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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
thekong
251 posts
 

For the replacement plinth, in addition to the usual suspects like granite, pensorholz etc., I am contemplating using this kind of optical table bread board: 

https://www.techmfg.com/products/cleantopopticaltopsandsupports/steel-optical-breadboards

It is easy to make, just need to custom order to have a few holes drilled! Will give the La Platine an even more industrial look :)

My friend has made a plinth with bread board for his Commonwealth idler drive  TT, and he is happy with it! 

However, one potential problem I see is that the top surface is made of ferromagnetic stainless steel, which I worry would interfere with the magnetic bearing of the La Platine.  I have consulted with mtemur on the Whatsbestforum, and he thinks there may be some small interference, such as the platter may sits a little lower, but probably would not have serious affect on the magnetic bearing’s operation! 

Since I have access to relatively low cost bread board from China, I think it is worth a try! 

dover
2,498 posts
 

@thekong 

I wouldn't want anything magnetic.

You should look at densified bamboo ply 40mm sheets. It's more dense and more rigid than rock maple. Two layers, if you want get creative put a thinner layer of carbon fibre or panzerholtz between them to break up resonances.

I used a hybrid of densified bamboo ply and birch ply for my Garrard and the results are excellent.

Remember that the Verdier plinth is the same weight as the platter - that's why they add steel plates to the bottom of the MDF plinth. This is for stability.

You need to ensure that the plinth is at least as heavy as the platter.

 

 

lewm
14,668 posts
 

There is or was a very high end DD that used no servo, I think. Made in the NW USA. Mike Lavigne had one for years. As to the mk2 version of LO7D, the story I read is that Kenwood was threatened by Dual with a lawsuit because their coreless motor was too close a copy of the Dual coreless motor. So they made a minor change in the motor design to appease Dual. I think they also changed the feet. That’s all there is to it. I think if you like the Verdier sound you would probably also like L07D. And no fretting about belts.

dover
2,498 posts
 

There is or was a very high end DD that used no servo, I think.

I'm surprised given your assertion that Steve Dobbins makes great TT plinths - such as the ice cream maker pictured above - that you are unaware that the TT you refer to is the Kodo Beat - magnetic drive, synchronous motor with no servos.

I think if you like the Verdier sound you would probably also like L07D. And no fretting about belts.

I've owned/heard both with a variety of arms & cartridges - they sound completely different.

If the motor/motor controller on the L07D fails, as many do,  you are screwed. If the Verdier motor fails, there will always be a myriad of options, and the Kenwood tonearm that comes standard on the L07D is a dog.

ledoux1238 OP
419 posts
 

@dover I think Lew may be referring to Mike Lavigne’s Wave Kinetics NVS DD, although he also owned The Beat at one point. Both have been replaced with other TT I believe.

@lewn Thanks for the L07D MK 2 / Dual info. I am still intrigued. 
 

@thekong Regarding the optical breadboard, I’m with @dover on this one. I spoke to my stone installer / supplier about make a La Platine plinth. He happens to be into audio, but not to our level of craziness, so he indulges me. He cannot make threaded holes to accept the arm board threaded bolt. He can attached a rod with a  threaded through hole which a machinist will have to provide. The same would be true if I wanted threaded holes for footers. Notwithstanding the threaded holes, he can provide the plinth, no problem. And I have some more work to do.

@mr_gray Terrazzo is making a big comeback in the architectural/ interior design.I work a lot with 2cm terrazzo slabs as well as sculpting 20cm- 30cm blocks. In the end, granite just feels more dense. I know you have the terrazzo plinth. To make a new one, it will have to be cast. The newer techniques for casting terrazzo involve epoxy admixture in the cement. I don’t know if it helps with resonance. I also write again to SOTA to see if they will give me the time of day. 
 

@tomic601 I like the Bardo form factor, it’s simplicity. I am somewhat into DD research lately. It’s quite a coincidence with your post as I just visited your virtual system last week!  Nice views, nice system …..

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