You wish to find out more about the history of maPlatine.com? The founders of the website, Jérôme and Franck, reveal how maPlatine.com was founded throughout this interview. It is also the opportunity for them to share with us their passion for music.
– How did you come up with the idea of founding maPlatine.com?
– How would you define the philosophy of maPlatine.com?
– Where does your passion for analogue come from?
– For many years, everyone has been talking about the strong comeback of vinyl, how did you perceive this?
– What are the components of your actual Hi-Fi systems?
– What criteria do you use to choose your components?
– How many vinyl records do you have in your collection?
– If you could only choose one LP from your collection, which one would it be?
– How did you come up with the idea of founding maPlatine.com?
F: A little bit over 10 years ago, I realized that turntables were making a strong comeback and that there were almost no existing offers on the web. The few offers that existed where of low quality, and did not offer any advice nor any service. This is how the idea came up.
J: We therefore founded maPlatine.com to offer what at the time was only offered in stores and not online. We had the will to help and give strong advice online to customers in order to match the service that was offered in stores, and re-humanize the relationship with the customers.
It is important to know that Franck and I have two different careers. maPlatine.com is an encounter between 2 different sets of skills: Franck knows the products and the market very well, and I have management, accounting and digital skills.
– How would you define the philosophy of maPlatine.com?
J: Before all, it is a place where we value the brands, and in consequence the products, throughout our contents. We try to help and inform our customers as much as possible so that they don’t get lost in this market which can sometimes be difficult to access.
We have the will to make the analogue universe more accessible to people and show that it is not as complicated as you think. I believe that as leaders, it is our role. We have a strong relationship with music. We are both in love with music, this goes far beyond the technical aspect. We wish to bring a true musical experience to our customers.
F: Indeed, the restitution and music are at the center of our philosophy. I would even say that this is even more important than the material itself.
– Where does your passion for analogue come from?
J: I have always loved music. It is with my first salary that I bought myself my first Hi-Fi system. I fell in love with Cambridge Audio electronics as well as Davis Acoustics speakers. For my 30th birthday, my friends bought me a vinyl turntable. This is how I discovered the analogue universe and then met Franck.
F: For me, I was interested in music since a very young age, in the 80’s. At the time, Vinyl was the only High-Fidelity source available and so I naturally oriented myself towards analogue. Since then, I have only listened to vinyl and never a fan of the the different digital sources that exist. I do not own any CDs nor anything that is dematerialized.
– For many years, everyone has been talking about the strong comeback of vinyl, how did you perceive this?
F: Personally, I have never seen the vinyl trend end. Indeed, there was a time when the dimension “mass public” disappeared but music lovers stayed loyal to vinyl format. Today, vinyl is making a strong comeback and is attracting a new public that buys vinyl records but does not necessarily own a turntable. These are people looking for their first Hi-Fi equipment.
J: There is undeniably a vintage trend, turning old into new. Vinyl is part of this trend. The word trend may seem ephemeral, but we believe it is more than just an ephemeral trend, it is a philosophy. In our current society, one that is more and more digitized, I believe that we have to value the materialistic things. Vinyl is the perfect example. It brings a different relationship with music. We have the object in our hands, we take our time to listen. We can’t just change a file. It is another way of consuming, probably more fundamental. This explains why vinyl has always been a trend.
F: And it is thanks to the different distribution channels of records, that showed indeed that vinyl was becoming more and more popular for over 10 years, that we were able to anticipate the strong comeback.
– What are the components of your actual Hi-Fi systems?
J: My Hi-Fi system currently includes a Pro-Ject Signature 12 manual vinyl turntable, equipped with a Ortofon Windfeld Ti MC cartridge. I also own a Sutherland 20/20 phono preamplifier as well as an integrated amplifier from Audio Research. My DAC is a PS Audio. I use a Naim Audio CD player to listen to my CDs and I have recently bought a Bluesound VAULT 2 ripper streamer DAC. I also own the Sonus Faber Olympica II tower speakers. Regarding audio cables, I am an enthusiast of the brand Transparent and all of my cables come from that brand.
F: I also own the Pro-Ject Signature 12 manual vinyl turntable, but mine is equipped with a Ortofon MC Anna Heritage cartridge. Regarding Hi-Fi equipment, I particularity like the brand Audio Research. My phono preamplifier, my line preamplifier, and my amplifier are all Audio Research. My cables are also from the brand Transparent. Regarding everything that is Hi-Fi speakers, it depends of my mood. 🙂
– What criteria do you use to choose your components?
J: The main criteria is a pleasant listening experience. I am not a technician, and therefore it is the emotion that comes out of the system that is most important for me. I have a very instinctive listening and not analytical at all. I make my choices based on my sensations and feelings, which is not always rational. Moreover, this is a little bit in accordance with the philosophy of maPlatine.com.
F: I only choose my components based on the restitution obtained. I prioritize the quality of the timber and the realism. As a technician, I am sensitive to the technology used, but this criteria is not as important.
– How many vinyl records do you have in your collection?
F: It is complicated to count but I believe my collection includes at least 2500 LPs and over 1000 singles. My collection largely includes rock, rhythm’n’blues, soul, jazz music as well as music from films. I don’t have a lot of classical music, no more than 200 or 300 albums.
J: I believe I have around 800 to1000 vinyl records. I have a little bit of everything. I really enjoy classical music, but I also have rock, hip hop, electro, and metal records in my collection. I don’t enjoy jazz, soul, or funk as much.
– If you could only choose one LP from your collection, which one would it be?
J: It is always difficult to choose between hundreds of LPs but I would say the first record from the band Santana, that came out in 1969. My father was a fan and I often listened to this vinyl record with him when I was younger. It has a sentimental value for me.
F: Currently, I would say the album “Folk singer”, from the band Muddy Waters, that came out in 1964. I love it because it is a mix between blues, soul, and rock. It is a live album recorded in studio. The sound and production are still today references for me.
