Vintage dbx 165A compressor. The 165A is an updated version of the 165 and adds a peak limiter. Based around the original black can dbx VCA, the 165A is an Over-Easy compressor in the traditional dbx style

The 165A is an outlier in the dbx family: with the peakstop limiter of the 165A model and adjustable attack & release, it's a full-featured compressor with a very vintage sound. Compression ratio and threshold are separately adjustable

The peakstop limiter gves lots of nice diode distortion when provoked and adds a liitle edge at lower settings. It's not subtle, but early dbx compressors are not known for subtlety. That said, it's a good, workable compressor with lots of character. It will be a great addition to your compressor arsenal - it can do things other compressors can't

In very nice condition for a vintage dbx - all the knobs & switches are original and the heavy steel case is in remarkably good condition

It's had a minor refurbishment with a voltage change to 230 Volts for the UK / EU, new bolts to secure the power transformer, new UK power plug, new power supply reservoir caps, meter alignment and new pigtails with Van Damme cable & Neutrik XLRs. EU / US plug or 110V setting on request

Photos show the compressor for sale