H16-AVP
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H16-AVP

$1,995.00

The Nuprime-X H16-AVP is a high-performance HDMI audio decoder featuring AES3 (AES/EBU) digital audio outputs and XLR analog outputs 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.

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Description

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

HDMI Decoding

As part of the Nuprime Fusion-X platform, the H16-AVP 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.

Premium Digital-to-Analog Conversion for Immersive Audio

The H16-AVP combines immersive audio decoding with a carefully designed DAC and analog output stage, bringing fine detail and dynamic expression to movie soundtracks and multichannel music. With Dolby Atmos® support up to 7.1.4 and DTS® decoding, its analog signal path connects immersive playback directly to external power amplifiers and active speakers.

 

At the heart of the DAC section is AKM’s AK4458, a premium 32-bit, eight-channel DAC featuring VELVET SOUND™ architecture. Its low-distortion design and 32-bit digital filtering help preserve subtle musical textures, dialogue detail, and ambient cues—the small sounds that give recordings their sense of space and realism.

Following digital-to-analog conversion, the analog circuitry uses Texas Instruments’ OPA167x series operational amplifiers, developed specifically for audio applications. Their ultra-low distortion and low noise help maintain signal clarity, while rail-to-rail output capability maximizes the available signal swing and headroom, even into relatively low-impedance loads. A typical gain-bandwidth product of 16 MHz and slew rate of 9 V/µs provide ample bandwidth and fast signal response for accurate audio reproduction.

The H16-AVP’s 12 balanced XLR outputs, rated at 4 Vrms, provide connectivity for a complete 7.1.4 system. Balanced connections help reject noise picked up along cable runs, making them well suited to installations with multiple amplifiers or active speakers positioned throughout the room. Together with automatic room calibration and adjustable speaker settings, the DAC and analog output stage form the foundation for detailed, cohesive, and engaging surround sound.

Device Control

  • iOS and Android App
  • Handheld Remote

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

Begin by selecting the language, then locate and connect to the device, and choose the device's input.

Advanced options include mode selection, channel parameters, and speaker layout configuration.

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)
    • 16 channels XLR analog on two DB25 ports (H16 decodes Dolby Atmos up to 7.1.4)
    • 12 channels XLR balanced outputs (4 Vrms ±1 dB)
    • HDMI eARC
  • Distortion (THD) ≤0.0015% ( A-weighted, Pure mode, 1 kHz )
  • Frequency Response 10 Hz–20 kHz ±0.5 dB (Pure mode)
  • S/N Ratio ≥110 dB (A-weighted, 1 kHz/1 Vrms, Pure mode)
  • AoIP: Optional AoIP plugin card
  • 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-AVP HDMI output (labeled eARC) to your display.

By default, the H16-AVP 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-AVP. 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

 

AES59 (DB25) to AES59 (DB25)

AES59 (DB25) to AES3 (XLR)

Trademark & Disclaimers:

NuPrime-X is a trademark of NuPrime Audio.
TASCAM is a registered trademark of TEAC Corporation.
AES59 and AES3 are standards established by the Audio Engineering Society (AES).
All other trademarks, product names, and company names or logos mentioned in this manual are the property of their
respective owners.
Reference to third-party standards (e.g., TASCAM pinout, AES59) is solely for the purpose of indicating technical
compatibility and standard compliance. NuPrime-X products are compatible with these industry standards, and this
manual does not imply any affiliation with, sponsorship, or endorsement by the trademark owners.

Manual & Guides

H16-AVP manual

Everything you need to know about Nuprime-X ecosystem:
An Adaptable Multi-Channel Audio Ecosystem

 

 

Firmware Update

H16 Firmware Update Instruction

Location for firmware version:

Screenshot

Software-Update-Instructions-for-H16-series (applicable to all H16 models).
Format the USB flash drive (drive capacity is 32GB or smaller) in FAT32 format with 4KB allocation unit size.

H16 Firmware Update History

V2.05.1217 (released August 10, 2026)

H16_AOIP_v2_05_1217_20260806.upg

Regardless of your current firmware version, you can upgrade directly to the latest firmware. This firmware specifically addresses the following issues:

1. Corrected the problem of excessively high LFE output, and simultaneously aligned and resolved the inconsistency in the output values ​​of each channel.

2. Corrected and fully aligned with the Dolby Atmos output specifications, significantly improving potential dynamic compression. The sound played through the H16 is now much better!

3. Fixed the issue of automatically decoding 5.1 audio as 7.1.

4. Fixed the issue of automatically decoding additional LFE audio during playback; for example, it will no longer decode 2.1 audio when playing 2.0.

5. H16 with AoIP channels only: Fixed potential noise issues in each channel caused by clocking (Note: Since the H16 is set to Slave by default, please ensure that at least one AoIP device is set to Master).

6. Resolved a problem where the built-in DRC might not detect the signal tone when running in 5.1.x/4.1.x format, causing the measurement to stop.

7. Fixed a problem where DRC data was lost after a reboot.

8. Adjusted the standard sound pressure level used during DRC testing, significantly reducing potential interference from excessively high sound pressure levels during measurement.

Known Bugs and Workarounds — V2.05.1217

  1. Incorrect left-channel distance after room calibrationAfter room calibration is completed and applied, the left-channel distance remains at 0.0 m. This can cause the sound to shift toward one side.
    Workaround: No confirmed workaround. Check the left-channel distance after applying calibration.
  2. Listening mode is not retained after standbyWhen the H16 is turned off and back on while remaining connected to power, it returns to Multi CH instead of restoring the previously selected listening mode.
    Workaround: Reselect your preferred listening mode after turning the H16 on.
  3. Subwoofer occasionally has no sound after restartThe subwoofer (SW) may occasionally stop producing sound after the H16 power restarts.
    Workaround: Select Direct and run Test Tone. Then select Pure and run Test Tone again. This sequence restores subwoofer output in reported cases.
  4. App and front-panel menu show different listening modesChanging the listening mode in the app does not update the H16’s MENU display. For example, the app shows Pure, while MENU still shows Multi CH.
    Workaround: No confirmed workaround for synchronizing the displays. The MENU display may be out of sync after a mode change in the app.

V2.05.0877

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

H16_AOIP_v2_05_0877_20251231.upg

Remaining issues

  1. Two channel audio is mixed into 2.1 channel audio.  H16 is not designed for stereo music sources and there is no plan to fix this.  Users can ignore the subwoofer output when playing two channel music.
  2. If the speaker layout is not set to 5.1 channels, 5.1 audio tracks will be up mixed to 7.1 channels. Users who prefer not to hear the up mixed 7.1 output should set the speaker layout to 5.1 channels.
  3. Switching the Apple Music source from Dolby Atmos to PCM may produce a popping noise during the first two seconds. This occurs because the decoding format changes, which can briefly generate a transient sound. This situation is uncommon and does not cause any harm to the speakers.
  4. Speaker output levels in PURE mode are not properly matched. The subwoofer channel gain is higher than that of the other channels, which are consistent with one another. As a temporary workaround, the level can be adjusted through the DSP settings or by changing the subwoofer gain.

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

  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.  [fixed in V2.05.0877]
  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. [fixed in V2.05.0877]

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.  [fixed in V2.05.0877]
  3. Height channel crossover issue. When adjusting speaker crossover [fixed in V2.05.0877]:
    • 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

 

AoIP Ecosystem

Audio over Internet Protocol (AoIP) is a technology used for transmitting digital audio across standard IP networks, revolutionizing the way audio is distributed in various professional and consumer environments.

Key Benefits

  • High-Resolution, Uncompressed Audio.
  • Flexible, Scalable & Centralized — Expand your system without rewiring and manage everything from one simple interface.
  • Long-Distance, Low-Latency Audio — Transmit audio reliably over standard Ethernet with sub-microsecond sync, using AES67 for smooth interoperability across devices.

Do AoIP Devices Need to Connect to a Router?

No. In most installations, Audio over IP (AoIP) devices do not require a router to operate.

AoIP devices communicate primarily through Ethernet switches. A standard Local Area Network (LAN) consisting of unmanaged or managed switches is typically sufficient to transport audio streams between devices. Most AoIP protocols, including Dante, AES67, Ravenna, and similar systems, are designed to operate on a single Layer 2 Ethernet network, where devices communicate directly using Ethernet frames and MAC addresses.

As long as all AoIP endpoints are connected to the same network segment or VLAN, audio routing, clock synchronization, and stream transport can function without any router present.

What Is the Role of an AoIP Controller, and Is It Needed After Configuration?

An AoIP Controller is primarily a configuration and management tool used to discover devices, create audio subscriptions, monitor network status, and modify routing. In most AoIP systems, the controller does not need to remain connected once the system has been configured.

  • Configuration Storage in Device Memory - When a controller application (such as Dante Controller) is used to route audio from one device to another, the routing information is stored directly in the non-volatile memory of the AoIP endpoints. The devices retain these subscription settings even after power is removed.
  • Direct Device-to-Device Communication - Once configured, AoIP endpoints communicate directly with each other through the Ethernet switch. Audio streams do not pass through the controller computer, nor does the controller act as an intermediary for normal audio transport.
  • Automatic Recovery After Power Cycling - If the entire AoIP system is powered down and restarted, the devices automatically reload their stored configuration and re-establish their previous audio subscriptions. Under normal circumstances, the controller software does not need to be running for the system to resume operation.

Guide-> An Adaptable Multi-Channel Audio Ecosystem

AoIP Controller

Reference table for H16 (firmware version 336) output channel sequence vs speaker layout

 


AoIP Controller

Connecting source and receiver channels in an AoIP system is as simple as a point-and-click operation.

In this use case, an H16-AIP (device ID “a227-341e”) decodes Dolby Atmos® 7.1.4 and distributes it to two MCX-800AD devices equipped with AoIP plugin cards. Device ID “a227-5019” handles channels 1 to 8, while device ID “a227-403e” manages channels 9 to 12.

Default device setting

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