The future of wireless
Meet the half-rack receiver with an entire rack's worth of features. The next-generation A20-Nexus is expandable from 8 channels up to 16 channels with software licenses and features forward-thinking technologies like SpectraBand, the powerful NexLink remote-control link, real time spectrum analysis, and more. With multiple options for audio outputs, powering, and remote control, the A20-Nexus can seamlessly adapt to your workflow, both now and in the future.
Key Features:
- 8-channel ultra-high-performance, true-diversity receivers in a ½ rack size (8.0” x 6.6” x 1.6”).
- Expandable to 12- or 16-channels via software license (coming soon).
- 470 MHz – 1525 MHz tuning range via SpectraBand Technology.
- NexLink: integrated, long distance remote control of all wireless transmitters
- Dante audio-over-IP of RF receiver audio.
- Flexible powering: via PoE+, DC input, 8-Series, or AC mains (with optional adapter).
- Web App control from browser on any computer, smartphone or tablet.
- Full remote operation capability: Power via PoE, audio via Dante, control via Web App.
- Dual DB-25 connectors for 16 channels of mic, line, or AES outputs
- 16 channels of Dante audio-over-IP output to DB25 connectors on the back panel.
- Wide, 6.2” color OLED array with touch for control and monitoring.
- Integrated Real Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) and scanning for intuitive frequency coordination.
- Optical Fiber Network option via SFP slot. SFP accepts a wide variety of modular network transceivers.
- A20-QuickDock allows docking and undocking in seconds from 8-Series mixer-recorders with no tools.
- Supports GainForward Architecture: No gain setting on the A20-Mini transmitter. Adjust gain at the receiver or mixer.
- 100% digital long-range modulation delivers the longest transmission distance of any system on the market.
- Excellent audio quality, full 10 Hz – 20 kHz audio bandwidth.
- RF SAW filters for excellent rejection of interference from nearby IFB or camera hop transmitters.
- BNC timecode input for auto timecode sync of transmitters over NexLink
SpectraBand
SpectraBand technology delivers a tuning range of 470 – 1525 MHz in a single unit – an industry first. Experience ultimate flexibility as you find open spectrum away from the crowded UHF TV band. The included A20-Monarch antennas can receive the entire 470-1525 MHz range, keeping your kit small and tidy.
NexLink
Control your A20-Mini transmitter using the built-in long range remote control link. NexLink’s advanced long distance modulation reaches even farther than the A20-Mini’s long-range audio transmission.
Network away
You’ve got options. Configure your A20-Nexus for Dante audio, use the built-in web server to control the receiver using the web browser on any computer, tablet, or phone, and even power the A20-Nexus remotely using Power-over-Ethernet (PoE).
Real time spectrum analysis
The days of waiting for a frequency scan to complete are over. Instantly visualize the fluctuating RF spectrum around you in real time – while running all channels of the audio.
GainForward
With the A20-Mini’s GainForward Architecture, easily set the Mini’s gain, low-cut, and limiter directly on your A20-Nexus or mixer-recorder. This immediate, local control of gain means never having to adjust the gain on the transmitter again.
Go cableless
Thanks to its half-rack size, the A20-Nexus is equally at home in a rack, in a bag, or docked to an 8-Series mixer recorder for a cableless kit.
Long range
The A20-Nexus and A20-Mini deliver the longest transmission distance of any system on the market.¹ The state-of-the-art, 100% digital long-range modulation offers the same great audio quality (10 Hz – 20 kHz) as our Standard modulation scheme with a longer range for both line-of-sight and heavy multipath transmission.
Shoot for the stars
The A20-Nexus joins the growing lineup of Sound Devices Astral™ wireless products. With industry-leading features like SpectraBand, GainForward, NexLink, long range modulation, real time spectrum analysis, and more, the Astral Series pushes the bounds of wireless audio.
RF
- Tuning
- 470 to 1525 MHz (1055 MHz switching bandwidth)
- 25 kHz steps
- SpectraBand Technology for maximum rejection of out-of-band signals
- Available frequencies depend on country of operation
- Modulation
- Proprietary, 100% digital RF modulation
- Standard or Long Range, selectable per channel
- Spurious Rejection
- >100 dB typical
- Cascade output
- 50 ohm
- 3.5 dB Insertion Loss from front BNC through rear BNC: It is recommended to use an external powered antenna to overcome the 3 dB splitting loss in the Nexus so that the receivers maintain excellent range.
- Wideband power split, pre-LNA
- RF Bias output
- 12V, 200 mA each BNC
- Smart antenna support, Wisycom-compatible
Audio
- Latency
- Standard modulation = 2 ms, analog or digital outputs
- Long Range modulation = 3.9 ms, analog or digital outputs
- Audio Frequency Response
- 10 Hz–20 kHz, +/- 1 dB relative to 1 kHz
- Dynamic Range
- > 130 dB with A20-Mini as transmitter
- Output Level
- Line-level: +20 dBu for 0 dBFS
- Mic-level: -20 dBu for 0 dBFS
- Audio Output Sample Rate
- 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz
- Digital Audio Output
- AES3 balanced connection, 110 ohm output impedance
- Audio-Over-IP
- Dante, 44.1 or 48 kHz sample rate
Network
- Dante Audio-Over-IP
- 16 input/output channels
- Control
- Web-based control and monitoring of all Nexus settings
- Connections
- 2x RJ45 ports: For Dante and/or Control. Port 1 supports powering from PoE+
- 1x SFP: For Dante and/or Control. Compatible with Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) network transceivers
Powering
- Sources
- DC Input: dual, redundant (highest voltage takes precedence)
- PoE+: 802.3at, 30W needed (standard 15W PoE 802.3af will not work)
- 8-Series (through unit-to-unit connector when docked)
- AC mains adapter (sold separately)
- Levels
- DC input, 6.5 to 18V in, 3A minimum at 6.5 VDC
- 11 W idle, default configuration
- Extra power passed through for USB power, active antenna power, and DC output power
- USB-A: 5V, 500 mA output; supports keyboards, thumb drives, A20-Mini transmitters, and USB hubs
Environmental
- Operating Temperature Range
- -10 °C to +55 °C
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
- 4.0 cm x 20.3 cm x 16.7 cm
- (1.6 in x 8.0 in 6.6 in)
- Weight
- 1.27 kg (unpackaged)
- 2.8 lbs (unpackaged)
