View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
WillMWatt Contributor IV
Joined: 10 Dec 2013 Posts: 138 Location: New York, NY
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:12 pm Post subject: DBX 286A/S |
|
|
Hi all
So I'm in the market for a new channel strip. Someone previously suggested that I get a DBX 286a. As it's discontinued, I'm finding it hard to get hold of one at a good price.
Is the 286s comparable? It's still in circulation, and much cheaper by the looks of things! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jason Huggins The Gates of Troy
Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 1846 Location: In the souls of a million jeans
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've got one that I'd part with. Shoot me an email. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
georgethetech The Gates of Troy
Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 1877 Location: Topanga, CA
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The 286s replaced the 286a. I don't know why, I could find no differences. _________________ If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sdaeley17 Club 300
Joined: 04 Sep 2013 Posts: 338 Location: Port Orchard, WA
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks, Will and George!
I was curious if there was any difference as well! _________________ "There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe |
|
Back to top |
|
|
heyguido MMD
Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 2507 Location: RDU, the Geek Capitol of the South
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The 286a was replaced by the 286s.
The 286s has a prettier silver faceplate. .... And is made in China.
The original 286a was made in the US of A.
My favorite broadcast engineer prefers the original, and says it's better built.... but dbx will tell you there's no difference. _________________ Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
georgethetech The Gates of Troy
Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 1877 Location: Topanga, CA
|
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The last product I got made in "USA" was a CAD e100s and it was DOA. Ain't all it's cracked up to be, folks... _________________ If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder |
|
Back to top |
|
|
heyguido MMD
Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 2507 Location: RDU, the Geek Capitol of the South
|
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My point wasn't flag waving....
Rather that the original, if you can find one in good condition, was a solidly built piece of kit, and well regarded.
Many of the original are still in broadcast use to this day. _________________ Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
georgethetech The Gates of Troy
Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 1877 Location: Topanga, CA
|
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
I hear ya... if the pots are crappier on the 286s, I'd avoid it for sure, but who's to say at this point until some miles are put on them, right? _________________ If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ed Fisher DC
Joined: 05 Sep 2012 Posts: 605 Location: East Coast, U.S.A.
|
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 10:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
IN the beginning....
There was the Project 1 DBX 286 and it was good. Designed by Broadcast Audio engineering legend Bob Orban. When I was looking for something to lower the noise floor and this seemed like a good fit I asked about it in a news group and Bob responded to me directly by email, He was very proud of what he had done at (at that time) a ground breaking price point.
Then later the design was taken over by the DBX engineers whom (I suspect) made their own "tweaks" to the design and it became the DBX 286a. The difference? The original had a "wall wart" with the power supply at the wall. The 286a has an internal transformer. (which I found the be a terrible problem in my particular case) Knobs that "click" so you could be accurate in recalling your settings. An additional frequency control to be more precise with the de-esser. A couple of leds added to the front. A darker color and a slightly sturdier feel. (I own both)
Then came the DBX 286s which as stated earlier in now manufactured in China with some say "cheaper" parts. Cheaper not always meaning inferior, It has a new look and I can't directly speak to it, since I've never used it, so I'll leave that to others.
Now...back to the 286a noise problem I had. I purchased it locally from a fellow who was a musician so, IF it had a little "buzz" in it, it wasn't a problem for him. However, transformers have a tendency over time to sometimes degrade allow the material holding the windings apart to slowly break down.. This leads to a physical vibration at around 120 HZ (in the U.S.). This is what I discovered had happened to mine when I tried to use it in a dead quiet studio with the 286a sitting 2 feet from my right elbow.
The solution was to open the case. I found the transformer was connected to screws that were literally welded to the bottom of the metal outside. I moved the transformer away from the screws and sat it on a thin rubber mat made from cutting up an old mouse pad and "voila" total silence. I tried to replace the top, but as soon as I did a lessor amount of the sound returned. So, it's sitting there now with no top and it's electronics exposed. But...now it is totally silent.
I hope someone finds this info useful.
Bob Orban Interview: http://www.tvtechnology.com/audio-etc./0193/an-interview-with-bob-orban/224333 _________________ "I reserve the right to be completely wrong." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Lee Gordon A Zillion
Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 6855 Location: West Hartford, CT
|
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My 285a also makes a buzzing sound, but mine is 60 cycle hum, not anything physical. I think I need to replace the transformer and see if that cures it. _________________ Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ed Fisher DC
Joined: 05 Sep 2012 Posts: 605 Location: East Coast, U.S.A.
|
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Lee Gordon wrote: | My 285a also makes a buzzing sound, but mine is 60 cycle hum, not anything physical. I think I need to replace the transformer and see if that cures it. |
If you find a good source for a replacement, let me know.
What I had is called Magnetic Hum. This you can hear coming from the equipment itself. The sound you get is twice the main frequency ( 100Hz or 120Hz depending on country). _________________ "I reserve the right to be completely wrong." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|