Here’s a beautiful, fully refurbished dbx 165A Compressor/Limiter, serial number 6790. It has been fully recapped, calibrated, and serviced. 

These units are the real thing - the super classic vintage dbx compressors with a wide range of control parameters, that work extremely well on a wide variety of program material.  We replaced all the electrolytic capacitors and lamps, installed our high quality Lug - XLR adaptors, performed a thorough, complete calibration, and checked all functions and specs.

The circuit boards and electronics are clean and tight.  Specifications have been tested with an Audio Precision analyzer, and match the original dbx specs.  A copy of the manual is included.  The unit is guaranteed to work as described. It is in very clean mechanical and cosmetic condition and includes the original dbx single rack mount hardware.  Cosmetic, mechanical, and electronic condition are very good. The only cosmetic flaw on the front panel is a very small scratch at the dbx logo.

The units is strapped for 120 volts, but can be converted to 240 by changing jumpers on the motherboard. We can do this for a $50 additional charge.

Whether or not you ever purchase from us, you should know that 99% of the gear described on ebay as “working perfectly” or “in excellent condition” is not.  Buyer beware!  A unit may pass signal, the lights may work, and the meters may move around, but in most cases there are at least one or two problems with distortion, frequency response, or other functions.  Unless the seller is a full service shop that knows these units, or has taken it to one and can show documentation, claims of perfect operating condition are almost always wishful thinking.  We see evidence of these unsubstantiated claims every week when clients bring in gear that they've bought on ebay and had problems with, and when we buy gear for resale.  It’s unfortunate, but Ebay sellers constantly make unsubstantiated claims about the condition of pro audio gear.

At Studio Electronics we do things differently...

1. Reburb and testing: every dbx item that we sell has been been thoroughly serviced and tested.  Any marginal components are replaced.  The VU lamps are replaced.  The power supplies are thoroughly serviced and checked.  The unit is thoroughly tested and then run for one week.

2. Marginal parts: Since we refurb so much gear, we know what to look for.  If a switch is bent or noisy or if pot is faulty, we replace it.  If a meter doesn’t have the right ballistics, we repair it or replace it.

3. Function and specs test: many sellers of vintage audio gear don’t own a manual, and may not even know how to operate the unit they are selling.  Before listing this item on ebay we checked signal/noise ratio, frequency response, attack and decay time, and more.  Most sellers don’t have the knowledge or the equipment to properly check these functions.

4. Support: if something goes wrong, we’ll get you taken care of quickly.  Our shop stocks tens of thousands of parts; nearly every single component in these units.  Next week or next year, if there’s a problem, call us.  We’ll be glad to help you out, and will do so quickly.

Here’s your chance to own a truly legendary, great sounding limiter/compressor that will increase in value while you enjoy using it.

Shipping is $60 by Fedex ground to U.S. buyers.  We accept Paypal, credit cards, cashier’s check, or bank transfer.  The units will be packed very carefully.  

Thanks for looking.  Please contact us with any questions, and check out our other ebay listings for lots of great gear and other cool stuff.

Studio Electronics, Inc. has served the pro audio industry since 1981.  We run one of the best equipped service repair shops in North America, with a vast parts inventory and an extensive library of documentation on all types of audio gear -- from the 1950’s to present day.  We are an authorized service center for dbx and many other manufacturers, and offer expert service on all kinds of vintage pro audio gear including EMT, AMS, UREI, Pultec, Eventide, API, Neve, and many others.  We’ve installed over 250 studios -- everything from small project studios to large scale projects for firms like Warner Brothers and Disney.  We’re proud of our reputation in the pro audio community.  You can see lots more info about us by visiting our web site, www.studioelectronics.biz.

Please check our other auctions for other audio and video parts and equipment.  We're proud of our reputation on ebay, and we take good care of our buyers.