Allen & Heath
Allen & Heath DT168 Dante I/O Expander
Best portable I/O expander for professional live sound engineers.
The Allen & Heath DT168 is a versatile 16-input Dante I/O Expander housed in a convenient, portable stagebox design, complete with rubber bumpers and a carry handle. It delivers acclaimed Allen & Heath preamp quality and 96kHz converters for superior sound fidelity over Dante networking. Ideal for stage deployment or integration into SQ, Avantis, AHM-64, or dLive systems, it features Primary and Secondary EtherCon ports for robust daisy-chaining or network redundancy. Remote preamp control is supported via dedicated software, ensuring seamless integration with third-party Dante mixers and management systems.
$2299.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
41
/ 439
#41 in Audio Cards & Adapters
Price vs Category Average
+103%
Above average
Input Channels
16
/ Microphone Preamps
Who it's for
- Live sound engineers needing high-channel counts in portable rigs
- System integrators building complex, multi-device professional audio networks
- Touring technicians requiring versatile power and rugged stage reliability
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking affordable I/O expansion solutions
- Users operating non-Allen & Heath digital mixing console ecosystems
- Installers lacking PoE+ compliant network infrastructure hardware
Performance breakdown
Preamp Fidelity
Studio-grade clarity that maintains sonic integrity across every input channel.
Network Reliability
Redundant EtherCon ports ensure rock-solid stability for mission-critical live events.
Deployment Versatility
Rugged stagebox design handles the rigors of touring with ease.
System Integration
Seamlessly bridges with Allen & Heath ecosystems and third-party Dante hardware.
Conversion Precision
High-resolution 96kHz converters capture every nuance of the source audio.
Remote Control
Intuitive software makes managing gain levels from front-of-house effortless.
Key Specs
Input Channels
16 Microphone Preamps
Output Channels
8 Line Outputs (XLR)
Sample Rate
96kHz / 48kHz
Digital Converters
96kHz
Interface
Dante Networking
Network Connectors
Primary and Secondary EtherCon
Compatibility
SQ, Avantis, AHM-64, dLive Dante networks
Model Number
AH-DT168
Features
- Portable stagebox with handle
- 16 microphone preamps
- 8 XLR line outputs
- 96kHz converters for high-quality audio
- Primary and Secondary Dante ports
- Secure EtherCon connectors
- Remote preamp control software
- AES67 compatible
What customers say
Users consistently laud the Allen & Heath DT168 as a reliable workhorse essential for expanding Dante audio networks, especially alongside A&H consoles. The core praise centers on the exceptional audio quality from the 16 preamps, described as clean and transparent, meeting professional touring demands. Reliability is a major theme; the unit integrates seamlessly into existing Dante ecosystems with minimal setup. Build quality is highly regarded, featuring a rugged chassis suitable for demanding stage environments. While positioned professionally, the DT168 delivers excellent value through its consistent performance and dense I/O in a compact size. It significantly enhances digital mixing flexibility and is highly recommended by audio engineers.
Know before you buy
Yes, the DT168 is a standard Dante device and is compatible with any third-party Dante-enabled mixer. You can manage preamp gain and phantom power remotely using the Dante Controller software or the dedicated Allen & Heath remote control application.
Yes, the DT168 features both Primary and Secondary EtherCon ports. This allows you to connect to two separate networks for seamless redundancy or to daisy-chain multiple units together.
Yes, the unit is fully AES67 compatible, allowing for interoperability with other audio-over-IP systems that support the AES67 standard.
While it is designed as a portable stagebox with rubber bumpers and a handle for floor deployment, rack-mount kits are available separately if you prefer to integrate it into a standard equipment rack.
Yes, all 16 microphone preamps support 48V phantom power, which can be toggled remotely via your control software.
The DT168 supports high-fidelity audio at up to 96kHz, ensuring top-tier sound quality for professional live sound and recording applications.
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