Empire 598 iii vs Pioneer pl-530

[r0ck33]

I currently run a pioneer pl-530 with a shure v15 iii through a pioneer sa-9100. An empire 598 just popped up on fb marketplace for $400 and looks pretty clean and complete from the pictures. The table plays and I’m supposed to check it out after work today.

I’ve never heard an empire turntable but I’m intrigued after reading up on them and I definitely dig the look. Is $400 fair? What questions should I be asking? Is this a strong upgrade from my current rig? Everything else in my setup is pioneer except speakers and CD player. Very curious what the ak community thinks. Thanks in advance.

 

[r0ck33]

looked back at the listing and now it’s sold. I’d talked to the seller yesterday and today. We’d agreed that I’d come by to check it out after work today. From that, I’m thinking I’m glad I didn’t buy it from him. A hobbyist wouldn’t necessarily do that whereas a flipper would. I’d rather pick up a table like that from a hobbyist who knows something about it than a flipper who’s trying to score.

Anyways, still curious what thoughts are on this. Now that Empire is on my radar, I’ll stay in the lookout.

 

[visman]

The Empire 598 is a great table - from my experience, it does have some challenges (speed control is tricky to adjust and measure - can also be sensitive to belt selection) - however - once dialed in it’s rock steady and a very very good performer. It’s no slouch in the looks department either - iconic I would say. Keep in mind it’s a table from the 1969-1975. Pioneer made great tables and I had a PL530 for a while way back. I would go with the Empire.

 

[E2]

I have a 530, and have been using it for 5 years everyday. It sat in the attic 5 years prior. I acquired it dead. And just forgot about it. It needed fuses.
I have had curiosity about Empire Decks as well. Just not $400's worth......

Doesn't John Shaft have an Empire TT?

 

[E2]

Hmmm, Yamaha YP-D71 ?

 

[MRL_Audio]

$400 and you passed... you more than likely missed out on a nice deal.

 

[SaturationPt]

The guy could have been a hobbyist, or an heir, or many other things. When I decide I'm going to sell something I want it gone, first one with money wins. If you had told me that you're going to "stop by" tomorrow and someone else calls me and commits, you will lose out.

Just sold my lawn tractor yesterday, put it on CL for a very low price so I didn't have to deal with it for long, several emails and one trailer, ... the power of being there first. I will say however that I do not commit to anyone who says they'll come and look at something I'm selling, the ad in this case (for example) stated quite clearly that the first one with cash and a trailer takes it away.

If you're serious about finding a nice piece of audio equipment for a good price, you need to act quickly.

As far as the Pioneer vs Empire:

The Pioneer is working well and set up properly, the Empire maybe not so and might need some work. Likely a good table but be aware that an older TT unless recently serviced could need work so you're trading a known working table for an unknown.

I have a 530 also, a decent table and IMO better looking than the higher Pioneer tables of its time, but the specs on it are not outstanding. Mine is just a display piece.

 

[sanford12]

I've been using my Empire 298 for years. They're rock solid and with a Denon DL-103 an outstanding sounding table. They're also very simple and simple to work on. I doubt I'll ever part with mine.

 

[tyella]

I have an Empire 398 and a Yamaha YP-D71.
Both are great tables.
I haven't rotated carts, but the Empire is currently set up, based as much in looks as anything else. The motor is a bit noisy, and I'll fix that one day, but the sound is warmer than the Yamaha playing through tubes. That may be the cart differences, though.

 

[Hawkeye83]

I always wanted an Empire table...wasn't sure which...or what "style"...restored/modified vs "original."

Well the first one that reasonably popped up for me was a resto-mod...I think a "208"...it was expensive, at $1k...but it had lots of good mods, and included a $500 Jelco tonearm, and a decent cartridge...so the table itself was only like $400, even with the mods.

Anyway, here is mine. I love the clean, "one button" look of it.

And it is very solid. Finally did a speed test, using a phone app, and it is spot-on at 33.33 rpm. My much newer, Rega RP1, read much worse (can't remember the number though).

I think it is a "keeper" for me.

 

[sanford12]

Here's mine. The wood of my base was so dry rotted I built a heavy base to replace it.