Anybody heard Galibier or JC Verdier turntables?

I own a Galibier Gavia (but with the older Teflon/aluminum platter), and I have been very pleased with its sound quality and reliability.

I have heard the Platine Verdier a number of times but not in my own system or in a comparison with the Galibier. It is clearly a good sounding table also, and it's been around for practically forever. That should count for something.

There are two aspects about the PV that would lead me to choose the Galibier over it. First, the Galibier is powered by battery, whereas the PV has a wall-powered DC supply. I have tried it both ways and the battery makes a significant improvement in detail and dynamics. I understand there are some after-market battery arrangements for the PV, in England I believe, but you're on your own there. Second, I believe the Galibier's tape drive provides better speed stability than the string used in the PV.

I think that either table, if set up carefully, is capable of superb vinyl playback. You really can't go wrong with either one.

Hope this helps.

Dave

I can corroborate Thom's statements regarding lack of bearing wear. I took apart the bearing in my Galibier after about a year of frequent use, and was somewhat surprised to see no indication of wear at all, other than a little dimple in the Delrin as Thom described. The oil really didn't look any different from when I installed it a year earlier. This is in contrast to some reports that I've read involving metal-on-metal designs, where users have reported the oil having particulate matter.

Dave

Thermio,

Not sure what you mean. The post was about Platine Verdier and Galibier, both of which are still available. What is your point?