TAG McLaren AV32R AV processor

[Lexman]

Discussion here of AV32R product. Features, sound quality, ergonomics and such.

Lex





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[Buzz Goddard]

Good looking though it is, this is better...

That would be the




Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"

[Lexman]

Is that your remote control for it Buzz? That the volume she is holding? lol.

Tell us more about the AV32R. Repost from the other thread if you like.

Lex

[Buzz Goddard]

"Without naming any [other] brands, the processor that performed best in all tests, especially in terms of dynamics, detail and sound steering techniques was the TAG McLaren theatre AV32R. "The manuals you get with the units (AV32R, 100x5R) are great, but the only problem us that you probably will not even need them. The set-up of the AV32R is the easiest I have ever come across. "Build quality is second to none. "Did we like the TAG McLaren processor and amplifiers? Well, the conclusion's a resounding 'Yes'."
Ultimate DVD Technology - July 2000

Reviewing the AV32R combined with the 100x5R"This is TAG McLaren at its best... The system has excellent definition. It is careful, conscientious, yet penetrating, and provides an extra dimension to the movie... It never adds superfluous detail that might get into your nerves. The system gives me the impression that it knows well what stand is appropriate... "I have visited TAG McLaren Audio and have seen for myself that their technological expertise is generously poured into these models, so I find the pricing very acceptable. Together with their smart and modern exterior, I believe this system is extremely suitable for the Home Theatre of the new millennium. It is an unparalleled and very contemporary system. "This is just a small detail, but it is very user-friendly, too. For example, one remote controller can work both the preamp and power amp. When you turn the power amp on and off, each channel then gets turned on/off in sequence, which is also nice. I can foresee many AV fans falling in love with the elegant, sophisticated functionality of these machines."
HiVi - April 2000

"McLaren's Lead: Measurement technology has also kept apace, so we can now 'see' inside these [movie sound decoder] devices and witness just how effective different decoders are at handling compressed, multichannel data. Quite the best example I've encountered is provided by McLaren's Av32R... The spectral integrity of McLaren's decoder is clear to see... Near perfect specification. Few CD players look this good!Measurement expert, Paul Miller
Hifi Choice - July/August 2000

"I was consistently impressed by my system's sound with the AV32R at quarterback - very impressed. It processing performance was ultra-clean, quick, absolutely dead quite, and hyper-accurate, without any suggestions of top-end exaggeration or transient hype. "I can endorse the AV32R wholeheartedly... It would be very difficult to improve on its thoughtful design, basic performance, and craftsmanship, and its inherent simplicity appeals to me strongly."
Stereo Reviews Sound & Vision - June 2000

(testing the av processor AV32R with five channel amplifier 100x5R)"In our listening tests the 100x5R/AV32R combination was one of the very best we have ever tested. Such powerful, low frequency extended, yet transparent, spatial and relaxed systems are very rarely found. Particularly, the spatial information is wonderfully accurate and sound locations are easily detected, revealing even the most complex sounds with ease. We have never seen such identical frequency response from all channels in our AV-laboratory. The signal to noise ratio, exceeding 80dB in Pro Logic and almost 90dB in Dolby Digital, are also extraordinary. And in terms of amplifier output power the 5x145 watts in 8 ohms, respectively 5 x 235 watts in 4 ohms, are not easily challenged by others.
audiovision - May 2000

"...Can't remember seeing and hearing such soundstage, not only on the front speakers, but also between the front right and the left surround (or the front left and the right surround). With a potential to encompass unknown processes with complete upgradability by programming of the processor... The AV32R offers performance that in many ways approaches those of the cost no object and high priced super preamplifier."
PRESTIGE AUDIO VIDEO - May 2000

"These electronics blessed by the Gods constitute some absolute credentials all categories of disconcerted products - TAG McLaren Audio places the rod to an incredibly elevated level - A big lesson of ability and Know How."
PRESTIGE AUDIO VIDEO - May 2000

"Is it inevitable that onboard processing will hamper basic stereo performance? One processor that proves it doesn't need to is TAG McLaren's AV32R."
Hi-Fi Choice - April 2000

Andrew Harrison on the sound of a CDT20R using the TAGtronic Synchronisation Link connected to the av processor AV32R"The synchronised CDT20R was discernibly tighter and better focused, sounding more closely metered to a song's tempo. This often gave improved resolution of closely-packed instruments into the bargain... The space and air around recordings of household movements and acoustic music was good. It remained fixed within the usual limits of CD sound, but showed an advancement of art. "In all, the benefits of the TAGtronic Link and other modifications make the CDT20R-T2L plus AV32R a formidable CD source and control combination.
HiFi News - April 2000

Test AV32R together with 100x5R"TAG has been successful in introducing high-technology in consumer electronics... The processor also performed - as shown in the excellent measurements - with no performance drop between two and five channel operation: a performance never seen before... Sound quality: extraordinary; measurements: extraordinary... Best Buy!"
Video - The Test Magazine - March 2000

"Summing up, the TAG McLaren CDT20R and the AV32R make an impressive combination... The sound-processing algorithms give every indication of having been well thought through, and are particularly impressive for the way they serve the source material honestly, without hyping or over-manipulating the sound for effects... The most impressive attribute of the test components (CDT20R, AV32R), however, is their ability to function both as a very high quality compact disc player, and as a very credible high-quality preamplifier, where they easily sustain comparison with any similarly priced components known to the author.... The AV32R in particular is very attractively priced, and with its recent improvements, the CDT20R is scarcely less so.
"Gramophone - February 2000

"Looks like a dream, sounds like heaven and runs like a whippet... Five Star Status."
T3 - December 1999

"In summary, the AV32R offers exquisite sonics both in terms of musicality and cinema decoding. Also, its video performance in the lab is exemplary... Clearly the AV32R is a product of true hi-fi pedigree."
Home Cinema Choice - December 1999

"Take the Fifth Element, and the blue diva scene. This scene can be utterly mangled on lesser units. But, to my utter amazement, the AV32R makes us realise how things really work... When it comes to CDs, the AV32R handles things with elegance and ease that will find even the hardest of 2-channel die-hards softening their views."
Home Cinema Choice - December 1999

"The AV32R is a first rate processor, and an excellent analogue/digital preamplifier for both AV and hi-fi enthusiasts, with a performance that is far outside what you would expect in its price range - definitely a Best Buy and worthy winner of the Editor's Award for Home Entertainment Excellence."
Home Entertainment - December 1999

"Visual Grand Prix 2000 Award."AV Review

"The AV32R 'is a revolutionary piece of kit'...[it] is a true 32bit device - way ahead of its competitors... [it] sets the standard of sound quality at the price and beyond... in fact, it even performs extremely well as a stereo hi-fi preamplifier."
Home Entertainment - November 1999

"The McLaren is a miracle of engineering that excels in its class - much like McLaren cars on the racetrack! Best of all, the AV32R costs a fraction of the price of any AV processor that comes close to bettering its performance, and makes it a cast-iron bargain."
Home Entertainment - November 1999

"Best High-End Surround Sound Processor"
Audio - November 1999

"It is said that newcomers have a difficult life. This seems not to apply to TAG McLaren Audio. The dynamic team is generating one special product after the other. A particularly outstanding one is the extraordinary AV32R, easily achieving reference class status."
Audio - November 1999

"Superiority... It was clear from the outset that when measured against other, more costly processors, the AV32R is a very superior animal. In context it is very reasonably priced, yet it has a real quality feel, both operationally and sonically."
Hi-Fi News - November 1999

"The AV32R is a multichannel AV preamplifier that fully satisfies our high expectations. It combines the highest standard of build quality and design, uses special assembly technology, provides top level sound quality and is very easily fully upgradable for future requirements. What else could you expect from an AV Preamplifier?"
HITECH MAGAZINE - August 1999

"The Price/Performance relationship is extraordinary... In summary, there is no real competitor to the AV32R if one compares features and user friendliness, and in terms of sound quality the AV32R outperforms much more expensive products."
Image Home Entertainment - August 1999


"As a preamplifier the TAG McLaren AV32R is convincing. I don't know of a better in-line preamplifier at this price... The same is true of the digital to analog conversion which is also catered for in the AV32R."
Audio - June 1999

"The AV32R is a shining example of extraordinary ergonomics and functionality; it is a delight for home cinema enthusiasts and audiophiles. That's the truth and nothing else!"
Audio - June 1999

"Five star, Reference Class."
Audio - June 1999

"Impressive as the music score and effects tracks were, what stuck in the memory was the price."
Inside Hi-Fi - March 1999

"The AV32R is the first hi-end av processor with really conclusive ergonomics. With this and its fine sound, it will convince home cinema friends and music lovers of its precise detail and resolution. Summary: 'very good', and winner of a comparison test of high end av processor."
Video Home Cinema - January 1999

[Buzz Goddard]

The design brief given to the engineering team assembled to design TAG McLaren Audio's first av processor was simple: design a processor which will decode all current and future formats, have outstanding audio and video quality and be easy to set up and use. It took approximately 10 man years of effort to execute the brief and now, after just 10 months of extremely hard work, the av processor AV32R is ready for launch.

2 FUTURE PROOF

A very powerful, flexible Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is required to both support the existing decoding formats (Pro LogicTM, Dolby DigitalTM, DTSTM, MPEG2TM) and provide the ability to support any future format. It can not be a mask programmed device as this would mean that its code could not be upgraded in the field to include new decoding formats.

The design team chose the ADSP21065L SHARCTM, a device which at the start of TAG McLaren Audio's design programme was only a design brief given to the engineers at Analog Devices. To base the AV32R design around a device not already established in the market carried a significant risk, but the promised performance of the SHARCTM DSP and TAG McLaren's Automotive division's positive experience with DSPs1 from Analog devices made the risk one worth taking. The 60 MHz, 32 bit ADSP21065L is now a reality and its outstanding performance means a single chip fulfills all the following design requirements:

enough power to decode all of today's formats with sufficient spare capacity to deal with any future format
32 bit processing to ensure the full dynamic range of the latest 24 bit formats is maintained2
the ability to download new code into the DSP's memory at any time.
The '65L SHARCTM is partnered by a 16 bit Siemens C161RI microcontroller. Devices from this family of powerful microcontrollers have been used within all of TAG McLaren's Formula One powertrain control systems. The C161RI is responsible for all the control functions of the AV32R (responding to the remote control, selecting audio & video inputs, generating the on screen displays etc). It also manages the task of downloading the programme code into the memory of the SHARCTM DSP. The power of the C161RI combined with good software and interface design makes these tasks simple and user friendly.



The design team turned to TAG McLaren's automotive division for help in selecting the most appropriate software development tools and methodologies for the project3. Working together, they established the software quality systems and put in place the procedures for rapid, high quality software development. The AV32R customer receives, as a direct result, the highest levels of performance and reliability4.
All of the AV32R software is kept in a single, re-programmable, FLASH memory device. This includes the decoding algorithms for the SHARCTM and the control software for the C161RI. The FLASH can be reprogrammed using a PC connected via the TAGtronicTM Communication Bus5. This allows the AV32R to be upgraded to support new features and formats by a software download without having to open the unit. These upgrades can be performed in the field so that the unit need not be returned to TAG McLaren Audio's factory. Software upgrades will be available via the TAG McLaren web site.

This is a significant advantage over processors which, for cost reasons, cannot offer in-field re-programmability.

3 96kHz/24bit PROCESSING

To ensure that the AV32R is future proof it is also fully 96kHz / 24 bit compatible. This means that future DVD or other sources with sample rates up to 96kHz and resolutions up to 24bits will be reproduced at their full bandwidth and resolution, offering the best possible detail from the recording. Having ensured that the AV32R could decode these high resolution and high bandwidth recordings it was necessary to ensure that the digital to analogue conversion was of the highest possible standard. To this end the AV32R uses three separate 24 bit, 96kHz, stereo Digital to Analogue Converters (DACs) and a separate Analogue to Digital Converter, rather than a compromise codec solution with all these functions in one chip. Again performance was more important than lowest cost.

4 TECHNOLOGY APPLIED TO ACHIEVE BEST SOUND QUALITY

4.1 The principle
The topology and devices used to achieve the excellent sound quality of the AV32R were selected after constructing and evaluating many prototypes of all the available options. Each prototype underwent extensive listening tests to fine tune and compare the options. The final sound characteristics were optimised by cross-referencing with experience built up over thousands of hours listening to and improving the F3 series audio products.

4.2 The components
All this hard work resulted in the use of high quality Elna Cerafine bulk decoupling capacitors in the Audio Power supplies, and ultra stable Vishay metal film resistors and low dielectric loss Wima polypropylene capacitors in the audio signal path.

4.3 The power supplies
To reduce interference between the analogue and digital sections they have separate power supplies. Within the analogue section, separate supplies are used for the 5V DACs and the 12V analogue output devices. The higher voltage of the output stages gives better headroom and better driving of cables. Separating the supplies prevents output circuit currents from interfering with the highly sensitive digital to analogue conversion process.

To maintain separation of the different sections within the unit, the AV32R uses 15 independent linear supplies in all. Each is optimised using the best type of capacitor decoupling for its function and appropriate noise suppression filtering.

The transformer used within the AV32R is of toroidal construction as this has the benefit of a very low stray magnetic field, reducing the possibility of interference with the audio signals. The transformer is also very quiet, reducing hum to an inaudible level.

4.4 Mixed technology
Within the digital region it is very important to control the high speed currents drawn by the digital IC's. This control is achieved using surface mounted, ceramic chip capacitors which can be located very close to the digital components. Being close to the IC's they can supply the required currents with the minimum of interference to the rest of the board.

The analogue region required a different approach. Particular care is required around the DACs as there the high speed digital signals must co-exist with the lower speed but very high resolution audio signals. To allow for this, the analogue regions use surface mounted, high speed capacitors near the DACs and the output filter components, combined with a three level scheme of bulk decoupling. The three levels of bulk decoupling consist of large, high quality Cerafine storage capacitors near the linear regulators, slightly smaller high quality storage capacitors by each of the sensitive components and surface mounted Polymer Electrolytic Neocaps very close to the supply pins. The Neocaps have a cathode conductance 100x that of an ordinary tantalum capacitor and 1000x that of a Aluminium Electrolytic capacitor, this gives a greatly improved high frequency response. This three level approach is used for all of the sensitive audio components in the input and output paths. By using these combined methods all of the power delivery problems within the system are addressed to deliver fine detail and stable images, as well as powerful but controlled bass.





4.5 The DAC topology
To achieve the best possible sound from the DACs, the quantisation noise present on the output has to be filtered out. This is performed by a combination of a 128x over-sampling filter within the DAC itself and an external analogue filter. The requirements on the analogue filter are greatly relaxed due to the over-sampling. However, listening tests proved that it still had a significant impact on the sound quality. The design was optimised to produce a filter which has very low group delay within the region humans can hear and beyond. The low group delay reduces the phase error between low frequency and high frequency sounds. The actual type used, after considerable optimisation by measurement and listening, is a fourth order Linear Phase with equiripple phase accurate to better than 0.5 . This type of filter has a flat group delay extending past the transition region and is thus ideal for filtering audio signals. By using a fourth order filter rather than the second order filter used in most designs the high frequency noise at the output is considerably lower. Reducing this noise reduces the possibility of distortion due to inter-modulation in the input of the power amplifier and thus improves the focus and detail of the sound.
The filter is implemented using high quality, low distortion operational amplifiers (op-amps) from Burr Brown. They were selected after considerable measurement and listening and are used throughout the F3 range to give a consistently high level of performance. These op-amps, combined with the high quality passive components (Vishay resistors and Wima Capacitors), create a very transparent output path which allows every nuance of the sound and the true depth of the bass to be revealed with complete clarity.

4. Jitter
One of the principle causes of distortion in a digital audio product is jitter. Jitter is a distortion caused by errors in the timing of digital signals. Data dependant timing errors are one of the most audible and unpleasant types of jitter, so it is essential to remove these.

The AV32R uses a twin phase lock loop design to reduce the jitter on the master clock to an absolute minimum. The first loop extracts the clock from the bi-phase encoded SPDIF (or TOSLINK) signal. Due to the nature of bi-phase encoding, this signal still contains some time variations caused by the data encoded in the SPDIF signal. The second phase locked loop is based upon a voltage controlled crystal oscillator which provides one of the most stable clock oscillators possible. The phase locked loop filter starts to reject jitter from the clock signal at 6Hz and it is critically damped to provide good stability and the quickest possible lock time. Should this second loop not be able to track the input, such as in vari-speed applications or from particularly unstable source devices, the system will switch seamlessly back to the first loop and continue playing.

Short term spectral analysis of the clock jitter at the DAC reveals that it is below 10 pico seconds across most of the audio spectrum. The overall, long term, integrated jitter figure is 150ps, which would be state of the art for a CD player or standalone DAC and must be considered exceptional for a system containing so much digital processing and three DACs. This has been achieved not only by a high stability phase locked loop but also by careful treatment of the clock signal once it has been extracted. The clock signal is transferred across the PCB using independently buffered and precisely terminated clock traces to each of the DACs and the ADC. This termination prevents reflections along the PCB traces from causing decision threshold uncertainty which would introduce jitter. Careful circuit design, a four layer PCB and the layout and electrical noise suppression experience gathered in F1 racing by TAG McLaren's automotive division, have created a system in which the clock design is optimised in all respects.

4.7 The TAGtronicTM Sync Link
The final link in this clock path optimisation is the TAGtronic Sync Link: this unique (for an av processor) link allows the AV32R to lock its clock to provide a low noise, ultra low jitter reference right next to the DACs. A signal is then passed back to any TAGtronicTM Sync Link compatible product to synchronise its clocks to the reference within the AV32R. This system allows us to put the reference clock where it needs to be for optimum sound quality, right next to the DACs. The F3 DVD player DVD32R will feature the TAGtronicTM Sync Link.

4.8 Video quality
The video circuitry within the AV32R offers a no compromise signal path using broadcast quality components. For the best possible picture quality the On Screen Display (OSD) device is switched out of circuit when no OSD information is displayed. A separate recording output is also provided without the on screen display option.

Some televisions allow internal crosstalk to occur between the Composite and S-Video inputs. Independent control of the outputs in the AV32R allows them to be selectively turned off if crosstalk is likely to occur.

The OSD chip has its own reference crystals to allow it to produce a stable output with no video input. This simplifies the system setup as there is no need to find a working video source to see the on screen help system.

4.9 Multilayer technology
Multilayer circuit boards are used in the AV32R to control the complex pattern of return currents from each of the different functional circuit blocks, provide controlled impedances for the high speed digital signals and minimise coupling between signal traces.

The AV32R has a complex power distribution system using an entire layer of the PCB. Power distribution is optimised through the use of very low impedance solid planes. This optimisation reduces distortion in the analogue region and improves the digital signal characteristics and electro magnetic compatibility of the complete AV32R.

Within the analogue audio regions it is important that the very sensitive, high resolution audio signals are not disturbed by the return currents from the high speed digital processing circuits. Separate ground planes are used under the analogue and digital regions to provide low impedance return paths for the currents. To minimise crosstalk and noise, the ground planes are split along the boundaries between the analogue and digital processing circuits.

Multilayer circuit boards are virtually essential if effective planes are to be created. Attempting to create planes using conventional two layer circuit technology inevitably leads to compromises with many ground return current paths having to be constructed out of relatively fine tracks in congested parts of the circuit, resulting in higher impedances and greater crosstalk between power and signal traces. Avoiding this compromise reduces digital noise emissions and significantly reduces the effects of the bass return currents on the high frequency treble components. This improves both the bass transient response and the image stability.

At the very high switching speeds of the digital circuitry the PCB tracks have transmission line characteristics. Multilayer boards, combined with precise control of track dimensions, spacing and layout, are essential to present these digital signals with well-defined, consistent impedances. This, together with correct signal termination, ensures that the signals are not corrupted by reflections and crosstalk. This is particularly critical for the clock signals, where the multilayer board is an essential element in achieving extremely low jitter levels.

The multiple layers of the PCB and the planes within it allow significant reductions in crosstalk to be achieved by routing signals perpendicular to one another on different layers and screened from one another by the ground planes.

A further benefit of the use of multi-layer circuit boards is the ability to increase component density. This leads to shorter tracks and smaller signal loop areas, which in turn reduces sensitivity to external interference and reduces noise emissions.

The advantages of a multilayer PCB construction meant that, despite its relatively high cost, it was the only logical choice to maintain the exceptional level of performance required from the AV32R.

4.10 The TAGtronicTM Communication Bus
The AV32R is the first F3 unit to feature the TAGtronicTM Communication Bus. This allows TAG McLaren Audio units to work seamlessly together to form an effective, integrated system. Remote control codes can be transferred over the bus, allowing system components to be operated out of sight. The TAGtronicTM Bus will allow the system to be extended to offer multi-room capability in which the output from sources can be controlled and redirected throughout a home.

One of the most flexible aspects of the AV32R is that both the micro-controller and DSP software are stored in re-programmable FLASH memory. The FLASH can be reprogrammed using a PC connected via the TAGtronicTM Communication Bus.

The bus communications protocols are compatible with standard PC asynchronous serial links (RS232). The electrical interface is RS485, selected because of its use of balanced signals and its suitability for long cable runs. Using balanced signals addresses grounding issues in complex systems and serves to eliminate potentially troublesome sources of hum. RS485 can be converted to the PC standard RS232 levels using a simple adaptor.

5 TAG McLAREN SURROUND

TAG McLaren Surround is an audiophile processing mode designed specifically for listening to both stereo and mono music sources. A centre channel increases the stability of the front sound stage while a split surround supplements the ambience present on the original recording. The processing is beautiful in its simplicity: The surround channel is derived by using the out of phase components of music, then a small amount of the in phase, mono signal is mixed in to enable mono compatibility. The surround channels are then passed through a proprietary de-localisation technique. The centre channel is derived from the mono component of the audio. This is then delayed and attenuated so it can improve the stability of the front sound stage without reducing its depth and character. The left and right channels reproduce the original recording exactly as intended by the artist. All processing within TAG McLaren Surround is fully dithered producing a high quality algorithm capable of processing 24bit/96kHz recordings with no artifacts.

6 MANUFACTURING

For best results the surface mount components are placed and soldered in TAG McLaren's automotive division in Woking, using high precision placement robots (accuracy better than 80µm) and an inert gas (nitrogen) infra-red reflow oven. Soldering in a nitrogen atmosphere results in significantly higher quality solder joints compared to conventional atmospheric processing.

The boards are then cleaned before being shipped to Huntingdon where all leaded components are fitted before the printed circuit board is wave soldered. After soldering, component values and tolerances are checked by an automatic roving probe tester. The tested printed circuit boards are then installed in the case together with the other hand-fit components, such as the transformer, switches, connectors etc. Finally, a full performance test of the completed AV32R is conducted to verify perfect operation. The tested AV32R is then thoroughly cleaned before being packed and sealed with its accessories by operators wearing lint-free anti-static gloves. The sealed package is only opened by the final owner.

7 EASE OF USE

7.1 The Set-up Wizard
Inch thick manuals - who actually reads them? Setting up av processors is notoriously long winded and time consuming. To make this as easy as possible the AV32R has a self-explanatory Set-up Wizard that gives detailed, on screen, step by step instructions. This takes even a novice user through each of the stages needed to get the best performance out of the AV32R, without once referring to a user guide. The Wizard explains each stage as the user reaches it, and even gives useful hints when things may not be obvious.

7.2 The Power User
For more advanced users, or the retailer, there is a direct access configuration option. This option bypasses all the help screens to allow the speediest set-up by those who are confident about what they are doing.

7.3 A Learning Remote Control
The control of a full home cinema system can be a labourious task using several different remote controls which are always getting lost. To overcome this the AV32R comes with a system controlling remote. The remote is preprogrammed to control TAG McLaren Audio Products, however, it can be taught how to control almost any product that uses an infra-red remote. This allows it to become the system controller, controlling up to eight devices6. With this controller only one remote control is needed for a whole AV system. The button for the currently controlled device will flash each time a command is sent to tell the user which device it has been sent to.

To make control of the sources simpler there are individual buttons to select each source. Ten source buttons are provided in all, allow the user to select the input to the AV32R without scrolling through lists or using complicated two button procedures.

Typing in source names is made easier by using the same style of alphanumeric entry as phones. This approach keeps the number of key presses to a minimum and provides an interface that most people are familiar with.

The remote control also has a back light so that it is possible to see the buttons in subdued light. This is selected by a button at the bottom of the control so that it does not flatten the battery when it is not required.

8 CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK

The AV32R is TAG McLaren Audio's first audio-visual product, offering an exceptional quality surround sound decoder which is designed to meet the needs of the user now and in the future. The AV32R can be combined perfectly with TAG McLaren Audio's existing range of high-quality power amplifiers or with the forthcoming, all new, 5 channel amplifier 100x5R. And the TAGtronicTM Sync Link (reducing jitter even further, i.e. improving the sound quality) will be put to use when the long awaited, high performance DVD player DVD32R completes the range. All products will be able to communicate with each other, using the TAGtronicTM Communication Bus, making remote and multi-room installations a reality.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes:
TAGtronicTM engine control systems of the last 10 years have been using Analog Devices DSPs to generate the very high bit rate encoded data stream transmitted from the F1 racing car. In 1993 the TAG McLaren telemetry system received first prize for "Outstanding Use of Technology" from the British computer society. back

This is also possible with a 24 bit DSP but then it takes valuable processing time. back

TAG Electronic Systems, the automotive division of TAG McLaren, is recognized not only for its design and manufacturing quality systems as an ISO9001 accredited company but also has been awarded TickIt accreditation for the high standard of its software quality systems. back

The software quality of TAG McLaren's audio teams is regularly audited by experts from the automotive division. back

Another spin-off from the automotive division where the capacity for so called "end of line" and field upgrade has been a technical requirement for many years. back

Or even more when devices are grouped together by memory page. back




Buzz Goddard
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[Bob Sorel]

Gee, I wrote my review of the AV32R (elsewhere in this forum) before reading any other reviews, as I did not want to be influenced by the opinions of others. Although I am not as eloquent as some of the writers quoted here, we all came to pretty much the same conclusions

[Doug]

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