Where to get correct size belt for Empire 580 (DB-508) ?

[master_fo]

Hi, I am having difficulties finding proper new belt for my Empire 598. The one it came with made it run a bit faster. I have bought first replacement "FBM DB-508 Empire DB-508 Flat Belt, Medium" from Turntable Needles - it sorta had correct speed, but was so uneven even on sight and on touch it was scary to use. Also t was too long (slipped a lot). Then I got a good replacement from LPGear - unfortunately, I accidentally cut it at some point - and thrown away - so can't take measurements. Next replacement from LPGear was different - very similar in shape to Tuntable Needles one, and was too fast on top of that. I tried to exchange LPGear one, and they sent me another one that was of good quality, but still too fast, so sent this one back and got refund. Now I am using a belt from B&O I found in my stash, which is almost right re speed (a tiny tad slow), but definitely shorter and thinner that the original.
Please share your recent successful experience with finding correct DB-508 replacements!

Best,
-Boris.

 

[WaynerN]

Are you talking about an Empire 598 turntable? (there is no 580).

 

[master_fo]

Are you talking about an Empire 598 turntable? (there is no 580).

Yes, 598, of course - thanks for catching this!

 

[WaynerN]

OK, good. I have bought from www.lpfear.com a few times. I have also bought from Vintage Electronics, but I haven't for a long time. http://www.vintage-electronics.net/empire-troubador-598-belt.aspx

They have a DB-508 belt listed there also.....??? not sure what that is right now, but that is probably how you got your numbers slightly mixed up. I'm going to go look in my manual. Be right back.

 

[WaynerN]

Well I'll be. The manual listed the DB-508 as the replacement for the 598. I guess I wonder why Vintage Electronics has both numbers listed as they probably are both identical....

 

[MisterDK]

Check with ESOTERIC SOUND here: https://www.esotericsound.com/access.htm

They have belts for vintage Rek-O-Kut and Empire. Some folks say they’re the best. No affiliation and I haven’t tried one yet. My 598 belt while very old, is original and still working OK.

 

[pumablues]

THanks for the advice on belts in this thread. I was finding some of the same sources, but everyone has me spooked about how "just right" the belt needs to be for the Empire 598 series.

It sounds like Vintage Electronics or Esoteric Sound is the way to go! But...oh. my. god. As a professional web designer/developer, that Esoteric Sound site is giving me waking nightmares.