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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
104 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.  

dover
2,333 posts
 

Granito is simply terrazo ( cement with imbedded stone ), but the granito chassis can be fragile - crumbly from what some owners have commented.

If I was doing a new base I’d probably do custom slate or some composite - bamboo ply/panzerholz or other.

If you are not using a ball and using the lossy original feet - I can’t see it altering the sound significantly unless the weight changes significantly on the sprung feet.

I assume the steel plates under the MDF bring the weight to about the same as the Granito plinth - and keeping the weight the same with a new plinth would be important so as not to affect the fundamental resonance of the suspension.

 

charob
2 posts
 

Hi,

I have a chance to buy a Verdier La Platine, the present owner uses a rubber belt, but when I search this, I get unanimous results that thread is better, often silk. Would someone be able to point me to which thread I should buy. Would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Post removed 
ledoux1238 OP
331 posts
 

@dover I found the custom footers that Magna Audio produced for you. I assume the existing spring footers have to be removed. Can you explain how that is done? Do I remove all the screws on the underside of the plinth, and the spring assembly just comes loose?

@mr_gray I have too many second TT choices on my wish list. For contemporary TT, l like the Japanese CS Port, thread based with air bearing, non-feedback motor, and a really nice LT tonearm. For Vintage, the Forsell Reference, again with LT arm. For mostly nostalgia a SOTA and a Townshend are options. 
You  mentioned the Kuzma Safir, that is my top choice for a second arm. But the truth is l spend less than 25 hrs / week listening to my system. I am good for now. 

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