"II. What color is your preamp? What color should it be?"

"The SAS 10A is the most musically truthful preamp I'm aware of, and I will expand that statement by listing some of the line stages I've had in my otherwise very stable system: Herron VTSP-1, VAC CPA III, VAC Standard LE, Audio Research 3A, ARC 8, ARC 10, Mark Levinson ML-1, Levinson ML-7, Levinson ML-10A, Original Aronov PS-100 and Musical Concepts modification, Nagra PL-P, Beveridge RM-1, Rappaport, Placette Passive - there are more, but you get the point. Until I got the 10A, I struggled to make the other components live up to their potential."

Bound For Sound Review - Issue #163, February 2005

Bound for Sound has issued their first "Component of Merit" issue in 7 years. SAS Audio Labs is pleased to announce that the 10A is among only 3 mentioned in the "Components of Exceptional Merit" category.

Martin explains the history of preamps and comes to this conclusion (before the actual listings and short reviews of each).

"I expecially feel that way about the SAS 10A, a tube unit of moderate expense that simply stomps a mud hole in just about every active unit made - regardless of price."

"It is super grain-free and dimensional. When I say that this active is "warm", I'm not so much speaking of the musical participants as much as I am the backdrops to the performance that have this nice dark and dimensional sound - Yes, the quiet darkness around the music is dimensional....Note: I believe the Sonic Euphoria PLC to be an even more transparent and truthful device than the 10A. However, in this world of extreme and diverse audio conditions, there will be times when an active linestage is a must. At that time, I expect the SAS to be the near perfect preamp for difficult conditions."

"H.R. Weiner says: Smooth and musical but as revealing as anything tested except the Sonic Euphonia. In some slightly brighter or aggressive systems it may be the piece that completes the puzzle. Build quality and parts far exceed the retail price of $1500.00."