dbx 160S - Rear Panel I;O and Grounding Features; Audio Connectors and Grounding Options

15
Audio Input and Output Connectors: Each audio input connector on the rear panel of the 160S is
a gold-plated Neutrik® XLR female connector. The no-compromise approach to the 160S required
that we use gold-plated connectors, due to their high conductivity and low EMI/RFI susceptibility.
The connectors are default wired in
BALANCED mode (pin 2 hot, AES convention), although supplying
an unbalanced signal presents no difficulty to the 160S.
Pin1 Lift Switch: Associated with each input connector is a switch labeled Pin 1 Lift. Depressing this
switch lifts pin 1 of the input XLR from all ground references. This may be necessary to break a trou-
blesome ground loop which is causing hum in the system.
Unbalance Switch: The Unbalance switch is associated only with the Output connectors of the 160S.
When it is in the IN position, the output of the 160S is switched from balanced to unbalanced. (See
wiring diagram below.) In the OUT position, the 160S’s outputs are balanced in the “pin 2 hot” con-
figuration. Note that when the output is unbalanced via the switch, there is a 6dB drop in output sig-
nal level. If you do not wish to experience the 6dB drop in output signal level, you may short pin 3
of the output cable to ground, rather than using the Unbalance switch.
Ground Switch: The Ground switch, when in the IN position, references the center tap of the output
transformer to the chassis ground. This ensures that the signal from the 160S, regardless of previous
grounding systems earlier in the audio chain, can deliver a chassis-grounded output signal free of
hum and interference to the output connector. The combination of the three switches associated with
the audio input/output connectors ensures that the 160S is versatile enough to interface with any
equipment and can deliver clean audio to the output, free of hum and interference. (See the follow-
ing diagram for details of the Ground switch operation.)
Rear Panel
controls
160S
Operating
OUTPUT OPTION
SIDECHAIN
INPUT
SEND RETURN
OUTPUT
CHANNEL ONECHANNEL TWO
INPUT OUTPUT
PIN 1
LIFT
GROUNDUNBAL
SIDECHAIN
SEND RETURN
PIN 1
LIFT
GROUNDUNBAL
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS
A HARMAN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH ¥ MADE IN USA
MODEL 160S

XLR:
PIN 1
PIN 2
PIN 3
CONNECTOR
POLARITY
50 WATTS

POWER

120V
50/60Hz

FUSE:
500mA 250V
SLOW
BLOW

¨
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR
CAUTION: TO REDUCE
THE RISK OF FIRE REPLACE
ONLY WITH SAME TYPE FUSE.
ATTENTION: UTILISER
UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE
MEME TYPE.
MANUFACTURED UNDER ONE OR MORE OF THE
FOLLOWING U.S. PATENTS: 4,234,804 4,316,107
4,329,598 4,331,931 4,377,792 4,403,199 4,409,500
4,425,551 4,434,380 4,454,433 4,471,324 4,473,793
OTHER PATENTS PENDING
2
1
3
Jensen¨ 
Output 
Transformer
Jensen¨ 
Output 
Transformer
10k 1W
GND
Switch
GND
Switch
BALANCED FLOATING OPERATION UNBALANCED FLOATING OPERATION
Chassis
Ground
Chassis
Ground
Chassis
Ground
Ground Switch open
Unbalance Switch open
Ground Switch open
Unbalanced Switch closed

(6dB drop in output level)
+
-
+
-
2
1
3
Chassis
Ground