• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

My Empire 208 project begins

BeEvil said:
A buddy of mine just restored a 208. He had the thing blasted and powder coated. If I were you, that's the way to go. There are many "tweeks" you can do on that table. The arm most people recommend is SME 3009. You'll need to have a bigger hole cut but let me tell you what a difference. Add some mass to the plinth and the platter also.
Click to expand...

The more I think about it, I am inclined to powder coat it and do this right.

As far as tonearm choices, I'm not sure I'm in a place to spend that kind of $$$ on a SME 3009. The Rega SB250 or SB300 may be within budget though.

Check out this site for help and info.

http://cognitivevent.com/av_empire.html
Click to expand...

Yes I have that bookmarked! VinylEngine.com has some good info as well. There are a few sites that have some great tables but no real meat on "how".

Brian said:
Does anyone recognize the cartridge? Don't destroy it as it may be something of interest.
Click to expand...

The name of it appears to be WEA....... stamped into the front, in script. I'll get better pictures this evening as my batteries went dead.
I'll post the picture to the cartridge thread.
 
Project Update

1. The plinth, motor guard, platter, and arm stand are off to be powder coated. I found a guy locally who is doing it for $65.

2. I've decided to locate a new tonearm. Thinking Rega RB250 or RB300, or perhaps Redboy's Akita. I'm not going to go nuts on a high end arm right now.

3. I'll refresh the base with Howards Restor A Finish.

Here are some more pictures are requested. The Cartridge must be a Weathers as the logo on the front matches the logo on the power supply. This is an interesting setup as the tonearm wires go into one of two sets of inputs in the power supply box. On set is for RIAA, the other is labeled "MAG".

empire13.jpg


empire14.jpg


empire15.jpg


empire16.jpg


empire17.jpg
 
I can't wait to see what it looks like after it's powder coated. Hopefully everything goes back together smoothly. Powder coating can get a bit thick.

Looks like you have a built in preamp. Very interesting.
 
That's a Weather's cartridge and complete with the preamp. Be care with it as it is highly sought after as a collectible. A rather interesting mate to a 208. In a good economic environment its price would offset probably the purchase and complete rebuilt of several 208s including mods. It was considered the finest stereo cartridge in its day. Whoever owned the table had some bucks.
 
You can take the table assy and anyting else you need to get blasted to a GOOD machine shop and they can do it in a small blasting cabinet that is used for misc parts or you could find someone with a small sonic cleaner. Just a thought!
 
dokblues said:
You can take the table assy and anyting else you need to get blasted to a GOOD machine shop and they can do it in a small blasting cabinet that is used for misc parts or you could find someone with a small sonic cleaner. Just a thought!
Click to expand...

We'll see how good he is. I showed him how it fits together and he's confident he can do a good job. I told him I know a few guys that would be interested in more work for him if I'm happy.
 
Short Update:

Nate provided me with a decent set of motor grommets.

I also have picked up a tonearm, a lightly used Rega RB250 found on my local Craigslist. It came with all of the templates, hopefully I can make some sense of it all in order to come up with an armboard to match.

I have a NOS Grado F3+ cartridge to use as I get going, and that will likely be my first upgrade.
 
specialidiot said:
Short Update:

Nate provided me with a decent set of motor grommets.

I also have picked up a tonearm, a lightly used Rega RB250 found on my local Craigslist. It came with all of the templates, hopefully I can make some sense of it all in order to come up with an armboard to match.

I have a NOS Grado F3+ cartridge to use as I get going, and that will likely be my first upgrade.
Click to expand...

Nice project! I recently picked up a 698 and am working on slowing cleaning it up. A total blasting is out for now, but it is a bit weathered looking. How a layer of crud can build up in areas that are never touched is a mystery!

A comment on the arm upgrade....I'm not sure why the Rega always gets picked as an arm to go on this table - many other arms (eg. all Linn arms) have the same spindle-pivot distance as the original Empire arm. Mounting some of them would require nothing more than 3 new small holes, or perhaps no new holes at all. Look up the tonearm database at the vinylengine - search for mounting distances of 210mm to 212mm (the Empire is 211.3 or something..) I think a good Linn arm would be hard to beat. Of course I'm just thinking of ways to avoid cutting big holes in the thing (I'm a bit conservative that way...) - but if that's OK with you then the Rega should be great.

Looking forward to seeing the final pictures!
 
"What if he doesn't survive? He's worth a lot to me.
The Empire will compensate you if he dies. Put him in!"
 
Project update:

I stripped the base and treated it to 4 coats of Watco Danish Oil. The metal bits are back from the powdercoat guy and they look great.

Next up is the polishing of the platter, as I didn't have it coated in order to preserve it's circumference. Then some assembly and the mounting of a Rega RB250 tonearm.

empire18.jpg


empire19.jpg
 
Hey Jeff, did he blast that metal before coating? Is the finish as even as it looks in the pictures?

That base is looking very good, too!
 
Redboy said:
Hey Jeff, did he blast that metal before coating? Is the finish as even as it looks in the pictures?
Click to expand...

Yeah he did blast it first. As well as the top of the platter but not the sides of the platter.

The finish looks pretty good but I did ask him to try to keep it thin, so some grain does come through. I have another Empire coming and I may have that base coated a little thicker.

That base is looking very good, too!
Click to expand...

I'm waiting a couple of days for the WDO to harden, then I'll apply a couple of coats of satin wax. I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but the corners have a nice detail with a block of walnut running with the grain perpendicular to the sides.

I'm also shaping a few pieces of 3/4" MDF to fasten to the sides for mass, and some mortite rope caulk for the rest. Because I don't have a good way to check for balance, I don't think I'll use shot in the rim of the base just yet.
 
That table is coming along very nicely!

Can't wait to see more of the progress!

Scott
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom