There is a local classified ad for an Empire 698 Troubador. I've been looking for a nice vintage turntable for every day use. This seems like it was at the top of the line when it came out, but I don't really hear about these tables too often. Here is the ad below:
Empire Troubadour 698 Gold Vintage HI-Fidelity Turntable w Empire XES 1000 Cartridge.
This Empire turntable is in exceptional condition; gold finish is not pitted, all controls work, original power and output cords included (not shown). The only reason I'm selling this unit is because I moved from a house to a small apartment. It is a collector's piece which I displayed rather than used. However, in this apartment I no longer have room for both this Empire turntable and my player turntable.
My memory is a bit vague, yet I recall that the last (and best) of the Empire 698's could be identified by the black 45 RPM center insert - which this player is. $875 cash.
Background Information
Originally introduced in 1976, the Troubadour 698 was one of Empire's shining achievements. When released it exceeded every broadcast specification for professional playback equipment.
- Tone arm: Empire designed a brand new arm for the 698 vs the preceding 598. The arm moves on 32 jeweled, sapphire bearings. Vertical and horizontal bearing friction is a mere 0.001 gram.
- Platter: Two piece, 7 lbs., 3 inch thick, die cast aluminum platter, dynamically balanced.
- End of Record Lift - when the end of the record is reached, arm automatically raises.
Specifications
Motor : Hysteresis Synchronous type, self cooling high torque with inside-out rotor, locks in on AC line frequency, maintains speed accuracy with zero error, dynamically balanced
Rumble: 68dB below 3.54 cm/sec at 1,000Hz
Average Wow & Flutter: 0.04%
Start-Up Time: 1/3 rev.
Platter Weight: 7 lbs. 3 oz
Arm Length: 9" pivot to stylus
Bearing Friction: vertical & horizontal less than 0.001 grams
Maximum Lateral Tracking Angle Error: 1.5*
Tracking Force Range: 0 to 4 grams (1/2 gram increments)
Speeds: 45 & 33 1/3 rpm
Power: 117 Vac 60Hz
Dimensions: 17 1/2" W x 8 1/2" H x 15 1/4" D
Stand-Alone Weight: 24 lbs
Empire Troubadour 698 Gold Vintage HI-Fidelity Turntable w Empire XES 1000 Cartridge.
This Empire turntable is in exceptional condition; gold finish is not pitted, all controls work, original power and output cords included (not shown). The only reason I'm selling this unit is because I moved from a house to a small apartment. It is a collector's piece which I displayed rather than used. However, in this apartment I no longer have room for both this Empire turntable and my player turntable.
My memory is a bit vague, yet I recall that the last (and best) of the Empire 698's could be identified by the black 45 RPM center insert - which this player is. $875 cash.
Background Information
Originally introduced in 1976, the Troubadour 698 was one of Empire's shining achievements. When released it exceeded every broadcast specification for professional playback equipment.
- Tone arm: Empire designed a brand new arm for the 698 vs the preceding 598. The arm moves on 32 jeweled, sapphire bearings. Vertical and horizontal bearing friction is a mere 0.001 gram.
- Platter: Two piece, 7 lbs., 3 inch thick, die cast aluminum platter, dynamically balanced.
- End of Record Lift - when the end of the record is reached, arm automatically raises.
Specifications
Motor : Hysteresis Synchronous type, self cooling high torque with inside-out rotor, locks in on AC line frequency, maintains speed accuracy with zero error, dynamically balanced
Rumble: 68dB below 3.54 cm/sec at 1,000Hz
Average Wow & Flutter: 0.04%
Start-Up Time: 1/3 rev.
Platter Weight: 7 lbs. 3 oz
Arm Length: 9" pivot to stylus
Bearing Friction: vertical & horizontal less than 0.001 grams
Maximum Lateral Tracking Angle Error: 1.5*
Tracking Force Range: 0 to 4 grams (1/2 gram increments)
Speeds: 45 & 33 1/3 rpm
Power: 117 Vac 60Hz
Dimensions: 17 1/2" W x 8 1/2" H x 15 1/4" D
Stand-Alone Weight: 24 lbs
