Overview
The DX168 is Allen & Heath's portable 96kHz stagebox: 16 recallable mic preamps and 8 relay protected XLR line outputs in the same rugged steel chassis as the AB168, with a carry handle and rubber bumpers. It connects over a single Cat5e cable up to 100 m using A&H's DX protocol.
A second locking EtherCon port gives you two options. In redundant mode, run a second cable to a compatible port on dLive (or a DX Link or DX Hub) for a backup path. In cascade mode, daisy chain a second DX expander off the same port. Preamps are recalled with the show file and firmware is updated by the mixer, so there is nothing to set up on the box.
Highlights
- 16 mic/line preamps, +5 to +60 dB gain, -20 dB pad
- 8 balanced, relay protected XLR line outputs
- 96kHz DX protocol, single Cat5e run up to 100 m
- Redundant dual cable or cascade mode (2 expanders per DX port)
- Mic EIN -127 dB, THD+N 0.003%
- Optional 4U rack kit and padded carry bag
Compatibility
Works with any Allen & Heath DX port, direct or through a DX Hub, DX Link card or GX4816: Each DX port carries 32 x 32 channels at 96kHz and takes up to 2 cascaded DX expanders. It is not compatible with legacy dSNAKE ports (GLD, 48kHz Qu-16/24/32/Pac/SB) or CQ mixers.
- dLive MixRack DM0, DM48, DM64 (DX1 to DX4) and CDM32, CDM48, CDM64 (DX1, DX3)
- dLive S Class and C Class Surfaces (DX5, DX6) and DX Link card in dLive or Avantis
- Avantis and Avantis Solo (SLink)
- SQ-5, SQ-6, SQ-7, SQ5+, SQ6+, SQ7+, SQ-Rack (SLink, or I/O port with SLink module)
- Qu-5, Qu-6, Qu-7 (SLink, 96kHz Qu models only)
- AHM-64 (SLink) and AHM-16/32 (SLink I/O module)
Specifications
| Inputs | 16 x XLR mic/line, +48V phantom |
| Gain | +5 to +60 dB in 1 dB steps, -20 dB pad |
| Max input | +30 dBu (pad in) |
| Mic EIN | -127 dB (150 ohm source) |
| Outputs | 8 x XLR balanced, relay protected |
| Protocol | DX, 96kHz, 32 x 32 per port |
| Network | 2 x EtherCon (primary, redundant/cascade) |
| Cable | Cat5e, up to 100 m |
| Power | 100 to 240V AC, 35W max |
| Dimensions | 410 x 190 x 185 mm |
| Weight | 4.6 kg |
Forefront Tip
On SQ, Qu and AHM there is no DX redundancy, so use the second port to cascade a DX012 or DX88-P instead. On dLive S Class, run the redundant cable into the paired DX port (DX1 with DX2) for a hot backup.
Forefront Productions is an authorised Allen & Heath dealer in Newcastle NSW with delivery Australia wide. Give us a call if you want help working out what you need.
