2. analog
  3. 155603-92835

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
143 posts
 

@ledoux1238 thanks for the mailout.  i would message but audigon seem to flagged our convo for moderation or something.

apropos of nothing i want to say that for a belt - double silk is my recent preference but it doesn't last very long and there is a lot of fettling.   today i tried  "just loose" single wrap linen with knot out because couldn't find silk.  numbers on shaknspin2 very good and sound colossal and a  tad more dynamic than silk.  less speed variation.  good for piano. great W and F.  and of course with linen i can actually play a 45 rpm.  

either way the record player has got me absolutely locked in of late.  extremely beautiful and musical presentation.  vocals at the fore.  huge soundstage with some depth.

ledoux1238 OP
353 posts
 

@mr_gray You’re welcome on the controller chips and I hope you will not have to use them.

It’s interesting your findings on going back to linen thread. My recent change to a third party Chinese motor with rubber belt from Origin Live is also very positive. This set up keeps speed much more consistently than either silk or linen, realizing that earlier discussions on rubber belts have been negative. Whatever I am supposed to be missing on the rubber belt, I am not missing. And this lowly motor is picking up the slack. 
 

When you installed the motor recommended by LDA, please report back. I think I am seriously thinking of a new motor.

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,299 posts
 

I know the owner of LDA and Nick is as sound a person as one can meet.

I'm confident his recommendation will be a very useful option.

I was one of the first to hear the Prototype of the LDA Quartz SC which was quite a eye opener, when the 401 in use was in use via a £4K mains power conditioner. The 401 was then connected directly to the LDA via the Wall Socket and this method transformed the 401, the tidiness of the End Sound is indelible.

On the same day as the above, the LDA was used with a Thoren's TD-160 and it had quite an effect on the End Sound produced from this TT as well.  

At a later time, I was loaned a production model to compare to other known SC's used on Idler Drive TT's.

All who was at a comparison of the LDA and alternate speed controllers, which took place at a few different homes. Were to put the LDA in the place of being the better SC. For a few who were present, the idea of the LDA as a replacement to what was already in use was the suggestion.   

mr_gray
143 posts
 

thank you @ledoux1238  - i also hope i never have to install that little thing,  it would well and truly test my soldering skills.  my linen diversion was prompted by me losing the silk thread.  but also because silk doesn't last long.  as it shreds one gets all sorts of speed issues.  i feel like a fool when i have enjoyed a record and then find i was running 0.5% slow.  i am glad you are having some luck with the rubber belt.  i might try one with the new motor but i cant get the la platine to spin slow enough when i use one it turns out.  i want to try "tape" next.  

how fascinating @pindac - i think i read about the famous hobbyist led LDA SC shootout.

yes Nick from long dog audio was very kind to reply to my email and I have very high hopes indeed.

the pulley is on the way (40 mm) and i am hoping for a moment as profound as the one i had when i first used it on the garrard.  "Tidiness" is a good word to describe it  although to me it sounded grander than that humble word might suggest.  i look forward to re-trying my garrard 401 soon now that i've had the la platine for a few months.  

dover
2,365 posts
 

 but also because silk doesn't last long.  as it shreds one gets all sorts of speed issues. 

This flabbergasts me.

I have been using surgical suture silk thread for 40 years on my TT - it's pulling a 26kg platter. I've only ever had one failure, when I went overseas for 2 months and accidentally left the TT running. Came back and the silk belt had broken.

My silk belts go for years without needing replacement.

I also ran surgical suture silk on my Verdier - no shredding or breakages on that either. Pretty sure that the silk belt on my Verdier ran for about 3 years until I sold it.

 

More to discover