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dbx 386

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

Profile picture for user johnknag
Submitted by johnknag on Tue, 10/18/2016 - 17:40

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
Submitted by anonymous on Mon, 04/19/2010 - 00:09

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?

Universal Audio 2-610 into dbx 386...

anonymous
Submitted by anonymous on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 13:29

I've been saving up to buy the Universal Audio 2-610 to use in my studio, because of the amazing sounds I've heard come out of it. I noticed that it only has balanced XLR outs, which is good, but a little bit of a problem in my case. I need to get the Universal Audio 2-610 from the 2-610 to my computer.

Help Svp.: dbx 386 S/PDIF output problems

anonymous
Submitted by anonymous on Wed, 08/09/2006 - 15:51

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?

dbx 386 preamp

Profile picture for user lorenzo gerace
Submitted by lorenzo gerace on Wed, 12/18/2002 - 22:36

Has anyone tested it or used it? It seems pretty good for the price, but I'd like you to give some input; also, could you put it against some other 2 channel preamps in that price range (Joemeek, Envoice Mindprint, etc..)?

Thanx for the feedback. :)