TAG MCLAREN AUDIO AVANTGARDE T32R SL User manual

contents |01
02 controls
04 welcome
13 getting started
17 remote control
18 tuning methods
23 storing/recalling stations
25 mode controls
27 general controls
29 RDS functions
33 timer functions
35 go to sleep with the T32R
36 menu functions
43 TAGtronic Bus
44 fm antenna
45 am antenna
46 DAB antenna
47 outputs
49 record level setting
50 TAGtronic Bus
51 running in and warming up
52 care and maintenance
54 technical data
60 international standards
Tuner AvantGarde T32R s
6468K
version v3.7x 09/02
operating manual
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 01

controls
03
controls
02
tuner T32R
BANDSTATIONMODE
mono
muting
if width antenna
hi-blend
fm
mw
lw
dab
1
4
7
2
5
8
3
6
9
0
info
display store previous
data
DIGITAL AND ANALOG RECEPTION
1. 5.2. 3. 4.
12.
news
source
alarm
total
time
remain
memory
signal
tuning
traffic info general info stereo muting
hi-blend
tp
eon
rds drc
pty
dB
kb/s
...Holst-The Planets
220-240V
~50-60Hz
Fuse: T1A L250V
DAB MODULE (OPTION)
serial
number
RDI
output
digital output DAB antenna
213 antenna
12
receiver data
interface
AUDIO
OUTPUT FM ANTENNA
75 ohm
tuner T32R
left
right
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation
the condition that this device does not cause harmful interferen
50 ohm
spdif 75 ohm eiaj
made in
United Kingdom
outin
COMMUNICATIONS
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCKRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPENDO NOT OPEN
Double insulated: When servicing, use only
identical replacement parts.
21.
13. 14. 15. 16.
20. 19. 18.
01 power/standby LED
02 mode buttons
03 station buttons
04 band selection buttons
05 display
06 manual tuning knob
07 remote control active LED
08 remote control window
09 power button
10 mute LED
11 tuning button next
12 tuning button previous
13 fuse carrier
14 TAGtronic Communications sockets
15 Receiver Data Interface (RDI)
16 audio output socket
17 am antenna connections
18 fm antenna connections
19 DAB antenna connection
20 DAB digital audio output
21 ac supply socket
TUNE
next
6. 8.7. 9.
11. 10.
cable
AM
ANTENNA
ground am
antenna
am loop external
is subject to
ce.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
17.
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:23 PM Page 02

04
TAG McLaren Audio exists with one
aim in mind:to produce the very best
audio and audio-visual equipment in the
world.
Like many people,I often have my best
ideas when relaxing to a piece of music.For
years,knowing the technical capabilities
ofTAG McLaren,I have nurtured the
ambition to push music reproduction to
the absolute limit;that’s why we formed
TAG McLarenAudio.
At the core of our development team
are highly experienced audio and
automotive engineers whose heritage of
award-winning hi-fi and world-beating
electronic control systems is envied by
many and equalled by few.
welcome to
Dr. Udo Zucker – CEO
TAG McLaren Audio
Pushing technological
boundaries; TAG McLaren’s F1
electronics
welcome
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 04

05
TAG McLarenAudio’s aim is sonic
perfection combined with aesthetic delight
and solid build quality – a rare combination
in hi-fi but one which we are delivering.
It is our technical expertise, combined
with the strongest desire to be the best,
which has produced this leading-edge,hi-
technology tunerT32R.Never before has
there been a tuner with such immense
performance,flexibility and adaptability,
and that sounds so good yet is so simple to
use.Whether you simply want to listen to
your favourite station or discover the joy of
Digital Radio,we are convinced that with
theT32R,you will never be disappointed.
Dr Udo Zucker
welcome
T32R: beauty in all details
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 05

The sky is full of radio signals.Criss-crossing land and sea the
world over are a whole host of analog and,increasingly now,
digitally-encoded radio signals which carry an enormous
variety of sounds.A tuner will allow you to make the most of
these signals,whether they be music,news,discussions,plays
or live broadcasts that may never be repeated.TheT32R will
bring into your home all of these programmes,with minimal
distortion and coloration,complementing even the most
sophisticated of audio systems.
welcome
06
Thank you for purchasing theTAG McLaren tunerT32R.
tuner T32R s
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 06

welcome
07
TheT32R is a fully remote-controllable,
high-precision tuner, built to the most
demanding standards,which allows you to
choose any radio programme and keep it
precisely locked in tune.It has been
designed for both the present and the
future;along with traditional FM andAM
reception,theT32R is fully compatible
with Digital Radio (often referred to as
DAB(1) digital audio broadcasting),
providing an all-format radio receiver
solution in one unit.
The biggest news in radio of late is
DigitalAudio Broadcasting – the most
significant advance in radio technology since
the introduction of FM stereo.Digital Radio
provides high-quality sound,combined with
virtually interference-free reception.With
analog broadcasts,signal interference can
result in high distortion – not so with
Digital Radio.If the signal is strong enough
to be received,then the reception and
sound reproduction will be ideal,with no
hiss,crackle,interference or other such
distractions spoiling your listening
enjoyment.
On theT32R,radio text is shown on the
unit’s display,or can be directed to your
television if you have aTAG McLarenAudio
audio-visual processor in your hi-fi system.
Station location is quick and simple,using
either the automatic scanning facility or the
large,manual tuning knob which lets you
feel the precise tuning steps.Signal strength
and tuning indicators help optimize
reception and the 99 station memories make
it easy to return to your favourite stations at
the touch of a button.
1. The DAB reception module is an option for the T32R. If
you do not have this option, but are interested, please
contact your nearest TAG McLaren Audio retailer for
further information
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 07

welcome
08
Controls on the front panel and Remote
Control,coupled with the intuitive display
layout,make theT32R easy and convenient
to operate.
Connecting theT32R to otherTAG
McLarenAudio products via theTAGtronic
Communications Bus enables it to form a
core part of a complete home entertainment
system.No longer will a tuner be thought of
as simply a radio – theT32R redefines tuner
technology,seamlessly integrating into the
global home entertainment environment.
key features
hi-fi elity fm reception
With a strong FM (Frequency Modulated)
signal,yourT32R will give you hi-fidelity
reproduction of the sound just as intended
by the artist and broadcaster.However,we
haven’t forgotten that due to your
geographical location,you may occasionally
need to listen to lower-quality broadcasts
from weaker FM signals.To help you get
the best from these signals we have
provided additional features including
narrow IF selection,a mono-only function
and a stereo hi-blend filter.To further
increase the flexibility of yourT32R and to
enable you to listen to both terrestrial (via
external antenna) and cable-transmitted
programmes,we have included two FM
antenna inputs.
Ra io Data System (RDS)
In addition to high-quality FM reception,
theT32R will also decode RDS messages
and information,which allows the
convenient display of station names instead
of a basic frequency.Other RDS features
include news,information,traffic report
facilities and much more besides.
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 08

welcome
09
Digital Ra io (option)
Digital Radio (DAB) reception – the digital
future of radio.If yourT32R has the optional
DAB module fitted, you will be able to
receive Digital Radio.With Digital Radio
you get pure,clear,noise-free sound – all
the time.Furthermore,digital broadcasting
uses the airwaves very efficiently,which
means broadcasters can transmit a wider
range of programmes.Digital Radio can
provide, on top of the radio programme,a
host of additional services such as valuable
background information or supporting facts.
Our software-upgradable DAB receiver
module is based on the latest technology,
which is made available toTAG McLaren
Audio’s requirements by leading company
Bosch Multimedia Systems in Germany.It is
capable of receiving DAB transmissions on
both band III (174 MHz - 240 MHz) and L-
band (1452 MHz - 1492 MHz) using a
common 50Ωantenna.It supports all known
DAB modes (I, II,III and IV),features high
selectivity through the use of a high-order
recursive digital filter and supports the full
sampling rate of 48kHz and the half sampling
rate of 24kHz.
Although Digital Radio is a totally new way
of broadcasting, it has been thoughtfully
integrated into theT32R so that Digital Radio
is as simple as selecting any other‘band’.
stable internal DAB timing clock
The timing of digital data decoded from the
DAB signal is as important as the data itself.
Timing inaccuracy,known as‘jitter’,is
responsible for a wide range of subtle
distortions.In theT32R,TAG McLarenAudio
uses its award-winning CD reproduction
technology to reduce jitter by using a very
stable electronic clock,which is synchronized
to the DAB data to provide accurate timing
and hence a more transparent sound.
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 09

welcome
10
Digital Ra io igital output
The DAB data is automatically routed to
the digital output sockets on the rear
panel,allowing you to make digital
recordings using a digital recorder.
preferre connection
We recommend connecting theT32R’s
analog outputAUDIO OUTPUT to the
analog input of your preamplifier or av
processor for best sound quality and
convenient switching betweenAM,FM and
Digital Radio.Our engineers put great care
in the da-conversion of the Digital Radio
signal for best sound quality, matching the
musicality of good FM reception.
a igital future
Ultimately,even still pictures and graphics
will be broadcast with digital radio audio
signals.TheT32R is equipped with an RDI
(Receiver Data Interface),which allows
you to pass such information,when
available,to a suitable interface.
upgra e to Digital Ra io at any time
If you have not bought your tunerT32R
with the DAB module already installed,
your approvedTAG McLarenAudio retailer
can easily add it at a later date.
clear am reception
We have also not forgotten those who want
to listen toAM (Amplitude Modulated)
signals on MW or LW bands.Due to the
way they are transmitted,AM broadcasts
do not offer hi-fidelity sound,but theAM
section of theT32R will give you clear
sound with the minimum of background
noise.Importantly,theAM circuitry is
designed so that it cannot compromise the
high performance of the FM section.
TAGtronic Communications Bus
TheTAGtronic Communications Bus
enables products equipped with this
advanced interface to transfer and share
information easily.TheTAGtronic
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 10

welcome
11
Communications Bus also allows RDS and
DAB radiotext to be routed,via our av
processor, for display on aTV.
powerful 16-bit microcontroller
The powerful 16-bit Siemens C161RI
microcontroller controls and monitors
all functions of theT32R tuner.Its high
capability allows for the complete
decoding of all FM,DAB radio text and
display formatting.
straight line technology s
To prevent intermodulation distortion,an
amplification stage 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 tuner
T32R,a feedback circuit eliminates DC
offset voltage and allows the signal path to
be directly coupled without any capacitors.
This arrangement is called‘straight line
technology’and is common to all our high-
technology products.
roun -core transformer
TheT32R’s transformer provides very
large power reserves,resulting in a more
precise and punchier sound.Its toroidal
construction minimizes mechanical
vibration,magnetic flux leakage and hum.
stable power supply
Ten individually regulated linear power
supplies provide superb signal separation
via Elna Cerafine bulk decoupling
capacitors.
premium-gra e au io components
Ultra-stableVishay metal film resistors and
low-dielectric lossWima polypropylene
capacitors result in increased transparency
and excellent noise suppression.
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 11

welcome
12
mixe technology construction
With surface mount components for fast
digital signal transfer and leaded
components for perfect audio signals,the
T32R incorporates mixed technology
construction in one PCB to optimize
performance.
multi-layer pcb
TheT32R’s glass epoxy multi-layer
printed circuit boards control the
complex pattern of return currents,
provide controlled impedances and
minimize coupling better than a
conventional circuit board could ever do.
Power distribution is optimized through
the use of very low impedance solid
planes.To minimize crosstalk and noise,
the ground planes are split along the
boundaries between the analog and digital
processing circuits.
vibration amping
Both the cover and baseplate are bonded with
viscoelastic laminate to provide a low Q panel
with rapid absorption of externally induced
vibrations.
mounting feet
The proprietary feet provide both suspension
compliance and controlled damping.The
outer shell carries a polyurethane disk which
protects the surface of furniture while
providing the appropriate friction to hold the
unit in place during push-button operation.
consi ering the future
The combination of fully upgradable software
stored in FLASH memory, theTAGtronic
Communications Bus and a powerful 16-bit
microprocessor means that theT32R is ready
for many advances in radio broadcasting
technology today,tomorrow and well into the
future.
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 12

getting starte
13
before you
start
positioning
We know you are keen to get your tuner T32R working. This section will have you
listening to your favourite station as quickly as possible, but to obtain optimum
performance you should spend a few moments studying these instructions.
Contained within are a series of easy-to-follow steps which will have you up and
running in the minimum of time. You will locate diagrams on pages 2, 3 which will
help you find your way around your T32R(1).
1. Throughout this instruction manual bold print indicates the lettering that you will
find on the panels of your T32R and the Remote
2. There are many potential sources of low-level radio emission in your home.
Typical sources include: CD players, TVs, fluorescent lights, video-recorders,
digital equipment, computers and other radio receiving or transmitting
equipment. Your T32R is a very sensitive radio signal detector and, as such, can
pick up interference from other nearby equipment. You may need to move your
T32R or the interfering equipment to eliminate the problem. If you experience
difficulty with electrical interference, consider carefully what other equipment is
connected to the same mains electricity ring or spur circuit as your T32R
Make sure that all the components of your audio system are
disconnected from the AC supply whenever you change
any connections.
You should position your T32R away from sources of heat such
as radiators and out of direct sunlight. You should not place it
on top of units that generate a lot of heat such as a power
amplifier. You should also place the unit away from potential
sources of radio interference(2). Also ensure that the front panel is
in clear view; this will assist in setting up and make the T32R
Remote more responsive.
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 13

getting starte
14
isconnect from
power
antenna
connection
amplifier
connection
Check that the power button is out so that the power is off(1). Pull
the power cord out of your T32R.
Please make sure that all components of your complete hi-fi
system are switched off and disconnected from the power.
Connect an FM antenna to the socket marked FM ANTENNA 1 on
the rear of your T32R(2). If you also want to listen to AM
broadcasts, connect the AM loop antenna supplied to the screw
terminals marked AM ANTENNA am loop(3). If your T32R tuner
has the optional DAB module fitted, connect a DAB antenna to
the socket marked DAB MODULE DAB antenna(4).
Use a good quality, screened phono-phono audio cable (such as
our Cable AvantGarde RCA-RCA analog interconnect) to connect
the phono sockets marked AUDIO OUTPUT left and right on the
rear of your T32R to the corresponding tuner inputs of your
preamplifier. Make sure that the left and right channels are
connected correctly.
Make sure your preamplifier’s volume is turned down and the
tuner input is selected.
1. The power button is a latching switch. One press will hold it in; the next will
release it
2. The connection of both FM antenna sockets is described in detail on page 44
3. The assembly and connection of the AM loop antenna is described in detail on
page 45
4. Details can be found onpage 46
antenna cable
12
75 ohm
FM
ANTENNA
DAB antenna
50 ohm
AUDIO
OUTPUT
left
right
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 14

getting starte
15
power
connection
switching on
stan by
Whilst ensuring that the front panel power button is in its ‘off’
position, plug in the power cord into the socket at the rear of your
T32R. Connect the power cord to an AC outlet of the appropriate
voltage. Power up your complete hifi system.
Press the power button in. The blue power LED will come on,
the display window will light up and a few seconds later it
will show SELFTEST TAG McLaren, followed by the software
version number. The mute LED will illuminate briefly(1).
The T32R has a standby mode, which can be entered by pressing
the standby key on the Remote or keeping the muting button on
the front fascia pressed for more than 3 seconds. The blue power
LED will dim and the display window will be switched off(2).
Normal operation may be resumed by pressing any front panel
button or Remote key.
1. The output is muted when the power is switched on to allow all the voltages to
stabilize. This protects the internal components on your T32R, amplifier and
loudspeakers and prevents unpleasant switching noises disrupting your listening
experience
2. The T32R can be configured to show, at a user configurable display brightness,
the time and date. The T32R will temporarily show an error message if the time
was not set or no time was received via RDS (assuming the parameter always set
from rds was set to on).
standby
mono
muting
if width
hi-blend
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 15

getting starte
front panel
isplay
tuning
Once the T32R is ready, the front panel display window will
show the station and mode which were operative last time you
used the T32R.
Press the BAND fm,mw,lw or dab button on the front panel (or
the equivalent keys on the T32R remote) to choose the band(1).
You can switch between the FM antenna input 1and 2pressing
the FM key a second time or using the key antenna.
Turn up the volume on your amplifier, turn the T32R tuning knob
TUNE (or the tuning + or tuning - keys on the remote) to find a
station you like, sit back and enjoy.
16
1. The dab button will only be functional if you have the optional Digital Radio
Upgrade fitted
BAND
fm
mw
lw
dab
TUNE
nextprevious
large text
area fine (scrolling)
text data
flags
tuning band
or radio
memory location
programme mode
annunciator flags tuning mode flags
news
alarm
total
time
remain
memory
signal
tuning
traffic info general info stereo muting
hi-blend
tp
eon
rds drc
pty
dB
kb/s
...Holst-The Planets
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 16

remote control
using the T32R
remote
remote active
acknowle gement
The T32R is supplied with the T32R Remote, which uses two AAA
1.5V batteries. Before using the Remote for the first time, you will
need to insert the batteries supplied. Make sure that the +and -
markings on the batteries match those in the battery compartment.
To open the battery compartment, push the latch towards the
centre of the T32R Remote, and lift the latch up. To close the
battery compartment, slide the battery cover straight back in
(towards the side of the remote) and push down until it clicks
into place.
For optimum performance from the Remote you must point it
towards the Remote pick-up window on the front panel of the
T32R.
The T32R can be controlled in its entirety from the Remote. The
red ‘Remote active’ LED on the front panel of the T32R will flash
when commands are received(1).
17
MAIN
DIRECT INPUT
PROGRAMMING
traffic
---
+
standby
fm
mute
muting
program
antennadisplaytunerselect
mw
mono data
lw if width
dab hi-blend
info
station
---
+
tuning
12
abc def
jkl
ghi mno
tuv
pqrs wxyz
3station
0
78
store snooze
9
frequency
input
456
wakeup
menu enter return cancel
volume
---
+
1. It will also flash when commands are received via the TAGtronic Bus, for details
see later in this manual
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:13 PM Page 17

tuning metho s
tuning metho s
ban selection
The T32R offers three ways to tune in to the stations of your choice.
You can scan for stations using the TUNE next or previous buttons,
manually tune using the tuning knob TUNE or enter the station’s
frequency directly (using the T32R Remote) if you know it(1).
Press the BAND fm,mw,lw or dab button on the front panel (or key
on the T32R Remote) to select the band you want. The station name
is shown for DAB and FM(2). LW and MW will only show the
frequency (unless you have attached a name to a frequency using
the menu function – for details see later in this manual)
The source indicator at the top left of the display window shows the
band selected or the number of the station memory used for the
current radio programme.
18
BAND
fm
mw
lw
dab
MAIN
traffic
standby
fm
mute
muting
program
mw
mono data
lw if width
dab hi-blend
info
d
k
1. Digital Radio does not allow for direct frequency entry, as DAB stations are not
transmitted on discrete frequencies
2. Factory Set up. You can customise your own front display layout, details follow
later in this manual
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:14 PM Page 18

tuning metho s
fm antenna
selection
scan tuning
The T32R has two antenna inputs for FM antennae(1). Press the
MODE antenna button on the front panel or the antenna key on
the T32R Remote to toggle between the two FM antenna inputs.
Pressing the fm button on the front panel or the fm key on
Remote, will also toggle between the two FM antennae. The
currently selected antenna will be shown as part of the source
indicator at the top left of the display, i.e. FM1 indicates that the
antenna connected to FM ANTENNA antenna 1 has been
selected, and FM2 indicates that the antenna connected to
FM ANTENNA cable 2 has been selected.
Press the TUNE next button once on the front panel or the tuning +
key once on the T32R Remote to go up in frequency to the next
available station signal or the TUNE previous button (tuning - key
on the T32R Remote) to go down(2).
When scan tuning reaches either end of the tuning range, it
wraps around and starts again at the other end of the scale. In
FM, whilst scanning for the next station, the fm tuning indicator
(see page 25 for details) will be shown, together with the
frequency.
19
1. Both antenna inputs are electrically identical
2. DAB Digital Radio stations are not broadcast at discrete frquencies and are
listed in alphabetic order along a ‘virtual’ frquency band
MODE
antenna
info
display
data
---
---
---
MAIN
---
+
standby
fm
mute
muting
program
antennadisplay
tunerselect
mw
mono data
lw if width traffic
dab hi-blend
info
station
---
+
tuning
volume
---
+
TUNE
nextprevious
---
+
tuning
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:14 PM Page 19

tuning metho s
manual tuning The tuning knob TUNE should be rotated clockwise to increase the
selected frequency or anticlockwise to decrease it. When you
begin to rotate the tuning knob the display will show the
frequency changing unless it is in DAB mode(1), in which case
station names will be displayed.
The tuning knob allows quick and accurate tuning. When you
reach the end of the FM, MW or LW tuning range, you will still
be able to rotate the knob but the display will stop changing. This
indicates that you have reached the end of the frequency band(2).
You have to turn the knob in the opposite direction to go back.
Rotating the knob quickly will enable the T32R to tune in larger
steps, hence tuning across larger distances of the frequency
range(2) more quickly. When you get close to your desired station,
slowing down the rotation of the knob will enable you to fine-tune
more precisely.
20
1. Digital Radio is not organised in discrete frequencies. The T32R lists them by
artificial ‘frequency’ for convenience. Therefore turning the manual tuning knob
will scroll through all stations, wrapping around to the first when the last is
reached
TUNE
nextprevious
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:14 PM Page 20

tuning metho s
irect input
tuning (fm, lw
an mw only)
If you know the frequency of the station to which you would like
to listen, you can enter it directly using the T32R Remote. To do so
first select the BAND then press the frequency input key on the
Remote; this places the T32R into direct input mode and the front
panel display will now show the text FQ. INPUT and frequency:.
You can now key in the frequency of your desired station(1). Use
the alphanumeric keys on the Remote to enter your required
frequency. You do not need to enter the decimal point for FM
frequencies. For example, to tune to 106.20 MHz, enter 1, 0, 6,
2, and 0then press enter(2). When all digits are successfully
entered, the T32R will then tune to the chosen frequency. If you
wish to tune to a frequency which has zeros after the decimal
point, say 106.00, enter 1, 0and 6, and either press enter or
wait for a few seconds. The T32R will automatically select the
complete frequency and tune in accordingly.
21
DIRECT INPUT
12
abc def
jkl
ghi mno
tuv
pqrs wxyz
3 station
0
78
store snooze
9
frequency
input
456
wakeup
1. The T32R will not allow you to enter a frequency outside the valid frequency
range for the chosen band
2. If you make a mistake while entering your desired frequency, use the cancel key
to backspace the cursor
*LASER*-T32R Manual v3.7x 8/29/02 12:14 PM Page 21