PRODUCTS

avrev.com, USA, February 2006 -

"...the Kisto is an engineering marvel. The upgradeable software takes a complex system and makes it more user-friendly than just about any other pre/pro on the market. I don't know why other products can be confusing in operation, but the Linn engineers did their homework. In conjunction with other Linn products, like the Unidisk 1.1, it doesn't get any easier than this. Put a disc in, push play, adjust the volume and you're off to nirvana, whether it be music or movies. Customizing the Kisto can create an incredible experience by integrating all aspects of your music and movie endeavors, such as lighting, screen operation or pulling the drapes closed. The sound quality of the Kisto is stellar, which is not surprising, since Linn has always excelled at music reproduction at the highest levels. Audiophiles who are reluctant to make the move to integrating their music-only system with a home theater experience might just want to check this out. If you're one of those folks with means who don't care about knobs and superfluous gizmos and want ease of use, a simple interface, high performance and something that is future proof with software upgrades, then this could be the product for you. I now know why Linn charges what they do, and if I had the cash (or a spare kidney to sell on eBay), I would own one."

www.ultimateAVmag.com April 2005 -
Kisto April 2005

"Though designed to be ultraflexible and compatible with the needs of custom installers, Linn's Kisto is more an audiophile product than a typical home theater component. For the videophile with a dedicated home theater room, the Kisto is a simple, elegant, easy-to-use product that does away with all of the unnecessary clutter of knobs, switches, buttons, and lights typical of so much HT hardware. It's the kind of product an audiophile wishing to get into home theater or surround sound will be comfortable with, while offering to the experienced home-theater enthusiast first-class performance and the most important features in a surprisingly compact, simple package. The Kisto is more about maximizing overall picture and sound quality...a sophisticated system controller-processor that sets a high standard for sonic and visual excellence.now I know what to shoot for."

Positive-Feedback.com, USA, Brutus Awards 2004 - December 2004

The Linn Kisto is one of those rare "does it all" components that do massive input/output without compromising sound quality, functionality, or scalability. It can handle video I/O, audio I/O in both stereo and surround modes, and multiple rooms/whole house (via the Linn Knekt system). It's also massively programmable, auto-selects Dolby modes, handles just about any connector currently in favor. Surround sound lovers/home theatre owners (and concert DVD video lovers especially!) who can handle the price tag need to put the Linn Kisto on a very short list when it comes time for auditioning. The intelligence of design and performance of the Kisto is superb. In my experience, the Kisto is unique."

The KISTO System Controller offers a totally comprehensive solution that forms the heart of a high performance home entertainment system.

Offers premium levels of stereo, multi-channel audio and video format processing
A true system controller solution, not just an AV processor or pass-through pre-amplifier
Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro-Logic II, DTS 96:24 ES, MPEG-2, AAC and Dolby Headphone
Programmable LinnGo standby button for commonly used or preferred source configuration
Simple set-up and control
Can be operated via KINIK Pocket PC software

Introduced
2003

Type
Audio Video pre-amplifier and System Controller

Size
(H) 140mm (with feet) x (W) 381mm x (D) 384mm
(H) 5.5 inch (with feet) x (W) 14.94 inch x (D) 15.06 inch
Rack height = 3U

Weight
7.5kg (unpacked)
16.5lb (unpacked)

Function
Quality analogue and digital audio preamplifier
Surround sound decoding
Digital and analogue audio conversion
Video switching

Control Interfaces
Remote IR input
RC5 input and output
Knekt Interface
RCU Interface
2 independent RS232 ports
Ethernet terminal
IR flasher outputs
4 independent +12v trigger outputs
1 PS/2 Keyboard Interface (front panel)
17 button keypad interface
256 x 64 Front Panel VFD Graphical
Monochromatic Display
KINIK Pocket PC software

Digital Audio Inputs
6 x TOSLINK Inputs
6 x SPDIF phono socket Inputs
1 x TOSLINK Input (front panel)

Analogue Audio Inputs
1 pair XLR Balanced Audio Outputs
Knekt Interface Input
10 pairs of phono socket inputs (configurable as surround groups)
1 pair of phono socket Inputs (front panel)

Analogue Video Inputs
12 x Composite / 4 x component configurable phono socket inputs
6 x S-Video Mini-Din socket Inputs
1 x component (plus horizontal & vertical sync) BNC Inputs
2 x Scart Input/Output sockets
1 x Composite phono socket Input (front panel)
1 x S-Video Mini-Din socket Input (front panel)

Analogue Video Outputs
3 x Composite / 1 x component configurable phono socket Watch Outputs
3 x Composite / 1 x component configurable phono socket Record Outputs
1 x S-Video Mini-Din socket Watch Output
1 x S-Video Mini-Din socket Record Output
1 x component (plus horizontal & vertical sync) BNC Outputs

Digital Audio Outputs
2 x TOSLINK Record Outputs (44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96kHz sample rate)
1 x TOSLINK Record Output (front panel) (44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96kHz sample rate)
2 x SPDIF phono socket Record Outputs (44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96kHz sample rate)

Analogue Audio Outputs
7.1 Phono socket outputs
7.1 XLR Balanced Audio Outputs
1 pair of phono socket Record Output
1 pair of phono socket Record / 2 x SUB Output (configurable)
1 x 0.25" / 6mm Stereo Headphone Socket (front panel)

Front Panel Interfaces
1 x TOSLINK Input
1 x TOSLINK Record Output
1 pair of Analogue phono socket Inputs
1 x component phono socket Input
1 x S-Video Mini-Din socket Input
1 x PS/2 Keyboard Interface
1 x 0.25" / 6mm Stereo Headphone Socket

Audio Decoding
PCM Input 96kHz up sample compatible
Dolby Digital EX
Dolby Pro-Logic II
DTS 96:24 ES
MPEG-2
AAC and Dolby Headphone
Limbik Party mode
PCM
Adjustable Lip Sync Delay

Video OSG Formats
Automatic PAL and NTSC signal detection
Automatic Progressive Scan detection

User Interface
Menu driven OSG
Full Colour OSG
Down/up-loadable configurations via RS 232 terminal
Internal Help screens

Power Supply
Switching power supply with auto-|ranging (90v to 240v a.c. 50-60Hz)