DaytonAudio DAX88 User manual

8-SOURCE 8-ZONE
DISTRIBUTED AUDIO
MATRIX AMPLIFIER
Model: DAX88 User Manual

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DAX88 User Manual
Safety...............................................................................................................................3
Overview .........................................................................................................................4
Installation.....................................................................................................................12
MatrioTM - Mobile App Control .....................................................................................30
Wi-Fi Streaming ............................................................................................................35
Factory Reset................................................................................................................38
DAX88 Specifications ..................................................................................................40
RS232 Serial Control....................................................................................................41
Troubleshooting ...........................................................................................................44
For the most up to date version of the DAX88 Manual and additional DAX88 information,
see the following webpage or click the user manual link in the Dayton Audio MatrioTM
Mobile App. - www.daytonaudio.com/topic/DAX88manual
Table of Contents

Safety
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WARNING! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER, NO USER
SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICE TO A DAYTON AUDIO AUTHORIZED DEALER.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• Read and keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings and follow all instructions contained within this manual.
• Do not use this unit near water.
• Clean only with dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has
two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third
grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided
plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the unit.
• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this unit during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the unit has been
damaged in any way, such as when the power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled, or objects have fallen into the unit, the unit has been exposed to rain or moisture, does
not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• Operate the unit only with the voltage specified on the rear. Fire and/or electric shock may result
if a higher voltage is used.
• Do not modify, kink, or cut the power cord. Do not place the power cord in close proximity to
heaters and do not place heavy objects on the power cord and/or the unit itself, doing so may
result in fire or electrical shock.
• Do not touch the speaker terminals as electric shock may result.
• Ensure that the safety ground terminal is connected to a proper ground. Never connect the
ground to a gas pipe, as a severe explosion and/or fire may result.
• Be sure the installation of this product is stable, avoid unlevel surfaces as the product may fall and
cause injury, property damage, electrocution and/or fire.
• Note that when the unit is turned off, it is not completely disconnected from the AC power outlet.
Do not open the cover.
REFER ALL SERVICE TO A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN

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Overview
The DAX88 8-Source 8-Zone Distributed Audio System provides ultimate audio control
for six amplified zones and two line-level zones. Perfect for whole home audio systems
or for business, the DAX88 is a true matrix audio system that delivers an extensive list
of features for professional and residential installations. The DAX88 was designed for
ease of installation by the integrator and simple operation for the end user. The
DAX88 is fully controllable with the iOS and Android compatible Dayton Audio MatrioTM
mobile application and is also controllable with optional wall keypads and IR remote
control. The wide range of analog and digital inputs, as well as the integrated Wi-Fi /
AirPlay streaming option, makes the DAX88 compatible with almost every input
source. The unit will enter standby mode after two hours of inactivity to save on
operational costs.
The DAX88 kit includes the following components:
•1 x DAX88 Master Controller/Amplifier
•1 x Rack Mounting Kit
•1 x Installation Guide/Operation Manual
•6 x Phoenix Connector Plugs for Speaker Connection
The following optional accessories are available and can be purchased separately.
•DAX88KP – Wall Mountable Keypads that will allow control of all basic functions
for each zone, such as volume, source selection, and bass/treble adjustment.
•DAX88HUB – Rack Mountable Keypad Hub to connect all keypads to the DAX88
via a single cable.
•DAX88IR – IR Remote Control for operating DAX88 Keypad functions.

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Overview
Dayton Audio MatrioTM Mobile App
The Dayton Audio MatrioTM app allows for complete control of any and all of the DAX88
units on your network. The Zone Control menu allows for individual control over each zone
of your system. The Group Control menu is an advanced feature that lets you send
commands to many or all zones at once, even zones on separate units. The settings menu
has controls for custom naming your inputs, zones, and even the device name itself.
For more detailed information about Dayton Audio MatrioTM for DAX88 mobile control, see
the dedicated MatrioTM section of this guide and also download the free app from the iOS
or Android app store. The app can be fully explored in demo mode without a DAX88 unit.

Overview
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DAX88 Front Panel
32 41
1. Zone Signal LED – If the input that is assigned to the corresponding zone has audio
playing, the LED will be BLUE. The LED will be OFF if the input is not currently playing
audio, or if the wrong input is selected for the zone.
2. Zone Status LED – Displays RED if the current zone is off. Displays BLUE if the zone
is toggled on with the MatrioTM mobile app or a corresponding keypad.
3. Power LED – Indicates the power status of the DAX88. The LED displays RED if the
DAX88 is connected to power and the power switch is ON, otherwise the LED is OFF.
4. Power ON/OFF – Toggles the DAX88 ON and OFF.

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Overview
DAX88 Rear Panel
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12
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1
1. Voltage Selection – The unit is set at the factory for 115V operation. For 230V
operation, move the voltage selector switch to the 230V position. When operating at
230V the internal fuse located in the IEC socket should also be changed. In most
230V applications a separate power cord will be required and is not included.
2. AC Input – The unit comes with an IEC jack that permits removal of the AC power
cord. This allows the flexibility of changing the power cord for different countries. The
IEC socket also houses the main fuse holder. Plug the power cord supplied with the
amplifier into the amplifier and wall outlet or appropriate surge protector.
3. Mode Switch: Bridge / Stereo - By changing this switch to bridge mode, the left
and right channel for a zone will be combined into a single mono channel to thereby
increasing the total power output for that zone. This is helpful when extra power is
needed in certain areas. The minimum impedance for bridged channels is 8 ohms.
Also, please observe the proper speaker wiring when bridging channels.
4. Speaker Output Connections – Zones 1 - 6 on the DAX88 are stereo, powered
speaker outputs for directly powering speakers. The DAX88 uses Phoenix Type
Connectors (5 mm pitch) for the speaker connections. The minimum impedance for
stereo channels is 4 ohms.

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Overview
DAX88 Rear Panel
5. Zone 7 & 8 Preamp Outputs – Zone 7 and 8 on the DAX88 are Preamp outputs and
represented on the back of the DAX88 as stereo RCA jacks. These zones are useful if
you wish to add MatrioTM and / or keypad control to an external amplifier.
6. 12VDC Trigger Outputs - Useful for automation systems, each zone has a
corresponding 12V trigger that will output 12V when the zone is on, and 0V when the
zone is off. This can be used to trigger other equipment like video screens and window
blinds in the zone to turn on or off automatically along with the zone.
7. Stereo RCA Inputs – Inputs 1 - 5 have stereo RCA jacks for connecting any analog
input source like TV’s, DVD players, CD Players, etc.
8. Stereo 3.5mm Inputs – Every input has a stereo 3.5mm jack for connecting analog
input sources like computers, iPads, mobile phones and Bluetooth receivers.
9. 12VDC Trigger Inputs –Applying 12V to the Mute Trigger will mute all zones, and will
unmute all zones if if the signal is removed. Applying 12V to the Power On Trigger will
turn on all zones. The zones will remain on if the 12V signal is removed.
10.Channels 5 & 6 Digital Optical TOSLINK Inputs – The TOSLINK inputs are useful to
attach input devices to the DAX88 that are able to output a digital signal through optical
TOSLINK, such as a TV or digital audio receiver.
11.Serial Port for RS232 Control and Device Updates – This port allows RS232
commands to be sent to and from the DAX88, which can be useful for automation
systems. This port can also be used to upgrade the firmware on the DAX88. See page
41 for a list of control commands and command structure..
12.Wi-Fi Antenna – Allows the DAX88 to connect to your network through a wireless
connection. Wi-Fi connection should only be used if a hardwired ethernet connection is
not possible and if only a single DAX88 is to be installed on the network. If multiple
DAX88 units are to be installed on a single network, you must use a hardwired
connection to your network for each DAX88.
13.Keypads Connection – This RJ45 jack allows the DAX88HUB Keypad Hub to be
connected to the DAX88 via a standard ethernet patch cable.
14.Network LAN Connection – This RJ45 jack allows the DAX88 to be connected to your
network via a standard ethernet patch cable.

Overview
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DAX88HUB- Keypad Hub (Optional)
The DAX88HUB Keypad Hub allows up to eight keypads, one per zone, to be hooked
up to your DAX88. The keypad hub connects to the DAX88 unit through a single
ethernet patch cable.
RJ45 OUTPUT CONNECTION
for connection to DAX88
8 RJ45 INPUTS
for connection of individual wired keypads

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Mute
Source toggle
Treble up/down
Bass up/down
Volume up/down
Balance left/right
Zone power on/o
Overview
DAX88IR–IR RemoteforKeypads(Optional)
The DAX88IR Infrared Remote Control provides complete zone control through the
built-in IR receiver on the DAX88 keypads. All keypad functions can be accessed
using the DAX88IR. In addition to the keypad functions, the DAX88IR has a mute
button to temporarily mute audio in the corresponding zone. Once the mute function is
activated, the keypad's LED display will flash, indicating the mute status is active. To
deactivate mute, press the mute button again on the DAX88IR Remote, or disable
mute with the MatrioTM mobile app.
Infrared IR emitter

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Overview
DAX88KP –Keypad (Optional)
The DAX88KP Keypad is designed for ease of use, providing always accessible
control over the corresponding DAX88 zone. Soft-touch backlit buttons and a backlit
LED display provide convenient control of the zone with the following options; ON/
OFF, source 1 - 8 selection, volume, treble adjustment, and bass adjustment. The
built-in IR target or an external IR target connected to the EXT-IR terminals on the
rear of the keypad can relay commands to the DAX88 main unit by using a DAX88IR
IR Remote. Each DAX88KP will control only one zone at a time. The zone number is
assigned with configurable with dip switches on the back of the keypad.
Five LEDs on the keypad face indicate the operational function of the keypad. The EXT
LED indicates that the system is receiving a trigger command from an external IR target.
Numeric LED display
Ext/Mute/PA selection LED
Volume up/down LED
Source selection LED
Infrared (IR) target
Source select 1 - 8
descending
Down, volume, treble,
bass, un-mute
Treble up/down LED
Bass up/down LED
Up, volume, treble, bass, un-mute
Source select 1 - 8 ascending
Power ON/OFF & mode select
Press and hold for zone on/off, press
to toggle through volume, source,
treble and bass adjustment mode.
Use the select button with the volume
up/down buttons to adjust volume levels,
treble and bass levels
The select button emits a soft glow
when the zone is powered off

Installation – DAX88
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Install the DAX88 in a well-ventilated location; do not block the vents on the sides or top
of the chassis, proper ventilation is required for normal operation. Do not expose the
unit to excessive dust, do not allow dust to build up on the unit, and do block the vent
holes in the chassis. Do not place the DAX88 above or below heat-generating
components such as another audio amplifier. Be sure to leave at least two inches of
space to the sides of the chassis with open air flow above and below the unit. Due to
the weight of the unit, use four post racks at a minimum when installing into a standard
A/V equipment rack.
Overview
1. The DAX88 and DAX88HUB Keypad Hub can be mounted in a standard 19” A/V
equipment rack using the included rack mount kit.
2. When possible, test that all of your speakers and input devices are working properly
before attaching them to your DAX88.
3. Plan on installing your DAX88 in a location where you will have wired network access.
This means you can install the DAX88 near a network switch, or plan to run a Cat6
network wire from your router to the network port of your DAX88. Although it is possible
to configure the DAX88 to the network using Wi-Fi, it is not recommended. More details
about network configuration are found in the sections below.
a. Ensure that you have a robust and stable wireless network before installing your
DAX88. Control of the DAX88 through the MatrioTM mobile app will not work
properly without a working and reliable wireless network.
b. Plan to have a secure wireless network that only trusted devices will be on. With
the MatrioTM app, any user on the same network as the DAX88 will be able to
make changes to the system.
4. Always disconnect AC power before making connections to the DAX88.
5. Use high quality 12 or 14 AWG stranded copper speaker wire for all speaker connections.
6. The DAX88 uses an optional keypad hub to connect all of your optional keypads to the
DAX88. We recommend Cat5e (or better) cabling to connect your keypad to the keypad
hub, and also to connect the keypad hub to the DAX88. Since RJ45 connectors are
used for all keypad connections, buying ethernet patch cables pre-terminated with RJ45
connectors might be desirable, if you do not want to terminate the wires yourself.
7. Following installation of your DAX88 unit, speakers, inputs and other accessories, the
power switch on the front of your DAX88 device will need to be switched to the ‘ON’
position before it can be used. Make sure that the voltage switch is set correctly on the
back of the unit according to your country’s electrical voltage before turning it on.
Plugging the amplifier into 230V power while the voltage switch is set to 115V mode
WILL damage the device.
8. It is highly recommended to label all of your wires during the installation process, which will
make it much easier to fully setup your device in the MatrioTM app following installation.

Installation – DAX88
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Installing Multiple DAX88 Units
Due to the intelligent design of the app that controls the DAX88, Dayton Audio MatrioTM,
there is no limit to the amount of DAX88 devices that can be used on a single network.
The app will seamlessly add any DAX88 units it can find on the network with no
additional setup. The Group Control mode of the app can even control multiple zones
from different DAX88 units at the same time. To use multiple DAX88 units, simply
connect each of your units to the same network and the MatrioTM app will handle the
rest. If you are installing multiple units onto your network, it is important to hardwire all
units to your network with ethernet patch cables instead of Wi-Fi. Do not connect any of
your DAX88 units to your network with Wi-Fi if you are using more than one DAX88 on a
single network. More information about network connectivity can be found in the network
section of this guide.

Installation – Speakers
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Speakers
•Use good quality 12 or 14 AWG stranded copper speaker wire. Most jurisdictions
require the use of CL2 rated in-wall speaker wire, refer to your local building code
enforcement office for the proper cable type for your installation.
•If speaker wires must be run parallel to AC wires, try keep the speaker wires and
AC wires at least 10 inches apart in order to avoid hum or interference. If you
must cross AC wires, always cross at a 90-degree angle.
•The DAX88 amplifiers are capable of driving 4 - 8 ohm speaker loads in STEREO
mode, and 8 ohm loads in BRIDGE mode.
•When possible, ensure that your speakers are working properly before attaching
them to the DAX88.
•Improper speaker installation can damage the amplifiers and void the warranty. If
you are unsure how to connect speakers to the DAX88, contact a qualified
technician.
oNever connect more than two 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel to a single
amplifier channel in STEREO mode.
oNever connect more than one 8 ohm speaker to a single channel in
BRIDGE mode.
oNever connect the Left & Right channels of the amplifier together or
combine the (–) negative channels of the amplifier.
•Remove the terminal block connector and make sure that all contacts are open by
turning each set screw counter clockwise. This helps ensure that the speaker wire
will not fray when inserted into the terminal. After inserting the speaker wire into
the terminal, turn each set screw clockwise until tightly connected.
oPay special attention to the polarity (+ and -) so the speakers are wired
correctly in phase. If your left and right channel are connected ‘out of
phase’, sound will still come out of both speakers, but in most cases, the
interaction between the two speakers will cause unwanted cancellations of
your audio, especially in the bass region. (Now is a good time to double
check your connections to make sure the you do not have frayed speaker
strands that will cause a short at the connector).

Installation – Speakers
Page | 15
Connecting speakers to the DAX88 in STEREO MODE
Set the amplifier mode switch to STEREO. Remove approximately five inches from the
speaker cable jacket, strip 1/4" of insulation from the speaker wire, and twist the copper
strands. Insert the speaker wires into the connector per the label below the output
terminals and tighten the set screws. Repeat for the remaining zones.
Right
4 - 8 ohm speakers
Left
Set the MODE switch to STEREO

Installation – Speakers
Page | 16
Connecting speakers to the DAX88 in BRIDGE MODE
In BRIDGE mode the amplifier LEFT and RIGHT outputs are combined into a more
powerful MONO output, thus doubling the output power into 8 ohms (minimum speaker
load in bridge mode is 8 ohms. Remove approximately five inches from the speaker
cable jacket, strip 1/4" of insulation from the speaker wire, and twist the copper strands.
Insert the speaker wires into the connector per the label below the output terminals and
tighten the set screws. Repeat for the remaining zones. It is permissible to mix STEREO
and BRIDGED mode zone outputs on one DAX88. For example, Zone 1 – 4 could be in
BRIDGED mode, while Zone 6 – 7 are in STEREO mode.
-+
8 ohm speaker
MONO
Set the MODE switch to BRIDGE

Installation – Speakers
Page | 17
Using DAX88 PreampOutputs
Zone 7 and 8 of the DAX88 are Preamp Zones and are represented on the unit as
stereo RCA jacks for each zone. These Preamp Zones can be used for connecting
external amplifiers, or could even be used to add a powered subwoofer to the location
of another zone. These Preamp outputs could also be used to feed an audio signal into
another DAX88 unit.
The DAX88 can be used as the master controller in large commercial audio systems
with constant voltage 25/70V amplifiers connected to these Preamp outputs. The
Preamp output levels are variable and are controlled from the MatrioTM app, DAX88
keypad or even RS232 from an automation system. For best performance, the Preamp
output cables should be less than 25 feet long and be high-quality, shielded cables.
Set the MODE switch to STEREO
4 ~ 8 ohm speakers 70 volt speakers
Powered subwoofer

Installation – Audio Sources
Page | 18
The DAX88 provides eight source inputs that can be accessed by any zone.
SATELLITEIN S-VIDEO OUT VIDEO OUT AUDIO OUT HDMI SATA
POWER
PHONE LINEETHERNET
DIGIT
UDIO OUT
AL
A
COAX
(OPTICAL)
RCA
Digital
optical
3.5mm stereo
RCA
CD, DVD or music player
IR emitter
•Inputs 1 - 4 are stereo, unbalanced, line-level source inputs via RCA style female
connectors or a female 3.5mm jack. If both inputs are present, the audio from each
will mix together.
•Inputs 5 - 6 have options for TOSLINK (optical) input, or analog audio input through
a 3.5mm jack.
oIf using TOSLINK, make sure to use “PCM-Stereo” or Auto Detect setting on
your source device. Your device should be set to auto detect by default and
work properly, but if not, you can usually find these settings in settings ->
Audio -> S/PDIF or something similar. Refer to the user manual of your
source device. You will know if your settings are correct or not, because if
they are incorrect, the sound will be digital noise rather than proper audio.
Keep the volume of any zones set to this input very low until you have verified
the audio is correct and not digital noise.
oThe 3.5mm jack will take priority over the TOSLINK input, meaning that if
anything is plugged into the 3.5mm jack, the TOSLINK input will be disabled.
These inputs will NOT mix.
•Input 7 is a 3.5mm jack for analog, stereo audio.
•Input 8 is Wi-Fi streaming, and is represented on the back of the DAX88 with a
wireless antenna. More information about wireless streaming can be found in the
“Wi-Fi Streaming” section of this guide.

Installation – Audio Sources
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How to Wire Inputs to Multiple Devices
If you have multiple DAX88 units and want to use the same input on both of them you
have two options.
1) The preferred option is to split your input source and route it to both devices. There
are many devices and cables available from your Dayton Audio retailer that will split an
analog or TOSLINK signal so you can connect it to multiple DAX88 devices. You will
need to name both inputs the exact same name within the MatrioTM app for each DAX88
unit to ensure that group control input switching works correctly. See the diagram below,
which is an example using a CD player as an input connected to DAX88_1 and
DAX88_2 using an aux splitter (male 3.5mm to dual female 3.5mm).
2) Because Zone 7 and 8 are Preamp outputs on the DAX88, these zones could be
used to route an audio signal into your second DAX88. For example, if you are
streaming music using the Wi-Fi input of your first DAX88, set either zone 7 or 8 of your
first DAX88 to input 8 (Wi-Fi), and then connect zone 7 or 8 to one of the inputs on your
second DAX88. This will effectively share the input between your device. (Note that you
will need to have zone 7 or 8 switched on for this to work.)

Installation – Keypads
Page | 20
In addition to control with the MatrioTM app, each DAX88 zone can be controlled with keypads
that can be mounted into a standard single-gang wall plate. Up to eight keypads (one per zone)
can be installed to the DAX88 with the help of the DAX88HUB keypad hub. Keypads offer
convenient control for volume, source input, bass adjustment and treble adjustment. The
keypads also feature an IR sensor that can be used with the DAX88IR Remote Control.
1) Use high quality Cat5e (or better) cable between the DAX88, DAX88HUB, and
DAX88KP keypads. Proper installation techniques will guarantee that the keypads will work
properly up to 600 feet from the DAX88. The use of RJ45 (typical ethernet) connectors on
the keypads and keypad hub means that pre-terminated cables can be easily sourced, and
the equipment to terminate the cabling yourself can be easily found, if necessary. The
typical keypad installation will utilize a DAX88HUB Keypad Hub attached to the DAX88,
and up to eight keypads attached to the HUB.
2) If you are crimping your own RJ45 jacks, the ‘B’ configuration should be used. This is the
‘standard’ configuration, and is how a typical ethernet patch cable you would buy from a
retailer is wired.
3) A standard IR target can be attached to the back of the keypad to the green
port with labels +5V, GND, and Data. This can be useful if you want to be able
to point the remote a different direction than where the keypad is.
DAX88
DAX88HUB – Keypad Hub
DAX88KP – Keypad