power LED input selector button filter selector button status indicators power button input riaa/iec in 1 mc x 30 in 2 mc x 10 filter riaa mm mono riaa /iec mc/mm mode direct mute contents 0 2 welcome 0 8 key features 1 0 getting started 1 2 inputs 1 4 selecting the cartridge type 1 7 muting 1 8 filter and mono settings 2 1 grounding 2 3 outputs 2 5 special input loading 2 8 running in and warming up 2 9 interference 3 0 care and maintenance 3 2 technical data 3 6 international standards ac supply socket made in United Kingdom serial number cartridge selector button mode selector button fuse carrier output sockets XLR output (optional) output level button phono input sockets 220-240V ~ 50-60Hz Fuse: T1A L 250V OUTPUT 1 2 right 3 left right 4 left level 0 dB left left signal 2 load PHONO signal 1 load left right -20 dB transformer balanced (option) transformer balanced (option) transformer balanced (option) transformer balanced (option) right right PPA 1234567 ground ground terminals 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 celebrating a TAG McLaren victor y TAG McLaren Audio has been created with 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. 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. Throughout the F3 Series development process, quality, performance and reliability have been paramount, resulting in unparalleled performance, operational excellence and sheer listening pleasure. 03 welcome welcome RIAA / IEC frequency response Thank you for purchasing the TAG McLaren Audio phono preamplifier PPA20. The frequency response of the PPA20 meets the RIAA specification, and a switchable lowfrequency (`rumble') filter is included which meets the IEC specification. An additional switchable bandpass filter allows you to remove noise at both low and high frequencies and a facility is also provided to select mono reproduction. low intermodulation distortion 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 both above and below the range of normal human hearing. straight line technology We are convinced it will give you many hours of listening pleasure. The PPA20 is dedicated to those who want to get the very best out of their vinyl records. It can accept the output of two turntables and includes the capability to fine tune the signals of both independently.The PPA20 also has switchable filters to enhance your enjoyment of older records which may be damaged or were recorded using non-standard equalisation. 04 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 affect the quality of music reproduction through 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 low-frequency signal. In the PPA20, a feedback circuit eliminates DC offset voltage and allows the signal path to be direct coupled without any capacitors. 05 welcome welcome 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. time constant switching 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. versatile input loading high-quality circuitry The circuits in the PPA20 are `nocompromise' designs using high-quality, high-stability components to send a smooth, clean signal to your amplifier for excellent sound quality. The PPA20 unveils, without any compromise, all of the music information in your record collection. The PPA20 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 PPA20 incorporates a technique developed by TAG McLaren 06 The inputs of the PPA20 have the correct loading for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. Each input includes special load terminals which allow you to tailor the input to match any cartridge which may need special, non-standard, loading characteristics. Gain control is also provided so that you can select the right amount of amplification for your cartridge. Loading and gain settings for each input are retained in the memory of the PPA20. 07 key features key features · `Straight Line Technology' down to 0.1 Hz to give low-frequency response · An additional transformer-coupled and balanced output, via the fitted XLR connectors, can be supplied as an option Precision metal-film resistors Sorbothane® sonic isolation feet, specially designed by TAG McLaren Audio(1) · · · Dual mono design with independent left and right grounds Precision RIAA equalisation Independent inputs for two turntables with independent ground connections Settings for two different types of cartridge Three gain settings Input, gain and cartridge-type settings retained in memory Automatic muting with `Time Constant Switching' Controls for: input selection, cartridge type, low-frequency (IEC) filter, bandpass filter and mono Dedicated sockets for special cartridge loading Two low-impedance analogue stereo outputs to allow long cable runs Switchable 20 dB output attenuator · · · · · · · · · · 08 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 09 getting started getting started We know you are keen to get your PPA20 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 PPA20(1). power connection Check that the power button is out so that power is off when you plug in(4). Using the cable supplied, connect the socket on the back of your PPA20 to an AC supply outlet. For the best sound quality, we recommend that you do not use multi-plug adaptors. before you start Make sure that all the components of your audio system are disconnected from the AC supply whenever you change any connections. switch on Press the power button in. The blue power LED will come on. Start playing a record on your turntable. Turn up the volume, sit back and enjoy the music(5). turntable connection Use the cable supplied with your turntable and tone arm to connect your turntable to the phono sockets marked PHONO signal 1 left and right on the back of your PPA20(2). PHONO signal 2 load signal 1 load left left right right ground 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 PPA20 to the corresponding AUX inputs of your amplifier or preamplifier(3). Make sure the AUX input is selected and the amplifier's volume is turned down. 1. 2. 3. Throughout this instruction manual (except in titles), bold print indicates the lettering that you will find on the panels of your PPA20 If your turntable has a ground lead, you should connect it to your PPA20, please see page 21 You should not use the phono input of your amplifier or preamplifier unless you are sure it is suitable for line level inputs. If your amplifier does not have an input labelled AUX, you can usually connect to an input labelled LINE or any other line level input The power button is a latching switch. One press will hold it in, the next will release it While the above procedure should work with most cartridges, you may find that with your cartridge there is no sound or it is distorted. If this happens, please read the rest of this instruction manual to find out how to set up your PPA20 to work with your cartridge 4. 5. 10 11 inputs inputs Your PPA20 has independent inputs for two turntables. selecting input turntable inputs On the back panel of your PPA20 you will find two sets of inputs labelled PHONO 1 and 2. Each input consists of a pair of phono sockets for left and right signal, a pair of phono sockets for left and right load and a ground terminal. Connect your turntable to the left and right signal sockets. The load sockets are used to apply special input loading as described on page 25. The use of the ground terminal is described on page 21. The PHONO 1 and 2 inputs, including the ground terminals and the signal grounds, are electrically isolated from each other. This means that two turntables may be connected to the PPA20 without interfering with each other. The input loading and equalisation meet the RIAA(1) standard. PHONO signal 2 load signal 1 load The input button allows you to select the PHONO 1 or 2 input. The input you have selected is shown by an LED on the front panel marked in 1 or in 2. Pressing the input button switches the input from PHONO 1 to 2 and back(2). input c in 1 in 2 left left right right ground 1. 2. Record Industry Association of America The PPA20 remembers the last input setting even when power is disconnected 12 13 selecting the cartridge type selecting the cartridge type In order to work properly, the input and gain characteristics of your PPA20 have to be matched to your cartridge. The PPA20 has a choice of three predefined settings tailored to the most common types of cartridge (special cases are discussed on page 25). selecting the cartridge type The cartridge selector button mc/mm allows you to select the cartridge type and gain. The cartridge type and gain setting you have selected is shown by an LED on the front panel marked mc x 30, mc x 10 or mm. Pressing the mc/mm button steps through the following sequence, mc x 30, mc x 10, mm, mc x 10 and back to mc x 30(1). mc x 30 mc x 10 mm mc/mm types of cartridge The three cartridge settings on the PPA20 are mm, mc x 10 and mc x 30. The mm setting has the lowest gain and is suitable for high-output cartridges. The mm setting also selects the correct input characteristics for a typical moving magnet cartridge. The mc x 10 and mc x 30 settings select the correct input characteristics for a typical moving coil cartridge. The mc x 10 setting gives a gain of 10 times the gain on mm and is most suitable for medium-output cartridges. The mc x 30 setting has a gain of 30 times the gain on mm and is most suitable for lowoutput cartridges. You can have a different cartridge type and gain on each input. Changing the input will return you to your chosen cartridge type for that input(2). 1. 2. Because of the large difference in gain, the PPA20 passes through mc x 10 when switching from mm to mc x 30 and back The PPA20 remembers the cartridge type and gain for each input even when power is disconnected 14 15 selecting the cartridge type muting choosing the ideal cartridge setting The information supplied with your cartridge should include its output level. If this is less than 100 µV (or 0.1 mV)(1), use the mc x 30 setting; If it is between 100 µV and 400 µV (0.1 to 0.4 mV), use mc x 10; If it is more than 400 µV (0.4 mV), use mm. If your cartridge is of th ...