Sound Devices A20 Nexus

8-16 Channel True Diversity Receiver with SpectraBand Technology 
 

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. 

Whats in the Box?

2 x A20-Monarch SpectraBand antennas
2 x Articulating arm with clamp and 1⁄4-20 thread mount
2 x 30in/75cm BNC – BNC cable
2 x 2.4GHz SMA Tilting antenna
2 x NexLink side mounting brackets with SMA to SMA cable
 
 

 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 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
• Digital Audio Output
• AES3 balanced connection, 110 ohm output impedance

Powering Sources

• DC Input: dual, redundant
• 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, 10 to 18V in, 2A min
• 10 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)