Allen & Heath DT168 16x8 Dante/AES67 Audio I/O Expander (B-STOCK - FULL WARRANTY)

Portable 16 x 8 Dante stage box for dLive and SQ digital mixing systems

The Allen & Heath DT168 is a portable 16-input and 8-output Dante/AES67 audio expander designed for professional live sound systems using Allen & Heath dLive and SQ Series mixers. Its stage box form factor places microphone inputs and line outputs close to performers, making it well suited for houses of worship, concert venues, theaters, and portable production systems.

Sixteen balanced XLR mic and line inputs provide low-noise Allen & Heath microphone preamps, while eight balanced XLR line outputs support monitor feeds and other system outputs. Internal 32-bit, 96 kHz converters provide high-resolution audio conversion, and 48V phantom power can be selected individually for each input.

Primary and secondary locking etherCON ports connect the DT168 to Dante or AES67 audio networks. The ports can operate in redundant mode for simultaneous connection to primary and secondary Dante networks or in switched mode for daisy-chaining compatible Dante expanders and creating digital splits between front-of-house and monitor mixers.

Gain, pad, and phantom power settings can be controlled directly from compatible dLive and SQ mixers. A built-in carry handle and protective rubber bumpers support portable stage deployment, while an optional 19-inch rackmount kit allows the DT168 to be installed in a professional equipment rack.

Key Features

• Sixteen balanced XLR mic and line inputs with low-noise microphone preamps
• Eight balanced XLR line-level outputs
• Internal 32-bit, 96 kHz audio converters
• Individually selectable 48V phantom power with sixteen status LEDs
• Primary and secondary locking etherCON ports for Dante and AES67 networks
• Redundant and switched network operating modes

Professional Applications

• Networked stage input and output systems for houses of worship
• Concert venue and touring live sound production
• Theater audio systems with distributed stage connections
• Digital splits between front-of-house and monitor mixers
• Portable and rackmounted Dante audio expansion

System Integration

The DT168 integrates with Allen & Heath dLive and SQ Series digital mixing systems through a Dante network. When used with an SQ Dante card or dLive 96 kHz Dante card, a system can support up to sixteen DT168 units. Mixer operators can control preamp gain, pad, and phantom power directly from compatible dLive or SQ consoles.

Broadcast Workflow Benefits

The DT168 simplifies professional audio deployment by transporting multiple input and output channels through a network connection instead of requiring individual analog cable runs between the stage and mixing position. Redundant networking supports applications where connection reliability is critical, while switched mode provides flexible expansion and digital signal distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many inputs and outputs does the DT168 provide?

The DT168 provides sixteen balanced XLR mic and line inputs and eight balanced XLR line-level outputs.

Which Allen & Heath mixers are compatible with the DT168?

The DT168 is designed for integration with Allen & Heath dLive and SQ Series digital mixing systems.

Does the DT168 support both Dante and AES67?

Yes. The DT168 connects to Dante audio networks and is compatible with AES67.

Can the DT168 provide redundant network connections?

Yes. Its primary and secondary etherCON ports can operate in redundant mode for simultaneous connection to primary and secondary Dante networks.

Can the DT168 be installed in an equipment rack?

Yes. A 19-inch rackmount kit is available separately. The built-in carry handle and rubber bumpers also support portable stage use.

Related Equipment and Workflow Compatibility

The DT168 is designed for use with Allen & Heath dLive and SQ Series mixers equipped for Dante networking. Compatible SQ Dante and dLive 96 kHz Dante cards allow the expander to become part of a larger networked input and output system.

In switched mode, the secondary network port can be used to daisy-chain Dante expanders or configure a digital split between front-of-house and monitor mixing systems. The DT168 is also ready for use with Dante Domain Manager environments.

Why Professionals Use This Type of Product

• Places microphone preamps and line outputs close to the stage
• Reduces the number of individual analog cable runs in a production system
• Supports redundant networking for greater connection reliability
• Allows remote preamp control from compatible Allen & Heath mixers
• Adapts to portable stage use or permanent rack installation

Additional Compatibility Information

The Allen & Heath DT168 is a professional 16 x 8 Dante and AES67 stage box with balanced XLR audio connections, 96 kHz conversion, redundant etherCON networking, and direct integration with compatible dLive and SQ digital mixing systems.