What is a DBX 165 compressor worth ??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fela
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Fela

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I have an opportunity to buy a DBX 165 compressor. I dont know if it is an A or a B or whatever. It has an analog VU and a limiter (I think). They want 800$. It's an "over easy" compressor. Whats the scoop does anyone know ??

It looks relatively ancient and there is not XLR or TRS in the back ... just screw downs for balanced signals. So umm. Is this my next compressor ?? What do these sound like ?
 
nah,

The 165 is a good compressor but $800 is very high. You can probably find a 160VU for that much. The 165's usually go for half that.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
Thanks Tom.

What is the difference between a 160VU and a 165 ?

Also. How good a compressor is a 165 or a 160VU anyways. Do they compare with any newer gear that I could hear or price.

I need more compression and was wondering what vintage compression gear goes for and if it is worth it or not. I always get a warm feeling from big, shiny silver knobs on the old and new expensive tube compressors but I don't know if they really sound much better than say a DBX 1066 or a Behringer composer. I would like to get a 2 channel compressor that would be good enough to be my main compressor. I want it to have XLR or TRS balanced in and out. I don't know enough about compressors to really make an educated decision based on the compressor design.
 
not much,

They use the same VCA and pretty much the same circuit, so sonically they are very similar. The 160VU just has more "vintage" cache'. They are both very good compressor designs that a lot of companies have either copied or downright stolen. If you want TRS or XLR in out you probably want newer designs. The older designs had barrier strip ins and outs. Not a problem if you can make your own cable.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
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