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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
 

is everyone using a ball bearing with their la platine or not?  i don’t currently and i am wondering if i should experiment a bit and see what i get if i use one?  i did use to.  alot has changed since then.

also the company who make the AC motor i am using (Premotec) also make a DC motor (as used by Origin Live so i hear) model number "CL29".  i wondered if i shouldn’t buy and try that.  i could install it in the verdier motor housing as a direct replacement for the philips (which is probably 30 years old at this point).  it isn’t expensive (less than $100 USD i would dare say).  i thought it might be interesting as i might get an ability to compare motor solutions that could promote insight.  

 

thekong
251 posts
 

I do use the ball, and I have tried my best to adjust the spindle so the ball just touches the spindle! I am using a white ceramic ball for now, and once I settled in my new audio room, I’ll start experimenting with black ceramic, tungsten carbide, and even ruby balls!

ledoux1238 OP
421 posts
 

@thekong 

I  read a review of the Callas La Platine modification kit, where one of the mods is to reduce the magnetic repulsion forces to better control the bass response produce by the La Platine. Presumably, the ball touching the spindle has the same effect of reducing the magnetic force. Is the bass better with the ball in place? What are other benefits to sound quality?

thekong
251 posts
 

@ledoux1238

 

I believe the main arguments for using the ball are 1. To ground the platter, so the vibration at the platter, created by the cartridge track the record grooves etc. , could be drained to the plinth. 2. To keep the platter at exactly the same height. Since no platter could be 100% perfectly balanced, it may wobble microscopically if it is just floating on the magnetic repulsion without the ball.

 

As far as reducing the magnetic repulsion by using the ball, I think it all depends how high you adjust the spindle. If the ball is just barely touching the spindle, I think the reduction will be minimal, maybe a couple of lbs! As a reference, according to Michael Fremer’s review, the Continuum Caliburn, using a similar magnetic floating main bearing as the La Platine (but with a fixed spindle), the contact pressure between the ball and the thrust plate was around 6 pounds (for an 84 lbs platter).

 

I do find the bass cleaner and more tuneful when using the ball! Imaging is also slightly more focused. 

dover
2,498 posts
 

@thekong @mr_gray 

I used the ball.

I used a dial gauge resting on the platter so that when I raised the spindle with the ball I only raised the platter by 1/1000 of an inch as measured by the dial gauge.

I would expect that with such minimal movement the weight on the ball in my circumstance was probably well under 1lb let alone 6. The key is minimal movement, you just want the ball to touch and no more so you are grounding the platter, but carrying minimal weight on the ball - the less the better.

Soundwise I preferred the ball, I used a ball supplied by Verdier, sounding a little more incisive, grounded with no downsides.

You can't weaken the magnetic repulsion, the platter settles where it settles and that's it. To separate the magnets and reduce the repulsion you would have to raise the platter with the ball by some distance, at which point you have destroyed the whole idea of the design.

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