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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
 

@thekong 

I was quite keen on trying the Roadrunner servo monitor + the Condor motor as provided by SOTA. If I do forgo the Roadrunner, would I be better off with other options mentioned in previous discussions.

BTW, I have also been in contact with the chinese company for threaded rod inserts. Well, it turns out the company can provide granite plinth as well as it specialises in measuring equipments. I have a quote for a plinth with the same dimensions as the La Platine with all the inserts for less than US$ 400. My question is what are the diemnsions for the oil well at the base of the spindle.

@mr_gray 

http://6bm8.lab.free.fr/Documentations/Revues/Audiophile/1977-1988/14/VERDIER2/VERDIER2.html

I found this article by Mr. Verdier which has a diagram of the suspension.

thekong
251 posts
 

@ ledoux1238 , for me, the SOTA motor system with the 3-phase motor and controller, is already a good option on its own! Even if the Roadrunner could work with the La Platine, I would certainly try the system with and without the servo! Who knows which would sounds better to my ears. 

$400 seems a good price for the granite plinth! I am still thinking whether I should get a La Platine size plinth or a bigger one modelled after the Basis Transcendence.

About the hole on the plinth for the main bearing, if you have set up the La Platine from scratch, you probably have noticed the hole is a lot bigger than the bearing housing! Being a bit OCD, I tried to center the bearing housing in the hole by wrapping tapes around the bearing housing until it fits tightly in the hole! Then I found out the screw from the bottom could not lineup with the bearing housing, because the screw hole on the bottom steel plate just wasn’t centered with the bearing hole on the plinth! 

I have always wondered whether the big bearing hole is a design feature so the bearing housing has minimal contact with the plinth, so as to minimize (?) vibration transfer from the plinth to the bearing! However, I think it is more likely just a necessity for the lack of precision drilling of the screw hole on the steel plate! For the granite plinth, I am thinking of just using a big washer, or a heavy nut like those used under tonearm mounts, in place of the steel plate to tie down the bearing. So, the size of the bearing hole on the plinth is probably not that important! 

 

mr_gray
188 posts
 

@ledoux1238 thankyou very much!

ledoux1238 OP
419 posts
 

@thekong 

Thank you for all your input. I did set up the Platine myself. However, I do not recall installing the main bearing housing at all. It was twenty years ago and that part of the plinth is a blur to me. I need to take it apart. But from your description, there would be some play. If I move forward with the granite plinth, I would send the locking rod for the arm-pod as well as the bearing housing to China and have them make sure those parts fit their respective positions. 
I took a closer look at the Transcendence table. If it was to serve as a reference, a larger plinth would allow space for a motor pod. I would still use the existing arm pod design and its relative position to the spindle. And still prefer a two arm configuration. And the four isolation footers would require some serious thought. 

The Jasmine motor I am using now is a three phase AC type. Strangely I am not missing much compared to the existing motor, given it’s relatively inexpensive. 

thekong
251 posts
 

@ledoux1238  , I would recommend against sending the bearing housing to the factory! If it went missing in the mail, you have a big problem, especially when the new Verdier factory has not resume production after all this time. 

When you dismantle the TT, you will find the bearing housing is nothing special, the part that goes into the plinth is just a cylinder, so you just need to measure the diameter of the cylinder and let the factory know how big a hole they need to drill. 

The tie rods for the arm towers are also nothing special, just a long M10 (or M12, I can’t remember exactly) bolt, you can measure it. You just need to let the factory know to use the correct thread insert! 

About isolation feet, if you need the feet to be easily adjustable for levelling, you have very limited choices! I have looked at many audiophile footers and nearly all of them are nearly impossible to adjust levelling once you put it under a heavy TT. You have to find a way to lift the TT slightly, adjust the footer, and lower the TT back down, very troublesome for precise levelling! 

I am going to get the footers used under this TT :

https://www.woodsongaudio.com/plinths/garrard-301-single-arm-classic

The footer has holes on the side, so you can insert a metal rod to turn it relatively easily. The brand of the footer is Track Audio

Is this the Jasmine motor you are using? It is a DC motor instead of 3-phase AC motor like the SOTA ! 

http://www.jasmine-audio.com/cjxl/index_6.aspx?itemid=181

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