Iso-Max CI-RJ2R-T User manual

CI-RJ2R-T Transmitter CI-RJ2R-R Receiver
ISO-MAX® USER GUIDE
Audio Category-Cable Interfaces
Models CI-RJ2R-T and CI-RJ2R-R
Jensen ISO-MAX® Pro series audio interfaces are designed for use in the finest professional and audiophile sound systems.
They use the same industry-benchmark Jensen transformers that are installed in tens of thousands of the world’s best
recording studios, broadcast facilities, and sound reinforcement venues because of their sonic transparency, ultra-wide
bandwidth, and vanishingly low harmonic and phase distortion.
Models CI-RJ2R-T and CI-RJ2R-R are stereo (two channel) transmit and receive units, respectively, that allow transmission of
very high quality analog audio signals over standard “CAT” cables. Transmitter and receiver have an “Expand” connection
that allows two pairs of units and a single cable to support four audio channels. The units are designed for consumer-level
audio signals where the nominal or “reference level” signal is standardized at !10 dBV or 0.316 Vrms and a signal level of +5
dBV (1.75 Vrms) corresponds to 15 dB of “headroom.” Even at this maximum level, distortion (THD) is typically under 0.05%
at 20 Hz and drops to under 0.001% at frequencies over 500 Hz. Frequency response of the pair, linked by 50 feet of
standard CAT-5 cable, is +0/!1 dB from 1 Hz to 20 kHz and has a phase distortion (deviation from linear phase or DLP) under
2 degrees from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Their exceptional sonic transparency, transient response and imaging performance makes
these units worthy of even the finest audiophile sound systems. Both transmitter and receiver are entirely passive and
require no power supply.
FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING PAGES!

General Application Guidelines
Load Impedance Range (input impedance of equipment the receiver drives) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 kÙor more Note 1
Source Impedance Range (output impedance of equipment driving the transmitter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 kÙor less Note 1
Maximum Input Cable (equipment outputs to transmitter inputs) Length. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 feet (3 m) of typical cable Note 2
Maximum Transmitter to Receiver Cable Length, !1 dB @ 20 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 feet (15 m) of typical cable Note 3
!1.3 dB @ 20 kHz.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 feet (30 m) of typical cable
!2 dB @ 20 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 feet (76 m) of typical cable
!3 dB @ 20 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350 feet (107 m) of typical cable
Maximum Output Cable (receiver outputs to equipment inputs) Length .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 feet (1 m) of typical cable Note 2
Notes: 1. Typical performance is with source impedance of 600 Ùand load impedance of 22 kÙ. Source impedances less
than 600 Ùwill substantially reduce the effects of transmitter-to-receiver cable capacitance (cable length).
2. Cable capacitance of 50 pF/ft (160 pF/m)
3. Cable capacitance of 15 pF/ft (50 pF/m), Belden 1583A or equivalent
System Hookup
Cables known as CAT-5, CAT-5e, CAT-6, etc. have become standards for use in Ethernet
and other digital applications. At audio frequencies, differences among the various
category numbers are negligible. The cables consist of four twisted-pairs and are most
commonly terminated with 8-position 8-contact (8P8C) “RJ-45" male connectors. The
cable assembly used must be a standard or “straight-through” type wired according to
TIA/EIA standard T-568A or T-568B. Pin numbering is shown at the right and pair color and audio channel assignments are
shown below:
RJ-45 Pin Wire Color Function
1 green/white Channel 1, Left +
2 green Channel 1, Left !
3 orange/white Channel 4, Right + (via “EXPAND” interconnect of 2 units)
4 blue Channel 3, Left + (via “EXPAND” interconnect of 2 units)
5 blue/white Channel 3, Left !(via “EXPAND” interconnect of 2 units)
6 orange Channel 4, Right !(via “EXPAND” interconnect of 2 units)
7 brown/white Channel 2, Right +
8 brown Channel 2, Right !
Note: Wire colors shown are for TIA/EIA standard T-568A. Standard T-568B simply swaps the green and orange pairs and
has no effect on input to output channel assignments.
CAT cables and RJ-45 connectors are widely-available in either unshielded “UTP” or shielded
“STP” varieties, either of which may be used with these ISO-MAX units. However, we
recommend STP cable and shielded RJ-45 connectors (example at right) for improved immunity
to both RF interference and channel-to-channel crosstalk. Because the STP cables use an overall
shield rather than individual shields per pair, some crosstalk must be expected at high audio
frequencies. Therefore, we also recommended that all channels carry related program content
(such as stereo or four of the 6 channels of “5.1 surround” systems).
For a two-channel system, plug the cables from the signal source into to the transmitter RCA “IN” jacks “L” and “R.” Plug the
CAT cable into the transmitter RJ-45 “OUT” connector. At the destination end, plug the CAT cable into the receiver RJ-45
“IN” connector. Plug the cables to the destination equipment into the receiver RCA “OUT” jacks “L” and “R.”

The EXPAND Connectors:
By using a pair of transmitters and a pair of receivers, and connecting the pairs with a standard “jumper” or “patch” cables
as shown below, the single CAT cable between transmitter and receiver pairs can carry four channels (pair and pin
assignments as shown in the table). The transmitter and receiver connected to the long CAT cable become channels 1 and 2.
The units connected only by their “EXPAND” jumpers become channels 3 and 4.
Grounding
Shields of RCA inputs L and R are internally connected together and to the shield of the CAT output cables in the
transmitter. These “grounds” are capacitively bypassed to the metal enclosure to help control RF interference. In the
receiver, shields of RCA outputs L and R are internally connected together and capacitively bypassed to the metal enclosure.
The CAT input cable shield is separately bypassed to the metal enclosure - again to help control RF interference.
Since the audio inputs and audio outputs are completely electrically isolated at audio frequencies, noise coupling due to
“ground loop” effects are eliminated. However, there are situations where supplemental grounding of either source or
destination equipment may be necessary. This generally happens only when either source or destination equipment (or any
piece in an interconnected equipment group) has no 3rd-prong AC power safety-ground connection. CAUTION: if ANY piece
of equipment in your system uses a 3-to-2 prong “adapter” or other means (such as a clipped-off 3rd prong) to defeat
safety grounding provided by its 3-prong plug and power cord, we STRONGLY urge you to remove it ... this is an
extremely dangerous practice, promoted by the technically naive, that may result in fire, severe shock or electrocution.
In many systems, equipment grounding occurs automatically when it’s mounted in a rack ... provided, of course, that paint
has been scraped away to enable electrical contact between chassis and rack rails. In some cases, added equipment
grounding may be necessary (to prevent excessive common-mode voltage across the CAT interface). An effective and
straightforward way to do this is to have a reputable technician replace the existing 2-prong power cord with a 3-prong
(grounding) one. The green wire of the new cord is connected to the equipment chassis. An alternative is to replace only the
AC plug with a 3-prong version and connect the 3rd (grounding) prong to the equipment chassis with an insulated wire
(stranded #18 or #20 AWG, green, length as required) spiral-wrapped around the existing power cord. Sometimes there is
already a convenient “ground” terminal on the equipment for the purpose. If not, you can attach the wire under an existing
screw somewhere on the equipment’s metal chassis.
In Case of Problems
All Jensen products are proudly made in the United States of America. If you have problems or questions about these
products, contact [email protected] or call us at [phone], Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to
5 PM, Pacific time. For detailed specifications, please see the product data sheets at www.jensen-transformers.com.
ISO-MAX® is a registered trademark of Jensen Transformers, Inc.

ISO-MAX®PRODUCT WARRANTY
For a period of 1 YEAR after purchase, Jensen Transformers, Inc. will, free of charge, repair or replace any part of an ISO-
MAX® product that fails due to defective materials or workmanship. For a period of 20 YEARS after purchase, Jensen
Transformers, Inc. will, free of charge, repair or replace any Jensen OEM transformer or any Jensen transformer contained
in an ISO-MAX® product that fails due to defective materials or workmanship.
Both limited warranties are subject to the following limitations:
1) Defects that are, in the sole judgement of Jensen, the result of accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, mishandling,
misapplication, faulty installation, unauthorized repair, modification, or acts of God will not be covered by this warranty.
2) In the absence of proof of date of purchase, the date of manufacture (as determined from lot numbers of internal parts
and the records of Jensen Transformers, Inc.) shall be used in its place.
3) There are no express warranties except as listed above.
4) JENSEN TRANSFORMERS, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM
THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF THE BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. Duration of implied warranties, if any,
is limited to 12 months. If a problem develops with this product during the warranty period, call or write us before
attempting any repair. We can help you identify specific problems, and possibly solve the problem, before the unit is
returned to us for repair or replacement. In any case, DO NOT RETURN THE UNIT WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION and
instructions from us. Jensen cannot be responsible for damage due to shipping or improper packaging.
Limitations of Liability
The information provided by Jensen about its products has been checked and is believed to be accurate; however, no
responsibility is assumed by Jensen for its use nor for any infringements of patents which may result from its use. No license
is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent right of Jensen Transformers, Inc.
JENSEN PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN LIFE SUPPORT
DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, OR IN ANY APPLICATION WHERE THEIR FAILURE COULD CAUSE INJURY OR
DEATH.
Jensen reserves the right to make changes without further notice to any of its products. Jensen makes no warranty,
representation or guarantee regarding the suitability of any of its products for any particular purpose, nor does Jensen
assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit, and specifically disclaims any and all
liability, including without limitation consequential or incidental damages.
Jensen Transformers, Inc.
9304 Deering Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
United States of America
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.jensen-transformers.com
Version 1.0, 31 Oct 2013