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Empire 2000E III Cartridge. Any thoughts?

Micropassatman

Micropassatman

Swollen Member
I have a Sansui SR-212 beltdrive table that I purchased about 4 years ago via goodwill. Far as I can tell, the only thing wrong is that the cantilever on the stylus is a goner. I didn't think much of the thing until I started searching the archives for mention of this cart. More than a few have owned this (non-MM or MC) Empire cart, and most made pleasant claims as to its SQ. I've found a few replacement styli for it, but not for less than around $70 for the elliptical-cut version. Does anybody here have a line on a supplier, or would you know anyone personally who might have a spare lying around for this cartridge? I would love to give it a listen before committing myself to a purchase that I might not even like. Anybone get good Karma from an Empire cart before? Maybe even the 2000E series?
 
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I owned one on my BIC 960 in the late 70's. Sounded really, really good, even without an alignment gauge! I'd say it tracked about 95% of everything I ever tossed its way... I'd have loved to try it on my Dual with the low mass arm.

Tom
 
The 2000E/III is a very sweet cartridge with great extension both ways. I've had one (now two) since '76 and have always liked it. Nothing harsh about it in any way. That's not to say it's dull.

As for styli, I got one off eBay which is a genuine one and I also bought one from Elex Atelier (I believe) which is an aftermarket stylus. Not too bad but the sound is a little "harder" than that of the originals.

Mantra Audio in the UK actually sells NOS 2000E/IIIs for about 60 bucks.

I suppose the best bet for just the stylus is to keep an eye on Empire on eBay.

Doug
 
Used to have one on my Garrard GT55 and the combination sounded superb, so a big thumbs-up from me!!

:thmbsp:
 
One thing I want to add is that the original 2000E/III stylus is crystal clear (no coloring) and has a tapered cantilever. Also, the nude diamond is mounted so there isn't very much extending downward from the cantilever. All Empires were this way.

The earlier ones had a snap-on stylus guard made of metal that matched the cartridge body (gold). Later, they used an integral guard of plastic mounted on the stylus assembly itself that swings down over the stylus. "EMPIRE" is embossed on the front in gold letters.

The others in the series were 2000E/II (blue-clear stylus), 2000E/I (green-clear stylus), 2000E (red-clear stylus), and 2000 (smoke-clear stylus).

Doug
 
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Thanks, Doug,

I found a site selling all of the different styli, in the colors that you mention above. My cart has the clear body - missing the cantilever. I may get a cheaper stulus, if just to check to make sure that the cartridge itself still has some life left in her.
 
When I bought the 2000E/III stylus I also got a 2000E/I (green-clear) and I have tried it in the III body. I couldn't really tell any difference between the two. I know that the difference is better tracking with the III (tapered cantilever as opposed to straight with the I) so I suppose if I used a test record or an LP with large groove excursions the difference might become apparent.

Also, the aftermarket one I bought really doesn't sound bad at all. Just not quite as "refined" as the genuine Empire.

Good luck!

Doug

So, yes, you probably could try a less expensive one just to see if the cart actually works
 
Thanks for the suggestion FD. Unfortunate is correct. I'd prefer to use a N.O.S. stylus, but I may be forced to use an aftermarket version instead.
 
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