The SA-78-5: A Stereo Legend, Reimagined.

For decades, the UREI 1178 has been the “secret weapon” for world-class engineers. Renowned for its unique character on overheads, acoustic guitars, and parallel drum mixes, it remains a staple in the pantheon of FET compression.

At Stam Audio, we didn’t just want to build a replica; we wanted to perfect it. The SA-78-5 captures the iconic soul of the original while introducing critical modern enhancements that transform it into a versatile powerhouse for the contemporary studio.

Evolution of a Classic

While the original 1178 is beloved, it was often overshadowed by its mono sibling, the 1176, due to a few historical limitations. We have addressed these “shortcomings” to unlock the full potential of this stereo design:

Super-Slow Attack & 2:1 Ratio: We’ve integrated the coveted “Super Slow” attack mode (20ms) and the 2:1 ratio from the 1176AE. This allows the SA-78-5 to excel on the Mix Bus and Drum Bus—applications that were previously impossible with the original hardware.

Side-Chain High Pass Filter (SC-HPF): Modern mixes demand low-end integrity. Our 3-position SC-HPF prevents heavy bass frequencies from triggering the compressor prematurely, ensuring your low-end stays punchy and transparent.

Dry/Wet Parallel Blend: A highly requested feature for modern mixing. This control allows for seamless parallel compression, letting you crush a drum bus while blending back the transients for the perfect balance of energy and clarity.

True Bypass: For instant, uncolored A/B comparisons.

Full THD control: Low (0.1%), Mid (0.6%) and High (1.2%)

Premium Boutique Craftsmanship

The SA-78-5 is not mass-produced; it is hand-built in our lab in Chile using only the finest components:

UK-made Carnhill output transformers for classic weight and harmonic richness.

Vishay capacitors and Alpha potentiometers.

Precision-engineered 1:1 knob recreation for a vintage tactile experience.

The Stam Audio Philosophy

We believe a replica should be more than a carbon copy—it should be an improvement. By choosing hand-assembly over mass production, we ensure that every unit is calibrated to perfection. While our artisanal process means there is often a waiting list, the result is a compressor that not only sounds indistinguishable from a vintage UREI but is built to outperform it for decades to come.

Risk-Free Professional Excellence

We are so confident in the SA-78-5 that we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Put it in your rack, run your most demanding mixes through it, and hear the difference for yourself. If it doesn’t become your new favorite tool, send it back for a full refund.