A sonic legacy: A lifetime high-fidelity sound system

This exceptional audio chain is far more than an assembly of components: it is a lifetime of passion, two decades of methodical research, and a father-and-son dialogue engraved in every frequency. The builder, a research director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in physical chemistry, constructed this system with the same rigor he applied to his scientific work, designing and realizing himself the most critical elements.

At its heart: the Studer C37 tape recorder (professional reel-to-reel broadcast machine) and the EMT 930st turntable with Denon DL-103 cartridge, analog sources of exceptional purity. But it is in the electronics and acoustics that the full extent of his artisanal expertise emerges. He built with his own hands a tube preamplifier based on the Pultek schematic and analog tube filters, architectures he designed while refining every parameter. He also conceived and realized the tube power amplifiers — entirely handcrafted electronics that breathe excellence.

For acoustics, his ambition was even greater: he designed and built himself the entire set of horn loudspeakers, using CAAD software to model each enclosure volume according to his precise acoustic objectives. This ensemble comprises four exceptional horns, two of which are beautifully executed in solid mahogany — a work of craftsmanship and acoustic engineering that testifies to his total commitment.

Detailed components:

Analog sources:

• Studer C37 tape recorder (reel-to-reel, professional broadcast)
• EMT 930st turntable + Denon DL-103 cartridge
• Studer A721 cassette player

Digital sources:

• Studer A730 CD player (under revision)
• Shengya CD-S3.5 CD player
• Audio Research DAC
• Tascam SS-R200 (digital recorder)

Signal processing and amplification electronics:

• DIY tube preamplifier (Pultek schematic)
• DIY DRG / tube power amplifiers (handcrafted)
• Focusrite Red EQ (mastering equalizer)
• BSS Omnidrive Compact Plus (active filtering/crossover)
• Behringer Ultracurve Pro (digital equalizer)
• White Instruments 4400A (vintage analog equalizer)
• Revox B760 (audiophile FM tuner)
• Studer Balancing Unit (balancing interface)
• DIY analog tube filters

Power amplification:

• Crown XLS1502
• DIY handcrafted tube amplifiers

Acoustic reproduction (handcrafted construction):

• DIY horn loudspeakers (4 horns, 2 in solid mahogany — entirely handbuilt)
• Elipson 4240 ORTF spherical loudspeakers
• Supravox drivers (midrange)
• JBL 2420 compression drivers (for midrange horns)
• JBL compression drivers (for large horns)
• JBL woofers

Support electronics:

• DIY preamplifiers / power supplies

Focusrite mastering equipment, a sophisticated active filtering architecture, and exceptionally rare Elipson ORTF spherical loudspeakers complete this coherent, considered, optimized system. Every component, every construction reflects intention, measurement, and uncompromising listening. The complete absence of compromise the systematic choice of tubes for purity, DIY for absolute mastery, entirely handbuilt horns in solid mahogany, JBL compression drivers for acoustic precision  testifies to unified vision and rare artistic integrity.