TAG MCLAREN AVANTGARDE 100X5R

Pre owned. In fair condition. Shows signs of wear as shown in the photos. Without original packaging included.

The TAG McLaren 100X5R is designed as the ideal companion to the AV32R processor and the F3 range, meeting the need for a multichannel power amplifier capable of fully exploiting modern AV formats. It is a powerful 100-watt-per-channel amplifier built around a modular philosophy that keeps each section completely independent. Each channel has its own dedicated power transformer and circuitry, minimizing crosstalk and interference; in practice, the 100X5R is equivalent to five mono-block amplifiers housed within a single chassis.

Although fundamentally a traditional power amplifier that converts line-level analog signals into speaker-level output, the 100X5R incorporates innovative features such as the TAGtronic communication bus, which allows future firmware updates via reprogrammable Flash memory. Updates can be downloaded from the TAG McLaren website or obtained through authorized dealers, providing a degree of future-proofing for wide-band multichannel formats such as DVD-Audio and SACD. Build quality is exemplary: despite a lightweight aluminum chassis designed to reduce magnetic coupling between modules, the amplifier weighs nearly 30 kg. The loudspeaker terminals are exceptionally robust, machined from oxygen-free copper and directly gold-plated to ensure maximum conductivity without sonic degradation. Matching spade connectors manufactured to the same standard are available as optional accessories.

When powered on, the five channel relays engage with a solid click, and the amplifier requires some warm-up time before reaching optimal performance; during the initial minutes the sound may appear somewhat hard, but once fully warmed up it reveals outstanding sonic qualities. Despite its imposing appearance, the 100X5R proves to be an extremely refined performer, capable of retrieving subtle details and creating a realistic soundstage free from electronic coloration or tonal artifacts. The center channel benefits most from this clarity, becoming effectively transparent when paired with equally revealing loudspeakers.

The 100 watts per channel may seem modest on paper, but thanks to the mono-block construction the full power is genuinely usable. Multiple power supplies enable spectacular dynamic swings across all channels, delivering dialogue, sound effects, vehicles, and action scenes with striking realism. Dynamic control remains impeccable even at high listening levels. The only potential drawback of the 100X5R lies in its extreme transparency: it ruthlessly exposes the limitations of source components and loudspeakers, and for casual listening such as everyday TV viewing it may sound somewhat cool and detached. However, in a well-matched system with high-quality material, it delivers an exceptionally realistic and immersive listening experience.

The TAG McLaren 100X5R stands out as a very serious and highly capable power amplifier. Its modular construction offers tangible benefits in sound quality rather than mere configuration flexibility, delivering uncompromising clarity, dynamics, and precision. Its clinically accurate and slightly sterile character may not appeal to everyone, but for those seeking a transparent presentation and a convincingly realistic soundstage at any volume, the 100X5R remains virtually unmatched.

Technical specifications:

• Nominal output power: 100 W into 8 Ω; typical output power: 120 W per channel into 8 Ω, 160 W into 4 Ω, 190 W into 2 Ω for short periods
• Input voltage for full rated power: 1.0 V RMS
• Input impedance: 47 kΩ
• Nominal gain: 29.0 dB at 1 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 90 dB (referenced to 0 dBW)
• Frequency response: ±0.05 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz; -3 dB at 0.2 Hz and 87 kHz
• Total harmonic distortion + noise (THD+N): < 0.002% at 1 kHz, 100 W into 8 Ω; < 0.05% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 100 W into 8 Ω
• AC power supply: 50–60 Hz; voltage 100 V, 110–120 V or 220–240 V
• Power consumption: < 1380 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 445 x 139 x 352 mm
• Weight: 26.5 kg