DBX records (pic)

50.125.72.153

Posted on March 26, 2015 at 17:13:35

user510

As noted on the album jacket and record label, it takes a 'decoder' to play back this record. A noise reduction technology that seems to have been left in the dustbins of recorded music history.

I don't find these very often, but the above record came my way without my having picked it out. It was just there in several boxes of records I acquired last fall. Just to be sure, I did play side one/band one briefly to confirm my ignorance. Yup, it sounds wierd without the decoder.

Anyone have any experience with dbx encoded records?

-Steve

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RE: DBX records (pic)

BigguyinATL

20:55:43 03/27/15

There are a few for sale right now

MannyE

07:09:37 03/27/15

Still playing them

reuben

05:09:37 03/27/15

3

...

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RE: DBX records (pic)

BigguyinATL

20:55:43 03/27/15

There are a few for sale right now

MannyE

07:09:37 03/27/15

Still playing them

reuben

05:09:37 03/27/15

3

How does one hook up these decoders?

JoshT

08:22:37 03/27/15

2

The decoder goes in the tape loop. /t

reuben

05:59:08 03/28/15

Thanks! nt

JoshT

10:34:08 03/28/15

not long ago ...

TBone

03:18:59 03/27/15

3

RE: not long ago ...

collinslaw@fuse.net

03:52:46 03/27/15

2

The issue with Dbx

vinyl survivor

08:42:07 03/27/15

RE: The issue with Dbx

John Elison

00:26:53 04/01/15

Paul Tortelier, one of my favorite cellists. See Dvorak post below. /nt\

Opus 33 1/3

17:49:14 03/26/15

The decoders are cheap....

vinyl1

17:49:06 03/26/15

The decoders are cheap...., posted on March 26, 2015 at 17:49:06
vinyl1 Audiophile Posts: 3948 Joined: October 3, 2001	.....and are easy to pick up. It's an obsolete technology, so few are interested.

Paul Tortelier, one of my favorite cellists. See Dvorak post below. /nt\, posted on March 26, 2015 at 17:49:14
Opus 33 1/3 Audiophile Posts: 4184 Location: D.C. Area Joined: February 19, 2014	Opus 33 1/3

not long ago ..., posted on March 27, 2015 at 03:18:59
TBone Audiophile Posts: 4197 Joined: April 5, 2000	while evacuating the garage, I found an old DBX converter. Since I was very busy culling, it ended up on the street with all my other old electronics for pickup, recycling and/or garbage. I didn't figure I'd ever need it again, nor did I think anyone else would require one. In retrospect, I should have offered it for free. Mind you, it had sat in that garage for at least two decades, so ...

RE: not long ago ..., posted on March 27, 2015 at 03:52:46
collinslaw@fuse.net Audiophile Posts: 524 Location: Northern Kentucky Joined: August 5, 2011	it was kind of like dolby for records. the claims were quieter and more dynamic. my memories from that time (the late 70s) were that they sounded pretty good. Tom Collins

Still playing them, posted on March 27, 2015 at 05:09:37
reuben Audiophile Posts: 1639 Joined: September 28, 2004	The different decoders each have their own sonic signature. I use a model 122 (or 128) as my 'reference', and if something sounds amiss the (lesser) model 21 steps up to the plate. One way or another, I get good results. -reub Dark energy? Ridiculous! We live in an electric universe.

There are a few for sale right now, posted on March 27, 2015 at 07:09:37
MannyE Audiophile Posts: 2088 Location: Miami Beach Joined: March 4, 2001	A quick looksee showed a few of them for sale. Not sure what the rules are for posting auction links, but one was available to "buy now" for 63 smackers.

How does one hook up these decoders?, posted on March 27, 2015 at 08:22:37
JoshT Audiophile Posts: 6622 Location: Eastern Massachusetts Joined: July 4, 2000	Between the TT and the preamp/receiver? Using the tape loop? Just curious - I don't have any of these discs, but the thread caught my eye. ___ "If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

The issue with Dbx, posted on March 27, 2015 at 08:42:07
vinyl survivor Audiophile Posts: 1471 Location: Southeastern US Joined: November 28, 2007	Is one can hear a "pumping" noise from the process. YEMV

RE: DBX records (pic), posted on March 27, 2015 at 20:55:43
BigguyinATL Manufacturer Posts: 3475 Joined: April 10, 2002	I have four. And a decoder in its box. Generally sounded good. recordings are 3 stars. "The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius

The decoder goes in the tape loop. /t, posted on March 28, 2015 at 05:59:08
reuben Audiophile Posts: 1639 Joined: September 28, 2004	n Dark energy? Ridiculous! We live in an electric universe.

Thanks! nt, posted on March 28, 2015 at 10:34:08
JoshT Audiophile Posts: 6622 Location: Eastern Massachusetts Joined: July 4, 2000	. ___ "If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."

RE: The issue with Dbx, posted on April 1, 2015 at 00:26:53

John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
Since: January 29, 2004

I had 20 DBX records at one point. I never noticed any pumping with the records, but I also had a DBX noise reduction unit for my cassette tape recorder and it pumped, especially on dynamic material. The DBX records were very dynamic and noise free, but they sounded somewhat unnatural to me in comparison to direct-to-discs and other audiophile pressings. That's why I got rid of all my DBX records. I eventually got rid of my DBX noise reduction unit in favor of Dolby C, which sounded better to me without any audible pumping that I could detect.

Best regards,
John Elison

Vinyl Asylum

DBX records (pic)

50.125.72.153