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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
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.

mr_gray
188 posts
 

mr_gray
188 posts
 

@ledoux1238 wow!  this really made a difference.  the Delos i have was v cheap because the cantilever is askew.  it needed an azimuth adjustment more than most carts would perhaps.  the difference is profound.  when you said "The one parameter that has the most effect on sound is azimuth" i thought there might be some hyperbole.  to anyone reading it is not hyperbole.  it is, shockingly, fact.  a significant progression for me.  thankyou @ledoux1238 !

ledoux1238 OP
421 posts
 

@mr_gray

The previous arm on my La Platine was a SME V, a well regarded tonearm, and a popular pairing with the turntable. This was many years ago, my set up skills were, admittedly, very poor. I used the supplied protractor for cartridge alignment, and the arm does not allow for azimuth adjustment. The result was  really very poor SQ compared to what I am hearing today. I believe I would be able to optimize the V’s potential more today, however, its lack of azimuth adjustment dissuades me from owning it again. 

Your skewed Delos may be worth sending back to Lyra for a repair, no? Other issues may be lurking holding back its full potential. 

You may have mentioned but what are using as an isolation platform for the La Platine, if any? 

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