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dLive and Avantis I/O Expansion: DX Boxes, Ports and Channel Counts
How Allen and Heath systems grow inputs and outputs beyond the rack, which expander goes where, and what the port on the back is called.
~7 min read · Updated August 2026 · By the Stage Supply team
In this guide:Where the I/O lives · The boxes · The ports · Planning · Picks · FAQ
An Allen and Heath system is not one box, it is a surface, a mixrack and as many remote input and output boxes as the job needs. That modularity is the point of the range, and it is also the part people find hardest to specify.
This guide covers what the expanders do and where they connect. The choice of surface and mixrack is a separate question, covered in the dLive range guide.
Where the inputs actually live
On a dLive system the mixrack does the processing and holds the primary inputs and outputs. The surface is a control panel with a screen and faders, and it can be a long way from the rack. That is why the channel count belongs to the rack, not the desk.
Expanders extend that I/O to wherever it is needed: the other side of the stage, a broadcast position, a second room. They connect on a dedicated port rather than over a general audio network.
The expanders, and what each one is
| Unit | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| DX168 | Fixed 16 input, 8 output stage box | The standard remote stage box, one cable to the rack |
| DX32 | Modular 32-slot expander taking four cards | Build the exact I/O you need, mic, line or AES |
| DX32 input card | 8 controllable mic and line preamps on XLR | Populating a DX32 with inputs |
| DX32 output card | 8 balanced line outputs on XLR | Populating a DX32 with outputs |
| DXHUB | Remote hub for DX boxes | Fanning one DX port out to several boxes |
The DX32 is the flexible one. It is an empty frame and you buy cards to fill it, so a monitor position needing mostly outputs and a stage needing mostly inputs can use the same chassis with different contents.
DX, SLink and gigaACE, in plain terms
Three port names appear on the back of these systems and they do different jobs.
- **gigaACE** is the link between a dLive mixrack and its surface. It is the system backbone and it carries the whole mix engine’s control and audio.
- **DX** is the port that remote expanders connect to. A DX168 or a DX32 plugs in here.
- **SLink** is the more general expansion port found across SQ, Avantis and dLive, and it accepts DX boxes, older AR boxes and links between consoles.
The practical point is that these are Allen and Heath’s own connections, not Dante, and they do not need a network switch or an IP address. For third-party connectivity you want a card in the option slot instead, covered in option cards explained.
Planning the I/O for a real job
- Count inputs at the stage, not at the desk. That is what decides the box.
- Count outputs everywhere: main PA, fills, monitor wedges, in-ear feeds, broadcast, recording. Outputs are what people run short of.
- Decide where each box sits before choosing between DX168 and DX32. A fixed 16 in, 8 out box is cheaper and lighter if it fits the job exactly.
- Allow for the cable run. These links run on Cat5e or better, with locking connectors on stage.
- Leave spare capacity. Adding a channel on a show day is only possible if the socket already exists.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a DX168 and a DX32?
The DX168 is fixed at 16 inputs and 8 outputs. The DX32 is a modular frame that takes four cards, so you choose the mix of inputs and outputs, and can change it later.
Can I use a DX box with an SQ as well as a dLive?
Yes, DX boxes connect over SLink, which appears on SQ, Avantis and dLive. Check the specific combination against the current compatibility notes, since card and firmware support varies.
Do I need Dante to add a stage box?
No. DX and SLink are Allen and Heath’s own expansion links and need no network configuration. Dante is for connecting to other manufacturers’ equipment.
How many boxes can I connect?
It depends on the console and the port. A DXHUB exists specifically to fan one DX port out to multiple boxes, which is the usual way of adding several remote positions.
