DBX 160 (vu) or DBX 162

matthias · 6th June 2006

hello,

has anyone compared the dbx 162 to the 160 ??

I looked at the schematics and the units are not the same..

but what about the sound... how close do they come each other ??

mat

toolstudio · 6th June 2006

Hey,

I use both for different material.

Soundwise I find the 160VU a little harder sounding, it always reminds me on
RHCP bass sound, but ymmv...

I use the 160VU for electric guitar, solo guitar, sometimes acoustic, kick, snare,
percussive sounds when I will bring out the percussiv part a bit.
Don't overuse the 160VU, when the LED is blinking and the needle is moving a little
than it's sometimes enough.

The 162 I use for stereo percussions, samples (in hiphop/r&b), parallel bus in mix,
sometimes backing vocals....
A bit more upper mid range sounding.

But I could only tell about my units, other may sound pretty different.

wolfgang

matthias · 6th June 2006

thanks,

would you say the 162 "sounds" like a stereo version of the 160...?
so how big or small is the difference...?
is the response of the attack the same on both units?

mat

toolstudio · 7th June 2006

I think the overall compression characteristic is pretty
close between the 160VU and the 162, the sound difference
I hear is in the audio path and when you drive 'em a bit harder it
brings out other parts, frequencywise, from the sound.

They use a different electronic path for the gain reduction,
DBX VCA vs something else I don't remember, maybe I hear that.

wolfgang

matthias · 7th June 2006

thank you...

the 160vu also has an output transformer, the 162 is electronically balanced...
maybe that's the reason..

Steamy Williams · 7th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthias

thank you...

the 160vu also has an output transformer, the 162 is electronically balanced...
maybe that's the reason..

AFAIK, that's incorrect. It is my understanding that the 160VU is electronically balanced as well. Where did you get this information?

Jim Williams · 7th June 2006

No transformers. Both are asymetrical balanced or impedance balanced, no signal travels on the low leg out. The 160VU uses the 202 vca, the 162 uses a transistor pair around a 351 opamp for the VCA. Both can be fixed up with better parts.
The 161 is good for adding a true balanced output by the use of an additional opamp to balance the signal and add 6 db more headroom.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

mbrebes · 7th June 2006

As Jim said, the dbx161(vu) is a non-balanced version of the 160 and usually can be found for quite a bit less. Uses the same PC board but parts are left off. It's very inexpensive to change/add the needed parts to convert the 161 to a 160.

6th June 2006	#1
matthias Gear nut Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 143 Thread Starter	DBX 160 (vu) or DBX 162 hello, has anyone compared the dbx 162 to the 160 ?? I looked at the schematics and the units are not the same.. but what about the sound... how close do they come each other ?? mat

6th June 2006	#2
toolstudio Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 821	Hey, I use both for different material. Soundwise I find the 160VU a little harder sounding, it always reminds me on RHCP bass sound, but ymmv... I use the 160VU for electric guitar, solo guitar, sometimes acoustic, kick, snare, percussive sounds when I will bring out the percussiv part a bit. Don't overuse the 160VU, when the LED is blinking and the needle is moving a little than it's sometimes enough. The 162 I use for stereo percussions, samples (in hiphop/r&b), parallel bus in mix, sometimes backing vocals.... A bit more upper mid range sounding. But I could only tell about my units, other may sound pretty different. wolfgang __________________ toolhouse studios, germany toolhouse-mobile, record everywhere ...... www.tool-house.com /// www.toolhouse-mobile.de

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7th June 2006	#4
toolstudio Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 821	I think the overall compression characteristic is pretty close between the 160VU and the 162, the sound difference I hear is in the audio path and when you drive 'em a bit harder it brings out other parts, frequencywise, from the sound. They use a different electronic path for the gain reduction, DBX VCA vs something else I don't remember, maybe I hear that. wolfgang

7th June 2006	#7
Jim Williams Voiding warranties Joined: Feb 2004 Location: beautiful Carlsbad, CA Posts: 10,070	No transformers. Both are asymetrical balanced or impedance balanced, no signal travels on the low leg out. The 160VU uses the 202 vca, the 162 uses a transistor pair around a 351 opamp for the VCA. Both can be fixed up with better parts. The 161 is good for adding a true balanced output by the use of an additional opamp to balance the signal and add 6 db more headroom. Jim Williams Audio Upgrades

7th June 2006	#8
mbrebes Lives for gear Joined: May 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 593	As Jim said, the dbx161(vu) is a non-balanced version of the 160 and usually can be found for quite a bit less. Uses the same PC board but parts are left off. It's very inexpensive to change/add the needed parts to convert the 161 to a 160.