I have 2 Technics cassette decks with the DBX built in. I used it a lot recording tapes, they always sounded great. I actually stumbled across a DBX LP of "Feels So Good" at a department store for a good price and picked it up. I was definitely impressed! Unfortunately, I didn't get any further DBX LPs, but this one you showed us is definitely better in terms of it being sourced from a digital recording, you can really hear what the DBX is capable of!
I found a pile of these at thrift store sealed about two years ago (Probably bought on closeout). Have not gotten around to buying a decoder. After listening to your video I am inspired to get moving. Thanks for the video.
Vinyl lovers will hate it, or have hated it 🙂. Not pure enough. I read and saw a lot about it. There were competing standards in Europe, but none really took of. What I've seen with many different systems (Hifi, PC, Internet, ...) over the years, the normal customer is either not interested in upgrading an existing system (buying something really new is much cooler) or it seems to be too complicated. In the end these kind of systems will have a rough start, especially when something like the CD will enter the market. Companies want to sell new products as often as possible, most of the people were fine with the sound of vinyl. The handling was sometimes annoying and playing a vinyl multiple times on a crappy turntable destroys the record quickly. That's something DBX systems can't prevent, because it's the customers fault. CDs were much more jerk proof and our devices today are even more. Great video! 🙂
I remember checking out a Technics cassette deck that could process albums and cassettes. Unfortunately the store didn't have any dbx albums or a turntable so I could check it out. I do remember hearing the "breathing" effect due to the dbx looking for a signal and finally finding it. Who knows what might have happened if the vinyl option had been available then? I might have switched from JVC to Technics! Happy listening!
The breathing effect was the obvious consequence of only starting off with around a 56dB signal-to-noise ratio from Type I cassette tapes in the first place. Unless any signal present had the appropriate spectral content to mask tape noise perfectly, tape noise WILL become audible as the playback expander gain ramps up and down. I used a homemade DBX system in conjunction with Dolby B and Chrome tapes for a while, but the breathing effect was still annoyingly audible. When Dolby C came along in 1981, I moved over to that exclusively, not just for its superb noise reduction, but also for its spectral skewing technique that made full 20Hz to 20kHz recordings even on sensibly priced Type I tapes a reality if your deck was up to it. I used to record test tones at the ends of tapes so I could test how they held up to the ravages of time, and all of my Dolby C recordings dating back to 1981 still play back as full 20kHz bandwidth recordings 43 years later.
It should also be noted that a number of cassette decks of the 80s not only have DBX for recording/playing tapes, many also have a DBX Disc button as well, which allows you to play DBX records through your cassette deck. This removes the need of adding yet another component to your stereo system, plus it saves you some money as well.
Cannot believe I never came across this back in late 1970's, especially the fact I hate distortion and LP's. That was my thing recording LP's to cassette.
You can also encode and decode dbx with a software codec now(anaxwaves has them at least), though decoding for playback would be a bit messy if feeding it back to an analog output.
I remember The DAK Catalog had this in the late 80's I believe with just a phono amp DBX decoder, no encoding side. Plus maybe one or two demo albums when you bought it. The phono amp could have the DBX turned on or off, i.e. use it for regular RIAA equalization vinyl records.
I adore discussions about dbx technology, because can recall how amazed I've been of using my handcrafted dbx, or Compander for Pioneer deck ct450, I think. It was a good machine, had massive flying wheel of capstan, good mechanic. But, in 1990 I hadn't much quality music material, couple of CDs and rented CD player. Boy, it was satisfaction, finally to get rid of noise of tape and deck. That silence, before music, on the end and that dynamic....pleasure was mine, because I built it on professional made printed boards, tantal electrolits, metal resistors and opamps with FETs. Now, I resurrection a device, in addition with bias control potentiometers for each channel, measuring Voltage of bias, signal generators for each channel different ( 340 hz and 6 khz) so I will be able to adjust deck for different tapes. Project is waiting for my patience and time...feel free to comment, please
while both ultimately failed in the market, the dbx system for record albums seems well regarded, while the contemporaneous CX encoding scheme has a much worse reputation. I have never actually heard either in person. I wonder if any recordings were released in both formats? It would be great if somebody who has the decoders could do an A/B comparison, or better yet an A/B/C comparison between CX, dbx, and standard unencoded vinyl.
Horrendous digital recording to vinyl ... sounds like the Record Store Day chachkie or modern reissue, all digital vinyl copies, except not in 24bit to plastic, 16bit. Analog based Vinyl had good dynamic range it never needed DBX but compact cassette tape surely did. Keep in mind my criticism comes from the Soundstream limitations and the basic quality of digital applied to such a format, it was topping out at 37KHZ BOTH channels.. making this inferior dynamic range to even CD. Sure not many would notice. And needing extra outboard gear to decode is ridiculous for such a middle of the road solution. I have some nice RCA Classical red seals that sound astounding.. analogue mastered 100% .. you can usually find such records as the ones people leave behind. Cheers a good video but I don't support this format 😅
Wow! That sounds incredible. I always wanted this system... still do.
I have 2 Technics cassette decks with the DBX built in. I used it a lot recording tapes, they always sounded great. I actually stumbled across a DBX LP of "Feels So Good" at a department store for a good price and picked it up. I was definitely impressed! Unfortunately, I didn't get any further DBX LPs, but this one you showed us is definitely better in terms of it being sourced from a digital recording, you can really hear what the DBX is capable of!
I've a vague recollection of this product being launched. It required you to buy the decoder as an additional unit.
Correct. I think that's a reason it wasn't more popular.
Holy crap, that sounded incredible! What we could have had, it’s infuriating
I found a pile of these at thrift store sealed about two years ago (Probably bought on closeout). Have not gotten around to buying a decoder. After listening to your video I am inspired to get moving. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching! I was amazed at the sound quality. It makes me want to find some more records in genres I actually enjoy.
Vinyl lovers will hate it, or have hated it 🙂. Not pure enough. I read and saw a lot about it. There were competing standards in Europe, but none really took of.
What I've seen with many different systems (Hifi, PC, Internet, ...) over the years, the normal customer is either not interested in upgrading an existing system (buying something really new is much cooler) or it seems to be too complicated.
In the end these kind of systems will have a rough start, especially when something like the CD will enter the market. Companies want to sell new products as often as possible, most of the people were fine with the sound of vinyl. The handling was sometimes annoying and playing a vinyl multiple times on a crappy turntable destroys the record quickly.
That's something DBX systems can't prevent, because it's the customers fault. CDs were much more jerk proof and our devices today are even more.
Great video! 🙂
I remember checking out a Technics cassette deck that could process albums and cassettes. Unfortunately the store didn't have any dbx albums or a turntable so I could check it out. I do remember hearing the "breathing" effect due to the dbx looking for a signal and finally finding it. Who knows what might have happened if the vinyl option had been available then? I might have switched from JVC to Technics! Happy listening!
The breathing effect was the obvious consequence of only starting off with around a 56dB signal-to-noise ratio from Type I cassette tapes in the first place. Unless any signal present had the appropriate spectral content to mask tape noise perfectly, tape noise WILL become audible as the playback expander gain ramps up and down. I used a homemade DBX system in conjunction with Dolby B and Chrome tapes for a while, but the breathing effect was still annoyingly audible.
When Dolby C came along in 1981, I moved over to that exclusively, not just for its superb noise reduction, but also for its spectral skewing technique that made full 20Hz to 20kHz recordings even on sensibly priced Type I tapes a reality if your deck was up to it. I used to record test tones at the ends of tapes so I could test how they held up to the ravages of time, and all of my Dolby C recordings dating back to 1981 still play back as full 20kHz bandwidth recordings 43 years later.
@MrSlipstreem
What Cassette Deck were/are you using?
It should also be noted that a number of cassette decks of the 80s not only have DBX for recording/playing tapes, many also have a DBX Disc button as well, which allows you to play DBX records through your cassette deck. This removes the need of adding yet another component to your stereo system, plus it saves you some money as well.
I haven't seen a cassette deck with a DBX disc button. I can see a rabbit hole I'm about to fall down.
Cannot believe I never came across this back in late 1970's, especially the fact I hate distortion and LP's. That was my thing recording LP's to cassette.
You can also encode and decode dbx with a software codec now(anaxwaves has them at least), though decoding for playback would be a bit messy if feeding it back to an analog output.
Is there a dbx decoding in software now? Would be cool to record the output of the turntable and decode without having to source the hardware.
I remember The DAK Catalog had this in the late 80's I believe with just a phono amp DBX decoder, no encoding side. Plus maybe one or two demo albums when you bought it. The phono amp could have the DBX turned on or off, i.e. use it for regular RIAA equalization vinyl records.
Techmoan made a video about the system 8 years ago.... 🤔
I don't recall his video touching on the digital DBX disc, but it's been 8 years.
I adore discussions about dbx technology, because can recall how amazed I've been of using my handcrafted dbx, or Compander for Pioneer deck ct450, I think. It was a good machine, had massive flying wheel of capstan, good mechanic.
But, in 1990 I hadn't much quality music material, couple of CDs and rented CD player. Boy, it was satisfaction, finally to get rid of noise of tape and deck. That silence, before music, on the end and that dynamic....pleasure was mine, because I built it on professional made printed boards, tantal electrolits, metal resistors and opamps with FETs. Now, I resurrection a device, in addition with bias control potentiometers for each channel, measuring Voltage of bias, signal generators for each channel different ( 340 hz and 6 khz) so I will be able to adjust deck for different tapes. Project is waiting for my patience and time...feel free to comment, please
I'm intrigued enough after filming this video to try DBX on a cassette deck. I was amazed by the dynamic range and noise reduction it offered.
@VintageElectronicsChannel sure. Must try. Play empty tape, without NR , on amp set to hear noise of system...than engage dbx. Silence.
while both ultimately failed in the market, the dbx system for record albums seems well regarded, while the contemporaneous CX encoding scheme has a much worse reputation. I have never actually heard either in person. I wonder if any recordings were released in both formats?
It would be great if somebody who has the decoders could do an A/B comparison, or better yet an A/B/C comparison between CX, dbx, and standard unencoded vinyl.
That's a great idea!
@VintageElectronicsChannel Great video, by the way. I should have started by saying that!
Thanks! I'm on the lookout for a CX decoder now.
Horrendous digital recording to vinyl ... sounds like the Record Store Day chachkie or modern reissue, all digital vinyl copies, except not in 24bit to plastic, 16bit. Analog based Vinyl had good dynamic range it never needed DBX but compact cassette tape surely did. Keep in mind my criticism comes from the Soundstream limitations and the basic quality of digital applied to such a format, it was topping out at 37KHZ BOTH channels.. making this inferior dynamic range to even CD. Sure not many would notice. And needing extra outboard gear to decode is ridiculous for such a middle of the road solution. I have some nice RCA Classical red seals that sound astounding.. analogue mastered 100% .. you can usually find such records as the ones people leave behind. Cheers a good video but I don't support this format 😅