DALI SOUND HUB

Sound Hub

DALI Sound Hub is the brain behind the CALLISTO equipment. Stream Hi-Res audio to CALLISTO boxes and automatically switch between multiple sources. Sound Hub provides convenient, quality access to music and other sound content, such as movie audio.

Quick setup: Setting up HiFi equipment can be complicated. However, with CALLISTO you only need to connect the power cable to the speakers, the Sound Hub and press the CONNECT button. Ready! Everything ready to stream from your phone or any music server. 

Touch volume control: The CALLISTO's top touch panel allows you to control the volume with a single touch. The Sound Hub's Bluetooth remote control and volume wheel make it really easy. No matter where you calibrate it from, the volume change is applied to the entire signal chain.

Multiple sources: Sound Hub supports many sources: Bluetooth (AAC & aptX-X HD), analog (RCA&Mini-jack), Coaxial RCA, optical (audio and television), USB output (Google Chromecast Audio) and two modular expansion ports (for, for example, BluOS).

DALI Sound Hub includes an extensive range of analogue and digital inputs linked to an automatic and self-sensing source selection system. Sound Hub automatically activates the appropriate input the moment you start playing music or turn on the TV, so all you need to do is take a seat to enjoy exquisite audio.

The front volume wheel includes an LED display that combines HiFi tradition with convenience. The LED display shows the current audio source as well as the volume level, and also allows you to adjust the intensity of its lighting. All this compatible with the illuminated screen on the top of the Sound Hub that indicates the location of the CALLISTO speakers during the pairing process.

DALI has created a simple configuration mode so that the user only has to worry about adjusting the volume, which can be done in several ways. In the Sound Hub, with the remote control, from the Smartphone or tablet (depending on models) and thanks to the upper touch panel of the CALLISTO speakers.

Wireless audio transmission

The wireless connection between the Sound Hub and the speakers is a very stable digital connection, compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz depending on the location and quality of the connection. The proprietary 30-bit protocol sends an uncompressed I2S audio signal in 24-bit 96 kHz quality, using the leftover bits to control volume, speaker name and other control data. By working with a less saturated band, and with a protocol specifically designed to send an audio signal, the connection is very stable, ensuring that practically no data packets are lost.

The protocol uses anticipatory error correction to eliminate errors from data packet loss that may occur. The high-bandwidth, low-latency protocol functions as the hub of a multi-point connection.  This allows multiple speakers to be connected to the same stereo signal. With a latency of less than 25 ms between the video and audio of a film or television content, it works as audiovisual sound equipment within current acceptable limits.

Sound Hub Inputs

Bluetooth: The Bluetooth integrated into the DALI Sound Hub as standard offers the possibility of sending content from almost any device to the CALLISTO system – including AAC and Apt-X HD qualities. AAC is an improved audio protocol that, although the signal comes from a lossy file, supports a greater amount of audio data when transmitted via Bluetooth. It is the highest quality Bluetooth sending available on Apple devices. Apt-X HD is a renowned audio protocol that achieves sound quality of up to 24bit 48 kHz and higher bandwidth than Apt-X. This allows high-quality playback of not only traditional audio files, but also HD music via Bluetooth in addition to full compatibility with Apt-X.

Optical: Sound Hub includes two optical inputs with individual control – with a clear focus for use with television and audio. The television input is activated when a signal is detected. This activates Sound Hub so that the CALLISTO speakers work when the TV is turned on. The audio input is activated by an audio signal, by analyzing the audio signal, Sound Hub can determine if audio is playing, and if not, it will automatically turn off the system, turning on again when it detects an active sound source. The optical input allows any data rate from 16bit/32kHz to 24bit/192kHz. The signal will be converted to work seamlessly with the 24bit/96kHz wireless audio transfer protocol rate before being sent to the connected speakers.

RCA Coaxial: For a direct digital connection between an audio device and Sound Hub. Like the optical input, it accepts audio with resolutions between 16bit/32kHz and 24bit/192kHz.

Analog (RCA and Mini-jack): The high-quality analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a 24bit/96kHz signal using the master system clock for optimal wireless transmission to CALLISTO speakers. 

DALI Sound Hub outputs

Sub output: LFE type. When a subwoofer is connected, any sound below 100 Hz is sent through this output to an active subwoofer.

Pre-out: Line level RCA - This allows the DALI Sound Hub to be used as a preamplifier for existing equipment, offering the possibility of enjoying the benefits of modular extensions and their auto-sensitive source selection capability. The pre-out can also be used to connect CALLISTO speakers via cable as an alternative to wireless transmission.

USB: The USB A Port offers 5V 1A power to connect devices such as a Google Chromecast Audio or charge the mobile phone while it serves as a source. Also used to update Sound Hub firmware. The integrated USB port is not used to play audio. 

Sound Hub Expansion Ports

One of the DALI Sound Hub's most innovative features is hidden from view. The two modular expansion ports on the rear open the hub to a world of possibilities. Using the standard open-design DALI connector, any audio module can be fully integrated with the Sound Hub system.

Thus, it is possible to seamlessly add extra features to the hub – with streaming, multi-room and even multi-channel expansions, making the Sound Hub future-proof. This includes any type of connected speakers, separating the rapid advance in music transmission technologies from the durability of the technology of solid, much more durable speakers.

DALI Sound Hub specifications

▪  Range: Callisto, OBERON C, Rubicon C

▪  Inputs: 2 x optical (Toslink), coaxial (S/PDIF), RCA (stereo analog), 3.5mm mini-jack, 2 x plug-in modules, Chromecast integrated

▪  Outputs: Stereo line level (RCA), sub output (RCA), USB port 5V/1A)

▪  Wireless inputs: Bluetooth 4.2 (AAC, apt-X, apt-X HD)

▪  Wireless outputs: 24bit/96kHz (no bit loss attenuation)

▪  Maximum digital resolution: 24bit/96kHz

▪  Maximum consumption: 4.5W

▪  Standby consumption: 2.5W

▪  Size: 76 x 300 x 213 mm (H x W x D)

▪  Weight: 1.6 kg

▪  Included Accessories: Quick Setup Guide

▪  Input impedance: 10k Ω

▪  Input sensitivity: 2.3V

▪  Mini-jack input impedance: 10K Ω

▪  Mini-jack input sensitivity: 1.2 V

▪  S/PDIF input impedance: 75 Ω

▪  Maximum line level output voltage: 1.9 V

▪  Maximum sub output voltage: 0.9V

▪  Main input voltage: universal AC adapter

▪  Finish: Black with glass top