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.
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.
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.
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.
