• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Empire 598 Troubador / Service

H

hififile

New Member
Hello all,
I have an Empire 598. Overall in excellent shape, however the plastic contacts forward of the headshell collet have cracked (disintegrated with age).

Can anyone recommend a service center that repairs Empires and might have parts?

Thanks in advance!
 
Register to hide this ad
hififile said:
Hello all,
I have an Empire 598. Overall in excellent shape, however the plastic contacts forward of the headshell collet have cracked (disintegrated with age).

Can anyone recommend a service center that repairs Empires and might have parts?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Sounds like the cartridge mounting “sled” has broken (?). If that’s the case, replacement sleds can be had from ebay seller “Pat’s Audio”. They seem to work fine.
 
Hello yourself!

As for "service center" for Empires, you have pretty much reached it. Yes, there might be a shop somewhere that will take it but the wealth of knowledge here will likely enable you to do it yourself. Seriously... :)
 
Yeah, that guy on Ebay reverse engineered the sled and is manufacturing them. They look pretty damn good for a copy. There are some originals that come along once in a while, but I would not hesitate to get one from this guy.
 
Let us know how it works, I might need one too for my 598MKIII. I had to put new wires and pin connectors on mine. This table I bought when I was a kid, like 18-19 years old. That makes it 45 years old. Was just listening to it last night in fact.
IMG_1573.JPG

Wayner.

BTW, I have a Shure M95HE cartridge fitted with a JICO SAS (shibata) stylus. Pretty awesome.
 
My only issue with the sled from Pat’s was that the mounting screw threads, though they appear to be the correct (and uncommon) 3-56 size, were likely cut with a dull tap and were too tight. I ran a sharp tap through and made ‘em happy.
There are occasionally genuine Empire sleds on ebay but you’ll want to be careful buying them. Seems people want to sell you their broken ones, so take a close look. NOS sleds can go for way too much money, but you could get lucky..

Just get a Pat’s but ask them to check the threads before shipping. I had messaged them about the issue with mine, and they said they’d check the problem out.

BTW - current listing # for the Pat’s sled is 301558683160 .

There’s also another seller of aftermarket Empire style sleds and when I researched, was told that they’re fine too. I went with Pat’s though, as they come from nearby.
 
Last edited:
I interpreted the OP's comments as meaning that the arm contacts had disintegrated, rather than the sled having problems. If it's the arm, the problem seems likely to be harder to solve, though one could bypass the contacts entirely and wire direct to the cartridge, making changing cartridges a royal pain forever more, but it would be better than not using the arm.
A donor arm might be worth looking for, or simply a replacement arm, Empire or not.
 
Nat said:
I interpreted the OP's comments as meaning that the arm contacts had disintegrated, rather than the sled having problems. If it's the arm, the problem seems likely to be harder to solve..
Click to expand...

Could be - wasn’t sure just what he meant by “plastic contacts forward of the collet”. Curious; how many folks have deleted the sled and/or wired directly to the cartridge?
 
I would assume some have, with the attendant hassles when changing cartridges. There might be an improvement in the sound, but Empire's contacts seem dramatically better than practically all other headshell/sled contacts I've seen or heard of (maybe the Graham arm's are better) so the improvement might be very slight, if at all.
 
MisterDK said:
My only issue with the sled from Pat’s was that the mounting screw threads, though they appear to be the correct (and uncommon) 3-56 size, were likely cut with a dull tap and were too tight. I ran a sharp tap through and made ‘em happy.
There are occasionally genuine Empire sleds on ebay but you’ll want to be careful buying them. Seems people want to sell you their broken ones, so take a close look. NOS sleds can go for way too much money, but you could get lucky..

Just get a Pat’s but ask them to check the threads before shipping. I had messaged them about the issue with mine, and they said they’d check the problem out.

BTW - current listing # for the Pat’s sled is 301558683160 .

There’s also another seller of aftermarket Empire style sleds and when I researched, was told that they’re fine too. I went with Pat’s though, as they come from nearby.
Click to expand...

I’m looking at the Empire sled’s from Pat’s also to have a spare. Noticed another one that is injection molded instead of 3D printed. Any advantage/disadvantage of one over the other? Thought I read something on a thread somewhere (cannot put my finger on it now) that said the “smooth” one (I.e. injection molded) was a better quality.
 
I don't have direct experience with the aftermarket printed or molded Empire sleds but I posted the thread that compared the Dual ones. The hive mind seemed to favour the molded versions; I know I did/do. That might be subject to some debate with the Empire ones and perhaps even a non issue. If the shape is right and threads are good it should be fine. You won't get the wear we had with the Dual, and you won't see it once installed so the colour and texture won't matter.
 
Montycat said:
I don't have direct experience with the aftermarket printed or molded Empire sleds but I posted the thread that compared the Dual ones. The hive mind seemed to favour the molded versions; I know I did/do. That might be subject to some debate with the Empire ones and perhaps even a non issue. If the shape is right and threads are good it should be fine. You won't get the wear we had with the Dual, and you won't see it once installed so the colour and texture won't matter.
Click to expand...
Thanks Montycat. Maybe your post is the one I’m thinking of. Sounds like something unique to the Dual that caused additional “wear” someplace? Are you talking about wear when changing sleds/carts?
 
Not so much a wear issue, but plastic can crack when old and the sled is overtightened.

I only have experience with Pat’s and it seems to fit well and work fine. The other brand (injection molded one) may work fine too; don’t know.
Take your pick and be happy that functional replacements are available. I chose Pat’s ‘cause they’re local. ^_^
 
I just purchased the Pat's sled for my Supex 900 e+ and it's working fine. I was contemplating ordering a couple more as I have way to many cart's, but the synergy between the arm and cart is really special.
 
RumpyLover said:
Thanks Montycat. Maybe your post is the one I’m thinking of. Sounds like something unique to the Dual that caused additional “wear” someplace? Are you talking about wear when changing sleds/carts?
Click to expand...

Yes, that was the primary issue with the Dual one where the clamping action caused wear. As I said I don't see that as a factor with Empire style.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom