The Allen & Heath DT164-W Dante audio expander with 4 XLR outputs for ACE Backstage 174SLBK is a portable remote audio rack for a digital mixing system. The Allen DT audio expander remote provides 8 XLR inputs and 4 XLR outputs and must be wired to add additional inputs and outputs. The XLR sockets must be of the same or higher quality and specification as those on the digital mixing system and must appear in the digital mixing system’s soft patch for channel assignment. The Allen DT audio expander’s audio connection is via Cat5 cable using Allen & Heath’s dSNAKE Ethernet protocol, which allows the audio rack to be located up to 100 m away from the mixer or audio rack. The Ethernet protocol provides remote preamplifier control and all microphone preamplifiers are retrievable from the digital mixing system. The unit’s firmware is automatically updated when it is connected to the digital mixing system. The local Ethernet port is an RJ45 socket with EtherCon locking ring. It is also possible to connect the remote audio rack to a main AudioRack unit to add another 8 XLR inputs and 4 XLR outputs from that location. This connection is via an ‘Expander’ connection and is also an RJ45 socket with EtherCon locking ring. The Allen & Heath DT164-W Dante is compatible with Allen&Heath digital mixers. The Allen DT audio expander is a rugged, rack-mountable 19″ steel chassis with a height of 1U. It also features a built-in power supply that accepts AC mains voltages of 100~240V, 50/60 Hz, 20W max via a 3-pin grounded IEC male connector mounted on the rear of the chassis. A switch is provided near the mains input to isolate the mixer from the incoming power supply. The recommended operating temperature for the Allen DT164-W is between 5 and 35 degrees Celsius.