H16-AES
H16-AES - Image 2
H16-AES - Image 3

H16-AES

$799.00

The Nuprime-X H16-AES is a high-performance HDMI audio decoder featuring AES3 (AES/EBU) digital audio output for integration with professional audio systems. It supports immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®, along with full eARC HDMI and 4K HDR video pass-through. The unit also includes automatic room calibration for optimized playback in diverse acoustic environments.

Note: The H16-AES can be traded-in to HX16 models with higher specifications and features by paying the price difference when available.

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Description

The Nuprime-X H16-AES is a high-performance Digital AV Home Theater Processor featuring AES3 (AES/EBU) digital audio output for integration with professional audio systems.

HDMI Decoding

As part of the Nuprime Fusion-X platform, the H16-AES connects seamlessly with other Nuprime AES-compatible products, creating a cohesive, scalable audio system.

I2S to AES Interface Board

Key Features:


Audio

  • Converts HDMI audio to AES3 (AES/EBU).
  • Supports Dolby Atmos® (up to 7.1.4) and Dolby True HD® and all downward Dolby® audio formats.
  • Supports DTS:X®, DTS-HD Master Audio®, and all compatible HD audio formats.
  • Supports MPEG-H with playback MPEG-H Authoring Suite (MAS) or VLC player on macOS or Windows PC with HDMI output.
  • Supports HDMI eARC.
  • Integrated automatic room acoustic calibration with built-in testing and compensation for room EQ, channel loudness, and speaker distances. Features one-touch operation for full auto correction while also allowing manual adjustments.
  • Ensures low-latency and high-fidelity audio transmission.

Video

  • HDMI 2.0 with 4 inputs and 1 output, supporting HDCP 2.2.
  • Supports 3D and 4K HD video transmission.
  • HDR formats: Supports Dolby Vision®, HDR10, and HLG for enhanced color and contrast.
  • HDMI CEC support for seamless device control.
  • HDMI video output mode management for optimized display performance.

Device Control

  • iOS and Android App
  • Handheld Remote

The H16 app is available on both iOS and Android as the “NuPrime-X AV” app.

SPECS

Specifications:

  • Output Audio Format: Fixed to 24bit/48kHz
  • Input Audio Format:
    • PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz
    • Dolby TrueHD supports up to 24-bit/192kHz
    • DTS-HD Master Audio supports up to 24-bit/192kHz
    • Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos support 24-bit/192kHz
  • Inputs: 4 x HDMI, HDMI eARC
  • Outputs:
    • 16 channels AES3 on two DB25 ports (H16 decodes Dolby Atmos up to 7.1.4)
    • HDMI eARC
  • 12V Trigger Out.
  • Power Supply: External AC adapter to DC 12V/2.5A
  • Product Dimension & weight: Height 55 mm x Width 235 mm x Depth 281 mm; 3kg
  • Package Dimension & weight: Height 80 mm x Width 390 mm x Depth 360 mm; 4kg

Home Theater Onscreen Guide

Connect the H16-AES HDMI output (labeled eARC) to your display.

By default, the H16-AES is set to Pure mode (audio is decoded and pass through to AoIP with no DSP processing). Switching to other modes applies sound processing effects, which can alter the audio quality of the AES channels.

Go to Speaker setup.

Select Speaker layout

Choose the speaker layout that matches your HDMI source.

Return to the Setup menu and select Auto Room Test with the microphone connected to the H16-AES. Place the microphone at your primary listening position. For the best Dolby Atmos experience, ensure your main listening spot is centered between the front left and front right speakers, ideally near the center of the room. For detailed guidance, refer to the Dolby setup guide online.

Perform manual adjustment to fine tune the speakers parameter after the auto room test.

H16 Modes

Pure

  • Plays the audio signal exactly as received, with all DSP, EQ, bass management, crossovers, and tone controls disabled.
  • Only essential processing (like volume control) remains.
  • Often used for audiophile listening or testing.

Direct

  • Similar to Pure, but may still allow basic processing such as:
  • Bass management (subwoofer output)
  • Speaker distance/delay
  • Level trims
  • Still keeps most DSP enhancements off.

Stereo

  • Converts the incoming signal into 2-channel left/right output.
  • Subwoofer may be used depending on the speaker settings.
  • Ideal for music listening with standard 2-speaker setups.

Multi CH (Multichannel)

  • Plays the audio in its native format across all available channels.
  • Example: 5.1 → plays as 5.1, 7.1 → plays as 7.1
  • No upmixing to additional speakers unless necessary.
  • Multi CH mode uses full DSP features such as bass management and speaker calibration, while Pure mode bypasses all processing and sends the signals untouched to AES or AoIP outputs.

Dolby Upmix (Dolby Surround)

  • Upmixes any input (2-channel or multichannel) to your full speaker layout.
  • Creates height and surround effects using Dolby processing.
  • Best when you want immersive audio from non-Atmos sources.

DTS Neural:X

  • DTS’s version of an immersive upmixer.
  • Expands stereo or multichannel audio to the full speaker array.
  • Often preferred for its more spacious and natural surround field.

Note: Starting from firmware V2.05.0734, the Speaker Layout menu only shows up to 7.1.4 channels. Beyond 7.1.4 (7.1.6 and 9.1.4) the channels are not supported.

 

New Features added since firmware V2.05.0734.

Existing customers with firmware earlier than  V2.05.0734, follow the Firmware Update guide on the product page.

Speaker Crossover

What Is a Crossover? A Simple Explanation.

When you set a crossover (frequency cutoff), you’re telling your amplifier:
• Send sounds below a certain Hz to the subwoofer (Subwoofer).
• Send sounds above that Hz to the speakers (L/R, center, surround, etc.).

Common Recommendations
• 80 Hz is the standard THX setting and works for most speakers.
• Small speakers often use a crossover of 100–120 Hz.

Crossover Settings

  • L/R Crossover
    • Crossover point for the front left and right speakers.
    • Adjustment range: Bypass, 40 Hz–180 Hz
  • Center (C) Crossover
    • Crossover setting for the center speaker.
    • Adjustment range: Bypass, 40 Hz–180 Hz
  • Surround (SUR) Crossover
    • Crossover point for the surround speakers.
    • Adjustment range: Bypass, 40 Hz–180 Hz
  • Top (Height / Atmos) Crossover
    • Crossover point for the height / Atmos speakers.
    • Adjustment range: Bypass, 40 Hz–180 Hz
  • Subwoofer High-Pass (SW HighPass)
    • High-pass filter for the subwoofer.
    • Adjustment range: Not in use, 20 Hz–50 Hz
  • Subwoofer Low-Pass (SW LowPass)
    • Low-pass filter (LPF) for the subwoofer.
    • Adjustment range: 40 Hz–250 Hz
  • Back Crossover
    • Crossover setting for the rear/back surround speakers
    • Adjustment range: Bypass, 40 Hz–250 Hz

Filter Slope

What Is Filter Slope?

The filter slope describes how quickly a crossover reduces (or increases) the signal level beyond the crossover point. It’s usually expressed in dB per octave (dB/Oct), such as:

  • 12 dB/Oct (gentler slope)
  • 18 dB/Oct
  • 24 dB/Oct (steeper slope)

Why Adjust the Filter Slope?

The slope affects how smoothly different speakers blend, as well as low-frequency directionality and tonal consistency.

Gentler Slope — 12 dB/Oct

  • More natural blending between speakers
  • Better tolerance of room acoustics
  • Well-suited for larger floor-standing speakers

Steeper Slope — 24 dB/Oct

  • Clearer separation between speaker roles
  • Works well for small speakers
  • Reduces frequency overlap between multiple speakers (helps avoid boomy bass)
  • Produces cleaner and more precise subwoofer performance

L/R Slope (Left/Right Channel Slope) - Adjustment range: 12 / 24 dB

C Slope (Center Channel Slope) - Adjustment range: 12 / 24 dB

SUR Slope (Surround Channel Slope) - Adjustment range: 12 / 24 dB

TOP Slope (Height/Atmos Channel Slope) - Adjustment range: 12 / 24 dB

SW Filter Slope (Subwoofer Filter Slope) - Adjustment range: 12 / 24 dB

Back Slope (Rear/Back Channel Slope) - Adjustment range: 6 / 12 / 24 dB

 

 

AES Outputs Guide

AES Outputs Speaker Layout

Reference table for output channel sequence vs speaker layout

 

Connecting To Nuprime-X 8 Channels Device’s AES Inputs

You don’t need to understand how AES works if your goal is simply to connect the H16-AES to the NuPrime-X MCX-800AD or Fusion 8D in a full home theater setup. Just use a DB25 male-to-male cable as shown below.

Connecting to Device with Two Channels AES Inputs

The 16 AES3 channels are output via two DB25 connectors following the Tascam pinout format, which is a standardized wiring scheme commonly used for multichannel digital or analog audio transmission.

AES59

AES59 defines the pin-out and wiring standard for AES3 digital audio signals when transmitted over DB25 (D-sub) connectors. It ensures that multi-channel AES3 connections (typically 8 channels in and 8 channels out) are interoperable between different manufacturers’ equipment — such as audio interfaces, consoles, and recorders.

  • Connector type: DB25 (25-pin D-sub)
  • Standardized mapping: Matches the TASCAM analog DB25 pinout, but carries digital AES3 signals instead of analog audio.
  • Purpose: Provides a consistent way to connect multiple AES3 channels through a single cable.

AES - Each DB25 port carries 8 channels (4 stereo pairs), so two DB25 connectors provide up to 16 channels of AES3 digital audio

Manual & Download

H16-AES manual

An adaptable multi-channel audio ecosystem that is modular, flexible, and scalable.

Use cases featuring AES and XLR connections: Fusion-X-Use-Cases-AES-XLR-A4

Use cases featuring AoIP connections: Fusion-X-Use-Cases-AoIP-A4

 

Firmware Update

H16 Firmware Update Instruction

Location for firmware version:

Screenshot

Software Update Instructions for H16 (applicable to all H16 models).
Note: Format the USB flash drive in FAT32 format.

H16 Firmware Update History

V2.05.0877 (latest)

All previous bugs are fixed. Contact support@nuprimeaudio.com for new bugs.

H16_AOIP_v2_05_0877_20251231.upg

V2.05.0734

All H16 series should have this firmware version or higher. Download the ZIP file and unzip it to get the firmware file.

H16_AOIP_v2_05_0734_20251118.upg

Firmware 734 has resolved some of the issues from 336:

  1. Crosstalk issues
  2. Loss of signal without decoding while music is playing normally
  3. When Apple TV is connected to the TV’s HDMI input, and the TV’s eARC returns audio to the H16-AIP with all four HDMI inputs left empty, noise occurs in the audio output from H16’s AoIP or AES
  4. Added low-frequency roll-off and low-frequency management functions
  5. LFE gain no longer attenuates (attenuation problem fixed).
  6. Removed the extra 7.1.6 and 9.1.4 speaker layouts and leave only 7.1.4

Remaining high priority issues (for next update)

  1. Pure Mode output error - the following sources all output two-channel audio incorrectly mixed with LFE (displayed as 2.1 channels): Mac mini, PC, Apple TV 4K, Shield, Bluetooth (BT) playback. Pure Mode should not perform any rendering or generate LFE.
  2. H16 fails to retain settings after power-off - After the H16 is powered off and restarted, user settings are lost and revert to default.
  3. All 5.1 audio tracks are incorrectly decoded as 7.  Regardless of format, all 5.1 audio tracks (PCM 5.1, DD+ 5.1, DTS-HD MA 5.1) are automatically up mixed to 7.1.  When Speaker Layout is set to 7.X.X, the system always up mixes to 7.1.  If the layout is set to 5.X.X, this issue does not occur.
  4. “No Signal” popup appears after long playback of DD+ Atmos.  When playing a film using a Blu-ray player or the H16 with DD+ Atmos audio: After playing for some time, a “No Signal” message appears (usually mid-movie). Video and audio continue playing normally in the background

Lower priority issues:

  1. Apple Music (Dolby Atmos → PCM) causes a pop noise in the first 2 seconds
  2. Occasional pop noise when switching songs over Bluetooth
  3. Height channel crossover issue. When adjusting speaker crossover:
    • If the height channel is changed from Bypass to any crossover value, it cannot be switched back to Bypass
    • Only a full H16 reset restores Bypass

V2.05.0648

Download the ZIP file and unzip it to get the firmware file.

H16_AOIP_v2_05_0648_20250930.upg

  • This firmware reduces the following 3 problems:
    • Incorrect LFE level
    • Intermittent problems - ticking noise, playback stops/restarts after repeat fast forward or rewind
    • These problems have been reduced but not completely fixed.  We are expecting another firmware update in November, 2025.
  • H16-AIP - update not necessary as the improvement is only partial, wait for next firmware update.
  • H16-AES shipped with firmware prior to v2_05_648. No update is needed.

If you update H16 series with firmware V2.05.0648 or higher , your channel outputs will follow this sequence:

Reference table for output channel sequence vs speaker layout

 

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