Author Topic: SAS Audio Labs Reference 11a Preamp Tour (Read 65763 times)

Carlman · « **on:** July 28, 2007, 10:37:25 AM »

I have asked Steve of SAS Audio Labs if he'd be interested in doing a tour of his latest preamp... or any preamp for that matter... and I am very happy to announce he said "YES!"

Thank you very much, Steve for allowing us to organize this tour. I hope it's a wild success.

I'm extra thankful it's your latest reference model.

Please express your interest and zip code on this thread so we can organize the tour by location. The tour will start in the mid-Atlantic, 2 people have already expressed interest in hearing it there... And Rich and I both would like to hear it as well... So, East Coast is first...

Basically, Steve will ship it to its first destination and then each person will ship it (insured) to the next, communicate it here, and so on. We'll organize the list of people and places here, in this thread. After a couple of weeks, or when Steve feels it's got enough tour stops, we'll stop adding names to the tour.

OK, now for the rules and regulations... Steve's a very nice guy but he's sending out his best preamp to a bunch of audio nuts on an internet forum... (and I'm footing the deposit) So, we need to have a few ground rules and such:

In order to participate you must:

Be an existing AudioNervosa members and a non-profesional reviewer.
Pay for full insurance and shipping fees to the next reviewer. Steve prefers DHL or FedEx. If neither is an option, UPS.
Communicate in this thread when:
1- You received it (from whom)
2- You shipped it (to whom)
Please supply a review of some sort.. can be short and sweet or long and philisophical... If you are the first to audition the 11a, start a review thread in the Bipolar section of AN.

So far, here's the list of participants; I'll update the order when the tour starts:
(updated 8/19)
Bunky (Auditioned, Reviewed, Shipped)
Carlman/Richidoo Awaiting arrival (will ship on 8/27)
Woodsyi
LonewolfNY42 (arrive by ~9/10)
DangerBird
Biglou
WEEZ
mca

Rich will be helping organize the tour. Feel free to PM him or me with any questions.

Thanks,
Carl

Bunky · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2007, 11:21:48 AM »

Count me in....WCW III Zip 21060

WEEZ · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2007, 12:04:17 PM »

Carl...I'm really mid-south...(TN) 38506....

biglou · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2007, 01:27:48 PM »

me too! in little rock, zip 72203

WEEZ · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2007, 01:51:58 PM »

Steve/Carl/Rich,

How much time to we get to spend with it?

WEEZ

Carlman · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2007, 02:08:47 PM »

Quote from: WEEZ on July 28, 2007, 01:51:58 PM

Steve/Carl/Rich,

How much time to we get to spend with it?

WEEZ

Not sure yet... depends on how many get on the tour... I'll talk to Steve and see if he has any thoughts... or maybe he'll chime in here?
-C

steve · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2007, 04:57:46 PM »

Hi Guys,

I want to thank Carl for organizing the tour and for putting up the deposit. Thanks Carl for your time and efforts.

Also, thanks for taking the time to write reviews etc. It is much appreciated.

Take care.

ps. I will be sending along a pair of my low capacitance "V" ICs to connect between the preamp and the amplifier. There is no need to comment on these. Just in case one does not have low capacitance types to use. I think I will also send stereophile's CD3. Track 10 is a soundstage recording, testing different mics. For those unfamiliar, it tests from side to side and front to back ratio. At one point, the gent is 50 feet from the mic in the auditorium and walks toward the front. Great for checking soundstage distortion.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2007, 09:45:44 PM »

Great, thanks Steve and Carl !!
The 11A...haven't heard that one....did try the 10A on the last audition tour....a nice preamp.

Count me in....11501 NY....thanks !!!

Chris

dangerbird · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2007, 03:50:27 AM »

Count me in,,30228,,I can ship/receive DHL from my work--thanks

steve · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2007, 12:22:34 PM »

I am going to see if my packer will use wood as the outside box, for greater durability. I think she could still use cardboard for the inner box. She double box for insurance reasons, of course. I wonder if wood outer box will cause problems for anyone?

Any thoughts about shippers? I have had bad luck with UPS and would prefer UPS not be used unless absolutely necessary. Personally I would prefer DHL if possible. When shipping, I would insure for $1995.00 since the pre is blemished.

Looks like we are getting a nice group. Thanks guys.

Carlman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2007, 01:10:42 PM »

I think a plywood outter box makes a lot of sense, Steve. Keep the inner box and everything inside light as possible to keep weight down... but also protect the pre for a long tour.... likely 6-10 weeks in as many folks hands... If it's clear where all the pieces go and no one has to guess how to repack, you'll have better chances avoiding damages.

Thanks,
Carl

P.S. I think everyone should get a week with this preamp that includes a weekend. So, what do we think about a 5-10 day tour stop? If you get a chance to hear it in your system for a few days and can really sit down and enjoy it a few evenings, is there a need to keep it any longer before it moves?

richidoo · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2007, 02:20:39 PM »

As for me, having no preamp yet, I might need a good 3-4 months before I can really get the full impact of Steve's masterpiece playing in my system; while those on the tour before me will probably only need to listen to it for a day - or maybe less.

hehe

I guess setting up a DHL account would be the easiest way to ship with them?
Rich

steve · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2007, 09:53:29 AM »

Got some info on the wooden crate.

Box Weight/Total weight: 51 / 71lbs

Length + Girth: 109"

Sorry but no account will be available.

Take care.
Steve

richidoo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2007, 10:06:01 AM »

Quote from: richidoo on July 29, 2007, 02:20:39 PM

I guess setting up a DHL account would be the easiest way to ship with them?

OOPS, I meant me setting up my own account with DHL so they will come to pick it up and I won't have to drive to a drop off desk. You paying for everyone's shipping is not what I was implying!!! Sorry for the confusion.
Rich

mca · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2007, 11:22:14 AM »

I'd love to get on the list if it will be anywhere in my area (Kirkland, WA 98033)