Dynacord VRS-23

The dynacord VRS23 is so easy to operate,no need for a manual just plug in and play.There are no complicated patches, just four push switches and delay, regenerate,reverb/echo switch,reverb,regenerate are rotary controls.The switches give a stepped delay time up to 400m/sec.this is applicable to the length of reverb as well

I use this effect into an AC30 or AC15.This particular VRS23 generates no noise and is in a nice condition with all functions working as they should.I purchased mine from an engineer whose occupation was in fact repairing Dynacord equipment in Germany,so i guess i was pretty lucky.My playing style is 60 s rock,spotniks shadows etc so most of my gear was analogue.The sounds available from this effect is perfect for those old rocky sounds.I also use the klemt echolette and echocord tape effects,but am just as happy with the sound of the VRS23 and of course without the noise and maintenance that they now require.The VRS23,on reverb has an unusual echo delay effect added giving a nice fadeout to it.

I think that they are quite reliable,especially as its a Dynacord product,i have never with all my Dynacord equipment had any problems but then i do look after my gear,no drops from a great height etc.I have the dynacord DRS78 and it just keeps on performing.Now this equipment is only used at home in my small studio,but at 20 years plus of age i would take a back-up,YES another VRS23 just in case.I love the sounds of these effects,they,to my ears knock spots off the digital effects,although i do use the Lexicon mpx and Zoom 2200,but there is no warmth from them,but thats probally me living in the past.rating for this is high because i have had no problems with any of ther equipment.

Never dealt with them,never needed to, but i should think it would,be because of its age, difficult to obtain some components.

i mainly play rock but this unit would suit lots of styles.i have been trying to play since the 60 s and have used lots of effects, analogue and now some digital equipment.I trust all the Dynacord equipment so if it got lost i would buy another,i like its tonal qualities and do not dislike anything about it.This is a true and honest opinion.I use the vox ac30 1964/5 ac15 modern,echolette and echocords,lexicon mpx200,zoom2200,Dynacord DRS78,Watkins solid state copycat.dynacord single channel mixer,MEX treble booster,Danelectro reel to reel solid state,two MIJ reissues Fender strats,Behringer FBQ1502 eq and Behringer RX 1602 rack mounted line mixer.I think anyone who purchases a vrs23will be pleased with it.

very easy to set up. This is an analogue (bucket brigade) delay, delay time varies from 1 ms up to 400 ms. it is very easy to set up and quite easy to tweak. not presets or patches, we're talking vintage here, think early 80s kind of sound, half way between a tape echo and a spring reverb.

I had no manual when I got it but it is quite straightforward.

using it principaly on synths (I have a collection of both analogue and digital synths) but it does also a great job on guitars and voices if you're after a vintage sounding reverb or delay unit.

it's a clean one I've got, ie it does not hiss or click but Ive been reported some other units with serious reliability issues.

if you're lucky to put your hands on a working unit, the effects you can yield from this unit range from slapback to longer single delays, metallic/ringing kind of reverbs, and flanging too. don't expect too much if you're into complex multi-tap-delays it simply does not go in such territory, but overall provides great "coating" for any synth sound. sometimes you just want artificial sounding reverb and the VRS is cleary a very good unit for such effect.

I'd say it sounds a bit like early Eventide or Klark Teknik delay/pitch units , or also a bit like a tape echo (I have a Roland 555 which can do some similar sounding effects).


There are two generations of this unit ; the earlier models have outputs on stereo jacks (it's quite weird a design if you ask me) , and the more recent units have outputs on a more tradidional two-mono-jacks setup. They also can be differentiated by their "Dynacord" logo on the front : the older units have the D logo circled by both an ellipse and a rectangle, whereas the newer units have just the ellipse around the D. the rare white units are the most recent and can be considered as sounding like the black-faced newer models.

Sound-wise the earlier models (remember, the ellipse+rectangle logo) are a bit duller and the feedback can be sent self-oscillating.
the newer are brighter and can't be sent into self oscillation. careful, this is second-hand info, as I have not been able to confirm the difference, I have an early model, and it definitely can be sent self-oscillating.


it sounds great. if you're into the smokier kind of dub, great stuff. if you're into rock and pop , great for guitars.

They're said to be unreliable in the long run, so careful when you buy one, try to test it inside out or you might be disappointed. Mine works great I've been lucky, as the one i have is quite an old unit from the mid-eighties.

I've been playing electronic music with a dub twist for the past 7 years, so echoes, reverbs and phazers are a critical factor. I've learnt to use various pieces of vintage effects such as Moog EQs, all sorts of phasers and flangers, BBD-based effects and the VRS-23 has got something that makes any sound you pass through it magical. it gives you those instant memories of late 70/early 80 disco and funk music, but it can also sound like a really good dub machine, just send it into self-osc and play those delay times...

I love this unit , it'll never be as good as a tape delay IMO but hey it's also better maintenance-wise you don't need to change the tape every month like on a tape delay !!

if you find one below 200$ or 150? get it, it's great value. I'd expect the value of these units to go up quite significantly, if they are well maintained and looked after, as these units tend to be quite old now.