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anyone else running vintage Empire carts?

All of which makes me think that ideally, we should all have a collection of clips of the various sizes.

Either that, or we abandon all the clip bodies and get a buncha 888s and original (non-clone) 999s. And Dynamic Interface Chonks. Simple.
 
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wualta said:
All of which makes me think that ideally, we should all have a collection of clips of the various sizes.

Either that, or we abandon all the clip bodies and get a buncha 888s and original (non-clone) 999s. And Dynamic Interface Chonks. Simple.
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I still wish a 3d-printed clip of any size would become available. They’d really just be blocks, like what Empire used towards the end of Blob dominance, that could be epoxied onto those homeless blobs that have been separated from whatever clip they once lived on.
 
I'm changing the subject a bit, but yesterday I found in one of my French magazines "le haut-parleur" the prices of Empire cartridges and replacement diamonds for '77. When I think about it in relation to the salaries of that time, it was a considerable amount! I had saved for a while to buy my cartridge, and when it was time to change the diamond, it was the same!
 

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Free Speaker said:
I still wish a 3d-printed clip of any size would become available. They’d really just be blocks, like what Empire used towards the end of Blob dominance, that could be epoxied onto those homeless blobs that have been separated from whatever clip they once lived on.
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Actually, instead of a collection of clips, we should lean on friends with 3D printers.
 
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Hey all! I'm sharing Empire pics from a spares drawer I picked up from an electronics repair shop. The two on the top left are unmarked. Any idea what these mystery carts are off the top of your heads? Finally got a 2000z and at least one 888 body! Here are the labels:
?
?
888PE
EXL 20 Improved (big font)
EXL 20 Improved (small font)
EXL 20 (big font)
2000z
2000E
2000 E/III x 3

Interesting difference... The first EIII measuring 590 mH has the high headshell mount clip and the interior shell of the cart (behind the metal) is blue-green material (I assume it's plastic). The others look like black material as do 3 other E bodies and 3 other clones I already had?!?

I'll add the inductance measures to the separate thread at on that topic at a later date.
 

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You have two members of the all-metal 888 family, one with the [original? I think so] low ears and one with "normal" ears. They both measure close to my 888 PE, a little above the rest of the 888s, not enough to worry about.

Starting from the left, "??" model #1 is either a 1000 GT or 900 GT (same body, different styli), part of the Dynamic Interface family, looking less chunky than the earlier models but taking any of the Pfan 241/242 styli.. #2 is the low-ear 888, which may be an 888, 888P or 888PE. I have low-ear photos of all those.

The blue-green plastic you see is simply the inner structure holding the pole pieces in place. In a random selection on the table here I see green, yellow, orange, brown and lots of black. We should have a separate subforum for our favorite colors and have wonderful battles over which color sounds best.
 
kels83 said:
This ebay seller offers 3d printed headshell shims of various thickness at reasonable prices that includes two +5% shims for $10.25 :

I just picked up a set to weigh and test. I'll report back with pictures when evaluated, comparing them to the short and high Empire cartridge mounts.
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As did I. One could also experiment with shims of thin plastic, balsa, or basswood sheet from someplace like Hobby Lobby...
 
Some/most cartridge mfrs also supplied thin washers, usually nylon, along with the bolts, nuts and shims of a complimentary mounting kit. These can be got separately as well, of course. I still hope that they or headshell mfrs will also market wedges for adjusting VTA for specific cartridges and/or headshells. Not holding my breath, but that set above is a good start.
 
Couple new finds, both sound great!

EDR.7 tests at 460mH both channels matched within < 1mH

9000T tests at L770/R800 mH

Volume is a few db lower on the EDR.7, but turning it up is balanced and very clear.
 

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desertrat748 said:
I have had the same problem and also the same concerns. But, it’s possible to have the suspensions repaired and not a huge cost. Also, it’s possible to get a replacement diamond for a worn out stylus, as well as a complete new one from a donor.

I’m having good success with this rather than risking big money for who knows what you will get.
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airdronian said:
Have on hand an Empire 2500 XE, and a quick search of this thread didn't turn up anything. Black body, white stencil. Physically looks like the EXL-10. Resistance about 500/504. Would this be another 66 clone ?
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Finally, after six years, I can definitively answer airdronian's question with actual documentation! Yes, all the 2500 Xsomethings are 66 clones and now you know which was which. But note how complex the Empire design is, even for the "lowly" 66 models. 2500 XE, 2500 XEN, 2500 XEP-- they all for some reason got their own brochure, which isn't dated.
Empire 2500 XEP family brochure-a.jpg
 
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Wualta, I'm not sure if I'm more impressed by your follow through or by your memory. But that's definitely impressive and I am glad the community has another answer!

Life is funny. All these years later, long after the technology faded, it's back and things like this still matter. Passion is a beautiful thing!
 
Anyone looking for a genuine 236-ZDE, aka a stylus for the 1000ZE/X (but suited to any of the "lesser" bodies in that generation)? A couple of AKers have suggested jukeboxrecords dot org, and they have such a thing for sane money, though it's not a steal. I have no experience with this seller myself, so caveat all your emptors, ex settra.
 
wualta said:
Anyone looking for a genuine 236-ZDE, aka a stylus for the 1000ZE/X (but suited to any of the "lesser" bodies in that generation)? A couple of AKers have suggested jukeboxrecords dot org, and they have such a thing for sane money, though it's not a steal. I have no experience with this seller myself, so caveat all your emptors, ex settra.
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Unfortunately I am going through a major downsizing and have sold off most of my turntables and such. Trying to get Down to one table (VPI) and a few carts.

Actually I have to subscribe again here and put up 5 or 6 Empire carts and my collection of styli. Guess I’ll be adding to the problem of those having too many.
 
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