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

sorry one more thing @ledoux1238 you might appreciate this.  i had to take the whole record player apart to install the wellfloat.  everything came off the cabinet and then was reinstalled.  i even used a new thread as length changed between table and motor.  i got some tension on the thread.  started her up.  checked speed.  bang on 33.40 (which is where i like to be to allow for sone stylus drag).  the verdier motor would never!

@mr_gray  

I think a tight  coupling with more tension on the thread is the way to solve the speed issue. I don’t hear any downside. 
 

I sent an email to Donna @ SOTA initiating a purchase. @dover I asked whether a pulley more appropriate to tape drive could be installed. I’ll update when I hear back. 

Has anyone asked SOTA whether the Roadrunner tach will work in the presence of the magnetic field that supports the La Platine platter?

@lewm  

Yes, I’m in the process of asking, though I have a feeling the answer may not be definitive. I’ll update. 

as of last night i have the motor on the isolation platform with the turntable.  alot of people say the motor should be on the same platform as the turntable.  i must admit i thought it might be a bad idea (noise).  but i can now hear why experts insist on this.  hard to explain i think but certainly what i hear is: more musically coherent, less left brain provoking, more right brain enjoyment.  

 

as soon as i did it i had the odd phenomena of looking at the same record player i have been staring at for months and suddenly perceiving it in a different way.