Help needed: Empire 698 needs repaired

DS Vinyl

DS Vinyl

New Member
I have an Empire 698 turntable that has a cueing issue (I understand this is a common problem with these units). The cueing lifts, but it is very very slow and makes intermittent contact with the record for about 6 to 8 revolutions before it lifts completely off. I thought I read somewhere that the cueing can be lubed to make it operate better. Could this be the problem? If not, does anyone know a reputable repair facility that can work on and hopefully fix this problem? I am in the Richmond, VA area, but would have no problem shipping this unit if necessary.
 
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Have you tried Youtube?

Seems a man could build a thermonuclear weapon with all the instructional videos. I don't think this repair is difficult. Others will likely chime in.

Congrats on that Empire. Always thought those reeked of class and elegance.
 
If the turntable hasn't been used in a while, the cueing will tend to stick. This is a common issue with the 698. Quite often, it can be freed up by simply operating the cueing a number of times. If that doesn't work, try increasing the cueing speed using the adjustment that is usually accessible from the bottom. As a last resort, the cueing piston can be removed for cleaning and replacement of the old silicone fluid.

Whatever you do, be very careful with the headshell. The plastic mount is very fragile and you will have major problems if it snaps off.
 
LesE said:
If the turntable hasn't been used in a while, the cueing will tend to stick. This is a common issue with the 698. Quite often, it can be freed up by simply operating the cueing a number of times. If that doesn't work, try increasing the cueing speed using the adjustment that is usually accessible from the bottom. As a last resort, the cueing piston can be removed for cleaning and replacement of the old silicone fluid.

Whatever you do, be very careful with the headshell. The plastic mount is very fragile and you will have major problems if it snaps off.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info.
 
onwardjames said:
How's it coming along?? Hope you don't give up, those are really special.
Click to expand...
No, haven’t given up. Been out of town a lot and haven’t had the necessary time to start working on it. There’s been several suggestions to get this working like it did in the 70’s and I plan on starting with the easiest/simplest and working my way up to disassembly (which I hope it doesn’t come to that). I’ll keep you updated.
 
I am still dealing with the up-cueing, but now another odd problem is occurring. The speed of the turntable is too fast. I purchased a new belt, but it didn't have any effect. I have the speed control screw backed out so far that the belt slips off because of the tilted angle and it is rotating at about 34.2. An audio tech told me that it could be because of the voltage of modern homes is different than it was in the 70s causing the motor to run too fast. This sounds fishy to me. Has anyone else heard of this? Any ideas on what could be causing it to run too fast and how can I fix this?
 
onwardjames said:
How's it coming along?? Hope you don't give up, those are really special.
Click to expand...
I am still dealing with the up-cueing, but now another odd problem is occurring. The speed of the turntable is too fast. I purchased a new belt, but it didn't have any effect. I have the speed control screw backed out so far that the belt slips off because of the tilted angle and it is rotating at about 34.2. An audio tech told me that it could be because of the voltage of modern homes is different than it was in the 70s causing the motor to run too fast. This sounds fishy to me. Has anyone else heard of this? Any ideas on what could be causing it to run too fast and how can I fix this?
 
DS Vinyl said:
I am still dealing with the up-cueing, but now another odd problem is occurring. The speed of the turntable is too fast. I purchased a new belt, but it didn't have any effect. I have the speed control screw backed out so far that the belt slips off because of the tilted angle and it is rotating at about 34.2. An audio tech told me that it could be because of the voltage of modern homes is different than it was in the 70s causing the motor to run too fast. This sounds fishy to me. Has anyone else heard of this? Any ideas on what could be causing it to run too fast and how can I fix this?
Click to expand...

Did you purchase your belt from Esoteric Sound? Their belt is the only one that will result in correct speed. The generic belts are too thick which will cause the turntable speed to be fast.


https://www.esotericsound.com/access.htm
 
I too am an owner of a 698 (1st series which does not have a cueing control on the plinth or the bottom of the unit) the cueing problem you have is due to age, the old silicone, needs to be replaced, which can be a headache and a half.
The arm needs to be removed entirely from plinth and turned upside down, unscrew the round disc plate underneath. Once the screws are removed carefully pull the plate away, youll see a small copper lever, put that aside for now, very important for reassemble.
Now, unsnap the rubber and metal cueing platform (under the arm), with your finger push the piston of which you just unsnapped from the cueing platform. You will see the piston as its being pushed from the topside, pull out the piston. With a q-tip dampened with alcohol, clean the walls of the piston chamber and making sure around the top edge of the piston chamber, now clean the piston, pay attention to the stepped area (this area actually fits into the coil or piston chamber and can cause a seal if closed, (You dont want that).

Now you want to reassemble, first you need to have the silicone you plan to use. Add a dab on each side of the piston before you insert the piston back into the chamber, twist the piston so it will coat the entire chamber.
Reassemble the arm, that small copper piece, with the nub resting on the bottom of the piston, screw the bottom plate back on , just like you took it off., snap the metal and rubber piece into place.
Place arm back onto plinth plug it in and check the rate of speed for cueing, if not slow enough you need to add more silicone and if to slow you need to remove some.

Did i say headache????



DS Vinyl said:
I have an Empire 698 turntable that has a cueing issue (I understand this is a common problem with these units). The cueing lifts, but it is very very slow and makes intermittent contact with the record for about 6 to 8 revolutions before it lifts completely off. I thought I read somewhere that the cueing can be lubed to make it operate better. Could this be the problem? If not, does anyone know a reputable repair facility that can work on and hopefully fix this problem? I am in the Richmond, VA area, but would have no problem shipping this unit if necessary.
Click to expand...
 
That was a garbage response regarding the Synchronus motors. Before Technics all the motors were synchronus it just depended on if you wanted a rim drive (Dual or Garrard)

QUOTE="DS Vinyl, post: 15026990, member: 350578"]I am still dealing with the up-cueing, but now another odd problem is occurring. The speed of the turntable is too fast. I purchased a new belt, but it didn't have any effect. I have the speed control screw backed out so far that the belt slips off because of the tilted angle and it is rotating at about 34.2. An audio tech told me that it could be because of the voltage of modern homes is different than it was in the 70s causing the motor to run too fast. This sounds fishy to me. Has anyone else heard of this? Any ideas on what could be causing it to run too fast and how can I fix this?[/QUOTE]
 
Completing the above statement .....That was a garbage response regarding the Synchronus motors. Before Technics all the motors were synchronus it just depended on if you wanted a rim drive (Dual or Garrard,Benjamin Miracord Elac) or belt (Empire, AR, Thorens, Lenco). The Miracord and the Empire uses Pabst Synchronus motors.
 
Audiohound said:
Completing the above statement .....That was a garbage response regarding the Synchronus motors. Before Technics all the motors were synchronus it just depended on if you wanted a rim drive (Dual or Garrard,Benjamin Miracord Elac) or belt (Empire, AR, Thorens, Lenco). The Miracord and the Empire uses Pabst Synchronus motors.
Click to expand...
Thanks Audiohound. When he told me that I knew I didn't want him touching my turntable.
 
Audiohound said:
I too am an owner of a 698 (1st series which does not have a cueing control on the plinth or the bottom of the unit) the cueing problem you have is due to age, the old silicone, needs to be replaced, which can be a headache and a half.
The arm needs to be removed entirely from plinth and turned upside down, unscrew the round disc plate underneath. Once the screws are removed carefully pull the plate away, youll see a small copper lever, put that aside for now, very important for reassemble.
Now, unsnap the rubber and metal cueing platform (under the arm), with your finger push the piston of which you just unsnapped from the cueing platform. You will see the piston as its being pushed from the topside, pull out the piston. With a q-tip dampened with alcohol, clean the walls of the piston chamber and making sure around the top edge of the piston chamber, now clean the piston, pay attention to the stepped area (this area actually fits into the coil or piston chamber and can cause a seal if closed, (You dont want that).

Now you want to reassemble, first you need to have the silicone you plan to use. Add a dab on each side of the piston before you insert the piston back into the chamber, twist the piston so it will coat the entire chamber.
Reassemble the arm, that small copper piece, with the nub resting on the bottom of the piston, screw the bottom plate back on , just like you took it off., snap the metal and rubber piece into place.
Place arm back onto plinth plug it in and check the rate of speed for cueing, if not slow enough you need to add more silicone and if to slow you need to remove some.

Did i say headache????
Click to expand...
Thanks for this info. You are the first person that actually told me exactly what I need to do. Now I just need to grow a pair and attempt the fix. Thanks again!
 
I can confirm the silcone diff oil works great. In my case I just added some to the piston that is exposed, without disassembling the whole thing.
 
How’d you find that LesE?

The 698, when compared to the 598 is very troublesome. Weak plastic components. TA rest and cartridge mount and headshell. The cueing is a problem that is a challenge to resolve and very common. At one point I had interest in a 698 but the more I learned the less interest I had. I’d still take one if it fell in my lap but decided the 598 was the choice of the Empire lineup.
 
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