Is dbx important? (porta 02 or 414 mkII?)

[SuperHiper]

I'm undecided on buying a portastudio 02 or a 414 mkII. I wanted to buy the smaller and cheapest one but i have no idea how significant is the dbx noise reduction included on the 414. Can you give me some lights on this? or point me to some thread...

Thanks!!

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by SuperHiper

I'm undecided on buying a portastudio 02 or a 414 mkII. I wanted to buy the smaller and cheapest one but i have no idea how significant is the dbx noise reduction included on the 414. Can you give me some lights on this? or point me to some thread...

Thanks!!

dbx is a very significant addition when dealing with the cassette format which was never meant to attain the high dynamics, low distortion and low noise floor of other tape recording equipment meant for high quality recording and reproduction. Dbx solves this problem, to a certain extent, by allowing significant dynamic content to cassette tape without hiss or distortion. Cassette with and without dbx is a night and day difference. Go with the 414 mkII. It is a much better recorder than the 02 and not for a whole lot more $$.

[rnms]

I had a 488 mk 2 with dbx, excellent, much better than the dolby you get with the porta 2, go for the 414 if you must have a cassette machine.