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IAG, the International Audio Group (owners of Wharfedale and Quad), acquired the on-going business of TAG McLaren Audio on the 25th March 2004. As part of the agreement, they have acquired all rights to the "Audiolab" brand and designs.In the month since the acquisition, IAG have been carefully reviewing TAG McLaren's history towards formulating a structure and business plan necessary to ensure the long-term success of the TMA products within this highly competitive market place. IAG have brought on-board a number of the key TAG personnel to make sure the positive elements of the TMA "culture" continue to be available to customers. The intention of IAG is to continue the investment and development in the products and on the path TAG McLaren had set, towards building an industry leading business and long term success for all involved. A new strategic business unit is being created to specifically to target the "CEDIA," market. This will lead the development of a more focused group of AV products. In addition, the re-introduction of the "Audiolab" brand, building on its traditional values and ideals. We at Extraordinary AV will certainly continue to import, distribute and market TAG McLaren or any future products developed by IAG in South Africa.
The TAG
McLaren AV192R, which is probably the world’s best home theatre
processor, finally arrived early January 2003 in South Africa. It is
currently available for audition at “Signals Audio & Video,” in
Cape Town. The AV192R is the ultimate AV processor offering the widest
range of options ever made available. It is your choice if you want the
very AV192R
“Starter Kit” will approximately retail in South Africa for R102 600
and is a THX Ultra 2 product, exceeding THX’s latest performance
standard. Dolby Digital, DTS, Prologic II and THX Surround EX are
standard, as in AV32R, but AV192R also offers DTS-ES Discrete, NEO:6,
and DTS 96/24 bit as standard. The 32-bit 21065L SHARC DSP of the AV32R
is retained, but two of the latest super-SHARC from Analog Devices, the
21161N, are added. The total audio processing power of the AV192R is 7
times more than the AV32R. AV192R features Room Equalization on all
eight channels to improve acoustics in room, Enhanced Bass Management,
with independent crossover frequencies for front left/right; center;
surround and surround back loudspeakers, crossover frequencies being
between 40 and 150Hz in 10Hz steps.
The AV192R is the first processor to offer state-of-the-art
video processing. Component video and sync switching with 300MHz
bandwidth for interlaced, progressive and High Definition video signals;
progressive scan generation from all interlaced sources (this means your
VCR, DSTV decoder and your DVD player will be converted to progressive
scan); latest technology video scaling with up to 2048 output lines and
native resolution digital output to plasma, LCD and DLP displays and
projectors; DVI inputs and outputs; and even support for the HDMI
combined video/audio signal TAG McLaren also
launched in 2002 a cheaper, more affordable processor than AV32R. The AV
processor AV30R is targeted at the home theatre enthusiast who is
concerned with keeping up-to-date with the latest surround formats but
who is not considering the ultimate performance of the AV32R or its
upgrade path to the AV192R. The AV30R is designed to allow enthusiasts
to join the TAG McLaren home theatre community at a lower cost than
before whilst losing little in true performance. The AV30R provides more
features at a lower price than the original AV32R when it was launched
in May 1999. This amazing result has The new Naim
Classic range is also now available. The cosmetic appearance of the
entire classic range including Before you
invest any money on any hi-fi system you need a good pair of
loudspeakers. Unfortunately the majority of specialist shops sell the
popular mass-market speakers, which is not very accurate, and thus
making it difficult to hear The Perreaux 6160P
is a high quality reference six-channel, 160 watt power amplifier
designed for Home Theatre, Multi-Room and Tri- |
best of
audio and visual capabilities combined with a huge potential for future
expansion. The AV192R is configured to your precise needs as it is built
exactly to your specifications. Options not selected at the initial
purchase can be added at a later stage – with most additional options
fitted by your retailer. If you own an AV32R you can upgrade it to an
AV192R (cost R50 000), making the AV192R not only the most powerful, but
also the most cost-effective hi-performance solution available. 
interface.
been achieved through meticulous process of reducing the cost of every
single building block of the AV32R, giving rise to the new AV30R. It
cannot match the performance of the AV32R but it comes astonishingly
close, easily matching the expectation of the discerning home cinema or
music lover. The AV30R includes everything needed to manage a 7.1 home
cinema system. Six Analog stereo inputs completely bypassing the digital
section in ‘Direct mode,’ a 5.1 analog input, with volume control,
allows direct and convenient connection of all SACD and DVD-Audio
players. The CD and DVD-Video player’s digital output can be processed
using Mono, Direct, Dolby Prologic II, Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS ES
Discrete, Dolby Digital EX, DTS NEO:6 with full subwoofer support, where
applicable. The AV30R (7.1 version) approximately retails for R34 000.
crossovers
and power supplies has been spruced up to reflect a more contemporary
styling approach. Years of research that went into the creation of the
flagship NAC 552 pre-amplifier and NAP 500 power amplifier inspired many
of the changes and improvements. The technical developments extracted
from these products have now been incorporated in the latest Naim
Classic component range. As has always been the case with Naim products,
the latest models reflect an ongoing quest for musical honesty and
believability, while offering significant advances in sonic ad
technological terms. The new CDX2 and CDS3 CD player, the new NAC 202,
NAC 282 and NAC 252 pre-amplifiers, and new NAP 200, NAP 250, NAP 300
and NAP 500 power amplifiers are available for audition at “Signals
Audio and Video” in Cape Town.
differences in cables, CD players or amplifiers. The bass tends to be
fat and loose with loads of colouration. Unfortunately with our
country’s exchange rate, good speakers cost now almost R20 000 a pair.
So what do you do if your budget is less than R10 000? Buy the new Xavian
Classic Mia speaker. It is the cheapest audiophile speaker available
in South Africa and it’s very easy to drive. Completely handmade with
the same care reserved as the “XN” range, the Mia employs a vifa
tweeter and well-known Scandinavian drivers. The Mia speakers are
incredibly transparent with a very rich and wide soundstage. Vocals are
also very clean and open and the imaging razor sharp. The Mia retails
for only R6 000 pair and is available in cherry, walnut and maple
veneer.
Amping
applications. It incorporates three separate power supplies and is
bridgeable on all channels. It has high output and current capability
with Mos-Fet Output stages running in Class A. It has incredible control
over speakers, which gives you unbelievable levels of transparency. It
is highly recommended for discerning customers who want high-end
audiophile sound quality for music from their home theater system
without compromising the performance from film soundtracks. The Perreaux
6160P six-channel amp is extreme value for money even though it retails
for R56 000.