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Just got an Empire 208 turntable yesterday!

captrockstar said:
Since Esoteric Sound's site doesn't really have a "add to cart" feature, I sent them an email requesting a new belt for my Empire 208 and they sent me a PayPal invoice for the belt I received.

I removed the belt and tried measuring it with my measuring tape and it appears to be right at around 19 inches. I would have provided a picture but I was having issues keeping the tape lined up with the belt for the picture while holding my phone.
As you can see from my results, when I changed just my belt, it was not keeping 33.3 rpms but running a tad slower at 33.1. After removing the motor from the chassis, installing new rubber grommets, then removing the three screws on the bottom of the motor and cleaned the old oil and added a few drops of liquid bearing to the bottom of the motor, and finally...removing the platter to clean the bearing and shaft along with dropping in the new thrust pad/plate and more liquid bearing on the shaft and bearing.... it was then that it achieved the proper speed.

Have you done any other maintenance other than changing the belt? If not then I would try doing a few of the things mentioned above and test the speed as there could be other factors that are keeping your turntable from reaching the correct speed.

The thrust plate was purchased off that auction site.

What leben gear are you getting might I ask? I owned the little Leben CS300 amp at one time. They are beautiful sounding well built amps!
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Thanks for the reply. The belt I received from Esoteric is probably "correct" - but I think the guy who built my Empire table shaved down the pulley a bit...he thinks all Empire tables run fast and need the pulley sanded down a bit to make them run correctly. Esoteric states the opposite...you shouldn't need to do that, if you use the correct belt (their belt).

I think either approach can work...I wish he hadn't shaved down the pulley but at this point "it is what it is" and I think I'll have to use a different belt now.

The Esoteric one states 38" circumference.
I think maybe the one I need is from turntableneedles.com - 38.8" circumference...this seems closer to the belt I actually have.
For posterity - https://www.turntableneedles.com/Empire-DB-208-Flat-Belt-Medium_p_749.html

I'll let you know how this one works out. The Esoteric one is really slow, like I said...in the 32 RPm range.
Other option is to coat the pulley with clear nail polish and try to fatten it up again and see if I can hit the correct RPM with the shorter belt.

I'll let y'all know how it goes!

Going to order the 208 Delrin thrust bearing too, from eBay (just found it).

Will also oil things up.

Hoping for the best.

May also end up trying a new cartridge, just in case. I think mine's got some hours on it. I've got a few spares here. It sure sounded like a speed issue to me though. Will post some numbers after my changes.
 
Hawkeye83 said:
Thanks for the reply. The belt I received from Esoteric is probably "correct" - but I think the guy who built my Empire table shaved down the pulley a bit...he thinks all Empire tables run fast and need the pulley sanded down a bit to make them run correctly. Esoteric states the opposite...you shouldn't need to do that, if you use the correct belt (their belt).

I think either approach can work...I wish he hadn't shaved down the pulley but at this point "it is what it is" and I think I'll have to use a different belt now.

The Esoteric one states 38" circumference.
I think maybe the one I need is from turntableneedles.com - 38.8" circumference...this seems closer to the belt I actually have.
For posterity - https://www.turntableneedles.com/Empire-DB-208-Flat-Belt-Medium_p_749.html

I'll let you know how this one works out. The Esoteric one is really slow, like I said...in the 32 RPm range.
Other option is to coat the pulley with clear nail polish and try to fatten it up again and see if I can hit the correct RPM with the shorter belt.

I'll let y'all know how it goes!

Going to order the 208 Delrin thrust bearing too, from eBay (just found it).

Will also oil things up.

Hoping for the best.

May also end up trying a new cartridge, just in case. I think mine's got some hours on it. I've got a few spares here. It sure sounded like a speed issue to me though. Will post some numbers after my changes.
Click to expand...

The distance of the motor spidle to the platter is also adjustable which can effect the speed. When I was testing the speed with my rpm app open and my phone on the platter, I was able to adjust the front motor "thumb screw" and could see the speed fluctuate in real time until I had it dialed in at almost 33.3. It was after two nights of use that when I tested it again, it was consistently staying at 33.3. Not sure if you have tried this, but thought I would mention it.
 
captrockstar said:
The distance of the motor spidle to the platter is also adjustable which can effect the speed. When I was testing the speed with my rpm app open and my phone on the platter, I was able to adjust the front motor "thumb screw" and could see the speed fluctuate in real time until I had it dialed in at almost 33.3. It was after two nights of use that when I tested it again, it was consistently staying at 33.3. Not sure if you have tried this, but thought I would mention it.
Click to expand...

OH YEAH. Very familiar with that adjustment. I've had this table for a year and a half and that's pretty much the one adjustment I'm super familiar with, LOL! Every time I email the guy who built the turntable, that's the first thing he says...and I have to remind him I've played with that adjustment until the cows come home...time to try the other stuff now. That one's not helping! For example, with the Esoteric belt, I can get it to go from maybe 32.5 to 32.8 or 32.9 RPM by adjusting that...it definitely makes a difference, but there's only a limited amount of adjust ment there.

I think at this point I need to try the other belt and some of the other things. Will keep everyone posted. Really need to get this up and running within the next few weeks...while trying to finish up my deck refinishing project...and working full time...and my wife in grad school...and home schooling the kids while I work (they create a huge mess every day while I'm working)...then cleaning said mess...then making dinner...getting them cleaned up...cleaning up dinner...tucking them in...making myself dinner...MAAAYBE finding time to bathe myself...

Man this pandemic can be over any day now so my kids can leave the house. Love them to death but we need some space LOL!
 
captrockstar said:
Pat's Audio on ebay.
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I just ordered two of them today! I want to be sure this table is able to be maintained for the next 40 years!

Two new thrust bearings and one new belt on the way.

It said there were only two more thrust bearings available so he might be out of stock now but I'm sure there will be more.

As you said before this is now my back burner project... Trying to get my deck finished ASAP.
 
I am really enjoying this turntable! It has been getting daily use and even though I am a collector of mostly Sansui gear, I felt like this turntable needed to be in an all American setup so I chose to pair it with my Scott LK-48 and a pair of ADS L520 speakers!

The sound is amazingly detailed!

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