Overview
The AB168 is Allen & Heath's portable 48kHz AudioRack: 16 recallable mic preamps and 8 relay protected XLR line outputs in a tough steel box with a carry handle and rubber bumpers. It runs over a single Cat5 cable to the mixer using A&H's dSNAKE protocol, up to 100 m away, so you can drop it side stage, at the drum riser or in a church sanctuary without a copper multicore.
A second EtherCon port lets you daisy chain another dSNAKE expander or feed an ME personal monitoring system straight from the box. Firmware is handled by the mixer, so there is nothing to configure on the unit itself.
Highlights
- 16 mic/line preamps, +5 to +60 dB gain, recallable from the mixer
- 8 balanced, relay protected XLR line outputs
- dSNAKE over a single Cat5 run up to 100 m
- Expander port for a second dSNAKE expander or ME personal mixers
- Rugged steel stagebox with handle and bumpers, optional 4U rack kit
- No setup needed, firmware updated by the mixer
Compatibility
Works with: Allen & Heath SQ-5, SQ-6, SQ-7, SQ5+, SQ6+, SQ7+ and SQ-Rack (SLink, or the I/O port with an SLink card M-SQ-SLINK-A), Avantis and Avantis Solo (SLink), Qu-5, Qu-6 and Qu-7 (SLink), Qu Classic (dSNAKE port) and AHM matrix processors (AHM-64 built in SLink, AHM-16 and AHM-32 with an SLink I/O card). It also suits legacy GLD systems. The expander port daisy chains a second compatible expander or feeds ME personal mixers.
AB168 is the older 48kHz dSNAKE format, not DX. It does not connect to dLive, the DX Hub, DX Link cards or CQ mixers. For 96kHz systems the DX168 or GX4816 are the current choices.
Specifications
| Inputs | 16 x XLR mic/line, +48V phantom |
| Gain | +5 to +60 dB in 1 dB steps, -20 dB pad |
| Max input | +32 dBu |
| Mic EIN | -127 dB (150 ohm source) |
| Outputs | 8 x XLR balanced, relay protected |
| Protocol | dSNAKE, 48kHz |
| Network | 2 x EtherCon (mixer, expander/ME) |
| Cable | Cat5e, up to 100 m |
| Power | 100 to 240V AC, 40W max |
| Weight | 4.8 kg |
Forefront Tip
Use proper shielded Cat5e or Cat6 with EtherCon ends for the dSNAKE run and keep it in one piece rather than patching through wall plates. Pair it with the AB168 rack kit (AB1608-RK19) for FOH racks or the padded carry bag (AB168-CARRYBAG) for portable rigs.
Forefront Productions is an authorised Allen & Heath dealer in Newcastle NSW. We ship Australia wide and can help you spec the full system.
