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2020 update : JC Verdier La Platine

A recent encounter with a JC Verdier dealer as well as a recent Audiogon discussion thread led to the start of this thread. He was in my house updating my La Platine which had been in storage for ten years with thread and oil. While he has high regards for the deck, his newer clients nevertheless prefer a Techdas iii than an 'old' La Platine. Given the proliferation of expensive decks in the past dozen years, La Platine has become very much under-appreciated. 

It's clear to me that the influence of the La Platine is everywhere to be found. Specifically, the magnetic suspension system that was employed 30+ years ago. Even SOTA offers their newer decks with mag. lev. features. And if you read this review: https://www.callas-audio.nl/Callas%20Platine%20Mod%20Kit%20Review.pdf, the Continuum Caliburn uses the same concept, which was not acknowledged in Fremer's review, albeit with more sophisticated , and expensive, execution.

It is also clear to me that there is much misunderstanding of the workings of the La Platine. I for one have contributed to this. The motor of the La Platine, for example, has been much maligned. The thread drive is another aspect of the turntable that have been described as inferior. With regard to the motor and thread drive, I have been set straight by Chris @ct0517 and Lyubomir @lbelchev. Experimenting with the different types of silk threads, the tightness to the platter  and a renewed understanding of the soundness of the Philips motor have been rewarded with better dynamics and transparency. 

The funny thing is that during the past two years of re-engagement with audio, I have questioned ownership of every components in my arsenal except the La Platine. It has always been a keeper. I wonder if La Platine owners would contribute to celebrating this 'old' deck with tales, advice, and insights?

Cheers!
ledoux1238
mr_gray
78 posts
 

yes with the Audio Note turntables we have the reference, the half reference and then the tt3 (and then others with less motors below that).  as i understand it the ref and half ref are licensed from voyd whilst the tt3 is AN's own creation (albeit heavily influenced by voyd).  i have never heard a ref or half ref.

with the tt3 we then have 4 different levels of motor.  i have a psu3.  makes a huge difference.  to a very big extent in the tt3 we are listening to the motor.  i have heard the psu4.  i found the difference is shocking (but i frequently seem to lack proportion).

i feel with the AN tt3 it has less atmosphere than the la platine.  i guess the noise is higher (3 motors).  the drive is excellent.  the usability is excellent.  you turn it on.  it hits perfect speed.  the end.  when i measure wow and flutter the numbers are much worse on the tt3.  one can hear this a bit i think in that the la platine is very "solid" (when on fixed footers more so) and massive (finely grained).  the tt3 is more like a little boat on the big ocean.  the 401 sounds like a big modern aircraft carrier (total stability).  the platine inbetween but on fixed feet more 401 than tt3.

 

finally the tt3 doesn't allow different arms which is simplifying but a little limiting for some perhaps.

mr_gray
78 posts
 

just to add, going from thread on la platine to belt, and going from more bearing to no bearing, one can cover a whole spectrum of sound right there.  the loose thread with magnetic levitation only can sound delicate, ethereal and more biased to higher freq. a tight elastic belt with ball bearing taking weight can sound quite close to a 401 (more plastic, more relentless, thicker).

mr_gray
78 posts
 

get a granito / vintage heritage la platine and tell us the difference with your classic la platine.  there is one on sale on audio-markt!  it looks brilliant.

ledoux1238 OP
320 posts
 

@mr_gray 
As dedicated to the La Platine as I am, and curious  about the differences between a Classic and a Granito, I’d leave this comparison to others. I did search on audio-mafkt for the granito, and it’s a nice one with grey stone inlays. 
 

mr_gray
78 posts
 

what table are you besotted with ledoux?

 

i am now using a transrotor large belt and i have the rocol x5 ultraglide in place.  with the belt and without the rocol i was too fast!

now i am right on the money.

wow and flutter gets worse less tight the belt is.  this tells me magnet alignment is not perfect.  having said that i am down at 0.06 % RMS Wow so it is very good.  if i get the belt tight i can get it down to 0.02.  but i know that will sound more "idler" like and i don't want that.

unfortunately my armboards are being drilled and so actually hearing the la platine is off for now.  very keen to hear it with the safir.  i have a new to me ART9 cart that i will try out.  

i am back on its native suspension.  it shocks me how good it is at not allowing the motor noise into the la platine.  the motor is sitting on its own base which is heavy plate steel.  

currently i am floating with no ball contact so we will see how that goes.  

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