Violet Audio US has unveiled the DX16B 16-channel passive audio splitter and the io44 four-channel XLR-to-Ethercon adapter, forming a flexible analog transport and distribution solution. According to AVNetwork, this system allows engineers to move balanced microphone and line-level audio over inexpensive shielded Cat5e or Cat6 cable, significantly reducing installation costs, cable bulk, and setup time.
Designed for live sound, broadcast, installed AV, and recording applications, the new hardware transports professional analog audio without requiring power supplies, digital conversion, or active signal processing. AVNetwork reports that the system utilizes Violet Audio’s Pure Path passive architecture to preserve original microphone signals while simplifying routing between consoles, recording systems, and broadcast feeds.
The DX16B unit accepts microphone inputs and distributes them simultaneously through front and rear-panel XLR connectors, dual DB25 connectors, and four Ethercon ports. Meanwhile, the bidirectional io44 connects four balanced audio channels over a single Cat5e or Cat6 cable via female or male XLR jacks. AVNetwork notes that this approach replaces bulky analog multicore snakes with standard structured cabling, minimizing stage clutter and speeding deployment for both temporary productions and permanent installations while maintaining signal integrity.
For more information, visit avnetwork.com.