ledoux1238's System

by ledoux1238 on
verdier

Room Details

Dimensions: 27’ × 9’  Medium
Ceiling: 8’

Components Toggle details

    • JC Verdier La Platine Verdier
    • Trans-Fi Audio Terminator
    • Audio Tekne MC-6310
    • ZYX Ultimate Omega
    • Transfiguration Audio Proteus
    • Sun Valley Audio EQ-1616D
    • Channel D Lino C 2.0
    • Audio Tekne MCT-4818
    • Wadia 16
    • Stereocoffee Subterranean
    Passive Preamp
    • Melton Audio MP-12
    Active Preamp
    • Von Gaylord Audio Nirvana Mono Amps
    • Mactone MH-300
    • Eminent Technology LFT-8c

Comments 11

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Owner
Hi Jean-Louis,
Thank you for that update, invaluable!!!
I will email you with questions. 
And I posted your conversation with Eric Verdier on the Forum.

ledoux1238

Hello Albert,

I received and I set my Teflon washers. With the ebony feet and the belt Transrotor, I have a nice drive system with a tighter bass. Now, let's listen to many different records for a more informed opinion!

To answer the question about the kind of weight I use on the record, I sometimes put my gyrascope, but not systematically. This is a parameter that I need to work on more.

In addition, following the takeover of the Verdier brand by Pro-Ject (Audio Tuning Audio Group), I had an interesting exchange with Eric Verdier, the son of Jean Constant Verdier. I asked him about the future of La Platine and the heavy maintenance to be carried out. Here is what he answered me (in French that I translated into English):

"Ils sont en train de fabriquer une première série de platines Verdier... la suite dira si cela se passe bien ou non.

Sur la question de la maintenance lourde, je suppose que s’ils sont capables de fabriquer des platines, ils en seront capables aussi. Ceci dit, il n’y a jamais de maintenance lourde sur une platine Verdier. Les pièces mécaniques sont inusables à l’échelle d’une vie humaine et vous n’avez pas à vous inquiéter pour cela".

"They (Audio Tuning Audio Group) are currently manufacturing a first series of Verdier turntables... the follow-up will tell if it goes well or not.

On the question of heavy maintenance, I suppose that if they are capable of manufacturing turntables, they will be capable of this too. That said, there is never any heavy maintenance on a Verdier turntable. The mechanical parts are indestructible on the scale of a human life and you do not have to worry about that".

 

I bought an original brass pulley from Audio Tuning Audio Group.

 

Here is my email address: [email protected] It is easier to communicate than with audiogon. If you answer me with my email address, I will send you a photo of my turntable.


Jean-Louis

mlrose

Owner
Hi Jean-Louis,

First, thank you for providing a list of your turntables. As for myself, I started with a SOTA Star Sapphire, a Townshend Rock 3, and finally a Verdier. I agree that a lot more cash will be required to better the Verdier. However, I feel that I would like to indulge in adding one more turntable even though I am not that far behind you in age. Having two nice pivot arm like is actually perfect on the Verdier. But I use a linear tracking arm. Adding a second arm would make pulling records on the TT very awkward. And for nostalgic reasons, I would like to own a better SOTA or a refurbished Townshend, adding a second arm for mono. 

I have read that the top Dynavector requires a heavy arm like yours and 100 hour of break in. But 

I  wondered what kind of record weight you are using? I have been using an Origin Live record weight. Yesterday I put an old Lys Gyroscope, an aluminum record weight, on. And both mid-range and highs became harsh, noticeably. Then I realized how good the Origin Live weight is. Maybe play around with weights?

I would also be interested in how the Stillpoint footers work. Or maybe the stillpoints on top of the ebony ? I know what a pain it is to move the Plinth and platter, 40-50 kg.

Albert

ledoux1238

Hello Albert,

New listening. I set my Dynavector. This cartridge is a few  analytical, but above all very musical. It goes perfectly in tracks, where the DL103 is in difficulty. Very good cartridge which revealed after almost a hundred hours of listening

To put the turntable at the horizontal, I had to put paper spacers under the ebony cubes. On my first listening with the DL103, I found that it sounded a little dark with an omnipresent bass. It is much better with the Dynavector, but I think that I will gain in cleanliness with the Stillpoints with the adjustable height and without the paper spacers.

I tested the linen thread again compared to the belt. The sound of the linen thread is very tight, almost shrill for the treble. The Transrotor belt brings softness.

Jean-Louis

mlrose

Albert,

 

I really like the DL103 R for listening to rock: This cartridge has punch and a deep bass, but needs a heavy tonearm to fully express. Many people criticize it, but do not use it with the right tonearm. I want to try the DL 103 PRO, but it is only available in Japan. The Dynavector is indeed very analytical. It disappointed me a little at first. I was not used to this type of cartridge. I will test it after the improvements of La Platine are in place. The SPU is quite close to the DL103, with a little more elegance.

 

On the turntable side, I started with a Thorens TD 145 in the 1980s, then I had a Linn LP12 before my Verdier. I am over 70 years old and I think I will not change turntables anymore. It would take a very big budget to upgrade the Verdier and I prefer to invest more in the original vinyl records that I collect.

Personally I have never found the Verdier to be slow, especially after the upgrades!

 

I have just set my turntable on 4 ebony cubes. Indeed the difference is huge. Much more amplitude and soundstage. The bass is more present. But, the mid-high is rising. I quickly removed the linen thread and mounted the Transrotor belt. It is better, it calms the whole. I also replaced the tubes of my phono stage: I set Philips ECC88s instead of the Electro Harmonix 6H30EHs. The ECC88s (1974!) are very well defined on the mid/high. I will also test my Reflektor 6H30P-DR from 1970. They bring thickness and are very elegant at the top. The good thing about tubes is that it is a real adjustment variable.

 

I have not yet set the Teflon washers on the motor. I am waiting for them. I am also waiting for a ceramic ball (like Callas Audio did)

 

Jean-Louis

mlrose

Owner
Hi Jean-Louis,

Thank you for sharing your top notch system. The Dynavector xv-1t + FF 66s + AR Phono 3se must be a great combination!  Would you say that the three stereo cartridges show different flavours of sound, e.g. xv-1t being comparatively on the analytical side while the denon is on the warmish side? Dynavector is also a brand that flies under the radar compared to the Lyras' or  Ortofons' and the xv-it is one of top transducers that I would want to try. 

I am now using a Transfiguration Proteus re-tipped, for me a most resolved cartridge. It is powered by  a mm tube phono w/ Telefunken and Psvane tube compliments through a 10 ohm ( 1:60 ) SUT. Alternatively, The Proteus can be driven nicely with a Transimpedence Channel D Lino C, but a bit polite for my taste. In the end, I suppose I am a tube lover, with all its color and distortion.

I have wondered about the demise of the Verdier brand for a while....very sad to have it confirmed by you. 

Corrrect me if I am wrong, but you seem committed to the Verdier La Platine? I wondered what other TT you have listened to and why your continued preference for the Verdier? On the discussion thread, one previous La Platine owner  commented that the TT sounded slow to him. I have never quite understood how it would sound slow to someone?  

Please report back when you have inserted the ebony blocks. I would be most interested to know your impressions.


Albert

Albert

ledoux1238

Hi Albert,

Yes I also have the Magma Audio website in my references. I saw the arm pods and it might be a purchase for later.

For the ebony cubes, I will try because it is really not expensive.

I use 2 Fidelity Research FR66S arms. One dedicated to my stereo cartridges: DL103R, Ortofon SPU and Dynavector XV1-t (in ascending order!). My other arm is dedicated to my mono cartridges (Miyajima Zero)

I know Richard Mak well: he rewired one of my two FR66S arms in silver.

To be complete, I have an Audio Research Phono 3 SE phono stage, 2 preamps (ARC Ref 6 and McIntosh C53), a Parasound JC5 amp and improved JBL L300s

I have to put pictures on Audiogon, but I haven't had the time to do it yet.

Yes I also have the Magma Audio website in my references. I saw the arm pods and it might be a purchase for later.

For the ebony cubes, I will try because it is really not expensive.

I use 2 Fidelity Research FR66S tonearms. One dedicated to my stereo cartridges: DL103R, Ortofon SPU and Dynavector XV1-t (in ascending order!). My other arm is dedicated to my mono cartridge (Miyajima Zero)

I know Richard Mak well: he rewired one of my tonearm FR66S arms in silver.

To be complete, I have an Audio Research Phono 3 SE phono stage, 2 preamps (ARC Ref 6 and McIntosh C53), a Parasound JC5 amp and improved JBL L300

I have to put pictures on Audiogon, but I haven't had the time to do it yet.

I don't know if you have the information, the Verdier company is definitely closed. Eric Verdier, the son of JC Verdier, would have sold the company to the Austrian manufacturer Project (Audio Audio Tuning Audio Group). I wrote to them to buy a motor pulley, but I didn't get a response. Do you know where we can find the original brass pulley?

Jean-Louis


mlrose

Owner
Hi Jean-Louis,

I took a another look at the Callas Audio web-site which I have not visited in a while.  There is a lot more information on the Verdier!

There is another web-site, Magna Audio in the UK. The owner does beautiful ebony and bronze arm pods for the La Platine. And he also does ebony footers.

I changed the washer in the motor per Callas' recommendation. And I spoke to a local auido technician about building a 18 Ah battery pack to hook up to the existing motor. I showed him photos from  Callas Audio's Mod Kit. He recommended that I source a rechargable battery first. Try it on the La Platine and make sure that the SQ would improve before he went ahead with the full built. I just have not  gotten around to it.

The most surprising improvement was adding the ebony footers and defeating the spring suspension. Prior to adding the footers, another la Platine user from Hong Kong advised against it. He felt it made the turntable sound worse. The audio journalist, Richard Mak of Analog Magik, has two La platine Verdiers. He also believes in leaving the suspension alone. 

What arm and cartridge are you mating the table with?  

It is certainly nice to commuicate with a fellow La Platine user beacause It seems like  a turntable that has fallen out of fashion. 

Albert

ledoux1238


Hi Ledoux1238,


Thank you for your reply. Here are my comments following your remarks:

 

1 - I think I will do as you. JC Verdier advised me to let it run 24/7 or the oil tank would empty quickly. The oil film between the axle and the bearing retains the oil.

That's what I did (I only turn it off during the holidays). Anyway, I noticed that the tank emptied in 2 or 3 days. Despite the designer's advice, I am a little afraid of premature wear and I will turn it off outside of my listening moments.

 

2 - It's reassuring. We have the same spacing and our magnets are therefore not weakened.

 

3 - The first turntables were delivered without the ball. The interest or not of using the ball depends on the type of music. I listen to a lot of jazz, rock and blues. I like the impact and punch. I think the ball helps with that.

In any case, it requires precision with the adjustment so as not to put too much force on the bearing under the spindle.

 

4 - I've been using linen thread so far, but I'm going to try the transformations recommended on the Callas Audio website: installing Teflon washers at the motor, using a Transrotor Lang belt, and installing ebony feet 3.5 cm under the base. I ordered my ebony blocks from exclusive-audio in Japan and I'm waiting for them to do the transformation.

If it's better, I'll go so far as to buy the Stillspoints Ultra SS V2 feet.

Regarding the linen thread, it wears out the pulley and it must be changed every 8 to 10 years (with a turntable that runs 24/7!)

 

5 - I have the original PREMOTEC motor and I have a spare Alcyon Electronic motor ("Allied Motion" purchased from JC Verdier). I am wondering about the opportunity to change the motor. Many like Callas Audio advise to keep it and recommend instead the battery power supply.

I am tempted by this improvement. I read that an 18 Ah battery is suitable, but I do not know what type of regulator to use, or where to connect it to the original circuit to keep the controller. Have you made this investment?

 

You are right, the important thing is not to go overboard with the equipment. What matters is the music.


Kind regards 

Jean-Louis

mlrose

Owner
Hi @mlrose 
It must have been around 2006 that I also bought the La Platine Verdier. It was through a US distributor, Ming Su and sent to Taiwan where I live.

Regarding your questions:
1. When I play records, I leave the TT running continously, no stop and start. I  find this best for preserving the speed of the TT. However, I do not keep it running 24/7, if that is what you mean. I have not oil the spindle for a year. 

2.  Yes, the spacing between the magnets of my TT is also 1.2 cm. I was under the impression that if magnets are stored or used in pairs they are less liklely to weaken.

3. I also tried to buy a mod set from Callas Audio. But as you say, there were only a limited amount offered.  I have only seen one for sale on the used market which I did not buy. I think one other Audiogon member, @thekong , used a very similar method that you describe. The main point of the Callas Mod was to allow a fraction of the weight of the platter to rest on the spindle thereby increase the bass response of the TT. Allowing the ball to maintain minimal contact with the platter, I think, would work.

I do not use the ball. I was told by another Audiogon member that Mr. Verdier's initial design did not include a ball. And he did not consider it as necessary. 

I have in the past two years done very little in terms of tweaking the La Platine Verdier. I am still using a pure silk and/or a viscose thread. I did add four ebony footers to the plinth thus defeating the spring loading. But I have been mostly content is listening to music.

Have you done anything to the motor? I would like to hear more about your experiences. Please do share.

Thanks!

ledoux1238

Hello Ledoux1238

I have La Platine Verdier since February 2006. I live in France and I bought it directly from JC Verdier (at the time, he distributed it directly in France!)

I have read the entire thread "2020 Update: JC Verdier La Platine" carefully. Congratulations for your precise driving.

I have a few questions that may have been discussed with other threads:

 

1 - Do you always leave your turntable in service? JC Verdier recommended that I let the platter spin or the oil in the tank would drain quickly, but in any case, the oil goes down in 1 or 2 days

 

2 - My space between the two magnetic crowns is 12 mm. I wonder if over time the magnets have not lost some of their strength. What space do you have?

 

3 - I tried to buy the Callas Audio mods kit a few years ago but they only produced about 20 kits and it has been out of stock for a long time. I found a trick and I adjust the contact point of the ball with a pusher in the oil tank and a comparator. Are you still using the ball?

 

If you have any questions, I can give you my point of view.

mlrose

mlrose

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