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 December 14, 2024 09:55

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 December 05, 2024 15:23

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 December 02, 2024 12:17

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 November 30, 2024 10:22

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 November 28, 2024 09:10

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 November 27, 2024 14:53