Extensive compressor reviews and FAQ

dbx 160XT: First, read my review of the 160A. dbx releases new letter/number names for each design whenever there is a change in the production. Their original "160", also known as the 160VU, was a very different circuit with its own unique sound. The modern "160" series started with the 160X; then they replaced its barrier strip connectors with XLR and 1/4" jacks, and called it the 160XT; then they switched the production from hand-assembly with traditional thru-hole components to robot assembly using SMD (miniature) components, and called it the 160A. Aside from those differences, the circuit design and component values are nominally identical. However the fact is that different specific components can sound different, and to my ears the 160XT sounds notably nicer than the 160A, with warmer tone and slightly fuller lows and highs. The XT has both balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4" jacks; there is actually a very different set of components driving each of the outputs, so you can get slightly different sound qualities by using one or the other output. The output of the 160X uses components identical to the unbalanced 1/4" output of the XT, so the XT is like an X plus another variation on the sound. The differences are subtle, but worth exploring if you like this sort of thing as I do. I find that the unbalanced out of the XT has a lively quality which is very appealing.
 
Overall the 160X/XT have a somewhat warm, neutral tone with low noise and no unwanted artifacts, and they are rugged and easy to use. It has a fixed attack which is a bit slow, meaning that it sounds quite articulate as it allows more of the initial note attack through, but if you peg it with a loud note it will allow the initial transient spike to pass and possibly clip your other gear. So that means if you want to use it as a limiter you'll need to carefully adjust all of the gain levels in your chain to make it work well. Note that every dbx model I've tried has a tendency to roll off the highs a bit when more compression is applied. Compared to the Symetrix 501, another rugged utility comp, the 501 is more transparent, but the XT is warmer. The X/XT is highly recommended! Note: the X and XT can be modified with an output balancing transformer, as that was an available factory option/upgrade. Sometimes you can find them with the transformer already installed. Some people like the sound of a transformer, others don't.
 

 
 
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