A striking blue front panel machined from 1/4″ aircraft aluminium, hand-crafted solid aluminium knobs, LEDs mounted individually in machined stainless-steel housings, custom VU meters with peak indicators, and heavy gauge chassis solidify the dbx 786 as the benchmark preamplifier for decades to come.
The dbx 786 combines the best preamplifier features and an absolutely pristine audio path. In addition to having +48V phantom power as well as a phase reverse switch, the 786 also features a patent-pending EQ circuit called “spectrum” with frequency cut and boost up to 40kHz.
An 11-position coarse gain switch sets the gain between +10 and +60dB, while the fine gain control varies between -3 and +3dB. Levels may be monitored on peak program VU meters with adjustable reference levels. The signal path consists of a transformer-coupled, discrete-design premium input stage, utilising the proprietary dbx M8™ Mic Pre-Amp Module.
“Spectrum”, a unique variable high-frequency equalisation circuit employed in the mic pre-amp enhances the high frequency spectral content of the signal while maintaining phase integrity. The “Detail” control varies the amount of high frequency shelving boost at the frequency determined by the Spectrum control.
The combination of the Spectrum and Detail controls allow pristine high frequency equalisation adjustments without the added “hash” of traditional high-frequency EQ topologies. Premium active electronics, precision 0.1% and 1% metal film resistors, great sounding temperature stable polypropylene capacitors, high-reliability board-to-board connectors with gold-palladium/nickel contacts, Jensen® transformers, gold plated Neutrik® XLRs, rare earth magnet relays with gold contacts in a hermetically sealed nitrogen environment, military grade glass epoxy circuit boards, to mention a few, contribute to the most technologically advanced preamplifier in the world.
The dbx 786 Mic Pre-Amp is a 2U two channel precision mic pre companion product to the 160S Stereo Compressor/Limiter. We refer to this as a “precision mic pre-amp” as it is designed to provide the truest reproduction of the microphone source as is electronically possible, as opposed to “FX” mic pre-amps.
The pre-amp features the ubiquitous +48V phantom power, 20dB pad, and phase invert functions, but also includes a switchable “super low Z” setting which optimises the pre-amp performance for microphones with very low source impedance. An 11-position coarse gain switch sets the gain between +10 and +60dB, while the fine gain control varies between -3 and +3dB. Levels may be monitored on peak-program VU meters with adjustable reference levels.
The signal path of the dbx 786 consists of a transformer-coupled, discrete-design premium input stage utilising the proprietary dbx M8™ Mic PreAmp Module. The minimum signal path design routes the amplified signal directly to a patented high output drive circuit. Each stage throughout the mic pre-amp is small-signal square wave compensated to assure precise phase alignment at all audio frequencies.
Two output options of the dbx 786 will be available for the mic pre; an analogue card that parallels one extra high drive output per channel acting as a premium signal splitter, and a dbx Type IV Conversion System card that provides proprietary analogue-to-digital conversion for both channels with both AES/EBU and S/PDIF outputs.
The dbx Blue Series Solid State Mic Pre has patented high-precision, high-drive, transformer-coupled output stages capable of performing with incredible accuracy and sonic transparency in virtually any audio environment. The custom designed transformer, coupled with a discrete distortion cancelling driver circuit, is capable of driving 1000 feet of Belden 8451 cable terminated with a 150-ohm load, while maximum drive levels exceed +30 dBm. Yet this output stage exhibits remarkably low distortion levels, immeasurable using standard audio test equipment.
