Stam Audio SA800G Power Supply Unit went up in Smoke...

Dear All,

long time lurker on here, but I think this is my first post.

I am currently going through a very unfortunate situation with a Stam Audio Product and I want to share it with you to raise awareness and also maybe to just vent my frustration.

Back in June 2023 I was finally able to acquire a new Stam Audio SA800G Microphone for 2500€ (approx. 2700 US$) Online from a local distributor.

I have to say the mic sounds amazing and the build quality was impressive as well. I really liked working with it while it did, so respect where respect is due...

In October of this year however I noticed a very strong nasty plastic like smell in the Studio while recording ADR Dialogue. After a while it intensified and after a quick search I could finally figure out what it was:

It was the Power Supply Unit of the SA800G which was smoking heavily from the inside.

(I reproduced it few days later: You can see it clearly from 13 Min onwards)



So I pulled the Plug and asked the distributor the next day for a repair or replacement of the Unit. After many messages + E-Mails he finally got in touch with the Stam Audio Support.

After weeks of waiting and following up, the Stam Support guys and gals finally assured me that they will be able to ship a unit to me quickly but needed some pictures from the circuits of the PSU in order to do so for whatever reason.

So I sent them the pictures and ever since then: Crickets. Nothing. Not another word.

They didn’t even ask for my address to ship the Unit or anything.

Since the local distributor dodges all my questions regarding a refund, I will now have to forward everything to my lawyer in order to get my money back from the distributor, which will cost me even more money upfront, plus I will have to organise a new Microphone which will cost me another grand in order to finish my project.

So as of right now I am looking at costs of 2.5k for an unusable microphone + 1.5k for an equal sounding replacement Mic + upfront Lawyer costs and the stress of a potential lawsuit with the local distributor since he disobeys my warranty rights.

Maybe it would have been wiser to just stick to my old Neumann TLM103 (miss you buddy:( ) and donate the money instead...

So yeah long story short: If you think about getting Stam Audio Products please keep in mind that it is not just the issue with the shipping time, but also the risk of getting a lemon which can potentially cripple your project and in the worst case can cost you a fortune in hindsight...