VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

WillMWatt · 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!

Jason Huggins · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:29 pm Post subject:

I've got one that I'd part with. Shoot me an email.

georgethetech · 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.
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Will and George!

I was curious if there was any difference as well!
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heyguido · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:56 pm Post subject:

The 286a was replaced by the 286s.

The 286s has a prettier silver faceplate. Wink

.... And is made in China. Gasp

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.
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georgethetech · 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

heyguido · 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.
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

georgethetech · 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

Ed Fisher · 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
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Lee Gordon · 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.
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Ed Fisher · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:51 pm Post subject: