Description
Pair of dbx 160A compressors. These are from the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, a location immortalized in Oceans Eleven. What has that got to do with a pair of compressors? Absolutely nothing, but it’s a better story than if they came out of your cousin Joe’s garage – unless it was Joe’s Garage !
Pair of close-serial-number 160As in excellent condition. They have been converted to 220V AC, pots & switches cleaned & metering aligned to spec. Tested & working 100%. Supplied as a pair with stereo link cable – and a pair of Bellagio chips!
The 160A is the current version of the classic dbx 160 compressor. The original 160 was a half-width 2U box and the 160X was the first of the 1U mono compressors, a format that continues today with the 160A
The 160 is famous for drum & ambience compression and it’s equally good on bass. It’s definitely a compressor with its own sound so some will love it more than others. I don’t think there’s anyone who hates the 160…
The 160A sounds very similar to the older X and XT. It’s a superb compressor for bass, very usable on vocals particularly to bring out the quality of a voice and, in a stereo pair, great for drum ambience
The 160A is the latest in a long line of 160 models. It’s not particularly flexible or transparent-sounding but, when it hits the spot, it hits it better than pretty much anything else. It’s a VCA compressor with real character and real warmth, which makes it a rare compressor indeed. It makes most other compressors sound boring & sterile
The 160 (in XT form) is one of the few compressors that makes it into my newly-revised Compressor Top Ten
- UREI 1176
- UREI LA-2A
- dbx 160XT
- SSL 4000E Bus Compressor
- Fatso EL7X
- Distressor EL8X
- Valley People Dynamite
- Gain Brain
- dbx 163X
- FMR Really Nice Compressor
In excellent used condition with minimal rack rash & case marks. Minor refurbishment completed – pots & switches cleaned & metering aligned to spec. Supplied with a stereo link cable. UK or Euro Schuko power cable supplied on request
Tested & working 100%. Photos show the compressors for sale. Sold as a pair complete with Bellagio chips!
