DXA-LINE-RX Overview and Use Cases

What Is the DXA-LINE-RX?

The OREI DXA-LINE-RX is a 2-channel Dante® Line Decoder that receives Dante® digital audio from an IP network and converts it into balanced or unbalanced analog line-level audio output. It is the companion decoder device to the DXA-LINE-TX Dante® Line Encoder, and is designed for professional AV and Dante® audio deployments where Dante® network audio needs to be delivered to analog audio equipment.

The DXA-LINE-RX supports 24-bit audio at sampling rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 96 kHz, with selectable audio delay options of 1 ms, 2 ms, or 5 ms for precise system timing. A 5-level output gain adjustment (+18dBu, +4dBu, 0dBu, 0dBV, and −10dBV) allows seamless integration with a wide range of professional and consumer audio devices. The unit can be powered via USB-C or PoE (IEEE 802.3af Class 0).

IMPORTANT — DXA-LINE-RX Is a Decoder Only (Dante® In, Analog Out)

The DXA-LINE-RX receives Dante® network audio and converts it to analog audio output. It is an output/decoder device only — it does not accept analog audio inputs.

Common use cases include:

• Delivering Dante® network audio to analog amplifiers, audio receivers, or powered speakers
• Feeding audio from a Dante® network into a mixing console or analog audio processor
• Receiving distributed Dante® audio at a remote location and converting it to a local analog output
• Connecting Dante®-enabled audio systems to consumer or legacy analog audio equipment

If you need to convert analog audio sources into Dante® network audio, use the companion DXA-LINE-TX Dante® Line Encoder instead.

IMPORTANT — Audio Outputs Use a Phoenix Connector, Not XLR or TRS

The DXA-LINE-RX uses a 6-pin 3.5mm phoenix (terminal block) connector for its two analog audio output channels. It does not have XLR or TRS jack outputs.

The included 6-pin phoenix connector (male) is used to wire your audio destinations directly. Both balanced and unbalanced connections are supported:

• Balanced: Wire the positive (+), negative (−), and ground (shield) for each channel following the XLR pinout convention
• Unbalanced: Wire the positive (+) and ground (−) for each channel; leave the negative (−) pin unconnected or tied to ground

IMPORTANT — Audio Routing and Latency Settings Require Dante® Controller

All Dante® audio routing and configurable latency settings (1 ms, 2 ms, or 5 ms) are managed through the free Dante® Controller software. The DXA-LINE-RX will appear in Dante® Controller as a Dante® receiver, and audio channels from any Dante®-enabled transmitter on the same network can be routed to it.

Note: The RESET button on the device only reboots the unit. A full factory reset must be performed through Dante® Controller software.

Ports and Panel Layout

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Connect a CAT6, CAT6A, or CAT7 Ethernet cable from the DANTE (PoE) port on the DXA-LINE-RX to a network switch on your Dante® network.
2. Power the device via the USB-C port using a 5V/500mA USB power adapter, or use a PoE-capable network switch to supply power through the Ethernet cable. Either power method can be used independently.
3. Confirm the green LINK LED on the DANTE (PoE) port is lit, indicating a successful network connection.
4. Wire your analog audio destination device(s) to the included 6-pin phoenix connector. For Channel 1, connect the positive (+) and negative (−) signal wires and ground to the CH1 pins. Repeat for Channel 2. Refer to the wiring configuration diagram in the user manual for balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) wiring layouts.
5. Insert the wired phoenix connector into the CH 1 / CH 2 LINE port on the right end panel of the DXA-LINE-RX.
6. Using the CH 1 and CH 2 gain knobs on the top panel, select the appropriate output gain level for your audio destination device (1. +18dBu, 2. +4dBu, 3. 0dBu, 4. 0dBV, 5. −10dBV).
7. Open Dante® Controller on a computer connected to the same network. The DXA-LINE-RX will appear as a Dante® receiver device.
8. In Dante® Controller, route the desired Dante® transmitter channels (such as a DXA-LINE-TX encoder or other Dante® source) to the DXA-LINE-RX receiver channels.
9. Optionally, configure the audio latency setting (1 ms, 2 ms, or 5 ms) in Dante® Controller to suit your system timing requirements.
10. Verify audio is playing through your connected analog device and that the yellow DATA LED on the DANTE (PoE) port blinks during active audio data transmission.

Understanding Output Gain Settings

The DXA-LINE-RX has two independent gain knobs — one for each channel — that allow you to match the output level of the device to the input requirements of your connected analog audio equipment. Selecting the correct gain level prevents clipping at the destination and ensures optimal audio quality.

The five gain levels correspond to the following output signal levels:

• 1. +18dBu — Maximum output level for professional balanced audio destinations
• 2. +4dBu — Standard professional line level (balanced)
• 3. 0dBu — Lower professional line level
• 4. 0dBV — Consumer line level (unbalanced)
• 5. −10dBV — Low-level consumer line level (unbalanced, e.g., RCA devices)

If your connected device produces distortion or clipping, try a lower-numbered (lower gain) setting. If the output signal is too quiet, try a higher-numbered setting is not appropriate here — instead move to a lower number (higher gain level).

Cable Requirement — Important

For reliable Dante® network audio performance, use CAT6, CAT6A, or CAT7 Ethernet cables up to 328 ft (100m). A dedicated Gigabit Ethernet switch is recommended to avoid network congestion. Ensure all Dante® devices on the network are set to the same sample rate to prevent audio dropouts or sync issues.

What Audio Devices Is the DXA-LINE-RX Compatible With?

The DXA-LINE-RX is compatible with any analog line-level audio destination device that accepts balanced or unbalanced connections. This includes:

• Audio amplifiers and receivers with balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA line inputs
• Powered speakers and monitor speakers with line-level inputs
• Mixing consoles and audio mixers accepting line-level inputs
• Recording interfaces and audio processors with line-level analog inputs
• Consumer audio equipment with RCA or unbalanced line inputs

On the Dante® network side, the DXA-LINE-RX is compatible with any Dante®-enabled transmitter device, including the companion DXA-LINE-TX encoder, Dante®-enabled mixers, media players, amplifiers, and other ToVi Dante® products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI DXA-LINE-RX used for?

A: The DXA-LINE-RX is a 2-channel Dante® Line Decoder that receives Dante® network audio and converts it to balanced or unbalanced analog line-level audio output, allowing Dante® audio to be delivered to analog amplifiers, speakers, mixers, or other audio equipment.

Q: Can the DXA-LINE-RX accept analog audio inputs?

A: No. The DXA-LINE-RX is a decoder only — it receives Dante® digital audio from the network and outputs analog audio. To convert analog audio into Dante® network audio, use the companion DXA-LINE-TX Dante® Line Encoder.

Q: What type of connector is used for the analog audio outputs?

A: The DXA-LINE-RX uses a 6-pin 3.5mm phoenix (terminal block) connector for its two analog output channels. The connector is included in the box. Both balanced and unbalanced wiring configurations are supported.

Q: How do I adjust the output gain?

A: Use the CH 1 and CH 2 gain knobs on the top panel to select from five output levels: +18dBu, +4dBu, 0dBu, 0dBV, or −10dBV. Choose the level that best matches the input requirements of your connected analog audio device.

Q: How do I route Dante® audio to the DXA-LINE-RX?

A: All audio routing is done through the free Dante® Controller software. The DXA-LINE-RX will appear as a Dante® receiver, and you can route channels from any Dante®-enabled transmitter on the same network to it.

Q: How do I change the audio latency?

A: Audio latency (1 ms, 2 ms, or 5 ms) is configured in Dante® Controller software. Lower latency is ideal for live sound applications; higher latency can improve network stability in larger installations.

Q: The device does not appear in Dante® Controller — what should I check?

A: Confirm the device is powered (via USB-C or PoE) and the green LINK LED is lit. Make sure your computer and the DXA-LINE-RX are on the same network subnet. Also check that any firewall on your computer is not blocking Dante® Controller's network discovery.

Q: I am experiencing audio dropouts or unstable playback — what should I do?

A: Try increasing the Dante® latency to 2 ms or 5 ms in Dante® Controller. Make sure all Dante® devices on the network are set to the same sample rate. You can also press the RESET button to reboot the unit, or perform a full reset through Dante® Controller software. Using a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet switch can also help reduce network congestion.

Q: I hear noise or interference in the audio output — what can I do?

A: Switch to a balanced connection if you are currently using an unbalanced connection, as balanced wiring rejects common-mode noise. Ensure all audio equipment is properly grounded, and keep audio cables physically separated from power cables to reduce interference.

Q: What does the RESET button do?

A: The RESET button reboots the DXA-LINE-RX unit. It does not perform a factory reset. To restore the device to factory default settings, use the reset function within Dante® Controller software.

Q: Can I use the DXA-LINE-RX with the DXA-LINE-TX?

A: Yes. The DXA-LINE-TX and DXA-LINE-RX are companion devices designed to work together. The DXA-LINE-TX encodes analog audio into Dante® for network transmission, and the DXA-LINE-RX decodes that Dante® audio back into analog output at the receiving end.