DBX 3BX-DS vs. DBX 4BX
- Thread starter scott1019
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
scott1019
Super Member
soundmotor
super modified
I had a 3BX-DS for years and loved it. Changed my system, sold it in a weak moment, regretted it ever since. I don't know if the 4BX w/ remote would have gotten me anything. Once the 3BX-DS was dialed in, it pretty much stayed on those settings.
jsisk
Not 2 Old 2 Rock & Roll
That is what I thought too. I have both the original 3bx and the ds, along with a bunch of other dbx stuff.
I just looked through the schematics and service manuals for the DS and it appears to be analog. No DAC, no ADC. The only IC chips are Bipolar Analog IC's. Somewhere I saw it described as a "Digitally Controlled Analog Processor"
The 4bx and 5bx always looked like too much work fiddling with the buttons and remote. What they and the DS bring to the table is the Impact Restoration and Ambience functions, both of which do wonders for old recordings and over compressed stuff. I don't use the expander function on the DS, I use my original for that because with the 3bx-Remote you have much more control than what the 3bx DS offers. I do use the compressor/compander function occassionally for CDs that have really bad sibilance that my Behringer 2600 can't completely remove. Just a tiny bit of compression and the essing is gone without losing too much program material.
I picked my 3bx-DS up in a pawn shop really cheap. Pawn shops are a great place to find pro-audio gear. Not sure if you have many in your area, but a much better place than anything online.
Last edited:
Westy56
A symphony of paradox
I found the pots on back made a big difference on how the unit dealt with sound.
They should have put them in a more accessible place. :sigh:
Steve
DCinDC
I'm here to fix it
yeah they all use VCAs. Digital referred to the fashion at the time and control features.
Wayniac
Active Member
The ability to adjust the volume...
bergun
Well-Known Member
I have several 3BX-DS units and I love them!! I still have a large LP collection and these units help bring life back into them... Also, I still have a good size VHS-Music Video collection and the 3BX-DS works magic on them as well.
My first 3BX-DS was purchased out of the Army/Air Force PX catalog around 1988 while stationed in Alaska. My friend in the barracks an had older 4BX unit that he bought in either Germany or Korea, which was mated with either Yamaha's C60/80 and M60/80 set up. Other than a far cooler looking unit with a far better light display and a remote... I really couldn't hear much of a difference.
During that time, my 3BX-DS was paired with Yamaha's RX-1100 receiver and a year later, the Yamaha CX-1000 and MX-1000.
I had pretty much the whole DBX-DS series of "black boxes" and I only wished that I had the foresight to purchase their 5BX-DS unit.
As for the "Digital Series" name, during the mid 80s, the word "digital" and "computerized" were the catch phrases in the audio/video world.
You really can't go wrong with any DBX units if you are still into vinyl, FM, cassette/R2R tapes, VHS/Beta or even some older first pressings or some "bootlegged" copies of CDs. BTW, I still have 4-5 older DBX units I bought while in Germany around 1983 and they are still going strong!!
My first 3BX-DS was purchased out of the Army/Air Force PX catalog around 1988 while stationed in Alaska. My friend in the barracks an had older 4BX unit that he bought in either Germany or Korea, which was mated with either Yamaha's C60/80 and M60/80 set up. Other than a far cooler looking unit with a far better light display and a remote... I really couldn't hear much of a difference.
During that time, my 3BX-DS was paired with Yamaha's RX-1100 receiver and a year later, the Yamaha CX-1000 and MX-1000.
I had pretty much the whole DBX-DS series of "black boxes" and I only wished that I had the foresight to purchase their 5BX-DS unit.
As for the "Digital Series" name, during the mid 80s, the word "digital" and "computerized" were the catch phrases in the audio/video world.
You really can't go wrong with any DBX units if you are still into vinyl, FM, cassette/R2R tapes, VHS/Beta or even some older first pressings or some "bootlegged" copies of CDs. BTW, I still have 4-5 older DBX units I bought while in Germany around 1983 and they are still going strong!!
FauxHall
Super Member
Santa brought me a 4bx.
I like it a lot, especially for instrumentals. I've got the owners manual but does any one have the schematic?
I might get it recapped and if there are op amps in the circuit, put in a socket and do some chip rolling. Another trick is to boost the cap on the power lead to the op amp.
I like it a lot, especially for instrumentals. I've got the owners manual but does any one have the schematic?
I might get it recapped and if there are op amps in the circuit, put in a socket and do some chip rolling. Another trick is to boost the cap on the power lead to the op amp.
jsisk
Not 2 Old 2 Rock & Roll
My 3bx-DS has Impact Restoration. Previous versions of the 3bx do not.
Westy56
A symphony of paradox
Judas Priest
Super Member
My 1BX also had impact restoration. Since I haven´t listened to LPs in years, I sold it at ebay; I think I got about 50 Euros for it.
