Dumb Question - Empire 880P

[MRL_Audio]

Picked up an Empire table and it had the Empire 880P cartridge on it. The stylus is in need of replacement. Is it even worth messing around with a replacement? I see they are still available and cheap at $20. Curiosity has me more than expectations of great sound. Wanted some AKr's thoughts. Thanks.

 

[kerrytat2]

I have an Empire 888E on a Technics turntable and like it very much,I would bet it is worth a go,IMHO,that is.Also it is gold in color and very handsome looking:yes:

 

[empirelvr]

Very worth messing with. You're dealing with a cartridge that is very well suited to the Empire arm, so you have a synergy going that makes it very worthwhile.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Thanks for the quick replies. Guess I take the $20 plunge. Also looking to replace the headshell lead wires. Looks like a little soldering there. Been looking online for leads but all that I can find are already connected on both ends. Guess I could cut the end off. Any thoughts on that?

 

[empirelvr]

Thanks for the quick replies. Guess I take the $20 plunge. Also looking to replace the headshell lead wires. Looks like a little soldering there. Been looking online for leads but all that I can find are already connected on both ends. Guess I could cut the end off. Any thoughts on that?

Which Empire TT and arm do you have? Does it have a black plastic holder for the cartridge? If it does, and the lead wires are attached and solid, leave it alone. That plastic is soft and easily melted. If you don't have a low wattage soldering iron and steady hands you might well ruin a piece that is totally unobtainable these days.

If you have the original Empire 98 arm with a removable bayonet headshell, you have more leeway. but even then, I'd be very wary of changing the leads because of the rarity of spare headshells these days.

 

[MRL_Audio]

It's a black plastic holder as you mentioned. There are 4 wires. Odd colors given what I am used to seeing. One Red, White, "Brown" and Green. The White needs repair, it's off it's mounting point on the black holder, which is why I thought to replace the works. Maybe I should just fix the White and be done with it. BTW, is 20watts considered a low wattage iron?

 

[empirelvr]

It's a black plastic holder as you mentioned. There are 4 wires. Odd colors given what I am used to seeing. One Red, White, "Brown" and Green. The White needs repair, it's off it's mounting point on the black holder, which is why I thought to replace the works. Maybe I should just fix the White and be done with it. BTW, is 20watts considered a low wattage iron?

yes, that's lowish. It should also be a "pencil tip", meaning small thin and to a very sharp point.

 

[45rpm]

Bumping an old topic here...I'm looking for a replacement stylus for my 880P, and it looks like repros have been discontinued - it's not available on eBay or Needledoctor.

Assuming that they are gone for good, what would be a good replacement cartridge for a Garrard AII (preferably under $75 or so)?