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Empire cartridges?

mjw21a

mjw21a

Super Member
Hey guys, have a nice new (used) turntable on the way from fleabay. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281624769477?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Comes with a Shure V15 cartridge.

Thing is, I've been looking around and noticed that there are quite a few affordable Empire 2000/3000/4000 carts around and replacement Jico needles are cheap and plentiful. Would one of these carts be a good match for the Dual 1228? If not, I also have a JVC QL-7, a new Denon DP-300F, a Hitachi HT-354 and a Realistic LAB 420, will it suit one of these turntables?

Currently have a Denon DL103R in the JVC QL-7, a Nagaoka MP20 in the Denon DP-300F, a Denon DL110 in the Hitachi HT-354 and a Nagaoka JT322 in the LAB420. I've some Audio Technica carts lying around though I don't really rate them compared to my Denon MC's or the Nagaoka carts.

Empire carts seem to have quite a following, and due to the availabillity of cheap replacement needles they sound to be a good way to go. What do you guys think? :scratch2:
 
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Hmmm, I'd have thought someone could advise on Empire carts...... I guess it's only been a few hours though....
 
Ssssshhhh-- we're asleep over here.

But your question, being so general, is easy to answer: Yes. Get one. By all means.

You should probably lightly gambol through the Big Empire Thread to see the ins and outs.
 
Awesome, just scored a 2000 E/III on the bay. Bidding on a 4000 D/I too.... Might have to try one of the ADC carts too
 
If you can find a 4000D series with a good original stylus it will be as good as MM gets. Several folks have reported that the Jico replacement styli for the 4000's are quite nice too. All the empires will work fine in low to mid-mass tonearms.
 
I'll concur with what has been said about Empires...they're great MM carts that don't get the attention they deserve.
 
mjw21a said:
Awesome, just scored a 2000 E/III on the bay. Bidding on a 4000 D/I too.... Might have to try one of the ADC carts too
Click to expand...

How strange , I just scored the same off the bay last week , got it hooked up last night , sounds like I remember it sounding . I think I prefer the ADC XLM over the Empire though but will need to do some listening .
 
I'm just loving the low cost of replacement Styli for these carts. Styli for my Nagaoka MP20 are far too much, getting my Denon MC's Re tipped is likewise too much. I'm hoping the Empires will equal the Nagaoka while using JICO styli. They’re cheap as chips.

I've the 4000 D/I coming without a stylus, and a 2000E/III coming with an original but used stylus. Do you know which is better if the same stylus is used in each?
 
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Ok, got my 4000 D/I + EV 237-DET styli set up on my Denon DP300F (bedroom system). This is actually the best sounding cart I've heard on this system. Detail which rivals my Denon moving coils though without emphasizing the high's like the DL110 does.

Seems very detailed and natural sounding, excellent channel separation. Definitely better than the Nagaoka MP20 I was using in there before.

Things will certainly continue to improve as the styli is worn in. I've only spent about 1 hour listening at this point. I'm thinking all my other purchases (except for my Denon DL103R) were a waste of $ at this point. No need for a SUT or anything with the Empires either so a far better choice all around ;)
 
mjw21a said:
Ok, got my 4000 D/I + EV 237-DET styli set up on my Denon DP300F (bedroom system). This is actually the best sounding cart I've heard on this system. Detail which rivals my Denon moving coils though without emphasizing the high's like the DL110 does.

Seems very detailed and natural sounding, excellent channel separation. Definitely better than the Nagaoka MP20 I was using in there before.

Things will certainly continue to improve as the styli is worn in. I've only spent about 1 hour listening at this point. I'm thinking all my other purchases (except for my Denon DL103R) were a waste of $ at this point. No need for a SUT or anything with the Empires either so a far better choice all around ;)
Click to expand...

I've found the same thing with my empire 1200 ed and Tonar (Nagaoka) 237 replacement stylus.

http://www.pickupnaalden.com/englis...ail.asp?M=Empire-Scientific_66-E/X__2198_1154
 
I must additional that I'm going to miss the lovely warm sound of the Nagaoka MP20 though. Its one lovely sounding cart. Its just that replacement styli are far too expensive for it
 
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