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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
phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
327 posts
 

Iv not really had time to get into all this for the motor, Iv been wanting to upgrade but find it rather dificult on which ones to choose and now considering if the simple tweeks might be sufficent enough for some SQ upgrade.

 

Spending 4-5 K just for a motor is not going to happen.

phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
327 posts
 

Dereneville Audio to my opinion is not worth the money (5K for a motor!) and i was advised to stay away from it by another Analog fanatic friend of mine.

vinylvalet
930 posts
 

I had one in the late 90s with a Morch DP-6 tonearm. I replaced it with a Walker Proscenium Gold. I enjoyed my time with the Verdier, a unique and very good sounding design.

I sold it to a good friend in Little Rock, AR. He still uses it with a Lyra Kleos in a very top of the line Naim system driving big ProAc speakers. The last time I visited I found the sound quality of vinyl playback to be spectacular.

ledoux1238 OP
341 posts
 

@phantom_av 

Thanks for the update. Dereneville motors are indeed expensive as wth the rest of its line of TTs' and tonearms. 

Regarding upgrades, I am looking at a air-bearing isolation platform for the Verdier rather than go the motor route. And I will update when appropriate.

What arm and cartridge are on your Verdier?

 

@vinylvalet 

Would you care to give a breif discription on SQ improvement going from the Verdierto the Walker? I have read much in the drop of noise floor and the immense soundstage of the Walker.

 

vinylvalet
930 posts
 

@ledoux1238 This was very early in the evolution in the Walker table. Even though mine looked pretty much like the current model, much has changed over the last couple decades. Honestly, for me, it ended up as a lateral move. I sold the Walker a few year after I bought it and don't miss it at all. I do miss the Verdier even though I currently have several very nice turntables. I consider the Verdier one of the great audio classics. The Morch DP-6 was a nice match IMHO. Enjoy.

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