Together with the Dereneville motor and lab DC power supply, that modified La Platine seems very reasonably priced, as long as you like the styling !
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
@thekong It is indeed not pricey for what is on offer. However, your comment on styling is a reminder, at least for me, of how the aesthetic component of the La Platine is often left unsaid. Its 'functional' industrial deisgn is one of the most appealing qualities. The Dobbs mod reminds too much of the Garrard / Lenco Variety. And Frankly, a La Platine in white just does not do it for me.
Just look at how beautiful these custom arm boards from Magna Audio are! Made from ebony and bronze, they are proportionally pleasing, as with the entire la Platine. |
@ ledoux1238 , yes, that Dobbin plinth’s styling doesn’t work for me either! I like it in their own The Beat TT, but the La Platine’s platter is just too thick for that styling. Also, while trying to hide the magnetic bearing assembly, they make the plinth way too thick for my taste! Actually, I like the basis styling of the La Platine, only the finishing needs improvement. As I have said before, when I make a replacement plinth for the La Platine, I probably will model it after the Basis Transcendence, which I like very much! https://www.basisaudio.com/turntables/transcendence/
I have made bronze arm pillar and ebony armboard similar to Magna’s locally for my La Platine, only that I prefer the look of round pillar instead of square ones! |
Looks like a potters wheel that belongs in the garden shed. The unique character of the Verdier has been jettisoned. Not a lot of room under the arm for hosepipes ( some folk call them phono cables ) either. We have an expression here "fugly" that seems appropriate. |
- 537 posts total