power LED power button power amplifier 100P contents 0 2 welcome 0 8 key features 0 9 getting started 1 3 signal input and output 1 4 grounding 1 5 connecting loudspeakers 2 2 running in and warming up 2 3 care and maintenance 2 5 technical data 2 8 international standards 220-240V ~ 50-60Hz Fuse: T4A L 250V RIGHT CHANNEL OUTPUT left INPUT right left OUTPUT right LEFT CHANNEL OUTPUT fuse carrier loudspeaker terminals (right) input sockets loudspeaker terminals (left) made in United Kingdom serial number 100 1234567 power amplifier 100P ac supply socket output sockets Specification shown may var y for different countries welcome to a new partnership . . i n h i - p e r fo r m a n c e , h i - f i d e l i t y All TAG companies perpetually strive for, and achieve, excellence and highperformance in every area of their business. These qualities are demonstrated in the fastidious standards that make TAG Heuer Derek Scotland (on the left) ­ Technical Director Peter Stevens ­ Chief Industrial Designer Dr. Zucker ­ Chief Executive TAG McLaren Audio has been created with celebrating a TAG McLaren victor y one aim in mind: to produce the best highfidelity audio and audio-visual systems available. Now the first fruits of that Now, this blend of talent and expertise has been combined with the award-winning experience of Audiolab to create a company with a technical advantage and access to resources second-to-none in the high end audio industry TAG McLaren Audio. Throughout the F3 Series development process, quality, performance and reliability have been paramount, resulting in unparalleled performance, operational excellence and sheer listening pleasure. alliance are ready ­ a unique new range of audio products. watches some of the world's most admired; in the teamwork that makes TAG McLaren's motor racing team one of the most successful in Formula One; and in the advanced electronics technology that makes TAG Electronic Systems the first choice for many Formula One constructors and high-performance car makers. 03 welcome welcome low intermodulation distortion straight line technology Thank you for purchasing the TAG McLaren Audio stereo power amplifier 100P. power amplifier 100P We are convinced it will give you many hours of listening pleasure. The 100P is a very powerful, high-quality, stereo power amplifier with output of outstanding clarity and purity. It complements our PA20R and PA10 preamplifiers in performance and appearance.The 100P is ideal for larger rooms or for high-performance loudspeakers which require a large reserve of power from the amplifier to give their best. 04 The theoretically-ideal amplifier reproduces sound perfectly over an infinite range of frequencies ­ starting from well below the audible range and extending far above the capabilities of human hearing. Although sound outside the human hearing range of approximately 20 to 20,000 Hz cannot be heard, it can significantly distort the quality of music reproduction through an effect that audio engineers call `intermodulation distortion'.This type of distortion moves imperfections that originate outside the hearing range back into the audible frequencies.To minimise this effect,TAG McLaren Audio amplifiers have a frequency response which extends both above and below the range of normal human hearing. To prevent intermodulation distortion, an amplifier must respond to very low frequencies but block any Direct Current (DC).This is traditionally achieved using capacitors, which also block some of the lowfrequency signal. In the 100P, a feedback circuit eliminates DC offset voltage and allows the signal path to be direct coupled without any capacitors.This arrangement, which we at TAG McLaren Audio call `Straight Line Technology', is easy to describe but not easy to realise.The design has taken our expert engineers years to perfect. supersonic high-frequency response In order to reproduce high frequencies, the 100P is constructed using highly-rated, highprecision components.The circuit has been painstakingly designed to avoid any possibility 05 welcome of signals picking up interference and to minimise the effects of intermodulation. sophisticated muting massive power The 100P has a sophisticated muting system, which stops you hearing loud, annoying switching noises and protects the amplifier and loudspeakers. convenient connections A signal output is provided to connect another power amplifier in multi-amplifier systems. It may also be used to tailor the input characteristics for special purposes. The loudspeaker output terminals are duplicated for your convenience in case you wish to bi-wire your loudspeakers. The 100P's power rating of 100 watts is very conservative, as the 100P can typically provide 120 watts into 8 , 180 watts into 4 , and 220 watts into 2 for a short period. Performance of this calibre is essential to drive even the least sensitive loudspeakers without distortion, and has been achieved through the use of a very large power supply (which accounts for the high weight of the 100P) and highlyspecified output circuitry. Separate power supplies for each channel maximises channel separation. The 100P gives you huge power with true hi-performance, hi-fidelity. 06 key features getting started · `Straight Line Technology' feedback paths with direct coupled signal and · · · · High-quality audio components Precision metal-film resistors Epoxy glass circuit board Rated 100 W, typically 120 W into 8 continuous (rated 150 W, typ. 180 W into 4 and rated 190 W, typ. 220 W into 2 for short periods) Duplicated loudspeaker terminals (for bi-wiring or multi-room) Signal output to connect to other power amplifiers or to modify input characteristics Sorbothane® sonic isolation feet, specially designed by TAG McLaren Audio(1) before you start We know you are keen to get your 100P working. This section will have you listening to your favourite music as quickly as possible. If you fold out the front cover of this manual you will locate diagrams which will help you find your way around your 100P(1). Make sure that all the components of your audio system are disconnected from the AC supply whenever you change any connections. loudspeaker terminals · · On the back of your 100P you will find four pairs of loudspeaker terminals, each pair consisting of one red and one black. The terminals on the back of the 100P use BFA(2) sockets. The BFA plug pushes into the middle of the terminal. · 1. 2. 1. For the very best performance we recommend that our units are placed on individual shelves and are not stacked one on top of another Throughout this instruction manual (except in titles), bold print indicates the lettering that you will find on the panels of your 100P In models for countries where the AC supply is 115 V, the terminals accept 4 mm `banana' plugs instead of BFA plugs. 4 mm plugs are not permitted in Europe. Please see page 16 for more details of the terminals 08 09 getting started getting started loudspeaker connection Use high-quality loudspeaker cable terminated in BFA plugs(1) to connect the red terminal of your right loudspeaker to one of the red(2) terminals marked RIGHT CHANNEL OUTPUT on the back of your 100P. Then connect the black terminal of your right loudspeaker to one of the black terminals marked RIGHT CHANNEL OUTPUT on the back of your 100P. Connect the left loudspeaker to a pair of LEFT CHANNEL OUTPUT terminals in the same way. right speaker in out left speaker RIGHT CHANNEL OUTPUT preamplifier connection You will need a preamplifier (such as our PA10 or PA20R) connected to a sound source (such as our CD player CD20R or tuner T20) to feed into your 100P. Use a good-quality, screened phono-phono audio cable to connect the output of your preamplifier to the sockets marked INPUT left and right on the back of your 100P. left INPUT right left OUTPUT right power connection The diagram shows a standard loudspeaker arrangement (3) Check that the power button is out so that power is off when you plug in(1). Using the cable supplied, connect the socket on the back of your 100P to an AC supply outlet. For the best sound quality, we recommend that you do not use multi-plug adaptors. 1. 2. If you prefer to use a cable which does not have BFA plugs, please see page 16 If your loudspeaker terminals are not colour coded ­ red corresponds to positive (+) or signal and black corresponds to negative (­). For each channel the terminals of the same colour are connected together The diagram is for illustrative purposes only. It is not to scale and does not show all connections. See page 14 for more details on connecting loudspeakers 1. The power button is a latching switch. One press will hold it in, the next will release it 3. 10 11 getting started signal input and output switch on Press the power button in. The blue power LED will come on. Wait for about 10 seconds for the muting system to switch off . (1) audio input The INPUT left and right on the back panel of your 100P accepts the output of a high-quality preamplifier (such as our PA10 or PA20R)(1). left INPUT right left OUTPUT right Start playing your sound source. audio output Turn up the volume, sit back and enjoy the music. To simplify multiple power amplifier configurations, additional OUTPUT left and right sockets are provided. These sockets are connected in parallel with the INPUT sockets of the same channel. In addition the OUTPUT sockets provide the facility to modify the input impedance of the 100P by using a phono plug loading module. Please consult your retailer for further information. 1. 1. The output is muted when the power is switched on to allow all the voltages to stabilize. This protects your 100P and your loudspeakers and prevents unpleasant noises from upsetting your listening experience The INPUT can accept a line output from a signal source such as a CD player but, unless the source has a wide-ranging variable output, there will be no volume control and the sound level may be excessive. This could result in damage to your loudspeakers 12 13 grounding connecting loudspeakers The AC mains supply normally operates at either 50 or 60 Hz (depending on which country you are in). Under some circumstances this can cause an audible hum in your loudspeakers. Should you have any problems with hum in your system, please contact your retailer. The connection between your 100P and your loudspeakers is crucial to the sound quality of your entire audio system. Please follow these recommendations to achieve the best results. Your 100P is specified to operate with 8 loudspeakers, but it can be used with 4 loudspeakers. The 100P may also be connected to loudspeakers which have a transient impedance of less than 4 (1). Always switch off your 100P before changing any connections. Always use high-quality loudspeaker cable. avoiding hum To minimise the possibility of mains hum in your system: do not link the ground terminals of separate audio units together. use screened cable for your signal connections and keep the left and right channel cables close together. loudspeaker terminals grounding your system All the units in the TAG McLaren Audio F3 Series range are double insulated and do not require safety ground connections. Your system does not need to be connected to ground (audio engineers call this `floating'). However, if you want to ground your system, please contact your retailer who will be able to assist you. On the back of your 100P you will find four pairs of loudspeaker terminals. For each stereo channel (i.e. right and left), there is one pair of black terminals and one pair of red. This duplication of the terminals allows you to bi-wire the loudspeakers as explained on page 18. RIGHT CHANNEL OUTPUT 1. These ratings are for music signals only. If the 100P is amplifying a continuous sine wave, an 8 load must be used 14 15 connecting loudspeakers connecting loudspeakers connection methods We recommend that you use loudspeaker cables terminated in BFA plugs or spade terminals. These plugs are designed to fit the terminals on the back of the 100P(1). The BFA plug and socket ensures that you cannot touch the high-voltage output conductors. Screw the knob of the terminal all the way in and push the plug into the centre of the knob. If you do not have BFA plugs, you can use `spade' connectors. Unscrew the terminal enough to push the spade into the slot in the side of the terminal, then tighten the terminal by hand. You should not use tools to tighten the terminal; over-tightening will reduce the sound quality. If you choose to use bare wire, there is a hole in the side of the terminal to accommodate it. Make sure that there are no strands of wire sticking out of the terminal. standard connection The simplest way to connect your loudspeakers is to run a single cable (consisting of two wires) to each one. For each stereo ...