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Pioneer
in electronics, Jean-Marie Fusilier founded his company in 1974. It specialized in high frequency and infra red
remote control systems for critical industrial and defense applications. The audio department was created in 1985, as
a side project named JDF Audio driven by the passion for higher fidelity music
playback. At that time Jean-Marie Fusilier who had significant experience
in tube amplifiers design, developed ultra linear audio solid state power amplifiers
with an unprecedented approach : high voltage rails for improved
resolution, high current enabled outputs for the best control of the
speakers, selected and matched transistors for linearity, selection of
high purity materials to carry the signal, ultra short path circuit
design, direct coupling, enormous internal energy reserve for best
transient response, made to measure passive components by specialists in
aerospace and defense, use of techniques and
components normally intended for telecom and radar systems... to serve the
music. At
a presentation in Germany in 1988, these innovative power amplifiers
caught the attention of René Zingg, the passionate sound engineer and
owner of the newly built Soundville studios in Lucerne, the first
world-class recording studio in Switzerland.
René
Zingg asked for the evaluation of the JMF Audio power amplifiers
technology for the control room (the isolated room in which the sound
engineer and the producer evaluate the technical choices and monitor the
overall sound result). A stereo amplifier was compared to the already
installed famed Swiss mono blocks. René Zingg was so amazed by the
natural sound that Tom Hidley, the American designer of the studio, was
advised to come and listen. Tom Hidley approved but challenged
Jean-Marie Fusilier to build a power amplifier with 3dB more level. This
meant twice the output power! The technology did not allow it a such, but
of course the challenge was taken up.
Masterfonics,
Nashville, USA, the music
city, 1989. The greatest studio complex of Nashville
(recording/mixing/mastering operating 24h a day), designed by Tom Hidley
and standing as his reference, was the place where critical measurements
and sound evaluations of the new JMF Audio purpose made HQS3200 mono
amplifiers had to take place. Comparisons with the installed trusted Swiss
made mono blocks were carried on by the highly focused engineers.
Measurements first: No phase shift... The engineers were used to measuring
a significant delay between the input and the output in high frequency,
even on reference power amplifiers. They checked the measurement
instruments again, but Jean-Marie Fusilier informed them this was
normal... The noise floor was the lowest... normal again. Then other
engineers evaluated the sound. They spent all
night placing tapes on the reel-to-reel desk, replaying and listening to
their previous productions... On the next morning the faces were marked by
hours of questioning. The JMF Audio power amplifiers sounded more
transparent, more natural, more accurate with undistorted bass.
Jean
Marie Fusilier's creation was simply faithful. An
engineer said: "if we had used these power amplifiers, we wouldn't
have mixed the way we did...". This
conclusion resonated in the studios world where engineers put
great confidence in the monitoring system...
The
studios owner, mastering engineer and Grammy Awards winner Glenn Meadows
instantly purchased two pairs of JMF Audio mono blocks. The reputation of
the studio had to be preserved.
(amazingly,
chocolates from Switzerland arrived at the studio during the
evaluations...)
Starting
from the results in Nashville, Tom Hidley, the most influential and
respected recording studios designer in the world, has advised JMF Audio
power amplifiers which ideally complemented his unique approach to simple
path, neutral and faithful sound monitoring. The
distribution of the JMF Audio power amplifiers to audiophiles was made
from Japan, with fantastic feedbacks from connoisseurs. Being
highly successful with the other industrial and defense activities of his
company, Jean-Marie Fusilier did not feel necessary to further develop JMF
Audio commercially at that time. Immersed
in audio and music from a very young age, Jean-Marie Fusilier's sons
Laurent and Arnaud, both graduated in science from regarded universities
with experience and partners in laboratories, joined JMF Audio in the
early 2000's. Extraordinary
elements were developed, to cover all aspects of audio: 2003,
the world first digital to analog converter operating at 768kHz, more than
16 times the CD standard... (still unrivaled to date, not even mentionning
the sound quality...) 2005,
patent for the world first psychoacoustically based DSP cross-over. 2007,
development of the HPM1000 loudspeaker system. Development of a woofer,
the most powerful and light weight moving parts for a 16" transducer. 2009,
first HPM passive speaker with HPX linear cross-over. 2010,
invention of the CSV pure analog precision volume control for the PRS1.5
preamplifier. 2013,
invention of the PCD302 power line conditioner concept with its
independent cells. 2015,
always ahead, JMF Audio presented the DMT3.7 disc transport featuring the
proprietary BDPM1 machined multi format CD / SACD / Blu-ray
optical mechanism. The
Blu-ray playback being optimized for Pure Audio, the new high definition
audio-only disc (patent). This was an absolute breakthrough... Although
it was not exactly planned, JMF Audio has become the only manufacturer in
the world to master audio from the disc mechanism to the woofer,
through mains conditioning, interconnects, analog and digital... Each
element being a recognized jewel of sound... This
wonderful journey has been possible thanks to our clients, the music
lovers, the sound engineers who always ask for more and have challenged us to explore
new areas. No
advertisement, only quality. Connoisseurs knew where to get the
best. For
the 30th anniversary, JMF Audio unveiled the complete masterpiece to the
world at the Munich High-End audio exhibition (Hifideluxe), the most
regarded of its kind. It was a surprise. The visitors were amazed, the feedbacks were
excellent and naturally JMF Audio received the "Best Sound
Award". Renewed the next year... Lindberg Lyd (2L), Norway, 2016
(classical music and jazz). With 28 nominations (to date) for the Grammy Awards
with respect to the excellence of his work, the producer and owner Morten
Lindberg integrated JMF Audio's PCD302 mains conditioner and power cords
to supply the recording equipment in the pursuit for the most natural
sounding albums. And
the story continues! Stories
of Jan Gunnar Hoff was the first Blu-ray Pure Audio album ever
recorded using JMF Audio's technology. This time the contribution of JMF
Audio on the sound was direct and engraved on the disc, for the enjoyment
of all music lovers on all systems (hybrid SACD also included). The
audiophiles are to expect new reference recordings... --- JMF
Audio, a make, a knowhow that can equally fulfill the studios and the
audiophiles. Without a doubt, because all music lovers value musical beauty... --- >
The approach of the designers >
Heritage, the recording studios, Tom Hidley >
The Blu-ray Pure Audio Excellence >
Munich High-End, 1985-2015, 30th anniversary >
First Blu-ray Pure Audio produced with JMF Audio equipment > 30th
anniversary of the power amplifiers' technology recognition |
