Linear Encore! Multi-Room Audio Distribution System (ENC-KIT-M) — Installation & Setup

Installation & setup manual for the Linear Encore! Multi-Room Audio Distribution System (Model ENC-KIT-M). This expandable system distributes four analog or digital audio sources over Cat-5 cable to four independent speaker zones, expandable to 32 zones with additional hub kits.

Safety Warnings

• WARNING: to prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this device to rain, water, or wet locations.
• This unit should only be connected to a 110-120 VAC power source as marked on the unit.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug.
• Do not push objects into the unit through cabinet slots, and never spill liquid on the unit.
• Do not use power-line operated units near water (bathtub, sink, wet basement, pool, etc.).
• Do not situate the unit where it will block ventilation (e.g., on a bed, sofa, or rug, or in a built-in installation).
• The 120 VAC line to the structured wiring enclosure junction box must be run by a licensed electrician.
• Do not install keypads in saunas — they will not withstand the extreme heat and moisture.

General Wiring Cautions

• Do not use excessive force on punch-down terminals — if using an impact-type 110 punch-down tool, set the force adjustment to LOW before terminating Cat-5 cables.
• Individual Cat-5 cable runs from the hub to any keypad or source input wall plate should not exceed 500 feet.
• Label all cables for identification at the hub.
• Do not splice cables — splices are unreliable and defeat the signal isolation properties of the cable.
• Do not staple cables — staples cause shorts.
• Do not run 120 VAC electrical wires inside keypad or source input wall plate junction boxes.
• Keep cables at least 18 inches from fluorescent light fixtures, dimmer controls, and other wiring/control cables (to avoid hum or buzzing).
• Keep all cables away from heating/AC ducts, metal construction plates, and sharp edges that can damage cables.

System Components

• ENC-HUB (System Hub): pure digital audio with no signal loss; four speaker zones, expandable to 32; Cat-5 wiring; mounts in structured wiring enclosure or on H275 bracket; four high-power terminals for long keypad runs.
• ENC-PS (Power Supply): 120 VAC input, 26 VDC @ 8 Amp output; connector cable for hub; green power indicator.
• ENC-DRS (Keypad): controls speaker zone volume, tone, balance, and loudness; integrated Class D digital amplifier; built-in IR receiver for remote control of source components; blue LED backlit buttons; white keypad bezel and faceplate.
• ENC-SIWP (Source Input Wall Plate): stereo analog audio inputs; coaxial digital and SPDIF optical digital audio inputs; high-quality analog-to-digital converter; IR emitter output.
• ENC-LIWP (Local Input Wall Plate): coaxial digital and SPDIF optical digital audio inputs; two stereo analog audio inputs; high-quality analog-to-digital converter; IR emitter output.
• ENC-REM (Basic Remote Control): miniature size; selects audio source; adjusts volume with mute; remotely controls system power.
• ENC-LRM (Learning Remote Control): learns codes from other remotes to control source components remotely; selects source; adjusts volume with mute; programmable macros with up to 19 steps each.
• Faceplate Kits (4-pack): available in white (ENC-DRSFW4), black (ENC-DRSFB4), almond (ENC-DRSFA4), and screwless versions (ENC-DRSFA-SL-4 almond, ENC-DRSFB-SL-4 black), for changing keypad color or replacing damaged faceplates.
• 2171-4 (Single-Head IR Emitter, 4-pack): repeats IR signals from keypads to source components; ten-foot cord with mini plug; adhesive back.

Installation Overview

Full illustrated wiring diagrams are in the downloadable PDF. High-level sequence:

1. Hub and Power Supply Setup: mount the hub and power supply on the grid in a structured wiring enclosure, or on a universal H275 mounting bracket. Have a licensed electrician install a J-box and outlet for AC power near the mounting location. Insert the hub and power supply into grid mounting holes and secure with the snap-lock retainer; connect the power supply's DC output cable to the hub's POWER connector. Do not connect the power supply to the AC line until installation is complete.
2. Zone Pairing (optional): allows simultaneous control of two or more speaker zones from any keypad in the pair (e.g. for large rooms with multiple keypads/speakers). Controlled via SETUP switch positions 5-8 on the hub — set the switch to ON for any zone to be paired.
3. Expansion Hub Setup: up to seven additional hubs can be added for a maximum of 32 speaker zones. Expansion hubs share the same four source inputs as the first hub and each control their own four speaker zones. Interconnect hubs using Cat-5 cable from the HUBNET OUT connector on one hub to the HUBNET IN connector on the next, and interconnect the four SOURCE INPUT/OUTPUT Type 110 punch-down connectors between hubs. Set a unique Hub Number (1-8) on each hub using SETUP switch positions 1-3.
4. Source Input Wall Plate Setup: each of up to four audio input sources connects to a source input wall plate (ENC-SIWP), which supports analog stereo, coaxial digital, or optical digital audio (selected via the input selector switch on the plate). Internal gain switches can add +4dB, +8dB, or +10dB of gain to low-level signals (see gain table below). Route Cat-5 cable from the hub's SOURCE INPUT punch-down connectors to each wall plate location; connect an IR emitter to each wall plate and affix it near the source component's IR sensor.
5. Keypad Setup: install a J-box 56"-60" above the floor (never in the same box as high-voltage devices like light switches or outlets). Route Cat-5 cable from the hub to the keypad; for runs over 150 feet or where maximum amplifier output is needed, also route 16-gauge 2-conductor wire from one of the hub's HI POWER output terminals. Connect the keypad's Cat-5 to a KEYPAD ZONE terminal on the hub and to the keypad's J1 (HUB) terminal — observe polarity. Connect one pair of 4, 6, or 8-ohm stereo speakers to each keypad's left/right speaker terminals, observing polarity.
6. Local Input Wall Plate Setup (optional): connects directly to the keypad via Cat-5 cable for a local audio source (iPod, MP3 player, game box) at that zone. Analog Input #1 (top two RCA jacks) has an override feature that takes priority over other inputs when a signal is present.
7. Final Connections and Testing: connect each audio source component's output to its source input wall plate (analog, coax, or optical); attach an IR emitter to each source component near its IR sensor. Apply power to the hub(s) and verify the POWER indicator is lit. At each keypad, press POWER, cycle through SOURCE to verify indicators change, listen for audio from each source, and adjust volume to verify sound quality.

Keypad Power & Wiring Length

Wall Plate Gain Switch Settings

The clipping indicator lights if the signal level is too high.

Specifications

Warranty

Warranted against defects in material and workmanship for twenty-four (24) months. This warranty extends only to wholesale customers who buy direct from Linear or through Linear's normal distribution channels — Linear does not warrant this product to consumers (consult your selling dealer regarding their own warranty). All returns for warranty service require a Return Product Authorization Number (RPA#) — contact Linear Technical Service at 1-800-421-1587.

Manufacturer / Support

Linear LLC — USA & Canada: (800) 421-1587 & (800) 392-0123 — (760) 438-7000 — Toll Free FAX (800) 468-1340 — www.linearcorp.com