DALI Sound Hub Compact

Designed specifically with seamless TV integration and Bluetooth audio in mind, the SOUND HUB COMPACT wireless audio preamplifier combines all the functions and interface facilities needed to play the central role in a complete wireless active Hi-Fi system. It can handle a variety of wired digital and analogue sources, including HDMI ARC, and also pair with Bluetooth audio devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptop and desktop computers to enable entirely wireless audio playback. The SOUND HUB COMPACT can be installed on a table, shelf or furniture unit or be direct wall-mounted using its keyhole slot features.

The system will even automatically switch on when a previously paired Bluetooth device is connected and playback initiated. There’s no complex control app to learn, just automatic input switching and intuitive source based volume control.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT transmits to either OBERON C, CALLISTO C or RUBICON C speakers using a proprietary 30 bit wireless protocol derived from the acclaimed DALI SOUND HUB.

Thanks partly to utilising a relatively un-congested radio band, and partly to the use of a protocol specifically designed for audio data, the SOUND HUB COMPACT and OBERON C wireless connection is highly stable and introduces next to no packet loss. Feed-forward error correction is employed however to eliminate the results of packet loss should it occur. The sub 15 mS input to speaker latency of the system means also that the SOUND HUB COMPACT and OBERON C system can be used in audiovisual systems with no resulting loss of lip-sync.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT wireless connection protocol is a proprietary 30 bit digital stream broadcast over the 5.2 GHz or the 5.8 GHz band. The optimal band option is selected automatically depending on the local radio signal environment. The 30 bit protocol transmits uncompressed I2S audio at 24 bit/96 kHz resolution and utilises the remaining six bits for feed-forward error correction, volume control, speaker identification and for other miscellaneous functional requirements.

The robust nature of the SOUND HUB COMPACT and OBERON C wireless connection means they can be located as much as 10 m apart without risk of connection failure or temporary signal interruptions.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT Optical S/PDIF Input 1 is intended for the connection of CD players or other conventional digital audio sources fitted with a digital optical output. The Optical S/PDIF Input 2 is intended for the connection of TVs fitted with a digital optical output. The auto switch on function of Optical Input 2 is activated by the carrier light in the optical connection, rather than the audio signal, which ensures that the SOUND HUB COMPACT is ready to play TV audio as soon as the TV is switched on.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT Bluetooth input features AAC and aptX HD high performance codecs and enables smartphones, tablets, laptop or desktop computers, or any other Bluetooth audio source easily and quickly to play either locally stored or streamed music. Even Bluetooth equipped TVs can be connected to create a completely wireless TV audio solution.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT analogue line input is intended for the connection of conventional audio sources such as CD players or preamplifiers. Turntables can be connected directly if fitted with a line output, or alternatively, connected via an RIAA phono preamplifier. The analogue input is where audiophile tradition meets the future of wireless active Hi-Fi. The analogue to digital conversion stage following the input generates a high resolution, better than CD, 24 bit/ 96kHz data stream.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT provides a volume controlled, line-level analogue subwoofer output that switches on automatically when a subwoofer connection is detected. The subwoofer output is low-pass filtered at 100Hz to match the frequency characteristics of the main speakers. When a subwoofer is in use, the audio transmitted to the main speakers is high-pass filtered to reduce its energy content below 80Hz and preserve power handling in the main speaker frequency band.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT incorporates a USB-A socket that’s primarily intended for service and diagnostic use. The USB socket can however also be used to charge a mobile device or to power a media streaming device such as an Amazon Echo or Google ChromeCast Audio, the output from which can then be routed to a SOUND HUB COMPACT input and potentially introduce a voice control element to the system.

The SOUND HUB COMPACT includes a wired IR Signal Receiver accessory that enables it to be located out of line-of-sight of its remote control handset. The IR Signal Receiver is optionally connected to a SOUND HUB COMPACT rear panel socket. Connecting the IR Signal Receiver disables the SOUND HUB COMPACT integrated IR receiver.