Well I supposedly had my turn table fixed by a pro. I don't know if I did it right or not , but I readjusted the speed on my EMpire 598 after the WhirlMeter app on my iphone stated it was going at 34 rpm. I used my old drafting table florescent lamp to adjust the speed via the calibration lines built on the turntable. It was off, so I adjusted the knob till they came to a stand still. I ended up bottoming out on the tri frame after the adjustment? So now I am getting a hum. The repair guy didn't replace these, so they are 40 plus years old and now I am assuming this is the problem. Is it hard for to figure out how to replace these and readjust? Will this help in my speed adjustment and hopefully I wont bottom out? Here are some pictures.
Empire 598 Motor Hums
- Thread starter scottyb70
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Sorry, maybe I'm being dense, but I read your paragraph a couple of times, and I can't figure out what "these" refers to ("The repair guy didn't replace these" etc.).
I will say this. I've found it essential to get the right belt for the 598 to achieve proper speed. The one to get, if you haven't already, is from Esoteric Sound: https://esotericsound.com/access.htm
Website is a pain: you have to search the page I linked.
The knurled speed-adjustment knob only works for fine adjustments. The perfect belt from Esoteric will get you to a place where the knurled knob can be used to dial in exactly the right speed.
I am far from the most experienced Empire user here. But I fought vibration noise from my 598 for years, and it went away only when my motor died, and I got a replacement motor from another unit. Quiet as it ought to be now.
I will say this. I've found it essential to get the right belt for the 598 to achieve proper speed. The one to get, if you haven't already, is from Esoteric Sound: https://esotericsound.com/access.htm
Website is a pain: you have to search the page I linked.
The knurled speed-adjustment knob only works for fine adjustments. The perfect belt from Esoteric will get you to a place where the knurled knob can be used to dial in exactly the right speed.
I am far from the most experienced Empire user here. But I fought vibration noise from my 598 for years, and it went away only when my motor died, and I got a replacement motor from another unit. Quiet as it ought to be now.
Yes, that's what I interpret from the original post. New grommets likely will help.
45rpmspinner
Super Member
From the pics, I'd say you're adjusting the wrong thing.....to whit: the sub-chassis.
The grommets are for the motor mounts [under the cover on the top deck].
Adjusting the three motor mount screws is how you get slight variations in speed.
At this point you need to back off the wing nuts on the sub chassis until the platter floats and is level.
My platter sits about 3/16 to 1/8 above the deck.
Given that you've been making the wrong adjustments, it's impossible to know if you actually need new grommets, but it won't hurt anything to replace them.
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WaynerN
Addicted Member
There are incorrect belt lengths for the 598 out there. If too long, the slack is hard to take up, if too short, the belt will pull the motor.
I have the original grommets and they are fine. If your grommets are dried out or the motor appears to droop from its own weight, then yes, new grommets may be in order, but your problems may be from several issues.
I have the original grommets and they are fine. If your grommets are dried out or the motor appears to droop from its own weight, then yes, new grommets may be in order, but your problems may be from several issues.
45rpmspinner
Super Member
Your cueing problem is a whole other question.
First, get the sub chassis adjusted correctly.
Then use the knurled knob on the motor mount to dial in the speed, if possible.
Whatever you do, please don't go smearing JB weld around.
First, get the sub chassis adjusted correctly.
Then use the knurled knob on the motor mount to dial in the speed, if possible.
Whatever you do, please don't go smearing JB weld around.
I took the belt off the table and folded it in half. I taped it to my table and applied a very light tension and I am getting 16" = 32" belt. I am not able to get 33 rpm without bottoming out on the frame.
I noticed when I adjust the knob to get the correct speed the motor is slightly moving toward the platter,.
I noticed when I adjust the knob to get the correct speed the motor is slightly moving toward the platter,.
MRL_Audio
RIP 2022
Why are you messing with the wingnuts for the frame? That’s not what’s needed to adjust speed. Others have pointed out what needs to be done. Once you get the news motor mounts installed the speed adjustment then becomes possible. The only proper belt is the one from Esoteric.
There's a tiny pad that the cue pin touches which probably has gone missing. It's not much thicker than electrical tape. Easy to fix with a layer or 2 of tape or some other adhesive backed material.
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Where does that rubber piece go for the cue pin? It seems my arm has a height adjusting nut. Here are some pictures that show how high the arm will go and pics of the rubber grommets. Am I supposed to put new rubber grommets where the wing nuts are in the frame?a I can't find any on the internet. To get my arms off I am assuming I unscrew the screw near the bottom of the base or do I pull out the black pin ?
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
I agree, not unusual to need replacement at this stage in life on an Empire 598. Worth the money. When these wear out, the drive system is more noisy as they sag. Also get the Esoteric Sound belt while you're at it.
I don't mean to highjack this thread but my issue fits the title of the post. I have new grommets and the esoteric belt. Speed is dead on and the motor noise is not too bad. However, I find that if I squeeze the metal frame against the plinth, I can lessen the motor sound. It seems to be transmitting to the plinth which amplifies it. I'm thinking of adding some isolation between the metal frame and the plinth, right where the metal hits the wood around the whole perimeter. Has anyone ever tried that?