After news article monday 23. about Linn Exakt, we have received further information from both norwegian dealer Kontrapunkt,  and other information obtained from Linn Forum ant other sources.

LATEST: THis article is updated 25.09., with added information and a video from Youtube.

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Yesterday we had this posting about Linn Exakt, a brand new system that Linn has worked for two or three years to develop. The system builds on the same DS system as they have been for 6 years, and that they were also pioneered the launch of. As time went by Linn became so confident that streaming is the future, they dropped all of its disk-based sources, and only the analog turntables were left over from the ancient time.

Meanwhile, perhaps the most important ingredient in Linn Exakt the use digital crossovers. According to Linn gives several advantages.

- Digital crossover has much higher precision, with less distortion.

- DSP integrated into the system gives the possibility to compensate for deviations in the individual speaker elements.

- Linn also working system for room correction. During the installation of the system by end users is the possibility of acoustic measurement rooms, with subsequent koprreksjoner.

Linn has a very long time had the opportunity to offer active crossovers of their speakers as one of their specialties, and has been an important element for many of their customers. They have produced custom crossovers, which can either be placed in one of Linn's power amplifiers, or in a separate box that Linn has called Tunebox. Active crossover demand the use of separate power amp for each driver. With Exakt becomes the active crossovers thus taken a step further, using digital crossovers.

Before we go to a description of the different variations in Linn Exakt we will present the various links in the chain, which has its ... uh ... Exakt term:

1. 1 Exact DSM (EDSM)
   The first link in the chain is an external box that can most easily be compared to a "classic" DS / DSM. That this is the true signal source. Representatives from Linn has also stated that the understanding of the term "source" in the phrase "the source is in the speaker" must be interpreted as the first element that has more than lossless transmission of signal to the speaker.
   An Exact DSM will be a streamer, coupled with an input selector and analog and digital inputs. The analog signals are A / D converted. By outputs exists neither analog or traditional digital outputs , only network outputs called Exakt Link. The administration of volumecontrol takes place in the Exakt DSM, while the actual damping is performed in the Exact Engine, just before the DA_conversions.
2. Exakt Link.
   So this is the next link in the chain. There is a cable with a proprietary format consisting of the digital saudio signal, alongside among others clock-information and volume information. The physical cable is a standard CAT-5, but it contains an unuque protocol (Exakt Link)
3. Exakt Engine.
   This is the joint recipient of the signal from Exakt Link . An Exakt Engine is an integrated unit with digital crossovers, DSPs and DACs. Exakt Engine can be installed internally in speaker or external Tunebox. The physical volume reduction is happening here in the digital domain, right before the DACs. From Exakt Engine signal is routed directly to dedicated power levels for the respective item / frequency ranges.
4. Exakt Speaker.
   A speaker that has an integrated Exakt Engine - used in the integrated system .
5. Exakt Tunebox.
   A box containing Exakt Engine - used in the external system. An exakt Tunebox can contain up to 6 crossover points, thus beeing able to serve a 3-way stereo speaker system in one box.

Linn has two different implementations of Exakt. It can be integrated in speaker, or be implemented using tunebox.

In the integrated Linn Exakt sitting both digital crossovers, DACs and power levels inside the speaker. The signal goes directly from the remote Exakt DSM (EDSM) to the speaker via Exakt Link . Built-in speaker sitting there saw a Exakt Engine and the necessary number of analog power amplifiers. In this variant will have a speaker power, + an input for Exakt Link .

In the external Linn Exakt signal goes from Exakt DSM via Exakt Link to a Exakt Tunebox , where it meets Exakt Engine . Signal sent analogue to external power amplifiers. This edition has the advantage that it provides greater flexibility, but you lose the elegant (apparently) minimalism that the integrated version provides.

Initially, the state system Klimax is ready for a solution with Exakt. It is already ready an integrated version of Klimax Exakt 350, both new release and upgrade of existing Klimax 350. THe price of a complete Klimax exakt system is set to 50.000 UKP, while the price for the upgrade is set to 25,000 UKP. This price includes a Klimax EDSM , and upgrading the speaker, including a brand new 3k-array specially tailored for the exact system.

Later in the fall it is planned launch a Klimax Exakt Tunebox, which have crossovers for Klimax 350. An interesting feature is that it also has filters for the oldtimers Komri and Keltik. This conveys that even owners of older speakers from Linn can take part in Exakt adventure.

It is not possible to upgrade Klimax DSM (KDSM). This is likely to be due to natural limitations due Klimax its compact aluminum block, which leaves little room for Hardware tweaks. The Klimax DSM that can not be upgraded, you need the same reason do not necessarily mean that the DS / DSM models further down the lane can not be upgraded. But it will still possibly be a substantial hardware upgrade, maybe up to the point where there is no sense in HW-upgrading in stead of replacement.

What about DS / DSM? Many existing users of Linn's DS system asks himself happy about this now being shelved from Linn's side, without further upgrades. This is determined rejection of Linn. And that makes sense - for two reasons. Although Exakt system eventually find their way further down in Linn hierarchy - even for the most affordable levels - this will still be a system of total Linniies. For those who join just for the sake of streaming, are still DS / DSM the product. In addition, we have the factor that streaming section of Exakt DSM is fully compatible with regular DS. Exakt does not bring any news to the UPnP-streaming.

Linn Klimax is a very important launch for Linn. The principle of digital crossovers have as we understand been a masterplan for a long time, and Linn have worked 2-3 years with Exakt before Saturday's launch to the public. It will probably eventually be developed crossovers for all speakers in Linn's catalog (and much of backlist). We have even registered speculation that it will be made filters for other manufacturers. And, strictly speaking, are well threshold to produce active crossovers quite low, when this is more software work?

The largest Norwegian dealer Kontrapunkt is already ready for orders. They also hope to be able to arrange a demo-event during the fall and Audiophile.no hope to have the opportunity to be present. We will not let it pass over in silence ...

This film is from Youtube:

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