer or mixer needs. This results in the classic 312 sound but with a higher THD and bigger low end. The 312-5T is ideal for users looking to record electric guitars, drums, and hard vocals. All tubes are auditioned and selected for the best possible performance, tone and specs.
Hand made in Chile
All units are hand-made at our lab in Chile which allows us to audition and measure parts prior to assembling them so that each of them sounds the same and is built with the same quality.
100% satisfaction guarantee – if you don’t love your 312-5T, we’ll refund you!
Each 312-5T can be tested for 30 days with a full money back guarantee.
Jean Sebastien (verified owner) –
Very good unit, sounds great on a lot of sources. I already bought 2 and planned to buy 2 more whenever I’ll be able to
Chris Leonard –
An incredible take on a classic preamp. The tube section at the end adds a gentle saturation that really makes the mid and top range special. Love my stereo pair.
Kim –
I wanted a Pre with colour and character. Something with smooth saturation that could round off a little transient and tastefully add some grit. I ordered a pair of these and l gotta say first off they are extremely well built, and are the heaviest 500 series Pre Ive got. The specs on these tell the story. Now as for sound this Pre can go from beautiful smooth saturation to all out beast mode. Crank the gain, roll back the trim and hit it with a synth or guitar and these will never leave your rack. If saturation on a snare is your thing these can be pushed heavy without the bottom end falling apart and the top getting to brittle while gaining some serious headroom in the mix. Alternatively push the trim and roll back the gain for that API mid forward sound and let the transformers do their thing. The DI is really nice in these also, I have a Radial JDI but lately im using the 312-5T more as its doing something in the mid band I like. Line switch is perfect to patch these in on a drum bus or other line level sources in a mix to get some analog colour (this becomes addictive). I must get a pair of the 1073-5T next!
Don Davis –
The best keeps getting better. I owned the 312-5+ and “upgraded” to the 5T. Such a beautiful signature. It’s a very versatile pre that can be used on various sound sources. I love it
Joona Muistola –
I purchased one some years ago for fun and was blown away by the high end especially. I had to get another one immediately when I could afford it, to get a stereo pair. These are my go to pre’s on overheads. They somehow make the cymbals sit perfectly and when driven gently, really help to control the dynamics and harshness. These are irreplaceable for me now.
Lars –
Great unit! Sturdy build quality and in short it sounds great. As the other reviews already mention: nice API style grit/saturation and a great range of sounds. Really adds to my preamp-palette. Thanks again to the stam people for another high end unit for really reasonable price!
Ellis Forman –
Such a cool preamp! loads of color. Exactly what I’m looking for when I need something tubey and gooey. Lovely pre.
Gamaliel Rosado –
The Stam Audio 312-5T is an amazing preamp. Is my go to for bass, drums and vocals. The price was great for me too for such an amazing preamp. The costumer service from all the crew is amazing. Definitely I’m a retuning happy costumer.
Dave –
I own four of the 312-5T. I got them mainly for drums. But they sound great on many sound sources! I did compare them to WesAudio (Phoebe) which are also very good and sound very similar. The 312-5T are more vintage sounding. The WesAudio sounds more modern and a bit compressed. Turning up the gain 30% on the 312-5T gives me a great snare sound.
Stam Audio makes great gear! I have four 1073EQ+ and three 1073-5T they really sound great and the SA-4000 compressor is incredible and the gear is affordable! The only downside is waiting for the units to arrive:)
uno19music –
I own two of these units and use them for vocals mainly. Rich big sound I can’t wait to try on Drums and Percussion. Great Product!
Johannes –
I love my 312-5T! I mostly use it for a microphone in the middle of my drum kit that then gets sent through an 1176 – killer combo! I also like to plug semi-acoustic guitars or electric basses directly into it and drive the preamp, it gives the instruments a really big tone, nice low end and of course beautiful saturation. If you’re looking for a preamp that really colors in a desirable way, go check it out! I don’t think you can do any better, especially at the price point.
Terry Walton –
A little goes a long ways. I am in the middle of a project and remodeling my little studio so I finally had to sit down and try this baby out. I plugged in a Les Paul and Wow! I went from a nice defined sound to distorting it. I then tried a bass through it. It was sweet! Then I ran a snare and a kick through it. I can see why people use them for drums. Then I plugged in my SA-87T, my wife heard me singing through it and thought I was listening to Bowie. She was impredded. I was stumped at the combo. I am hoping to get a FET compressor next. II was just using the SA-87T to the312-5T to my little Apollo Twin. I didn’t use compression or EQ and it sounded like it could go on a record. It sounded like I imagined it would. The plug ins come close but they seem to be missing something sometimes. I have found that is more evident in mic pre- amps and compressors. Lower mid frequencies seem to muddy up. Not with this bad boy. Now if I get the FET compressor and a eq I can build a chain that would sound like I was in a big recording studio in Hollywood not in my basement. I will be getting at least one more. Thanks to Josh and the crew. You guys rock!
Peter –
Great sounding take on a classic pre. Addition of a tube results massive warmth/depth/color.
David Velez –
Yoooooo… this preamp ROCKS!!! I did a massive shootout with 13 different preamps on drums, some not so expensive, some way too expensive, and it was absolutely no contest… this is THE BEST preamp for Snare Top and Snare Bottom if your playing any type of heavy music. It does some kind of transient enhancement magic that is just unmatched. I can’t even understand how a preamp can enhance the transient and body of a snare without sounding woofy or tubby. If you dig that API sound but they were just a little too clean and transparent for what you’re doing, THIS IS THE PREAMP YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.