dbx 162...stereo brother of dbx 160?

[Sir Dingo]

Can anyone tell me if the DBX 162 stereo compressor is simply a stereo version of the old dbx 160VU?

More importantly, are they built the same i.e. no sonic differences to be heard?

Thx,
SD

[MJGreene Audio]

Yes they are. They sounded the same to me. The only problem with the 162 is that is pretty much a one trick pony. It is cool as a drum sub compressor, or a room compressor, but since it is only a stereo compressor it is pretty limited. It doesn't sound good as a buss compressor. (2-mix compressor) and I haven't really liked it on much else. The occasional acoustic guitar or elec gtr but there are a lot of choices that sound better before that.

Given some of the prices I have seen them go for lately, save your money. Go for a pair of 160's or 161's if you want that sound.

Just my 02 cents,
Michael Greene

[MJGreene Audio]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

No, they're not. The 160 uses the 202 VCA module. The 162 uses a matched transistor pair in front of a TL08x opamp. The 160 uses a 301 opamp on the outputs, a slew limiter. They track a bit differently. They are in demand on the left coast. I've done many replacing all those opamps, power supply, capacitors, they can sound first rate making the 160's sound dirty in comparison.

One highly underrated squasher.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

I once again stand corrected by my friend Jim Wiliams. He knows his stuff. It seems better than I do. I still don't care for them although as Jim said. They are a "Squasher"

I guess it just depends on if you like the trick that that pony can do.

[echorec]

I think they sound very similar. I have both and use them a lot. I recommend the 162, one just sold here on gearlutz for $500-600.

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by MJGreene Audio

Yes they are. They sounded the same to me. The only problem with the 162 is that is pretty much a one trick pony. It is cool as a drum sub compressor, or a room compressor, but since it is only a stereo compressor it is pretty limited. It doesn't sound good as a buss compressor. (2-mix compressor) and I haven't really liked it on much else. The occasional acoustic guitar or elec gtr but there are a lot of choices that sound better before that.

Given some of the prices I have seen them go for lately, save your money. Go for a pair of 160's or 161's if you want that sound.

Just my 02 cents,
Michael Greene

No release time either, so use as drum sub is limited too. might work nicely on acoustic piano?

But when it works on drums....it's great!

[matthias]

they have the same control circuit, that's why they sound similar,
but signal path, rms-module and vca is different...

[MIKEHARRIS]

Stereo Step- Brother

[Benmrx]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

One highly underrated squasher.

Love the 162 on a parrallel drum buss. I just did some mixes in a room with a TG1, Vac-Rac (TSL-2), Manley Vari-Mu, pair of Distressors, Smart C2, and an SSL buss comp.......on more than half the tracks the 162 ended up on the drum buss.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

No, they're not. The 160 uses the 202 VCA module. The 162 uses a matched transistor pair in front of a TL08x opamp. The 160 uses a 301 opamp on the outputs, a slew limiter. They track a bit differently. They are in demand on the left coast. I've done many replacing all those opamps, power supply, capacitors, they can sound first rate making the 160's sound dirty in comparison.

One highly underrated squasher.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Hey Jim, to clarify you are talking about the Blue 160s and 160 SL right?

[neilio]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

Hey Jim, to clarify you are talking about the Blue 160s and 160 SL right?

im pretty sure hes talking the o.g. ones..