x
Description

The dbx 386 Dual Vacuum Tube Preamp with Digital Out is a dual channel tube microphone preamp that comes with the additional capabilities of digital output. With the included digital outputs, the unit is the perfect companion for recording and tracking vocals, or any applications needing microphones, both in the analog and digital domain.

The 386 combines the warmth of a vacuum tube, with the proprietary dbx Type IV A/D conversion system. In addition to the above features, the single rack space unit contains such standard offerings as +48V phantom power, a phase invert switch, and low cut filtering. The digital outputs capabilities are supported in both AES/EBU and S/PDIF formats, as well as word clock I/O as standard features.

To provide convenience in the studio, the high impedance 1/4" instrument input, as well as the mic/line switch and 20dB pad of the 386 are located on the front panel. The LED meters give clear and concise information about the state of signal processing, while the rear panel houses both the mic and line inputs and outputs, word clock sync input and output, and digital outputs. Finally, the unit sports selectable sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz, selectable dithering and noise shaping and separate analog and digital output controls.

dbx 386 Power Transformer

johnknag 18 October 2016

Hi there! I have a dbx 386 dual channel tube preamp. It was out of service for some time and when I recently put it back in the rack only a couple of LEDs turn on. On inspection it seems that the larger of the two transformers supplying power to the PCB has transformed into a Gandalf No-Pass Filter ("None shall pass!"), i.e. voltage in to the transformer is good, voltage out is 0.

dbx 386 schematics/technical knowledge

anonymous 19 April 2010

Hi all,
my dbx 386 has started giving me some horrendous noises on one channel. I've tried switching the tubes between channel 1 and 2, and the same channel still has the problem, so obviously my tubes are fine. Does anyone know where I might get a hold of some schematics so I can track down the problem?

Alternatively, can anyone suggest where to start looking?

Help Svp.: dbx 386 S/PDIF output problems

anonymous 9 August 2006

hey, thanks for reading.
iv'e had my dbx 386 for some time now and i am still having trouble getting it to sing to my e-mu 1818 interface. there is no input in my S/PDIF dsp channel. Cubase clock source is set to S/PDIF but sample rate changes from the dbx don't affect the rate in cubase.
any ideas on what i might be doing wrong? what is dither and could this be a factor?

x

User login