Cables & terminations

The typical termination standard between Linn products are:

RCA/Phono

|

XLR |

SPDIF |

Exakt link

RCA/Phono

     Inputs

	Input sensitivity:	Selectable: 1 / 2 / 4 Vrms
	Input impedance:	typically 10 kΩ

     Outputs

	Analogue Output:	2 Vrms
	Output Impedance:	300 Ω
	RCA Output Coupling:	Transformer - Klimax DS/1 onwards and all Klimax DSM
		Direct - all other products

XLR

     Inputs

	Input sensitivity:	Selectable: 2 / 4 / 8 Vrms
	Input impedance:	7.8kΩ
	XLR Coupling:	Direct (some Klimax products have the option of Transformer or Direct)

     Outputs

	Analogue Output:	4 Vrms
	Output Impedance:	300 Ω
	XLR Output Coupling:	Direct - Majik/Akurate/Selekt
		Transformer - Klimax

XLR pin outs

1 - Sheild

2 - HOT (white)

3 - COLD (Blue)

Converting XLR to/from Phono/RCA

SPDIF

The SPDIF Outputs are fixed level, there is NO volume control.

     Inputs

	Input voltage	0.3V (when terminated with 75Ω )
	Input impedance:	75Ω

     Outputs

	Min Input voltage	0.5V rms (when terminated with 75Ω )
	Input impedance:	75Ω

Exakt Cables

ALL FOUR pairs of the cables are used in the Exakt-Link cable. This is NOT an ethernet transport cable but an Exakt transport cable.

These pairs are used to transmit the

• audio data,
• power triggers and a
• master timing control to ensure that the audio from all channels are in perfect sync.
  
  

The Exakt-link has been designed, and tuned, to operate with the CAT-5 cable electrical specifications for signal timings. There have been NO changes to this design for any other CAT, (category), cable standards. (updated 2024)

We recommend using the 100Base-T4 / 568B ethernet cable pairing

Exakt Link uses readily available network cables:

• CAT 5/5e UTP/FTP
• CAT 6/6a UTP/FTP

Note:

• There is no change in the audio performance of the Exakt Link between Cat 5 or Cat 6 Cables.
• Cat-7 and Cat-8 cables may not work reliably with an Exakt system..

• Cat-7 & Cat-8 are designed for much higher data speeds, (with different cable twist rates and incorporating extra shielding).
• Using Cat-7/8 specification cables: (We have performed a lot of testing to confirm this.)

• Will degrade the "master timing control" and reduce audio performance.
• it will have more transport data losses & recovery. (Cat-7 or Cat-8 cable are designed for much higher data rates).
• and the presence of the additional shielding, this will also reduce the usable cable length due to the lower Exakt-link data and "master timing control" attenuation.

Typical Ethernet 100Base-T length restrictions guide:

Patch cable < 30M

Solid core cable < 100M

EXAKT-LINK CANNOT be used with:

• Ethernet Network Routers,
• Ethernet Network Switches,
• Ethernet Isolators,
• Ethernet conditioners,
• HomePlugs/Ethernet-over-Mains devices
• WLAN bridges etc

Exakt-Link can ONLY be a CAT5/6 cable from Exakt socket to Exakt socket

EXAKT LINK terminations

• The cables are paired up using OUT > IN style connections.
  
• Any Linn product with these sockets can be linked together. This means you can link a Klimax DS/2 to a Majik ExaktBox-I and have a fully working Exakt system