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This model is the DX-5, on sale this week @Lechemere for $429.
Just picked one up. There are 3 imaging functions which you can
enable:
1. Compression: compresses high- and low- end dynamic range by
up to <mumble> dB, for transcription to tape or low-volume
listening.
2. Ambience: used to vary the amount of other-channel info in
each channel from whatever is one the source to left: 1.5 L
and 0.5 R, right 0.5 L/1.5 R.
3. DAIR (Dynamic Audio Impact Reproduction, or some such), which
enhances the attack on sharp transients such as cymbal clashes.
First impression: v. nice.
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| Hold on there, Stranger! There may be a more sensible way to add the
signal processing functions to your system!
dbx sells two varieties of a device called a Dynamic Range Controller,
which is the generic name for the functions included in the DX-5 CD player.
The DRC boxes do the functions described for the DX-5:
1. Dynamic range compression or expansion ("compander"). They can cut the
range by as much as 20 dB or expand it by up to 12 dB.
2. Impact recovery. This is the sharpening of transients that have gotten
lost due to record wear or inadequate technology (read "analog"). The
dbx boxes can add up to 10 dB of recovery.
3. Ambience. This is other-channel mixing. LPs have it as a default
result of the inability to do perfect channel separation. CDs don't
necessarily have it, and they can sound artificial.
One version of the box is a single-band unit, and the other is a three-band
version. The 1-bander goes for about $250 list, the 3-bander for about
$400. One band is what youget in the DX-5. The advantage of 3 bands is
that when you have a difference in dynamic range between treble and bass
(for example, when the violins in an orchestra begin playing *loud* but the
cellos and basses don't), you get a more realistic image instead of just
a wholesale boost based on the overall energy level in the recording.
The advantage of using these boxes instead of getting a CD player with
these features is that you can use the add-on box for all the other sound
sources in your system. It's priceless when it comes time to tape those
old LPs, and sometimes when taping CDs with a *wide* dynamic range, too.
- Dick
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