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!
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!
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- 280 posts total
@ledoux1238 wow! this really made a difference. the Delos i have was v cheap because the cantilever is askew. it needed an azimuth adjustment more than most carts would perhaps. the difference is profound. when you said "The one parameter that has the most effect on sound is azimuth" i thought there might be some hyperbole. to anyone reading it is not hyperbole. it is, shockingly, fact. a significant progression for me. thankyou @ledoux1238 ! |
@mr_gray The previous arm on my La Platine was a SME V, a well regarded tonearm, and a popular pairing with the turntable. This was many years ago, my set up skills were, admittedly, very poor. I used the supplied protractor for cartridge alignment, and the arm does not allow for azimuth adjustment. The result was really very poor SQ compared to what I am hearing today. I believe I would be able to optimize the V’s potential more today, however, its lack of azimuth adjustment dissuades me from owning it again. Your skewed Delos may be worth sending back to Lyra for a repair, no? Other issues may be lurking holding back its full potential. You may have mentioned but what are using as an isolation platform for the La Platine, if any? |
you could be right re: the Delos but i am quite broke right now and it sounds brilliant. I don't think I have ever had my stereo running like this. when i adjusted the azimuth i corrected a 2 dB channel imbalance. so now the channels match, inter mod distortion is well within spec and optimised. vtf is cool and i used microscope to check vta. it sounds amazing and cost me 600 AUD so i will enjoy it for a bit whilst the Silvercore SUT keeps running in. takes ages to play 40 hours of records! currently i have the motor on CMS footers (i like the rigidity) and the la platine is on its own feet. there is an isolation platform (Seismion) selling locally 2nd hand i'd love to pick up but as above, no budget right now. instead i am waiting for my local haberdasher to supply me with silk thread and cotton thread so i can try them out versus my current linen thread (which is excellent). i hope the silk thread will just have a touch more give in it which will reduce transfer of motor vibration. |
- 280 posts total