Empire 398 + ROK tonearm

squirrel_nut · « **on:** 22 Jan 2015, 07:21 am »

i am new to vintage TTs and recently purchased this combo. the TT is in nice condition and runs quietly @33. the ROK also appears to have tight bearings and be in decent mechanical condition. i need some seasoned advice on a cartridge choice. the cart mounting is fixed position, so i assume the normal alignment procedures will all be off and of no use except for leveling.
i could not locate on vinyl_engine or elsewhere the ROKs effective mass.
the only cartridge parameters that would seem to make sense to me are low compliance and an elliptical stylus.
thanks in advance!

Guy 13 · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Jan 2015, 09:24 am »

Quote from: squirrel_nut on 22 Jan 2015, 07:21 am

i am new to vintage TTs and recently purchased this combo. the TT is in nice condition and runs quietly @33. the ROK also appears to have tight bearings and be in decent mechanical condition. i need some seasoned advice on a cartridge choice. the cart mounting is fixed position, so i assume the normal alignment procedures will all be off and of no use except for leveling.
i could not locate on vinyl_engine or elsewhere the ROKs effective mass.
the only cartridge parameters that would seem to make sense to me are low compliance and an elliptical stylus.
thanks in advance!

Hi squirrel_nut,
congratulation for your purchase, those Empire turntables were built like German tanks.
Cannot help you on the cartridge, but I'm sure some members can.

Guy 13

ACHiPo · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Jan 2015, 01:38 pm »

I'm not much help, but Google is your friend. Have you checked out the Lenco Heaven site? Lots of vintage turntable and arm info, including ROK...
http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=13615.15

Also, here's some unvetted advice from Audio Asylum...

- Re: Tonearm Help!! Novice needs advice. Rek-o-Kut tonearm befuddlement. Jaska 15:00:29 04/25/00 (0)
  In Reply to: Re: Tonearm Help!! Novice needs advice. Rek-o-Kut tonearm befuddlement. posted by gurpt on April 25, 2000 at 14:00:06:
  Considering the largish effective mass of the Rek-O-Kut Model 120 arm, your best bet would be a cartridge with a relatively low compliance. It is always extremely risky to make specific recommendations to someone whose tastes you do not know intimately. And the cartridge is perhaps the most personal piece of one's hifi gear.
  But okay, if you insist, two very reasonably-priced (comparatively speaking) cartridges that come to mind are the Goldring 1042 (if you like the mm principle) and the Ortofon MC 15 Super II (if you like the mc principle). I'm afraid they sell for around $200 to $300, which is a bit above your price limit. My advice is to postpone your purchase until you can afford either of them.
  
  However, if you just cannot wait (perfectly understandable! ), and you have nothing against the mm principle, then there are cheaper variants of the Goldring 1042 available (with a different stylus assembly (it can be upgraded later)). Check the prices for Goldring 1006 and/or 1012, they might well fit in your under-$150 budget.
  
  I'm afraid I'm not familiar with your Shure m7dm, so I cannot comment on the 1.5 grams.--With the cartridges I mentioned, the proper VTF would be around 2 grams.

There's at least one company that makes moderately priced ROK replacement tonearms, but I have no idea how good they are.

Good luck and happy listening!
AC

neobop · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Jan 2015, 02:12 pm »

I think Wayner has one of these tables? These are really cool looking but might be somewhat of a challenge. Check the underside of the headshell. There might be some provision for adjusting overhang. Apparently a Shure M44 DJ cart sounds good on there, it's only around $50 or so. Some people replace the arm.
I'd be inclined to fix the dings on the base, put it in a glass case and just look at it.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=495603

neo

shadowlight · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Jan 2015, 04:54 pm »

Congratulation on your purchase.

I have similar setup using Jelco ST250 arm with Denon 301mk2.

Wayner · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Jan 2015, 07:32 pm »

I have a non-functioning 498 and a mint 598MKII. I get the feeling that the REK arm looks to be too long for the spindle to tonearm pivot center distance spacing, and the arm looks longer then the old 980 arm, and thus could make cartridge alignment a problem. Maybe it's your photo angle. I don't know anything about the arm, but it would be nice if we knew the pivot center (of tonearm) to spindle center that it is mounted at and the pivot center to the stylus. My 598 is around 8" (203.2mm) but I thought the 208 was even shorter.......

shadowlight · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Jan 2015, 07:56 pm »

According to Vinylengine Database - Empire 980 Tonearm Pivot to Spindle length is 211.3 while the closest Rek-O-Kut with that lenght are S-120/S-220 at 209.5

Wayner · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Jan 2015, 09:40 pm »

I see there is a mounting template at VE and it says 8.312" spindle to pivot distance for the 980 arm. I re-measured mine and it's more like 8.25", so I guess I have to believe the 8.31 is correct.

My first measurement was from my stupid architectural ruler, in which I was placing the 1 of the 16 (scale indicator) rather then the "0" of the scale. You have to understand that I have bad eyesight.....(hehe). So if they want to say 8 5/16" (211mm) then OK.

Well then, nevermind...........