Unfortunately I don't have another clip or cartridge to compare it to. But I think it's the angle of the needle maybe?
Any suggestions are welcome!
anyone else running vintage Empire carts?
- Thread starter gadget73
- Start date
Any suggestions are welcome!
Puzzling. I wonder how they evaluate a cartridge's so-called compatibility.
It's always difficult to be certain of a long-distance diagnosis, in the same way it's difficult to point at something using a ten-foot-long twig. Regardless, please keep us posted.
It's always difficult to be certain of a long-distance diagnosis, in the same way it's difficult to point at something using a ten-foot-long twig. Regardless, please keep us posted.
sound hound
Super Member
There certainly are differences in the clips. My understanding is that the black clips which were for the pre 2000 series blobs, eg the 66 series held the cartridge at a different angle.
sound hound
Super Member
Enlarging your picture and looking just at the stylus tip, it really looks like the VTA is way off. I would recommend looking at the auction site for an Empire cartridge with a clip that mounts the cart at a shallower angle, maybe a 66 series cart. What is the series that JICO says this stylus was designed for?
Unfortunately I don't have another turntable. Maybe I could ask on FB see if there are any locals that I could borrow their TT
winterwo1f
New Member
Hi everyone!
I came across this stylus for the Empire 4000 D/I. I also have its original box.
Could anyone please tell me what kind of stylus this is and who made it?
Also, did the original Empire 4000 D/I stylus feature a bonded diamond as well? This particular stylus has a bonded diamond.
I've attached some photos. Thanks in advance for your help!
I came across this stylus for the Empire 4000 D/I. I also have its original box.
Could anyone please tell me what kind of stylus this is and who made it?
Also, did the original Empire 4000 D/I stylus feature a bonded diamond as well? This particular stylus has a bonded diamond.
I've attached some photos. Thanks in advance for your help!
Attachments
bolero
Super Member
another idea is pick up a 2000E cart and try the Jico on it
edit - nevermind I missed your earlier posts
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doctor fuse
Super Member
Whoa boy that looks like an amazing find. I have a feeling Wualta will tell you that is a bonafide Diasa - which means the diamond is bonded to a sapphire shank, which is very stiff but way lighter than the usual steel. Meaning it has low effective mass at the tip, like a nude.
Just FYI, if Wualta reads this, the Japanese katakana script at the top of the box says "DIASA". And the photo sure looks like a sapphire shank. You did well! Enjoy!
winterwo1f: Welcome! Glad to have your first post on AK.
Even if your stylus is aftermarket (which I strongly suspect it is), it can still sound good. Make sure the diamond is clean and give it a try. We know that somebody, somebody other than Empire, at some time in the past knew how to make good Empire styli, because we've found a handful of them. I'm hoping this D/I is one of them. Let us know.
Empire liked to change things over time, but the original 4000D/I styli are, according to the original spec sheets, not nude, but Empire did their best to cut down on the mass. This 4000D/I microscope photo is from our own jimreeves, and I have another almost identical photo from one of the other audio forums:
Now, later on, could Empire have added the diasa mount, since it made a "virtual nude" mount possible for low cost? Certainly. I simply have no photos clearly showing a translucent straight-sided corundum cylinder under the diamond for a 4000D/I stylus, like jimreeves's S4000D/III:
Even if your stylus is aftermarket (which I strongly suspect it is), it can still sound good. Make sure the diamond is clean and give it a try. We know that somebody, somebody other than Empire, at some time in the past knew how to make good Empire styli, because we've found a handful of them. I'm hoping this D/I is one of them. Let us know.
Empire liked to change things over time, but the original 4000D/I styli are, according to the original spec sheets, not nude, but Empire did their best to cut down on the mass. This 4000D/I microscope photo is from our own jimreeves, and I have another almost identical photo from one of the other audio forums:
Now, later on, could Empire have added the diasa mount, since it made a "virtual nude" mount possible for low cost? Certainly. I simply have no photos clearly showing a translucent straight-sided corundum cylinder under the diamond for a 4000D/I stylus, like jimreeves's S4000D/III:
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winterwo1f
New Member
So, is this some kind of “Diasa” stylus?
I've never heard of this brand before!
Is it a good stylus? Can it be considered a decent alternative to the original?
And how can I find out its specifications, such as the recommended tracking force and stylus profile?
Thank you!
I've never heard of this brand before!
Is it a good stylus? Can it be considered a decent alternative to the original?
And how can I find out its specifications, such as the recommended tracking force and stylus profile?
Thank you!
Diasa, as we use the term on AK, is not a brand but the trademark for a method of mounting a diamond stylus in/on a cantilever (usually an aluminum-alloy tube), the idea being to reduce the effective or moving mass of the stylus assembly so the diamond can stay in contact with an LP's groove's walls when the music gets loud and bright. Diasa is a combo of the words diamond and sapphire (a form of corundum). It's usually seen as a dark cone atop a short clear cylinder, as seen in the photo of the S4000D/III.
The Japanese maker of your stylus may have decided to name their model "Diasa" because of the success of the Diasa mount, but its diamond is mounted in a standard metal bushing, the mass of which the Diasa mount was meant to reduce. But again, that doesn't mean your stylus must be bad-sounding. Try it and see what you think. I'm completely unfamiliar with the company or its products, so have no suggestions for contacting the company for the specifications. You don't need them as long as you're willing to experiment, something we've all had to do with aftermarket styli. Try it at 1.5g and if you hear distortion on loud high-frequency sounds, increase the tracking force.
Your good clear photos show that the diamond has an elliptical profile. It's sophisticated enough to give good sound as long as the rest of the stylus assembly was carefully made.
The Japanese maker of your stylus may have decided to name their model "Diasa" because of the success of the Diasa mount, but its diamond is mounted in a standard metal bushing, the mass of which the Diasa mount was meant to reduce. But again, that doesn't mean your stylus must be bad-sounding. Try it and see what you think. I'm completely unfamiliar with the company or its products, so have no suggestions for contacting the company for the specifications. You don't need them as long as you're willing to experiment, something we've all had to do with aftermarket styli. Try it at 1.5g and if you hear distortion on loud high-frequency sounds, increase the tracking force.
Your good clear photos show that the diamond has an elliptical profile. It's sophisticated enough to give good sound as long as the rest of the stylus assembly was carefully made.
winterwo1f
New Member
Based on my subjective assessment, the sound of this stylus can be described as follows.
I compared it with the Denon DL-301, Ortofon MC20, and Linn K-18. When using the Empire with this stylus, the bass became broader, richer, and more controlled. The midrange moved slightly further back in the mix, without diminishing the emphasis on vocals.
The treble became crystal-clear, like icy water in a crystal glass. It is very pronounced, which I actually quite like. However, I still have some questions about the midrange. It also tends to lean towards the upper frequencies, which is rather unusual.
I compared it with the Denon DL-301, Ortofon MC20, and Linn K-18. When using the Empire with this stylus, the bass became broader, richer, and more controlled. The midrange moved slightly further back in the mix, without diminishing the emphasis on vocals.
The treble became crystal-clear, like icy water in a crystal glass. It is very pronounced, which I actually quite like. However, I still have some questions about the midrange. It also tends to lean towards the upper frequencies, which is rather unusual.
Rolls-Royce
Active Member
The 4000D series carts, having been designed for Quad, were meant to be used with 100K ohms resistance and 100pf input capacitance. If your input has 47K ohms as is more usual these days, you will probably experience a "brighter" top-end sound. This can be dealt with to an extent by tone controls or (gasp!) an equalizer if you have them.