Please go to 53:33 of the video. Fremer interviewed the owner of Pro-Ject Audio, Heinz Lichtenegger, and introduced the ‘new’ La Platine at this years Munich show.
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!
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!
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- 537 posts total
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I don't have a lot of faith in Project. If you look at the workings of their expensive EAT turntables, despite the lovely plinths and massive platters - the actual bearings are puny, and the "speed control" circuitry would fit in a cigarette packet. Their high end products are all smoke and mirrors - lots of "features" but don't look under the bonnet. |
@dover In the video, lichtenegger claims that the new TT is a straight copy of the original. He talked about the bearing being made from zamak, a soft alloy used in the original. Notwithstanding your concern about Pro-Ject’s own TTs, If the metallurgy and production processes for the platter, magnets, bearing ..etc of the original La Platine are given, sticking to the original recipe should produce something if not exactly the same as the original, than very close. He is not talking about ‘improving’ or otherwise tinkering with the original. It’s a‘copy’. And the MSRP of 15000 is probably close to the original price. The fact that the La Platine has been produced without much modification in forty plus years is pretty remarkable. And now for production to continue by someone else must indicate some faith in its viability. I’d give Pro-Ject the benefit of doubt. |
- 537 posts total