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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
188 posts
 

i have a silver 1:10.  i think it is the pro version.  i wanted the largest silver cans i could get my hands on.  it wasn't cheap unfortunately.  

what i like is to listen to other gear so i can get a sense of how good the good gear is.  i feel it helps with system insights and comprehension.  plus fun.

the silvercore keeps getting better.  very dynamic, very quiet, on solid state it would sound dry i think or crisp - but that's probably just as it burns in.  it is a great match with the delos.

i can well imagine good carts and less decorated gear.  i can also well imagine a relatively cheap tube based RIAA doing a very good job as i did have an Abbas EL84 riaa before the m6.  having said that, the m6 is kind of amazing when compared to the Abbas, so you do get something for your money.

i am sure if i had it all over again there are better ways to skin the cat.

i have an iogold/s9 combo and i eventually the iogold will be repaired and i will get to listen to that in context of say silvercore/delos.  it will be interesting as the iogold/s9 setup is around 7 times more expensive.  i did previously listen to the s9/iogold combo but not when my la platine was so sorted and also prior to understanding how critical setup of cart was and so without benefit of analog magik and smartractor.

ledoux1238 OP
421 posts
 

@mr_gray 

You have an envious arsenal of high end gear. And you are right about good set up allowing the best gears to perform at their best.
 

The level of care in setting up the TT / tonearm / cartridge has been at the center of attention for me in the past several years. Given I use a linear tracker, the set up  parameters are much less than with a pivot arm. And I am still adjusting with microscope and ear. The one parameter that has the most effect on sound is azimuth. And as I do not use a Fozgometer or Audio magik, I adjust by listening to the widest and deepest soundstage with a most subtle bass response, not very ‘ scientific’, but I do take time and care in doing the minute adjustments. 

mr_gray
188 posts
 

@ledoux1238 i have gone overboard it is true.  a big positive is i have learnt a bit and become comfortable working with a cart, tonearm and table.  i am yet to crack azimuth if i am honest.  i struggle getting vision on it even with a microscope (much easier for use with vta from side).  when i use analog magik i seem to be only really checking zenith, which it is fantastic for.  i don't find azimuth adjustment approachable on the kuzma safir.  it would be much easier to attempt on the AS arche headshell i have but currently obsessed with the Safir.

 

if you have any tips for me i am all ears.

ledoux1238 OP
421 posts
 

@mr_gray 
Adjusting azimuth electrically involves measuring cross talk between the two channels of the cartridge. Typically you use a voltmeter and test record and measure the output of your cartridge with one channel suppressed. Then you do the same for the other channel. The outputs of the two should be as close as possible to each other for best azimuth alignment. This should mean the least crosstalk and the widest channel separation which should translate into the widest sound stage and the least channel imbalance. That is what I try to hear without using measuring tools.


i have seen videos of azimuth alignment using AudioMagik, a bit more complicated than using a Fozometer, but the principle is the same, measuring cross talk. And your Safir has a tool to rotate the arm tube to adjust for azimuth. It may involve a few back and forth rotating the arm tube, or you might just get it perfect on your first try. 

mr_gray
188 posts
 

aha!  thank you very much for your insight here.  i think i knew this once but it was before i was ready to cope with another variable and i had well and truly forgotten.  just y'day i saw the arrow on the safir and wondered as to what the heck it was for.  thank you very much.  this is very pleasing.  i also was not aware that cross-talk related to this.  i had another cart, an ART9, with terrible cross-talk numbers so i will see if i can do anything about that.  now i can do something with analog magik besides zenith.

i really appreciate you pointing this out.

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