SOUND DEVICES A20-Nexus

Sound Devices A20-Nexus (Astral ARX16) — 8-Channel Rack-Mount Digital Wireless Receiver, Expandable to 16 Channels

The A20-Nexus is the flagship rack-mount receiver in the Astral wireless ecosystem — an 8-channel true-diversity digital receiver that expands to 16 channels via software license without adding hardware. Built for studio, live, and high-channel-count cart-based productions, the Nexus delivers SpectraBand wide-range tuning, NexLink long-range remote control, and Dante audio-over-Ethernet integration in a 1RU chassis.

Compatible with A10-TX, A20-TX, and A20-Mini transmitters.

Key Features

• 8 channels of true-diversity reception in a 1RU rack chassis, expandable to 12 or 16 channels via 4-Channel Expansion License (no hardware change required)
• SpectraBand technology: 470-1525 MHz tuning range across nearly 2,600 channels
• Brick-wall SAW filtering for excellent immunity from DTV, IFB, and camera-hop interference
• NexLink long-range remote control: control all paired A20-TX and A20-Mini transmitters directly from the Nexus — record start/stop, gain, frequency, sleep/wake, even at long distance
• AutoAssign frequency scanning with real-time RF spectrum visualization
• 2 ms latency (Standard modulation), 3.9 ms (Long Range)
• Full 10 Hz to 20 kHz audio bandwidth, 100% digital RF
• GainForward Architecture: full mic dynamic range delivered to the mixer
• Integrated antenna distribution with 12 V powering for active antennas (Wisycom ADFA, LFA)
• Dante audio over Ethernet: AES67-compatible, 16 channels in/out
• AES3 digital outputs on rear panel
• Analog outputs for direct connection to mixers
• USB-C / USB-A for transmitter pairing, file transfer, firmware updates
• Sunlight-readable color display with intuitive multi-channel overview
• Expansion licenses: permanent purchase or rental for 8→12 channel and 12→16 channel upgrades (€250-€2,500 range)
• 1RU rack-mount chassis for studio integration

Specifications

• RF tuning: 470-1525 MHz, SpectraBand technology, 25 kHz tuning steps
• Receiver topology: True diversity, 2 RF receivers per channel
• Channels: 8 standard, expandable to 12 or 16 via license
• Modulation: Proprietary digital RF, Standard or Long Range, menu-selectable
• Latency: Standard 2 ms / Long Range 3.9 ms
• Audio frequency response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz
• Audio outputs: AES3 digital, analog, Dante (16 ch I/O over Ethernet, AES67)
• Antenna distribution: Built-in, 12 V bias powering for active antennas
• NexLink remote: Long-range 2.4 GHz control of paired A20 transmitters
• Form factor: 1RU rack-mount
• Display: Sunlight-readable color, multi-channel overview
• Connectivity: USB-C/USB-A, Ethernet (Dante), AES3, analog outs

2-year warranty when registered at sounddevices.com.