DXA-OPT-RX Overview and Use Cases

What Is the DXA-OPT-RX?

The ToVi DXA-OPT-RX is a Dante Optical Decoder designed to convert Dante 2-channel digital audio into two-channel optical SPDIF / TOSLINK audio.

The DXA-OPT-RX is built on the Dante Ultimo 2x2 platform and is designed to bridge Dante networked audio systems with optical audio devices such as amplifiers, AV receivers, mixers, soundbars, and other SPDIF / TOSLINK-compatible equipment.

The unit receives Dante 2-channel digital audio over a standard IP network and outputs PCM 2-channel optical audio. It supports PCM audio at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, and 96kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit depth.

The DXA-OPT-RX supports Dante Controller software for routing, AES67 compatibility, configurable Dante latency of 1ms, 2ms, or 5ms, PoE power, USB-C power, compact installation, and plug-and-play Dante audio integration.

The DXA-OPT-RX is useful for recording studios, live sound systems, concerts, broadcast environments, art installations, professional AV systems, Dante audio networks, and installations where Dante audio needs to be converted to optical audio output.

IMPORTANT — DXA-OPT-RX Converts Dante Audio to Optical Audio

The DXA-OPT-RX is a Dante audio decoder.

This model is for converting Dante network audio into optical digital audio.

It is not an HDMI video extender, HDMI ARC device, analog audio converter, or HDMI matrix.

IMPORTANT — This Is a Dante Receiver

The DXA-OPT-RX appears in Dante Controller as a Dante receiver.

Use Dante Controller to route audio from a Dante transmitter, Dante encoder, mixer, DSP, computer audio interface, or another Dante-enabled source to the DXA-OPT-RX.

IMPORTANT — Optical Output Is Two-Channel PCM

The DXA-OPT-RX outputs two-channel optical audio.

The connected optical audio device must support the selected PCM sample rate.

For best compatibility, use PCM stereo audio.

IMPORTANT — Dante Controller Is Required for Audio Routing

All audio routing is done through Dante Controller software.

The DXA-OPT-RX does not automatically know which Dante source to receive. The routing must be assigned in Dante Controller.

IMPORTANT — Dante Ultimo 2x2 Platform

The DXA-OPT-RX is built on the Dante Ultimo 2x2 platform.

This provides stable, low-latency Dante audio transport over standard IP networks.

IMPORTANT — Audio Sampling Rate Support

The DXA-OPT-RX supports PCM 2-channel audio from Dante input to optical output.

Supported sample rates include:

Make sure all Dante devices in the route are set to a compatible sample rate.

IMPORTANT — Configurable Dante Latency Is Supported

The DXA-OPT-RX supports configurable Dante device latency.

Latency is configured using Dante Controller.

If you hear audio dropouts or glitches, increase Dante latency to 2ms or 5ms.

IMPORTANT — AES67 Compatibility Is Supported

The DXA-OPT-RX supports AES67 compatibility.

AES67 support helps the unit work with compatible AES67-enabled network audio systems.

IMPORTANT — Network Distance up to 328ft / 100m

The DXA-OPT-RX connects to the Dante network through its RJ45 DANTE port.

Use high-quality network cable and a suitable network switch.

Poor network cable, damaged connectors, weak terminations, or incorrect network settings may cause the device not to appear in Dante Controller, audio dropouts, unstable routing, clock sync issues, or network discovery problems.

IMPORTANT — PoE and USB-C Power Are Supported

The DXA-OPT-RX can be powered through PoE or USB-C.

If the Dante network switch supports PoE, the USB-C power connection is not required for normal power.

If PoE is not available, power the unit using the USB-C POWER port with a 5V/500mA power supply.

IMPORTANT — USB-C Port Supports Power and Firmware Updates

The USB-C POWER port is used for power and firmware updates.

Unlike some other Dante models, the DXA-OPT-RX manual lists the USB-C POWER port for 5V/500mA power input and firmware updates. API command control is not listed for this model.

Ports and Panel Layout

Understanding the LED Indicators

Use these indicators first when troubleshooting power, network connection, Dante activity, or optical audio output.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Connect the DANTE / PoE port on the DXA-OPT-RX to a 1G network switch.
2. If using a PoE switch, confirm the switch supports IEEE 802.3af PoE.
3. If PoE is not available, connect a 5V/500mA USB-C power supply to the POWER port.
4. Connect the OPTICAL output on the DXA-OPT-RX to an optical audio input on an amplifier, AV receiver, mixer, soundbar, speaker system, or compatible audio device.
5. Connect the computer running Dante Controller to the same Dante network.
6. Open Dante Controller.
7. Confirm the DXA-OPT-RX appears as a Dante receiver.
8. Route audio from the desired Dante transmitter to the DXA-OPT-RX.
9. Confirm all Dante devices are set to the same compatible sample rate.
10. Set Dante latency to 1ms, 2ms, or 5ms as required.
11. Confirm the DANTE port LINK LED is steady.
12. Confirm the DANTE port DATA LED blinks during audio transmission.
13. Confirm the OPTICAL LED turns on when audio output is active.
14. Test audio through the connected optical audio device.

Dante Controller Setup Requirement — Critical

Use Dante Controller to route audio to the DXA-OPT-RX.

If the device does not appear in Dante Controller:

• Confirm the DXA-OPT-RX is powered by USB-C or PoE.
• Make sure your computer and the DXA-OPT-RX are on the same network or subnet.
• Check the network switch and Ethernet cable.
• Disable or configure firewall settings that may block Dante discovery.
• Confirm the correct network adapter is selected in Dante Controller.

Optical Audio Setup Requirement — Critical

The optical output must connect to a compatible optical audio input.

If there is no audio from the optical device:

• Confirm audio is routed to the DXA-OPT-RX in Dante Controller.
• Confirm the connected optical device is on the correct optical input.
• Confirm the Dante source and DXA-OPT-RX are set to the same sample rate.
• Check the optical cable.
• Confirm the OPTICAL LED is on.
• Try 48kHz PCM stereo for compatibility.

Network Cable Requirement — Critical

Use high-quality CAT6 / CAT6A / CAT7 cable.

Poor network cable or network setup may cause:

• Device not appearing in Dante Controller
• Dante routing failure
• Audio dropouts
• DATA LED not blinking
• LINK LED not steady
• Clock sync issues
• Discovery issues
• PoE power problems
• Audio not heard from the optical output

Use direct, properly terminated network cable whenever possible.

Power Requirement — Critical

The DXA-OPT-RX can be powered through PoE or USB-C.

If the unit does not power on:

• Check the PoE switch.
• Check the Ethernet cable.
• Check the USB-C power source.
• Confirm the USB-C power supply provides 5V/500mA.
• Try another network port or USB-C cable.

Surge protection is recommended.

Reset Function

The DXA-OPT-RX includes a RESET button.

The manual notes that the RESET button only resets Dante network settings. To perform a full device reset, use Dante Controller software.

Understanding the Application Example

The application diagram shows a Dante Optical Encoder, DXA-OPT-RX Dante Optical Decoder, PoE network switch, Dante Controller computer, Dante amplifier, and optical audio devices.

In the example, Dante audio is routed through the PoE network switch and Dante Controller. The DXA-OPT-RX receives Dante network audio and outputs it through optical SPDIF to an audio amplifier, speakers, or soundbar.

This shows the main use case: Dante audio from the network is converted into optical audio for standard optical audio equipment.

Supported Technical Specifications

Package Contents

What Dante Devices Is the DXA-OPT-RX Compatible With?

The DXA-OPT-RX can receive audio from Dante-enabled devices such as:

• Dante encoders
• Dante transmitters
• Dante mixers
• Dante DSPs
• Dante audio interfaces
• Dante computers / software audio sources
• Dante amplifiers
• ToVi Dante models
• AES67-compatible network audio devices

Routing must be configured in Dante Controller.

What Optical Audio Devices Is the DXA-OPT-RX Compatible With?

The DXA-OPT-RX can connect to optical audio devices such as:

• Audio amplifiers
• AV receivers
• Mixers
• Soundbars
• Optical audio speakers
• DSPs with optical input
• Recording devices with SPDIF / TOSLINK input
• Other PCM-compatible optical audio devices

The connected device must support two-channel PCM optical audio at the selected sample rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the DXA-OPT-RX used for? 
A: It converts Dante 2-channel digital audio into two-channel optical SPDIF / TOSLINK audio.

Q: Is the DXA-OPT-RX a Dante decoder? 
A: Yes. It is a Dante Optical Decoder.

Q: What Dante platform does it use? 
A: It is built on the Dante Ultimo 2x2 platform.

Q: Does it receive Dante audio? 
A: Yes. It receives Dante 2CH digital audio from the network.

Q: What does it output? 
A: It outputs two-channel optical audio through the OPTICAL port.

Q: Does it output analog audio? 
A: Analog audio output is not listed for this model.

Q: Does it have HDMI input or HDMI output? 
A: No. It is an audio-only Dante to optical decoder.

Q: Does it support ARC or eARC? 
A: No. ARC and eARC are not supported on this model.

Q: What optical audio format does it support? 
A: Optical output supports PCM 2CH from 44.1kHz to 96kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit.

Q: Does it support Dolby or DTS audio? 
A: Dolby and DTS formats are not listed. Use PCM 2-channel audio.

Q: What Dante input format is supported? 
A: Dante input supports PCM 2CH from 44.1kHz to 96kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit.

Q: Does it support AES67? 
A: Yes. AES67 compatibility is supported.

Q: How do I route audio to the DXA-OPT-RX? 
A: Use Dante Controller software. The device appears as a Dante receiver, allowing audio channels to be patched from Dante-enabled devices.

Q: Does it need Dante Controller? 
A: Yes. Dante Controller is used for routing and latency configuration.

Q: What Dante latency settings are supported? 
A: 1ms, 2ms, and 5ms configurable Dante latency settings are supported.

Q: What should I do if audio has dropouts or glitches? 
A: Increase Dante latency to 2ms or 5ms, confirm all Dante devices use the same sample rate, check clock sync in Dante Controller, and avoid network congestion by using a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet switch.

Q: What is the audio output delay? 
A: The manual lists audio output delay as less than 1ms.

Q: What network cable should I use? 
A: Use CAT6, CAT6A, or CAT7 cable.

Q: What is the maximum network distance? 
A: Up to 328ft / 100m.

Q: What network bandwidth does it use? 
A: The manual lists network bandwidth as 100Mbps.

Q: Does it support PoE? 
A: Yes. It supports PoE IEEE 802.3af Class 0 through the Dante RJ45 port.

Q: Can it be powered by USB-C? 
A: Yes. It can be powered through USB-C using a 5V/500mA power supply.

Q: Do I need USB-C power if using PoE? 
A: No. If the Dante port is connected to a PoE switch, USB-C power is not required for normal operation.

Q: What is the power consumption? 
A: The manual lists power consumption as 0.64W max.

Q: What does the green LINK LED mean? 
A: It stays steady when the network connection is established successfully.

Q: What does the yellow DATA LED mean? 
A: It blinks during active Dante audio data transmission.

Q: What does the OPTICAL LED mean? 
A: Flashing means the unit is powering up and booting. On means audio output is active.

Q: What should I do if the device does not appear in Dante Controller? 
A: Confirm the device is powered by USB-C or PoE, make sure the computer and device are on the same network or subnet, and disable or configure firewalls that may block network discovery.

Q: What should I do if there is no optical audio output? 
A: Confirm Dante routing, check that the OPTICAL LED is on, confirm the optical receiving device is set to the correct input, verify the sample rate, and test a different optical cable.

Q: What should I do if audio dropouts occur? 
A: Increase Dante latency, confirm the same sample rate across Dante devices, check clock sync, and use a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet switch.

Q: Does the RESET button factory reset everything? 
A: No. The manual states the RESET button only resets Dante network settings. Use Dante Controller software for a full device reset.

Q: Does the USB-C port support firmware updates? 
A: Yes. The USB-C POWER port supports firmware updates.

Q: Does the DXA-OPT-RX need external power? 
A: It can be powered through PoE or through USB-C 5V/500mA.