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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
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 …..

thekong
251 posts
 

@ledoux1238 , yes, there are metal threaded inserts for granite, you can see some examples here! I understand some special glue will be needed!

https://www.unparalleled-group.com/ultra-precision-mechanical-components/precision-granite/thread-inserts.html

dover
2,498 posts
 

@ledoux1234 

No, the Wave Kinetics was a direct drive with a computer controlled feedback/servos for speed  control. The Beat has no servos.

ledoux1238 OP
419 posts
 

@thekong Thank you for the link, very helpful!! They can provide a granite top and stainless steel threaded insert, one stop shopping. I will be inquiring.

 

lewm
14,667 posts
 

There is nothing wrong with the L07J tonearm on the L07D, except that it is a bit dated when you look at it now. What does hurt the sonics is the Litz tonearm wiring and the fact that the plug by which the Kenwood phono cable engages the base of the L07J tonearm is or seems to be a one-off, in that I and others have found no plug that can replace it.  Hence, many including me have stuck with the OEM cable which in my opinion is a slug. I tried once to take apart the tonearm in order to direct wire it to my phono stage, but I got to a point where I feared I would damage the tonearm and so gave it up. Suffice to say I think the Kenwood Litz cable is a shortcoming (sounds very Cardas-like but in a bad way, IMO),  I would instead use the optional outboard tonearm mount for a second tonearm to adapt a modern high end arm for use on the L07D. (That’s what I have done.). But I don’t think the L07J tonearm is at all the problem; it’s that oddball plug and the cable that it feeds. 

Dover, thanks for correcting me on the Beat vs the Wave Kinetics (the name of which I could not recall).  I don’t know why you are so up in arms over the fact that I like Steve Dobbins’ work, in the sense that I don't find it ugly. Moreover, looks mean virtually nothing to me when it comes to assessing audio equipment. In fact, I think I am rather partial to gear that decidedly lacks bling. About 15 years ago at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, I listened late into the night to the Beat in Steve Dobbins’ room, because it sported a cartridge I was then interested in.  Steve was very nice about letting me sit there an just listen. I never heard or saw the Wave Kinetics, but I did carry the erroneous idea that it was the one with no servo feedback.

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