[secastor]

I disassembled the 8200MB and 250MR. Both power amps are identical.
The PCB is exactly the same. At the point where it says "Tag Mclaren" he labeled it "Audiolab". It's the only difference.
The two transformers are identical. ELNA capacitors are identical.
The power transistors are the same.
Plug and the cable connecting the control board to the amp are the same.
The radiator, the position of the RCA and XLR connectors, fasteners, all the same.
The power modules of 8200MB and 250MR is the same.
The control board (located on the other side of the radiator) is different. It seems normal because there is no bus in the Tag 8200MB.

[tim_bissell]

Thanks for letting us know - looks like good value from Audiolab if they sound much the same...Shame the Audiolab boxes look so boring - amazing what difference a heatsink can make!

-- Tim

[Kenny Glasgow]

Very interesting and makes the audiolab a bargain

[Kenny Glasgow]

do you have a side-by-side photo?

[AMCross]

good idea kenny

[AMCross]

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

Very interesting and makes the audiolab a bargain

it does cause i have three amps with spaces for extra modules

[secastor]

I have the pictures, how to put them here?

[AMCross]

when you type your message below the box the message is displayed is a list of additional options

attach files is the one you need to click

it then opens a box for you to point to the location of your photos

hope thats makes sense

[secastor]

Hi,
These are the pictures.
The only difference is visible on photographs (8200MB-011 and 250MR-011).
Kevin said that we should not change the 8200MB.

"Hi Didier,
The red connector on the 8200MB is a Micro-Match.
If this problem were mine, I'd be inclined to crimp a micromatch header on to the 3x250R loom, that way you don't modify the module under warranty and can keep your warranty... ;-)
regards"

[Kenny Glasgow]

Originally Posted by AMCross

good idea kenny

Long time no speaky

[AMCross]

i'm still around kenny

u ok ?

did you not sell most of your tag gear

ps

secastor thanks for the photos

[Kenny Glasgow]

Originally Posted by AMCross

i'm still around kenny

u ok ?

did you not sell most of your tag gear

ps

secastor thanks for the photos

I'm fine thanks, how are you? I see your TAG stuff is still going strong

I still have the 250x3R and DVDFLR 32 in their boxes and I use the 100x5R everyday along with a Denon 4308 in pre/pro mode. I have a Denon universal player and a Pioneer BD player, both of which see very little use. Mind you we did watch Kick Ass on Saturday night which was good fun.

Nearly of my music listening is done via Apple TV and movies on Sky HD. One of the joys of having the 1TB box is that you always have something to watch.

[Coup330]

Didier,

wonderfull news and thanks for the photos. It seems you found finally what you searched for, but in an other way. I assume they do sound the same after the new one is runed in.
Now you only need some serious speakers ;-)


The Audiolab 8000MB is 1/3 of the price of the old Tags 250MR when they were new, so this seems to be a good deal. Onyl the Audiolab casing is onyl "okay".

@kenny
why do you use a simple denon av-receiver as preamp Why no dedicated preamp, in my experience they're always better?

[Kenny Glasgow]

Originally Posted by Coup330

@kenny
why do you use a simple denon av-receiver as preamp Why no dedicated preamp, in my experience they're always better?

I bought the 4308 about 3 years ago mainly for the ability to switch HDMI easily to replace the DP and a HDMI switch box, which my family hated lol!

Initially I ran the Denon as a receiver but it was poor with music so I put back the 100x5R which improved things greatly. I didn't get on with the Audessey EQ but found that it works quite nicely in Flat mode.

The Denon was only going to be a stop gap until I got a true replacement for the DP but so far the only thing I have heard that I would buy is a full Meridian digital system which is out of my league. The Ada looks interesting as do the Anthem and forthcoming Bryston but they ain't cheap either.

Linn and Naim seem to have given up on HT and the Arcam units seem to be plagued with problems.

I didn't like the Onkyo's and the current Marantz and Rotel offerings didn't offer any improvement sound wise, although I would buy either of them if I was looking.

After the 4308 I bought an ex-dem DVD 2930 which is Denon Link'd for my SACDs and DVD-As.

The audiolab 8200 looks promising but it's a pity there are only 4 HDMI ports. I would lime to hear it together withe new Oppo 95 when they both come out.

[Mr_Orange]

Very interesting photos, thanks. I understood that the guy (name escapes me) who designed the new 8200 series amplifiers for Audiolab used to work for Tag, so perhaps he designed the original Tag amplifiers as well. I imagine some component changes have been needed though to comply with EU law.

[johnson]

Douglas Self designed the 100*5 and 250*3.

[secastor]

Hi all,
I disassembled the module 8200MB. I put it into my 250X3R. Everything works fine. For connectors, I did what Kevin told me . There are details showing that it is not a revival of the 250MR. The transformer is slightly smaller in the 8200MB. I think it must be important.
To add a module in a 250X3R with 2 channels to power a center speaker is a very good solution. That's what I wanted and I'm very happy. The bus handles the tag of the 8200 module as if it were a tag.
I hope it will serve you.
Here are some pictures for the finale.
Best regards
Didier

[Kenny Glasgow]

Nice work Didier

[secastor]

Merci beaucoup

[AMCross]

secastor

great work

the only thing i am unsure of is the control plug appears to be different how did you get round that issue

what did kevin suggest

[secastor]

Originally Posted by AMCross

secastor

great work

the only thing i am unsure of is the control plug appears to be different how did you get round that issue

what did kevin suggest

The red connector on the 8200MB is a Micro-Match.
I bought mating component:
Farnell 149068
I cut the connector Tag. and I fixed the "Micro-Match" instead. And it works

[Mr_Orange]

Originally Posted by johnson

Douglas Self designed the 100*5 and 250*3.

Ah, that's a different name. Jason Greenslade was the guy I heard has designed the 8200 series amps.

[secastor]

Hi all
I think that there is no need to ask themselves the question "who did what". When Tag Mclaren Audio is sold, all products have been sold. Audiolab (2011) took over the plans of the 250W power amp and they remade the same with a few small economies.
It's a shame because they would have done exactly the same.
By comparing the Tag and 8200MB, the difference is very small. The 8200MB is a very good amp.
I think it would put the same transformer for have the same.
The 8200MB still costs over £ 1000!
Best regards
Didier

[pcourtney]

that is really good information, I have always rated Audiolab amps quite highly, looks like now might be a good time to stump up the cash for 2 of these amps :-)

what speakers ( mid price range please ) work best with these 250w beasts ?

[secastor]

Hi
I have Klipsch speakers. The amplifiers-tag mclaren operate with RF83. The Audiolab 8200MB module is connected to the RC64 Klipsch. This works very well.
Didier

[shaneL]

Sorry if this question sounds silly.

How much was the Tag Mclaren 250MR when it came out?

Kind Regards.

[Mr_Orange]

I might be a bit off, but ISTR it was around the GBP2k mark.

[Kenny Glasgow]

I think you are right Mr.Orange with the 250x3R being around £4k

[lonergan2468]

I have the CDQ, got it 2 weeks ago. I ordered the power amps yesterday, and a pair of KEF Q700, and balanced chord cables.

[Coup330]

you should have ordered better speakers combining them with the electronic you bought. kef reference would be best, minimum kef xq. it makes no sense to drive entry level speakers with high-end stuff.