Allen & Heath AH-DT168 – 16x8 Dante/AES67 Audio I/O Expander for dLive & SQ

Product Overview

The Allen & Heath AH-DT168 is a 16-input, 8-output Dante/AES67 stagebox expander designed for dLive and SQ Series digital mixing systems in live production and commercial AV environments. Featuring 16 low-noise mic preamps, 32-bit/96 kHz conversion, and primary/secondary etherCON redundancy, the DT168 provides enterprise-grade audio networking in a rugged stagebox form factor. As a dedicated Dante I/O expander for Allen & Heath dLive and SQ systems, it enables remote mic preamp control directly from the mixing surface, eliminating the need for separate analog runs. The DT168 is a preferred choice for houses of worship, theater installations, and touring companies that have standardized on Dante for audio distribution.

Product Description

The AH-DT168 houses 16 balanced XLR mic/line inputs, each driven by a low-noise mic preamp with individually selectable 48V phantom power. Sixteen front-panel LEDs provide at-a-glance phantom power status for all inputs simultaneously, eliminating the need to check channels individually during setup. Eight balanced XLR line outputs handle monitor feeds, amplifier drives, or sub-mix returns to the stage.

Internal 32-bit/96 kHz converters deliver high-resolution audio well above standard 48 kHz studio requirements, making the DT168 suitable for installations that prioritize audio quality headroom. Both Dante and AES67 protocols are natively supported, giving integrators flexibility to interconnect with third-party consoles, processors, and distribution systems without protocol conversion hardware.

Primary and secondary etherCON network ports provide redundant Dante connectivity, protecting against single network path failure in critical installations. All preamp parameters—gain, phantom power, pad—are controlled remotely from the dLive or SQ console surface, removing the need for a technician to access the stage unit during a performance. The compact stagebox form factor with rubber bumpers and a carry handle makes the DT168 equally suited for permanent rack installs and touring road cases.

Key Features

• 16 Low-Noise Mic Preamps — All 16 inputs on balanced XLR connectors with remote gain and pad control from the dLive or SQ console
• 32-Bit / 96 kHz Conversion — High-resolution internal converters deliver audio quality well beyond standard studio-grade requirements
• Individual Phantom Power Selection — Per-input 48V phantom power with 16 front-panel LED indicators for fast visual status check
• 8 Balanced XLR Line Outputs — Full-bandwidth outputs for monitor feeds, amplifier sends, or hardware returns
• Primary and Secondary etherCON Ports — Dual redundant Dante network connections protect against single-point failure
• Dante and AES67 Support — Native dual-protocol networking for integration across standards-based IP audio ecosystems
• Remote Preamp Control — All preamp parameters managed from the dLive or SQ console surface without accessing the stage unit
• Stagebox Form Factor — Rubber bumpers and carry handle for both permanent installation and touring applications
• Universal AC Power — 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz; max 40 W power consumption

Typical Applications

• dLive and SQ live production deployments requiring remote Dante I/O on stage
• Houses of worship with distributed audio networks and remote mic preamp management
• Theater and performing arts venues replacing analog copper stagebox runs with Dante
• Enterprise AV and commercial installation with AES67 interoperability requirements
• Touring productions using dLive or SQ systems with standardized Dante infrastructure

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Which consoles are compatible with the AH-DT168?

The DT168 is designed for use with Allen & Heath dLive and SQ Series digital mixers. It connects via Dante networking and supports remote preamp control from both console families.

Can the DT168 work with third-party Dante devices?

Yes. As a Dante-certified and AES67-compatible device, the DT168 can exchange audio with any Dante or AES67 device on the same network, including third-party consoles, processors, and recording systems.

What happens if one Dante network path fails?

The primary and secondary etherCON ports provide hardware-level Dante redundancy. If the primary connection fails, audio continues uninterrupted on the secondary path without operator intervention.

Is 96 kHz operation available over Dante?

Yes. The DT168's internal converters operate at 32-bit/96 kHz, and Dante supports 96 kHz operation at reduced channel counts. Consult your Dante network configuration for channel capacity at 96 kHz.

Can preamp gain be controlled remotely from the console?

Yes. Gain, phantom power, and pad settings for all 16 mic preamps are fully recallable and remotely controllable from the connected dLive or SQ console surface.

What is the power requirement for the DT168?

The DT168 accepts 100 to 240 VAC at 50 or 60 Hz, with a maximum consumption of 40 W. No external power supply or PoE is required.

Is the DT168 suitable for permanent installation or only touring?

The DT168 is suited for both applications. Its compact stagebox form factor with rubber bumpers and carry handle supports touring deployment, while its Dante networking and remote control capability make it equally appropriate for permanent commercial AV installations.