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

Configurations

Each Exakt-Link can supply data for multiple full-range speakers. This allows Exakt link products, such as Exakt speakers and the Exaktbox, to be daisy-chained or star wired

Examples of each configuration are shown below.

Note: All Exakt products use the same wiring scheme, this is not limited to Klimax Exakt products.