Own a Verdier Platine for about 7 years now, before this I also owned the Platine Nouvelle.
To discribe this table,I think would be best to say it has no colouration or any 'character' at all.
You just listen to the arm and element combination. period.
If the arm and element have a certain signature, so be it.
the moment you change arm and element, you may find something completely different.
This table is the perfect reviewers tool.
through the years my love for this TT has grown to an amazing respect and reward.
set up and tuning are very straight forward, but understanding of it's basic principles are needed.
I would very recommend doing the battery supply modification, this elevates the performance yet again, it concerns timing, pace, and sound as well.
leave the Philips motor, it is actually a very expensive motor.
For me it is the very last TT I will ever buy, mind you that the Verdier Platine has been manufactured almost 25 years with the same basic concept.
In comparison to the SME 20 / SME 30 ,
I think these are very high tech made products with imacculate finish, but have a veiled and technically presentation, especially when partnered with the SME 4 and 5 arms.
sorry, but I was never really inspired with these TT.
that accounts for the Linn LP-12 as well.
The Verdier Platine matched with any Schroeder arm is an vinyl lovers wet dream, it is so utterly musically and involving, made to match.
visit;
http://www.callas-audio.nl/mywayuk.html
for much more on this
regards and keep the vinyl spinning. Ron