Wāvtech link6

Features

Overview: The link6 is an active 6-channel line output converter designed for adding aftermarket amplifiers to a factory radio.

Speaker Input: The speaker level inputs are compatible with most factory stereo systems. They will accommodate from 2 to 40 volts RMS per channel (equivalent to 400 watts at 4Ω).

Channel Summing: The link6 has the ability to sum up to three pair of input channels from the factory source unit into one pair of outputs. This is useful when the factory system has multiple, actively crossed-over signals sent from the source unit or amplifier(s). For example, in some vehicles there is an actively crossed-over tweeter, midrange, and woofer all in the front of the vehicle. The link6 lets you take all of those signals and sum them together to get a high-quality, full-range, preamp signal without the use of any additional cables or hardware.

Load Detect Compatible: The speaker level inputs are loaded to simulate the factory system seeing a speaker at each input. If an impedance lower than 180Ω is needed, the optional linkLD can be added to the inputs. (The linkLD adds a 45Ω impedance in parallel to present a 36Ω load.) The "speaker" load can also be removed if needed, resulting in a 20kΩ input impedance.

Auxiliary Input: There is a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack on the unit so you can easily add an iPod, satellite radio, or other secondary source.

Output Level: The 10 volt RMS maximum allows you to adjust output voltage to the top of your amp's input range. Each of the three pair of RCA outputs has its own level adjustment. There is also an output level control for the auxiliary input, so it matches the level of the speaker level inputs.

Clip Indicator: An onboard LED indicates when the output signal is too high and is clipping, making it easy to maximize the output levels without distortion.

Auto Turn-on: The speaker level inputs have a DC-offset circuit, and both the speaker level and aux inputs have a signal sensing circuit. The unit turns on when there's an input signal and turns off when the signal disappears. There is also a +12 volt remote turn-on input and the auto turn-on circuits can be disabled.

Remote: The included multi-function wired remote is designed to be dash mounted, within reach of the driver; the housing can be mounted under the dash, or the housing can be removed and the knob and LED can be custom mounted through the dash or console. The functions of the rotary/push-button knob vary depending on how the two dip switches are set:

• Type 1 (factory setting): volume of channel 5/6 output
• Type 2: volume of channel 5/6 output, aux input level, input select (speaker level or aux)
• Type 3: aux input level, volume of channel 5/6 output
• Type 4: master volume (all outputs), volume of channel 5/6 output, input select (speaker level or aux)

Remote Dimensions:

• Width: 1½" (2⅜" including mounting tabs)
• Height: 1⅛"
• Depth: 1¾" (3" including knob and wire)

Terminal Blocks: The power/ground/remote-in/remote-out terminal and the speaker level inputs are removable Phoenix terminals (Euroblock). The wiring is attached to each block, then the block is plugged into the chassis. The terminal blocks will accommodate wire up to 16-gauge.

Connections:

• Power: removable 4-pin Phoenix terminal
  • Ground: minimum 18-gauge wire recommended
  • +12 volts: minimum 18-gauge wire recommended with a 1-amp fuse (not included)
  • Remote In: unit turns on when +12 volts applied to this terminal
  • Remote Out: +12 volt output when unit is on (used to turn on amp, 500 mA max)
• Speaker Level Inputs: three separate removable 4-pin Phoenix terminals; for channels 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6
• Aux Input: 3.5mm mini-jack
• Line Outputs: RCA jacks for channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
• Remote: RJ-45 jack for included wired remote control

Controls:

• Gain: rotary dials; each pair of channels has an independent gain control, as does the aux input
• Channel 3/4 Input: 3-position switch
  • CH 1/2: copies the signal and gain setting from channels 1 and 2
  • CH 3/4: takes signal directly from the CH 3/4 input
  • CH 1+3/CH 2+4: combines the signals from the channel 1/2 and channel 3/4 inputs
• Channel 5/6 Input:
  • CH 3/4: copies the signal and gain setting from channels 3 and 4
  • CH 5/6: takes signal directly from the CH 5/6 input
  • CH 3+5/CH 4+6: combines the signals from the channel 3/4 and channel 5/6 inputs (and 1/2 if the channel 3/4 input switch is in the same position)
• Channel 1/2 Output: 2-position switch
  • CH 1/2: outputs signal from the CH 1/2 input
  • CH 5/6: outputs the same signal as channels 5 and 6; useful if all channels are summed to create a full range output
• Auto Turn-on: two jumpers on the end of the chassis; DC-offset and audio signal sensing circuits can be independently turned on/off; factory setting for both is on

Hidden Controls: There are several jumper pins inside the link6 chassis, to make adjustments that are not typically necessary:

• Speaker Level Input Sensitivity Range: 2-position jumpers set to 2-20 volts RMS (factory setting) or 4-40 volts RMS (separate jumper for each channel)
• Load: speaker load impedance can be removed from the speaker level inputs; factory setting is 180Ω; if the jumper is removed, the input impedance increases to 20 kΩ (separate jumper for each channel)
• Aux Input: 2-position jumper set to Balanced (factory setting) or Unbalanced

Specifications:

• Frequency response:
  • +0/-1 dB: 10 Hz-80 kHz
  • +0/-3 dB: 5 Hz-100 kHz
• Input Impedance:
  • Speaker input: 180 Ω/20 kΩ
  • Aux input: 20 kΩ
• Speaker Input Sensitivity: 2-40 volts RMS
• Aux Input Sensitivity: 0.5-5 volts RMS
• Output Impedance: 50 Ω
• Maximum Output Voltage: 10 volts RMS
• THD+N: 0.05% (at 10 volts output)
• S/N:
  • Speaker Level Input:
    • 1 volt output: 94 dBA
    • 4 volt output: 106 dBA
    • 10 volt output: 114 dBA
  • Aux Input:
    • 1 volt output: 94 dBA
    • 4 volt output: 106 dBA
    • 10 volt output: 114 dBA
• Current Draw:
  • Operating: 370mA
  • Standby: 2mA
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 6⅞" (8" including cables)
  • Height: 1¼"
  • Depth: 4¾"