2020 update : JC Verdier La Platine

@charob I think between elastic rubber belts and thread, the consensus is that thread is better. I recently ordered an Original Live belt made for Micro Seiki TT to paired with a temporary motor while the original motor was being fixed. The thread + original sounded better. 
I have seen experienced user driving the La Platine with tape. Thom Galibier advocates his Kevlar tape for his turntables and claims that it would work well on the La Platine.

@ledoux1238

Sorry I can't remember how to remove the feet - it's some years ago.

Pretty sure everything is held in by screws.

I made my own feet - I cut inserts for the cavities from birch ply and put 8mm stainless steel thread inserts into the ply inserts. The round inserts were made as a friction fit - no screws or glue required.

I then used Black Diamond Racing cones screwed into the ply/stainless inserts and pucks.

@charob

The Platine Verdier comes standard with both a belt and a linen thread.

Silk thread - used for sutures - works better.

well i finally have the safir playing on the la platine and of course i am now:

- floating in mid air with no ball bearing contact

- lubed up with Rocol X5

- transrotor skinny belt

- copper "mat"

I have an ART9 mounted and am using a very affordable SUT in the Audio Technica AT670T.

It sounds absolutely tremendous.  The belt is very light/loose.  It is music coming from the black.  It sounds very odd in some way in that there aren't any detectable mechanical artefacts in the sound.  I listened to Royal Trux Cats and Dogs last night and it was perfect.  A dream session for an audiophile.  A fave record turned into a sustained artistic event.  

Soon enough I might try footers again as well as the linen thread I have coming.  But I will give it a while because what I'm hearing is very good and I've been without it for weeks waiting for armboards.

I had to watch a video of Royal Trux as I was unfamiliar with the band. 
 

Your cartridge choice for the Safir is interesting, light and high compliance. But I remember Safir being a very heavy and stiff arm, so a heavier and low compliant cartridge might obtain even better results? The Safir with its unique bearing and stiff wand is really quite nice. I wondered if you could comment a bit more on the Safir as compared to other arms in your stable. Fremer’s review described how the bass produced by the Safir without resonant coloration brought forth the clarity, detail and transparency of the entire sound spectrum. I guess that’s what you mean by no ‘mechanical artefacts’.

How did you come upon the Transrotor belt? It has a round profile instead of flat ? What material ? 
 

when fremer reviewed the safir i recall he used a variety of carts that wouldn't traditionally work with something of such high eff. mass.  i can't say i see any issues in use.  i agree it seems likely that another cart might do even better.  i have a used lyra delos i will try.  but the art9/safir combo seems extremely good.

i think the lack of artefact is a "sense" that is to a large extent contributed by the la platine.  for example one doesn't hear the drive of the tt3 in it.  i will need to hear the setup more to try and locate any specific contribution from Safir relative to others.  definitely an aspect of its performance is bass and a lack of distortion.

i caved and have applied thread already.  the transrotor is round and skinny and was recommended by an experienced la platine user.  however i had to try thread (not the "right" thread, but instead synthetic sewing thread that is very skinny).  it sounds even better with the skinny thread i think.  soon i will have thread that is closer to the originally endorsed "Verdier" thread and i will give that a shot.  

last night i listened to Princess Chelsea's latest record (NZ band - "everything is going to be alright").  it felt like i could hear everything without any distortion.  clean and clear bass.  backing vocals that are just tiny touches.  i had atmosphere but no sterility. the art9 is a great cartridge i think and the very cheap AT 670T SUT i bought to use with it is unbelievable.  $400 aud and it sounds flawless.  it even can be used with a range of carts.  i look forward to comparing it to a Silvercore sut i have coming but for now, it doesn't feel like it is doing anything wrong.

i  do think floppiness can be an issue with the verdier.  so with original feet on i am trying to not introduce other forms of floppiness.  i tend to think the synthetic thread is slightly stretchy but not as stretchy as a rubber belt.  rubber belt under tension sounded a bit "meh" and rubber belt with no tension was better but not as good as skinny thread with minor amount of tension.  

i will also see how the "EPDM" belts fair before i come to any final conclusions about preferences.  i have a gold ring belt that is thicker than transrotor but made of epdm and i know from my work with a garrard 401 that the kind of rubber makes a difference.  silicon being about the worst and Viton being one of best.  epdm i have less experience with but others have highly recommended it.