Successor to the famed A301 ‘S/N Stretcher‘, Dolby’s very first noise reduction unit released in 1966, the Dolby 360 was introduced in September 1970 as a much more compact version of the system needing just one unit (1U) of rack space. The A301 claimed all of 5Us. The Dolby 360 also started the eponymous series (361, 363, 365, etc.) featuring plug-in cards that allows the user to chose between Dolby A (Cat.22) or SR (Cat.280) noise reduction modules. The series is also compatible with DBX K-9 and Telefunken Telcom C4 modules.
The units for sale here have been thoroughly tested, are fully functional, and exceed the manufacturer’s specification. The Cat.22 Dolby A cards have also been tested with the Dolby NRM Cat.35A/B tester and perform to spec as well. Al lightbulbs inside both units (meter and pushbutton lights) have been replaced. Sliding switches were cleaned. Most importantly, the failure-prone levelling meters have been replaced and recalibrated.
Cosmetically, both units are in near-mint condition with minimal rack rash. The AC receptacle has not been butchered to allow for modern IEC plugs. The original sockets remain in place. A pair of PH-163 power cables is included with your choice of plug (EU, UK, or US).
Plug & Play ready. 100-130V / 200-260V. Hard-to-find (and expensive) PH-163 AC plugs included. No butchering of AC power sockets! No missing fasteners.
Included:
- (2) Dolby 360 units
- (2) Dolby Cat.22 Dolby A modules
- (2) AC power cords (PH-163 to EU, UK, or US wall plug)
- (2) Osram 24-30V 30mA spare light bulbs for meter
- (2) Pauluslight 30V 40mA spare light bulbs for push button lights
- (8) Self-locking rack-mounting screws with nylon washers
- (1) TS-TS Dolby tone interlink cable
- User/service manual (clear copy or original)
Easily obtain a 10dB to 15dB improved signal-to-noise relation with the included Cat.22 Dolby A modules.
The Dolby Cat.22 module may be “modded” (aka vocal stressor) at the buyer’s request or add (1) ‘modded’ Dolby Cat.22 module for just €100.
Modding the encoder of Dolby A cards was a common practice in the 1960s and 70s to emphasise higher frequencies during recording and thus add ‘air’ to vocals for a more transparent sound. The effect is accomplished by disabling two of the four compression bands: Band 1 (below 80Hz) and Band 2 (80Hz to 3kHz).
On Sale Now for €1,200
Free Shipping to EU, EFTA, CH & UK
Worldwide shipping at cost*
*) Excludes Russia & Belorussia
Key Specifications
| Input impedance (transformer balanced) | 10K Ohms floating |
| Output impedance (transformer balanced) | 20 Ohms |
| Minimum input Dolby level / DIN level | 350mV / 600mV |
| Maximum output level into 600 Ohms load | +21dBm |
| Frequency response | 30Hz to 20kHz +/-1dB |
| Harmonic distortion @ +8dBm | <0.2% over full bandwidth |
| Noise reduction with Cat.22 (A) module | -10dB (30Hz-5kHz) rising to -15dB at 15kHz |
| Overall noise level | 80dB below Dolby level over full bandwidth |
| Phase error | <5‘ over full bandwidth |
Downloads
Other Dolby gear available from ReelTape
- (2) Dolby 361 with Cat.22 (A) and Cat.280 (SR) modules
- Dolby 361 single unit with Cat.22 module and three-prong IEC power socket
- Dolby MH16 unit with 16 Cat.280 SR modules
- Drop-in replacement levelling meters for Dolby gear
- PH163 power cables for vintage Dolby gear (no need to butcher your unit)