[doug s.]

hi all, 

i picked up a used empire 498 a coupla years ago; i did this cuz i was so impressed w/the unsuspended iteration i bought, then sold.  i wanted to try a suspended iteration, and others have suggested the rare 498, w/its one-piece platter combines the best of the early empires w/the suspension of the later 598/698's.  (personally, i am not sure if suspension per-se is better, but i simply wanted to try one.)

well, it sat for a long time, for a few reasons.  first of all, i wanted to mount an aftermarket tonearm on it, and this requires the help of a machinist.  i got a motorcycle shop i know to agree to make me the needed part, in exchange for a buell s2 factory parts manual.     but, it took forever, and then i got sent overseas for a year.  and the fact is, my present situations is such that i cannot run two decks at the same time.  so, while i would ping the cycle shop every so often about the tonearm part i needed, i really was in no rush.  well, a coupla days ago, i got a phone call:  "doug, come get your record player parts!!!"  yay!   

what i got (notice the stock arm mount in the 2nd and 3rd pics):



if i were to have more made (now that the machinist has made one, he's not adwerse to making more), i would have the set screw raised up, cuz as it is now, tweaking tonearm height is not as user-friendly as it could be - the screw is about 1/4-diameter past the face of the plinth.  but a small screwdriver still fits...  also, the hole in the subchassis itself should be enlarged a bit, as well...

what it looks like installed:




so, it's been a long time coming, and it may be a while longer, before i actually mount a cartridge to it and get it on the shelf, but it's making me happy, now yust seeing it setting on the floor, platter spinning away...   

doug s.

[Wayner]

What alignment do you have the cartridge in? If the Rega arm is suppose to be at 222mm (8.74") and the Empire 498 spindle to pivot distance is 209.55mm (8.25"), that is about a 1/2" mismatch. I don't see how you would have slot length available to put this arm into any known alignment.

Wayner

[doug s.]

What alignment do you have the cartridge in? If the Rega arm is suppose to be at 222mm (8.74") and the Empire 498 spindle to pivot distance is 209.55mm (8.25"), that is about a 1/2" mismatch. I don't see how you would have slot length available to put this arm into any known alignment.

Wayner

hi wayner, i will let you know when i get there - no cartridge mounted, as of now...

doug s.

[Wayner]

A Stevenson maybe??? That would be a 16.269mm overhang. Lofgren B would be 18.719 and Baerwald at 18.243.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Rega on the Empire, just concerned about the alignment options for you.

Wayner

[doug s.]

A Stevenson maybe??? That would be a 16.269mm overhang. Lofgren B would be 18.719 and Baerwald at 18.243.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Rega on the Empire, just concerned about the alignment options for you.

Wayner

i have used the enjoy the music protractor before, w/decent results; it looks like it will work here w/o issue.  from what i have read about it, it was deweloped taking into account the awerage inner groove distance on many many records, instead of some supposed industry standard inner groove distance.  so, no one really knows, afaik, exactly what alignment it really is.  have any info?  and, i am up for suggestions - sounds like you have already done this mod?

thanks,

doug s.

[neobop]

Doug,
Wayner's right, you've got a problem. If you were using a Linn mount arm with 211 mm mounting distance, you'd prob be OK, just couldn't use an arc protractor unless one was custom made. Since your arm is mounted closer to the spindle, your overhang might be too much as dictated by the headshell slots.

I suggest you go to the Protractor article on VE and download a Chpratz protractor. This is a calibrated straight line. With it, you'll be able to see what your options are with a particular cart.

[Wayner]

i have used the enjoy the music protractor before, w/decent results; it looks like it will work here w/o issue.  from what i have read about it, it was deweloped taking into account the awerage inner groove distance on many many records, instead of some supposed industry standard inner groove distance.  so, no one really knows, afaik, exactly what alignment it really is.  have any info?  and, i am up for suggestions - sounds like you have already done this mod?

thanks,

doug s.

I haven't done the mod, but I have Burndt's old Empire 498 table, less arm and motor. If I had a motor, I'd have done something with it. I do know that Empire did not change the pivot to spindle distance with the 598/698 models, so they have the problem, too.

Wayner

[doug s.]

Doug,
Wayner's right, you've got a problem. If you were using a Linn mount arm with 211 mm mounting distance, you'd prob be OK, just couldn't use an arc protractor unless one was custom made. Since your arm is mounted closer to the spindle, your overhang might be too much as dictated by the headshell slots.

I suggest you go to the Protractor article on VE and download a Chpratz protractor. This is a calibrated straight line. With it, you'll be able to see what your options are with a particular cart.

based on the etm protractor i have, simply lining it up w/the rega's cartridge mount location, i am sure i will have no problem getting proper alignment per that protractor.  i am yust wondering what other's experience is, using this alignment vs the baerwald & lofgren alignments?

thx,

doug