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Have you even opened or replaced Empire 598/990 tonearm's magnetic auto-lift ?

master_fo

master_fo

Active Member
Hi, magnetic auto-lift on my Empire 990 tonearm has a defect - magnet inside is too low, a few mm lower than the top of the opening. So the arm does not get lifted quite as high as it should, when it get caught.
Because of that, my range of VTA is limited - I can't really set the arm parallel to the platter if I want to keep using auto-lift . I do have a 'spare' beaten cannibalized 990 tonearm with the auto-lift still intact (magnet inside is about 2mm above the opening). Since the auto-lift mount is tricky, I am contemplating to try fixing current one first - looks like the round top of the auto-lift can can be taken off and maybe I can reposition the magnet inside. Wondering if anyone did that before.
 
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MRL_Audio said:
Sometimes things are better left as they are...
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Well, in this case it's a question of:
A) 'leaving it as it is and not use it' vs
B) 'leaving it as it is and compensate with tail-up VTA setup - which then you have to compensate with shims on headshell side to keep the cart horizontal, while compromising on overall rigidity" vs.
C) fix the damn thing
I was going with B) for a while but I think it's getting on my nerves and I consider A) a defeat so why not attempt at C) - even if that will fail and make B) not available, I can always revert to A).
 
Tbh I was that fed up messing about with the arm on my 598 that I replaced it with something better.
 
I was having inconsistent results with my auto lifter.... but enjoying the arm so I just rotated the auto lifter part so that it never activated.

Unless the autolift is a necessity, I would think that shimming the cartridge with those PITA cartridge sleds would be my last resort.

Would be equally hesitant to open the thing up.
 
Panamafred said:
I was having inconsistent results with my auto lifter.... but enjoying the arm so I just rotated the auto lifter part so that it never activated.

Unless the autolift is a necessity, I would think that shimming the cartridge with those PITA cartridge sleds would be my last resort.

Would be equally hesitant to open the thing up.
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No it's not a necessity, but I like to have it. Shimming (I mean parallel, just for adding height) actually works in the opposite direction for this particular issue.
If, further, you want to keep the arm parallel when it plays, there is no going around the need to make the arm at some higher angle when it's lifted. Now it's almost parallel in that position.
Whether or not having the arm parallel while playing is crucial to reproduction is debatable - but it surely helps setting up VTA on the cartridge without angle shimming.
 
I have physically removed mine. It's just not a good design and can scratch your records if not positioned correctly and I think it's hard on the stylus assembly.
 
master_fo said:
What arm did you install instead, BTW? Or replaced the whole table ?
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I fitted a Notts Analogue Mentor tone arm to my 598. The mounting distance is correct but I had to machine the pillar down slightly to fit the mounting hole in the sub chassis. With a Benz cartridge installed it really sings.
 
Doug G. said:
I don't have an Empire turntable :( but if I did and not everything was working as new, it would bug the heck out of me and I would work on it until everything was.

Doug
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In my opinion the 598 and the more fragile 698 tonearm can be easily bettered by a more modern tonearm. The turntable itself is excellent and deserves a decent arm if you wish to exploit its full potential. I still have all the parts to return it to its original state should the need ever arise.
 
@Doug G. nailed it. It takes time and patience to get it setup right… but barring actually being broke the adjustments are there to make it work properly. The manual is very good at explaining the adjustments. I fiddled with mine for some time before it worked properly. That was about 7 years ago. Haven’t had to touch it since. I am a stickler that vintage gear remain true to form and original. Would bug me more knowing it was not as the Empire engineers intended.
 
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MRL_Audio said:
@Doug G. nailed it. It takes time and patience to get it setup right… but barring actually being broke the adjustments are there to make it work properly. The manual is very good at explaining the adjustments. I fiddled with mine for some time before it worked properly. That was about 7 years ago. Haven’t had to touch it since. I am a stickler that vintage gear remain true to form and original. Would buy me more knowing it was not as the Empire engineers intended.
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Exactly. If something is going to be restored, it should be restored to like new, not partially and then declared "restored". They should be brought back to what the engineers/factories intended. Deterioration merely due to misuse or age, to me, is not a positive.

Another thing that has always bugged me is the whole antique furniture world. Why are these pieces worth more when they are half broken down or whatever. The original maker.manufacturer never intended them to be viewed/experienced that way. They shoule be resotred to look like new.

My dad restored some pieces that are family, passed down and I'm glad he did. They look wonderful.

Same with model/toy trains. I can't stand to see them going around the tracks or sitting on shelves with half the paint gone and all dented.

Doug
 
Who mentioned restoration? I certainly didn’t and I never bought my 598 with any intention of restoring it.
 
No one did. You did mention non-restoration by using a different arm on a classic vintage combination for the Empire.... one that would be as the factory intended. There are some among us that cringe at the thought for a table like this that it not stay as intended. But it's your table and you certainly can and will do whatever you want to it. Frankly, think a nice rat rod Empire would be fun to see... just not sure I'd be doing that with a classic 598!
 
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