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gain selector knob volume knob input selector knob record selector knob power LED headphone socket power button GAIN VOLUME INPUT RECORD 0dB 3 6 9 12 cd tuner aux tape 1 tape 2 tape 3 tape 1 tape 2 tape 3 aux tuner cd 15 dB contents 0 2 welcome 0 8 key features 1 0 getting started 1 2 selecting an input 1 4 volume control 1 5 gain control 1 7 headphones 1 8 grounding 1 9 outputs 2 1 connecting power amplifiers 2 7 running in and warming up 2 8 care and maintenance 3 0 technical data 3 4 international standards made in United Kingdom serial number mute LED remote control window fuse carrier tape in/out sockets output sockets input sockets 220-240V ~ 50-60Hz Fuse: T1A L 250V out 3 in out TA P E 2 in OUTPUT out 1 in 3 right left left 2 1 3 aux SOURCE tuner cd left left left left right right right right right PA2 1234567 transformer balanced (option) ground transformer balanced (option) ac supply socket XLR output (optional) ground terminal XLR output (optional) 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 Thank you for purchasing the TAG McLaren Audio preamplifier PA20R. exceptional sound quality with an unusually wide and flat frequency response. Furthermore, by painstaking attention to detail,TAG McLaren Audio engineers have ensured that the versatile control facilities do not affect the excellent sound quality. In particular, the `Time Constant Switching' system ensures that the muting period is short even though the frequency response reaches as low as 0.1 Hz. versatile input includes a lock-out function to prevent feedback loops when using a tape recorder. low intermodulation distortion We are convinced it will give you many hours of listening pleasure. and recording selection The PA20R is a high-performance preamplifier which acts as the command centre for your audio system. It has microprocessor-controlled relays with gold-plated contacts for its switching functions and, for added convenience, you can select inputs, adjust the volume or mute the output by remote control.`Straight Line Technology' gives the PA20R 04 The PA20R has six selectable inputs and three outputs for recording. A separate signal path is provided for recording, with its own independent input selector, so you can record one piece of music while listening to another.The microprocessor-controlled relay switching system in the PA20R The theoretically-ideal preamplifier 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 preamplifiers have a frequency response which extends 05 welcome welcome both above and below the range of normal human hearing. straight line technology time constant switching control of volume and gain To prevent intermodulation distortion, a preamplifier 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 PA20R, 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. The PA20R has a sophisticated muting system which protects your hi-fi and prevents annoying, loud switching noises from reaching the output. A preamplifier that responds to low frequencies will `ring' for a long time in response to the sudden voltage changes that happen, for example, when you select a different input. A muting system that simply waited for the switching transients to die down naturally would take far too long to settle.To overcome this problem, the PA20R incorporates a technique developed by TAG McLaren Audio called `Time Constant Switching'. This changes the characteristics of the preamplifier during input switching to reduce the settling time, so that the mute period can be as short as possible. Volume control on the PA20R is via a motorised potentiometer.This gives you the convenience of remote control without the disadvantage of stepped volume changing, as you might find in a digital electronic system. The PA20R also has gain control to allow you to select the right amount of preamplification for your system to keep the volume control near the middle of its range. The gain switching facility is also used to provide the correct volume range for a wide variety of headphones. high-quality circuitry refinement, the power supplies for the right and left stereo channels have separate regulators to prevent any interaction between channels. versatile analogue output Two low-impedance outputs are provided for connection to power amplifiers. As an option, the PA20R can be fitted with an additional transformer-coupled, balanced XLR output for improved resistance to electromagnetic interference and mains frequency hum. The PA20R, at the heart of your system, keeps everything at the highest level of hi-performance, hi-fidelity. The circuits in the PA20R are `nocompromise' designs using high-quality, high-stability components to send a smooth, clean signal to your power amplifier for excellent sound quality. As a further 06 07 key features key features · `Straight Line Technology' feedback paths with direct coupled signal and · Headphone output for a wide range of impedances with automatic muting when headphones are plugged in Sorbothane® sonic isolation feet specially, designed by TAG McLaren Audio(1) · · · High-quality audio components Independent input selection for listening and tape recording Six line level inputs for: cd, tuner, auxiliary, and three tape recorders Digitally-controlled muting system, with `Time Constant Switching', operates automatically and by remote control Motorised volume control and input selector can be operated manually or by remote control Remote control also operates selected TAG McLaren Audio F3 Series CD players Gain selectable in six steps Three stereo outputs for recording Two low-impedance stereo outputs to allow long cable runs An additional transformer-coupled and balanced output, via the fitted XLR connectors, can be supplied as an option · · · · · · · · 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 08 09 getting started getting started We know you are keen to get your PA20R 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 PA20R(1). setting controls Turn the VOLUME right down (all the way anticlockwise). Set the INPUT selector to the input to which you connected your sound source. Set the GAIN to 9 dB. VOLUME before you start Make sure that all the components of your audio system are disconnected from the AC supply whenever you change any connections. INPUT tuner cd aux tape 1 tape 2 switch on Press the power button in. The blue power LED will come on. Wait for a few seconds until the mute LED on the front panel goes out(4). GAIN tape 3 sound source connection You will need a source of audio signals (such as our CD player CD20R or our tuner T20) to feed into your PA20R. Use a goodquality, screened phono-phono audio cable to connect the phono output sockets of your sound source to the appropriate pair of left and right sockets marked SOURCE aux, tuner, cd or TAPE in 1, in 2 or in 3 on the back of your PA20R(2). Start playing your sound source. Turn up the VOLUME, sit back and enjoy the music. 0dB 3 6 9 12 15 dB amplifier connection Use a good-quality, screened phono-phono audio cable to connect the phono sockets marked OUTPUT 1 left and right on the back of your PA20R to the corresponding inputs of your power amplifier. 1. 2. Throughout this instruction manual (except in titles), bold print indicates the lettering that you will find on the panels of your PA20R The inputs for cd, tuner, aux, TAPE 1, TAPE 2 and TAPE 3 are all the same electrically. They are named for your convenience The power button is a latching switch. One press will hold it in, the next will release it The output is muted when the power is switched on to allow all the voltages to stabilize. This protects your amplifier and loudspeakers and prevents unpleasant switching noises from upsetting your listening experience power connection Check that the power button is out so that power is off when you plug in(3). Using the cable supplied, connect the socket on the back of your PA20R to an AC supply outlet. For the best sound quality, we recommend that you do not use multi-plug adaptors. 3. 4. 10 11 selecting an input selecting an input Your PA20R has six line level inputs which can be selected by name(1). The input for listening can be selected independently from the input for recording, so you can listen to one source and record another at the same time. INPUT inputs for recording The signal from the input that you select for recording will be sent to the record output sockets marked TAPE out 1, out 2 and out 3(4). To select your source for recording, turn the RECORD selector until the mark on its side points to the name of the input that you want to record(5). out 3 in out TA P E 2 in out 1 in left left right right RECORD tuner aux tape 1 cd inputs for listening The signal from your chosen input source will be amplified and sent to OUTPUT 1, 2, 3(2) and the headphone socket. To select your source from the front panel, turn the INPUT selector until the mark on its side points to the name of the input that you want to listen to.