2020 update : JC Verdier La Platine

Very hard to say but…Well the la platine is not calling the shots in terms of tempo. Rather the music is (to a degree). I guess it’s a spectrum. A garrard / idler drive has its own tempo. And you hear that and it sounds a tad mechanical in comparison to à la platine which has no overbearing tempo but rather timing which is varying as stylus drag waxes and wains. To my ears the platine could sound like it was unraveling the music for you in a very pure fashion. Delicate. 

Of course the la platine can be run on linen thread and sound quite different I thought. Big dynamics and a lot more push. But then you forego lowest noise. 

terrible form to both post three times in a row and talk about another TT here but just briefly wanted to say about the Techdas Af3p

1. it is remarkably similar to the platine really.  so simple.  a separate motor, a chassis and then a platter.

2.  differences are that instead of magnet we are on air.  suction also a difference.  also platter is twice as heavy and gunmetal instead of aluminium

3.  just as with platine you adjust the tenson on the belt to suit yourself.  least tension is best but i have to help it get up to speed if i don't want to wait an age (again just like my platine).  mechanism to adjust tension is great as you dont need to move motor.

4. as it has bedded in and i get belt tension right it seems very musical and non-mechanical.  the silence achieved is quite something.  the motor itself produces alot less noise than my platine motor.

overall i think the platter is a huge improvement over platine and the usabilty is probably better for a wider range of people.  i definitely think the platine is in the same class of record players as the af3p (whatever that is).

but you do get alot more resolution with the af3p and that feeling of alot of simultaneous sound being resolved and communicated that perhaps wasn't previously.  of course the platine was a huge improvement on the garrard 401 for me in the same way.

“terrible form to both post three times in a row and talk about another TT here but just briefly wanted to say about the Techdas Af3p.”

@mr_gray  On the contrary, I for one welcome and look forward to these compare & contrast discussions. Your impressions of the Platine in the threads above is much appreciated. I had thought  that in the hierarchy of the Techdas universe, the Platine fits more in the af5 level. And as you say, the af3p is of a higher resolution. The other TT that I have been intrigued with is the CS Port TAT2, thread drive, granite plinth, air bearing, and gunmetal platter. 

On the SOTA Eclipse front, Christan did reply, indicating that there will be no extra charge for the custom pulley, but with no definite lead time. Additionally, he cannot confirm whether the sensor will work with the Platine magnets. This gives me pause, hence have not pulled the trigger as yet. 

Gunmetal used as a Platter Material from my long investigations of Platter Materials has its origin of use firmly placed in Japan.

A very adept machining engineer, possibly through career, but now retired, who is based in Australia, has produced Platters from Phosphor Bronze (Gunmetal), SS and the OEM with Acetyl (Delrin) of different thicknesses mechanically fastened to the OEM Platter. 

Prior to their becoming and Advocate of Permali Wood for the Plinth/Chassis design adopted for the TT. A TT used in a Resin Material, formed through moulding into a Plinth/Chassis was in use, when testing the Platter designs. With the reported outcome being. When the OEM Platter as original design was used solely, when undergoing comparisons to the New Designs for the Platter, there was certainty the sole OEM Platter has been bettered. The End Sound being evaluated was not as impressive as the alternate designs used. I also believe tests were done to show Platter Runout and the strengths for the mechanical energy management.

Off the alternate materials used for the Platter, the OEM with a 20mm Thick Delrin Platter mechanically fastened, proved to be the design that won the most favour.

This has intrigued me, and I am owning a few spare OEM Platters, a SS Platter and a Gunmetal Platter, and a friend is quite OK about producing a few Acetal Platters in various thicknesses to try out as well. This is another 'to do', to be done between a group of friends to see how the wider assessment is presented. Similar measurements are also able to be taken to see if there is anything going on that might have influenced a comment being offered.