I really appreciate the detailed pointers here. I will do this. Thank you.
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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- 371 posts total
The discussion of belt material and tension caused me to wonder whether anyone has tried roughening the sides of the Verdier platter so as to afford a better grip by any belt material one might choose. Every La Platine I have ever seen in the flesh has a sort of "brushed chrome" or brushed aluminum look to the platter. I wouldn't think that was the best choice for reducing belt slippage. |
Dover, baby. No need to get so upset. I will look for your post above that you suggest explains why not to roughen the surface of the platter. Are you alluding to the idea that the thread may shred? I thought you poo-pooed that idea when someone else mentioned it. Anyway, I have no dog in the fight; the La Platine is not my cup of turntable. And you're darn right; I don't understand the La Platine. |
I found the thread below from WBF, in a post on Garrard 301. But the thread refers to @mtemur, a fellow La Platine owner. And his recommendation is a Transrotor belt!? It seems to fly in the face of all this talk on suture silk and linen. But I am in a belt phase myself so I might investigate the Transrotor belts. It seems that the consensus is thread produces more delicacy in sound, but belt keeps speed consistent.
“hi @rarbonneau
@dover Thanks for the platter cleaning regiment, very useful. Like @lewm I had assumed, erroneously, that a little roughness on the platter helps with grip. @mr_gray I wrote to LDA, and Nick responded on a Sunday with his motor recommendation; though it seems like a rather basic unit. Are you moving forward with the motor replacement? |
- 371 posts total