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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
 

@ledoux1238 i surely will.  right now Mr Mackris is saying the standard unit will be 5.2 inches high (~ 130 mm) and cost is $3,750 USD.  He intends to offer us La Platine people an extension that the motor can sit on as i need 180 mm or so.  

Further details to follow.  He tells me the parts will be machined in 4 weeks and from there assembly will begin I'd presume.

re: motors my sense of things now is:

1. my Verdier DC motor was a bit worn out i think.

2.  the new AC motor sounds fabulous partly because by DC motor was "poorly".  so strong!

3.  however once that wonderful tempo and huge deep soundstage is heard and one grows accustomed, one can hear some slight "woolliness".  Not alot and things are quite fabulous but a tiny bit.  

4.  it is plausible i am hearing "cogging", i.e. it is this inconstancy of torque that creates this "woolliness"

5.  i see online  DC motor is preferred for least noise - i found this puzzling until i realised that my personal DC motor on the la platine being the only example of DC motor i know of is the issue there.

6.  it would be fun to now try the origin replacement motor solution (or the SOTA) and see how healthy newish DC compares with the AC but i think i will leave that to Galibier and focus on my knitting for now.

 

ledoux1238 OP
421 posts
 

@mr_gray 

Not having tried a AC motor, I cannot comment on its merits. But based on your reporting on AC motor, the  three phase SOTA AC motor was on the top of my list as replacement. 
I also think one critical aspect is the coupling of the belt / thread to the platter. On this thread, and several others I have read, there seemed to be a consensus of applying a loose coupling of belt to platter with the La Platine. The idea is to allow just enough force to allow the momentum of the heavy platter to maintain consistent rotation. However, my last experience using a very tight coupling of belt to a rather generic Jasmine DC motor yielded sonic benefits that I never got with the loosely applied thread belt. This leads me to think that using a tape thread with  more contact surface  to the platter and a tight coupling is in fact the way to go, regardless of the type of motor used. This gives the nod to Galibier’s motor system. And round and round I go arguing between the SOTA and Galibier motors. 
 

mr_gray
188 posts
 

I did manage to briefly use Mylar tape with my platine and the new motor. The sound was very compelling. Like a garrard but more. And as u say this is where experienced parties have ended up such as galibier. 

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,946 posts
 

If a look at the history of using Panzerholz or Permali on Lenco Heaven, it will be seen that a Plywood Brand Multiplex MU25 had a popularity for being used and was migrated away from to the denser board materials.

MU25 is a densified Plywood @ appox' 800Kg/m3.

I own a Plinth produced from MU25 and a friend had a Plinth produced from high quality Marine Plywood, using the same TT>TA>Cart', and using the same Sub Support, both are compared to P'holz and both are superseded as a Plinth Material by P'holz.

On owned TT the difference is substantial and the P'holz as a betterment is easily discernible. 

mr_gray
188 posts
 

@ledoux1238 i think the SOTA is a good idea.  three phase AC from the power supply is sophisticated.  my crude AC motor sounds great.  i am sure the SOTA sounds alot better.  i think the fundamental benefit of AC is that it wants to run at something that is in the ballpark and that gives it a drive which is very satisfying, very good.  along with relatively stiff coupling via belt this lends the platine a vigor that it can lack when thread is loose and DC motor is in control.

i also find it fun to use the record player without the constant speed adjustment of the old motor.

 

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