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Empire 398....? Is this worth looking at?

forceof1

forceof1

Active Member
I recently retired my Pioneer PL-L1000. The cost of repair would exceed its value. So I've been poking around for a replacement. I ran across a really beautiful Empire 398.

Before we get too far into this, here's what's driving my system. Marantz 250 with a 3250B preamp, Klipsch Quartet. My other table is a Pioneer PL-550. Carts = AT540ML and a DL 110 with a new sappire cant. and Ogura tip. I listen to a electronic, industrial, rock and stuff I'm not sure fits neatly into a category.

So I found this Empire 398 that I know nothing about other than the design is extraordinary. Yep, it's big and from the late 60's. Cosmetically this TT is in beautiful shape. Asking price is $700. What do I need to know?
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Are you able to go look at it and take it home if you like it?
Lots of sad stories on the internet (and AK) about turntables being trashed because of poor packaging when being shipped.
 
Nice cosmetics, but is it fully functional? Does the price include cartridge? Those Empires are beautiful.
 
I would only buy that if I could pick it up from the owner, and test it there. But yeah, that is one sweet TT. It would be like having an "original condition" early Camaro or Mustang. Except it would match the performance of modern stuff more closely than either of those cars would.
 
goodolpg said:
Are you able to go look at it and take it home if you like it?
Lots of sad stories on the internet (and AK) about turntables being trashed because of poor packaging when being shipped.
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I can attest to this, although amazingly the TT survived, but the dustcover was cracked. Had a nice Ortofon OM 40 Cartridge, and stylus. I made money it eventually. But the pack job was pathetic.

I will not sell stereo equipment on Ebay. And I will not buy it on there either.

I also have lusted over this TT. I tried to find it, and it's little brother the 498. Combined with the lousy pics, and being afraid of the pack job I never pursued one. This was back in 05 when prices were still realistic, and before I became a digger.......
 
This TT is about 4 hours away but I'm headed that way anyway. I'll be taking a POS receiver and a couple of speakers. I don't think the seller has used this TT. He dosent seem to know much about it. What red flags should I look for? Don't know if it has a cart or not.
Thanks for your help!!
 
Looking at eBay sold listings, there are two Empire 398s. One sold for $450 plus $90 shipping and had a Rega Carbon cartridge. The other sold for $750, may have been a local pickup, with an Empire 980 tonearm and 888 cartridge. Both were advertised to be in working condition and I don't believe either one had a dustcover.

I would want to know if the turntable is working, maintains an accurate speed, and has a cartridge. Perhaps the seller could send you a video of the turntable in action.
 
Mingo said:
Looking at eBay sold listings, there are two Empire 398s. One sold for $450 plus $90 shipping and had a Rega Carbon cartridge. The other sold for $750, may have been a local pickup, with an Empire 980 tonearm and 888 cartridge. Both were advertised to be in working condition and I don't believe either one had a dustcover.

I would want to know if the turntable is working, maintains an accurate speed, and has a cartridge. Perhaps the seller could send you a video of the turntable in action.
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Hey Mingo........I'm in San Marcos. Thanks for the help,
 
There isn't much to go wrong with these tables. Speed? if it's a smidge slow it probably needs a new belt. I'd assume it needs a new belt anyways. If it was wonky in speed (boatloads of variation) that might concern me. Assuming cosmetics are good, the arm would be where my attention goes. As long as that seems to perform correctly than you should be in good shape. The 598 uses a hard to obtain (or expensive used) din cable and I'm fairly certain the others did too, so making sure it has that din cable with the rca's on the other side matters.
 
I don't think the 398 ever had a dustcover. I think that you have to look to the 598 for that luxury. I drape a flannel pillowcase over the table when I'm not listening. I may purchase a cloth cover for it someday. There are folks online that make and sell them. I'm not a fancy man, though. I don't mind the old pillowcase for now.
 
tyella said:
I don't think the 398 ever had a dustcover. I think that you have to look to the 598 for that luxury. I drape a flannel pillowcase over the table when I'm not listening. I may purchase a cloth cover for it someday. There are folks online that make and sell them. I'm not a fancy man, though. I don't mind the old pillowcase for now.
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I'm looking at it on Sunday. No cover but I'll probably make something considering a few months ago when cleaning behind my TT my shirt snagged the tip of my Denon DL 110 cart and broke the cantilever. %#*$&#@#!!!!!!. I'm very excited to see it, the design is what captivated me. I'll let ya know what happens. Shoot me a pic of yours.
 
forceof1 said:
I'm looking at it on Sunday. No cover but I'll probably make something considering a few months ago when cleaning behind my TT my shirt snagged the tip of my Denon DL 110 cart and broke the cantilever. %#*$&#@#!!!!!!. I'm very excited to see it, the design is what captivated me. I'll let ya know what happens. Shoot me a pic of yours.
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Bummer about the broken cart. That sucks.

Here ya go!

I cleaned out some old lubricant, replaced a belt, and put in new rubber isolator grommets. She still makes a little noise; I think I missed some of the old lubricant near the spindle. Not loud, but not silent. She sounds sweet and lovely once the needle hits the groove!

IMG_20190504_201724310.jpg
 
tyella said:
Bummer about the broken cart. That sucks.

Here ya go!

I cleaned out some old lubricant, replaced a belt, and put in new rubber isolator grommets. She still makes a little noise; I think I missed some of the old lubricant near the spindle. Not loud, but not silent. She sounds sweet and lovely once the needle hits the groove!

View attachment 2493189
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The Empire is really nice, but I've been looking for a copy of that album.
 
markshan said:
The Empire is really nice, but I've been looking for a copy of that album.
Click to expand...
tyella said:
Bummer about the broken cart. That sucks.

Here ya go!

I cleaned out some old lubricant, replaced a belt, and put in new rubber isolator grommets. She still makes a little noise; I think I missed some of the old lubricant near the spindle. Not loud, but not silent. She sounds sweet and lovely once the needle hits the groove!

View attachment 2493189
Click to expand...
Such a beautiful machine. Yours looks to be in excellent condition. Is the top deck a machined aluminum? Appears to be, it looks quite heavy. There was a happy ending to me snapping the cantilever off my 110. I sent it to Joseph of cartridge_retipping-5 (ebay) groove tickler(instagram). When I bought the 110 it was $225. Now they're $400. For less than a replacement I got a substantially upgraded cart. Great person to deal with.
 
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