Up for sale is my rare, studio-matched pair of vintage 1995 dbx 160A compressor/limiters.

Both units were Made in the USA during the highly sought-after early production era, featuring the premium build quality and classic VCA snap that engineers love.What makes this pair truly special is how close they are: their serial numbers are only 12 digits apart, meaning they rolled off the American assembly line on the exact same day. If you have been looking for the ultimate vintage dbx 160A stereo tracking or parallel drum crush setup, this is it.

Condition & Performance

• Functional: Both units are fully operational, sound incredible, and compression curves behave identically. Controls feel solid and the classic LED meters are bright and accurate.
• Cosmetic: Excellent condition (especially) for 30-year-old vintage rack gear. Minor rack rash/wear on the top/bottom chassis from normal studio use, but the front faceplates are exceptionally clean. One of the “L”’s appears slightly rubbed on the bottom unit. There is also a minor dent on the back right side (see the photo) from my very first gear racking experience all those years ago.

Features

• Early US Production: Built in 1995 before manufacturing shifted overseas.
• OverEasy® & Hard Knee:Choose between smooth, transparent leveling or aggressive punch.
• Stereo Linkable: Perfectly suited to be strapped across a drum bus, piano, or backing vocals using a standard 1/4" stereo-couple cable.

Shipping & Technical Notes

• Safe, secure, and fully insured shipping.
• Includes standard IEC power cables.
• “Packed tight and shipped right” is our motto at Analogue Empire where gear is treated with the respect you would expect from a boutique store.
• Returning customers always get 5% off (while supplies last).