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Using a Dynamic Range Expander

AustinSamson

AustinSamson

New Member
So I have a turntable set up with a pre amp, tube amp, and 2 bookshelf speakers and my dad gave me his old dynamic range expander. I am wondering if it will do anything for me at all? Here is a list of everything I have:

Turntable: U-Turn Orbit Plus (without the built in pre amp)
Pre Amp: Little Bear T7 Tube Phono Stage RIAA MM Turntable Pre-Amplifier &HiFi AUX Preamp
Amplifier: Nobsound MS-10D MKII Hybird Tube Amplifier with Bluetooth/USB/Headphone for Hi-Fi
Speakers: Fluance XL7S High Performance Two-way Bookshelf Surround Sound Speakers
Dynamic Range Expander: DBX228 Type2 / disc noise reduction system & dynamic range expander.

Images below should help, any input is much appreciated, thanks!

Turntable

Turntable

Preamp

Preamp

Dre Front

Dre Front

Dre Back

Dre Back

Amp

Amp

 
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You can use the 228 to expand between the T7 and amp and use the expander only. The unit will also decode dbx encoded discs and do noise reduction with a rec/play on tapes. You won't need those, yet.

Keep the transition so the yellow/red lights are centered and use the expansion until you hear the music breathing, a sign of too much exp. I would think the lower half would be good for most use more if you like it.
 
Can't imagine life without a dbx in da house. I've got a 3bx and love it.

Don't get too carried away with expansion ... moderation in all things, they say. I keep both transition and expansion around 1.3 with excellent results. Once you're in the general vicinity of where you need to be (and it will vary a bit with each system) you'll find very small tweaks can make or break the effect. Just listen in ... you'll know when it's "right".

And ya ...make sure you disengage the noise reduction. That's strictly for dbx encoded disks. Just plug the unit into a tape loop on your receiver and yer good to go.
 
I have a dbx 1 but its too much of a sledge hammer approach for me.I wouldn't mind trying a 3bx though. I did buy an Orbit custom and its very quiet and checking the speed its been pretty constant. Im using a tube phono preamp through a tube amp. all is well.
 
Yup ... some definite advantages to the multiple expansion circuits ...

Here's a good example of what you see with the 3bx ... BIG difference with what all happens in the highs, mids, and lows, using the same sliders as the single band boxes.

 
sKiZo said:
Yup ... some definite advantages to the multiple expansion circuits ...

Here's a good example of what you see with the 3bx ... BIG difference with what all happens in the highs, mids, and lows, using the same sliders as the single band boxes.

Click to expand...

735px-Roll_of_toilet_paper_with_one_sheet_folded_down_in_front.jpg
 
It can make a big difference, depending on the dynamics of the recording.

But you gotta get your hands on a dbx encoded disk and give it a listen. Just once. It's amazing!
 
The problem IS that you can HEAR it. I used a 224 for disks and tape stuff, but I liked my 118 better as peak compression for live sound re-enforcement.
 
sKiZo said:
Depends on how you use it. As mentioned earlier, moderation is key.

I can't hear any difference ... until I turn it off and the music goes meh ...



:biggrin: Damn Devil, anyway!!
Click to expand...
I'm glad you understood that. When I posted I wasn't sure if you might think I was referring to the equipment. LOL
 
Ah come on ... you KNOW you were! <G>

Truth be told, as with any post processing, it's an acquired taste for most. I find that (and several other pieces) really work for me to give me that drop dead suspension of reality moment ...
 
@sKiZo Have you ever tried the Phase Linear compander? I would, but man there looks like a lot of old small lytics to replace.
 
Nope ... got the 3bx way back in the day and never saw a need to change. Only maintenance I've put into that is cleaning the switches (which is quite a project in itself, as they're not really all that easy to work with.

The 3bx is relatively simple compared to some of it's competition. I had a thought once upon a time to try swapping in some new gen op amps ... those are all socketed, so it'd be right easy. There's about a dozen of them in there, so I imagine I'd cheap out and stay away from the uber expensive discrete and browndog variations. Still - swap them in and see what happens. If it all goes horribly wrong, just swap the old ones back in.
 
I've had a phase linear 1000 since they were introduced. Works great to get rid of a bit of hiss and give a little bit of expansion, at both ends of the volume range.
 
I use a 228 for my Sirius radio, works ok but I would only use a 3BX (do use) for my better source processing in other systems.

John
 
You know, it just dawned on me that I have something similar to this.

I've been reading about and researching this item after hearing about it here, and debating if this is some kind of cool toy I might like to have in my own system. (The perils of AK... you guys get to talking about something awesome, and now I might need to have one too! LOL)

But after listening to demos on YouTube, I realize that that's exactly what my Creative X-Fi HD soundcard does, albeit digitally.

pdt-mhl-sb-xfi-hd.png


That's the SBX Pro part of the software that comes with it.

http://www.soundblaster.com/technology/sbx-pro-studio.aspx

I hadn't really played with it much outside of using it with my headphones, which is kinda cool since it pulls the music out into the open like not wearing headphones. But really haven't played with it through speakers since I don't usually have my soundcard connected to my stereo - RCA cables are there and connected, but the soundcard is usually in my computer bag for use at the university.

Now I'm wondering what fun that might be. Guess I'll have to check it out when I get back home this afternoon.
 
SpruceMoose said:
I've had a phase linear 1000 since they were introduced. Works great to get rid of a bit of hiss and give a little bit of expansion, at both ends of the volume range.
Click to expand...
ditto. got one of the first. best one pass noise reduction IMO. no encode/decode.
just dial away the hiss.
 
How cool! On a whim I bought a 228 about 2 years ago, and haven't hooked it up yet. It was cheap and I'd never seen one before, and thought I'd flip it for a few $$, but not without playing with it first. Now's the time!
 
I just bought a DBX 3BX and am looking forward to putting into the system.
If I like it I've already got eyes on a DBX 120 subharmonic expander.
If I don't like them then easy to take out of the chain.
Never had either before but read they do liven up the records to taste.
 
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