ID this cartridge...

[jeep jones]

Just picked up a Dual 1009 with this cartridge installed. Can anyone identify it? No numbers that I can find.

Any info would be appreciated!

 

[wualta]

Egad! Another early-'60s Empire 880P! That makes two today! Well, in the last 30 hours.

 

[jeep jones]

Egad! Another early-'60s Empire 880P! That makes two today!

Thanks for the ID. Any thoughts on performance?

 

[newzealand]

Egad! Another early-'60s Empire 880P! That makes two today!

i thought there was only one papa smurf?
who would have guess huh

 

[wualta]

Thanks for the ID. Any thoughts on performance?

I don't own one myself, but check the Big Empire Thread for the thoughts of those who do. Test reports of the day were favorable, saying things like "one of the finest cartridges tested to date" (Audio, Apr 1964) and "Without doubt, the 880P takes its place as one of the top quality pickups now available." (High Fidelity, Sep 1964).

 

[MRL_Audio]

Funky unique design on this one. Have one I play and one NOS. Not as good as some of the Empire lineup but better than many. Guess that makes it middle of the road for me.

 

[johnjhazel]

Thanks for the ID. Any thoughts on performance?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Empire-880...755032&hash=item2158948f24:g:BiIAAOxyzGlQ5DO~

 

[62vauxhall]

I’ve gone a bit out of my way for old cartridges and it started with getting an Empire 880 P (green grip) on a Dual 1009 like yourself. I figure they’ve been together from 1963 or thereabouts so why split them apart after nearly 50 years.

Since then, it’s been joined by some Shure’s - an M7-N21D, an M3D and an M44-5. And from Europe, a B&O SP 6/7.

I like their character - appearance and sound. It did take a bit getting new needles for all of them.

Overall, the old Empire is so far my favourite. I continue browsing for an early 60’s Pickering but haven’t come across one yet.

 

[johnjhazel]

Another review: https://www.stereophile.com/content/empire-880p-phono-cartridge

 

[jeep jones]

Awesome info...Thanks all! Dual is still on the bench, but I may pull this cart and give it a spin on another table.