Laurent Labat-Camy's 
System
Date of Visit:
23 October 1999


the system


the electronics


Laurent's DIY speaker


modular speaker prototype

e-mail to:
Laurent Labat-Camy


Laurent's living room (6 x 7 m.) seems to be organized around his Hi-Fi system with two Magnepan 3.5's occupying the best corner and his comfy hot seat placed just on their axis as it should be. 

As I had just met him (through my friend Cuneyt Genc who also accompanied me during my visit) I assumed that he was single. However I was wrong: his wife Ilsu joined us soon after and said that she has no problem with Laurent's hobby, she even enjoys it as much as he does ("this is a bit too much!!!" I thought to myself).

Laurent is French and has lived in Istanbul for only the last five years, but he seems to be decided to do so for much longer: he and Ilsu are just married and Ilsu is Turkish.

Laurent designs and builds speakers as a hobby (see the bottom picture where he demonstrates his most flexible modular speaker system). He also had us listen to one of his own speaker using Scan Speak drivers. Very successful indeed. Bravo Laurent!

Laurent is not yet a member of Istanbul Hi-Fi Club but is willing to join soon. He listens to classical (50%), jazz / blues (40%), pop (10%) music.

The CD's he uses for system evaluation purposes are the followings. Perhaps due to his mother who sings in the chorus of  "Orchestre des Champs Elysees" he prefers chorus sound.

  • Ramirez / Missa Criola /  Jose Carreras / Phil 446 976-2
  • Mussorgsky / Pictures of an Exhibition (organ transcription) / Jean Guillon / DOR-90117
  • Mozart / Requiem / Orchestre des Champs Elysees / HMC 901620


System's Components
 

CD Transport:

Teac VRDS T1

D/A Converter:

Sonic Frontiers SFD2 Mk.II

Line Preamp:

ARC LS15

Power Amp:

ARC VT100

Speakers:

Magnepan 3.5

Interconnects:

Van den Hul MC Gold, Van den Hul "The Second"

Speaker Cables: 

WireWorld Atlantis 

Digital Cable:

Transparent Digital Link

Laurent's comments about his System:

AA: "Laurent, how would you describe your system's sound?"
LL: "Wide, open, precise."
AA: "Do you think there is room for improvement?"
LL: "Yes, I think I could improve on stage depth. The limited ceiling height is unfortunately causing this."
AA: "Have you got plans for upgrading?"
LL: "Yes, digital cable. I don't know which one yet, I'll listen and decide."

 

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