Hi guys,
Although I don't know much about the 5000 consoles, reading Matt's description of the cables all makes sense. The 5000 was a console with a total different approach, based on plug-in modules and not a full blown channel strip, such as the 4/6/8K series. It seems this approach restricted greatly the realstate options for the 5000. So, if on the 4000 SSL could put the VCA card near the EQ card, now that's not possible since you can opt not to install any EQ at all. With this in mind, it seems, SSL opted to offload all these common stuff which needs a place onto external racks, leaving all the console real-state for the faders and optional modules.
From what I saw on Matt's description, is has all the VCA cards + ultimation logic (352 card equivalent i suspect) and perhaps more stuff specific to the 5000. This is like the "blackbox" which converts what's going on in the console into the S14 and S544 cables. It's quite smart, specially if you know that Ultimation has also the VCA option (motors off) and it heats like a beast! I guess the card that's on the 5000 ultimation faders pertains perhaps only to the motor DC part?
One thing is clear to me, there are more controls than the 4/6/8k ultimation faders, such as the AFL/PFL buttons, Master reset, Status lock, etc... etc... This is the reason the needed to put the CUTS into the S544, simply there was no more realstate. And this must mean, that the I/O cards on the computer, are also different than the I/O cards for ultimation. I would bet on that.
I am sure these must be more things that I am not seeing at this time.
What I think it's crucial to find is if there is a CA bus also on the 5000's ultimation faders. If there is, the S14E doesn't have pins to control LEDs like the VCA consoles. This is all done via the CA bus. In attach you can check what's the pinout of the S14E cable for the 4/6/8k ultimation consoles. You should find a service manual for SL5000 ultimation system.
Cheers,
Artur