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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
richardkrebs
438 posts
 

 

@thekong.

I have read reports of people using a DD motor to drive a platter via a belt or thread. You would need to be careful in selecting a motor that can spin up the heavy LaPlantine platter, but replacing the centre spindle with a pully could do the trick. There would also be bearing side load issues in the donor DD motor to consider  Surely there are off the shelf three phase motors and controllers out there that could be used?

 

ledoux1238 OP
422 posts
 

@thekong Thank you for the list of prestigious TT  using dual AC motor controlier, 

@richardkrebs Thank you for that simple explanation of the three phase motor. If executed correctly, surely a motor with 'phase concellation' to achieve vitual linear torque is very desirable. Notwithstanding the various motors using generators and amplifiers, your explanation has led me to seriously consider the three phase ac Condor motor by SOTA. 

ledoux1238 OP
422 posts
 

@thekong 

i was browsing WBF and came upon an exchange between you and @mtemur . There was a change in shaft size during 2010 for the La Platine. And you had written to the new owner of Verdier to inquire about getting the new shaft part. Did you ever hear back? …Just curious.

mr_gray
188 posts
 

i am in contact with Galibier and hope to order a motor from them.  of course u don't just get a motor.  u also get a new belt system.  i have tried mylar tape here last week.  i can't make a loop neatly enough.  Wow and Flutter goes to hell.  But the sound is very compelling!  like a Garrard 401 on steroids (i apologise for this simile but it is quite apt in this case).  huge drive, but high fidelity also.

i really like my AC motor but lets face it, it is a 150 AUD generic ac motor taped to a crucible filled with coins.  i am pretty sure Thom Makris, with his decade of involvement, does better :-)  it would be high hubris for me to expect otherwise.

i think macro timing with the AC motor is fabulous and i love i can play records and don't have to wear my shaknspin in a holstre anymore.  but i think its less articulate in crucial moments (start of the note) than the DC motor sometimes and this makes it less musically impressive sometimes.  really what i am responding to is the fact that the Platine has so much scope to be improved.  everything you do you hear.  a great motor driving it will really pay off (i think).

thekong
251 posts
 

 

@ledoux123 , yes, the new company which had taken over Verdier’s production had replied to my query, but they said Eric Verdier insisted that the new spindle would not work in older units. Anyway, they were just gearing up for production at the time, so would let me know when they actually start production. I have not heard from them since!

Actually, I have yet to take my Verdier apart to check whether it has the newer or older spindle, probably will do it in the next month or so! 

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