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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
ledoux1238 OP
341 posts
 

@dover Thank you for the Azzolina Audio reference. Looking at its own TT on offer, its plinth is made from a paper / resin composite with properties associated with ebony wood. 
 

@thekong The paper / resin composite would be my second choice as a plinth material. Taking inspiration from Azzolina Audio, my first choice would be a solid chunk of ebony with a 6mm copper bottom plate bolted to the ebony. A local supplier has a stash of real Indonesian ebony that would be perfect for the project. I wasn’t even thinking plinth replacement, but now……. Please update if you do  proceed with this as will I.

dover
2,353 posts
 

@thekong 

This flexibility was accomplished through the use of a massive, solid alloy base on which tonearms can be placed anywhere on their respective spindle-to-pivot arcs.

Purchasing a Transcendence with a large base enables one to use a tonearm of any length and offers the possibility of placing it at a desired location rather than a fixed mount, provided that the location is the correct distance away from the platter spindle. Additionally, upgrades are stress-free, since components can be swapped without the need for disassembly.<

Yes, but, every time the cleaning lady has finished I would have to remeasure the position and/or see a therapist for my OCD. On my TT if I change arms I have to get a custom bronze/gunmetal arm board cut and polished down to a thou. That is cheaper than a good therapist. The pivoting arm boards on the Verdier are quite advantageous, if somewhat ungainly.

thekong
217 posts
 

@ledoux1238 , yes, paper / resin composite is an interesting option. The Immedia RPM2 TT’s platter also has a layer of what they called phenolic—paper. 

 

@dover , I agree with you, micro movement of the arm pot is certainly a real concern! Unless the arm pot has a very substantial weight, simply taking the arm out of its holder may cause micro movements! I would not worry too much with the huge arm tower of the Kuzma XL, but the Basis’ arm pot looks a lot smaller! 

mr_gray
119 posts
 

great to hear the suggestions around platforms.  mine is a later run of "granito" and i find it very appealing.  but of course no room for the motor on that platform.

i really would love to try a new motor.  the vitesse is a special order so no trial available.  i'm not keen to pull the original motor apart as i won't be able to put it back together to anyone's satisfaction.  

does anyone have a suggestion regarding the motor?  is dc or ac the go?  i have a long dog audio motor controller for my garrard 401.  i was in correspondence with the guy from LDA and he recommended a motor i could buy to utilise with it.  the only thing that held me back was i would need a housing for the motor and the thought of doing that and getting motor running perfectly flat seemed intimidating.

should i try and build a garrard motor into a housing i wonder and just do it that way.  

 

 

mr_gray
119 posts
 

have bought ac motor recommended by LDA guy.  around $150 dollars to give it a shot.  might mount in la platine motor for ease of use.  in for a penny in for a pound and all that.  i just don't fancy handing over thousands of dollars for a vitesse or other when feedback is so mixed and also just hoping it is a knock it out of park success because it would be a great feeling.  the long dog audio speed controller is very good i know that and the motors are quite highly regarded so my fingers are crossed.

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