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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
119 posts
 

as i now see it - with the la platine on its own feet, the movement of the la platine platter (wobbles) was exciting the suspension via contact between platter and spindle.  this in turn was leading to a noisy motor as it was receiving forces of up and down rather than just lateral. noisy motor then feeds back into platter chatter. and on we go in an unholy mess.

now, on rigid feet, the motor only deals with a lateral load and is much quieter.  the double looped silk is the "lubrication" in the system.  a little give perhaps.  the silk thread knot is tiny relative to linen. plus less "large" as the double loop somewhat minimises the significance of the knot.  i continue to get extraordinary W/F results with rigid feet on la platine.  

having said that, a platform which could prevent motor chatter (such as it is) from reaching platine platform and hence tonearm would certainly help. rigid feet don't do as good as a job as the platine feet in this role ime.

i must admit i don't know if such a platform would best have the motor and platine on it or just the platine?  it seems to me that if the motor is on it, then  the same issue exists (motor chatter shared with platine platform and hence tonearm).  so should be separate which would help since as @ledoux1238  points out, otherwise you are dealing with a very large platform.

if kept separate, then the only chatter the platine gets is from thread/speakers.  silk thread is dampening i believe.  speaker chatter unavoidable i think.

mr_gray
119 posts
 

@thekong and @pindac thanks for recommendations for platform

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,191 posts
 

The Manual Levelling Designs are much cheaper and also cancel out frequencies desirable to be cancelled in audio.

Migrating Amplitude from Ambient Energies is always worthwhile to look into measures for managing it,  when a TT is the system source and the mounting of the TT and supporting ancillaries are the important consideration.

thekong
217 posts
 

When placing a La Platine with hard footer on a pneumatic platform, I would certainly place both the main unit and the motor on the same platform, and may put a thin layer of Isodamp sheet, or Isodamp footer, under the motor for some further damping. 

ledoux1238 OP
341 posts
 

@thekong

I tend to agree with your view on a continuous platform for both motor and plinth. However, the platform would receive substantial different weight distribution between the two units. My thought was to use Townshend seismic pods with different bearing loads to even out things out. If one were to use a Vibraplane, does it have the footprint to hold both units? I seem to remember someone using a Minus-K under the La Platine and it was difficult to achieve balance.

I recall reading WBF, maybe, that like @mr_gray you also use a Kuzma Safir on the La Platine. Do you still use it? What cartridges have you tried? What other arms have you tried?

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