Empire 598 at 46 years old.....

Here is my table I bought when I was around 20, so that was 1974, from Illinois Audio. I paid $204 for it and my dad thought I must have lost my mind, but it was my money. I think the cartridge was an Empire 2000 series, but really don't remember, I do remember that is was an Empire.....maybe 1000 series???

At one time, I sold it to a friend, but after a month, plus another turntable and some cash, it was back in my house. What was I thinking?

Anyway, here are some random photos. I think the machine has proven its ability to survive the test of time, with the only replacements being belts. I did remove (but still have) the magnetic auto-lift feature, which will not scratch another of my records. A design with good intentions, but bad execution. Perhaps an after-thought.



Right now, its fitted with a Shure M95HE cartridge, sporting a JICO 192-95HE SAS stylus. I have 2 of the stylus assemblies, before they got changed. I know these are very valuable, so they get handled with extreme care. Seems to be the best match for the 990 arm that I have ever tried.

Wayner

 

Classy

 

"I did not teach my son to throw away his life on foolishness like this!"

 

Beautiful!

A true classic, still competitive!

 

That is gorgeous and you've taken good care of it!

 

Man, that's a work of art, and it is great that you still have it.