[Wayner]

I have been having some speed troubles with my 38 year old Empire 598 II table. Borrowing a retaining ring tool and some very small files, I took it all apart, suspecting the shaft and bushings. I did see a faint line on the shaft that matched the top of the bottom oil impregnated bronze bushing. Apart everything came and I did a light file on the top of the bottom bushing, and really cleaned out everything. I had a little scotch brite pad and I took it to the hardened shaft just to maybe clean it up. When I did that the bluing (that I thought was heat treating stain) came off, easily. Aha, this shit is coming off and gumming up the bushings. So I took off as much as I dared to. Tomorrow I will go down to the local automotive store and get some 2500 grit and polish up the shaft real good. I must say the well, bushings and shaft are in excellent condition, almost like brand new. Speed now sounds very steady.

Here is the big tip: I re-read Frank Van Alstine's 1982 Audio Basics and there was a great big suggestion. If you have a stylus guard (like on my Audio Technical AT440Mal cartridges), take the damn thing off. I think it's great advice...seems to clean things up a bit.

Wayner aa

[TheChairGuy]

Here is the big tip: I re-read Frank Van Alstine's 1982 Audio Basics and there was a great big suggestion. If you have a stylus guard (like on my Audio Technical AT440Mal cartridges), take the damn thing off. I think it's great advice...seems to clean things up a bit.

Wayner aa

Mixed on that one for me, Wayner. I think my Pickering and Stanton sound better with the little dust brush on them...maybe it tracks warps better or provides a measure of damping for the stylus?  Undoubtedly it's cleaning a path for the stylus to pass thru the next revolution around.

However, yanking it off the AT440ML/OCC was beneficial for me...that cartridge has no issue tracking (sticks like glue to the grooves) so it seems no benefit to have it there.

Now if you want a BIGGIE tweek...glue the stylus assembly to the AT440.  The AT's are not as secure as the Grado's are and given that replacement (entire) cartridges aren't much more than the whole enchilada, when you need to replace you just buy a new one (or, in your case, just dig into your stash of one of the 4 backups you have there  )

John

[doug s.]

hi wayner,

as you asked me for possible suggestions re: your empire's speed issue, i am glad to see you seem to be getting to the bottom of the problem!   

doug s.

[Wayner]

Thanks, Doug!

It's been bothering me for a long time, but after some careful thought we went after it. Got 'er done!

John, as the ONLY guy I know that has 10 pounds of plasticlay on the outside of his turntable, I'm shocked that you don't find the excess hardware on the cartridge OK and even encourage it. I guess it depends on the set-up if there is any effect to removing cartridge jewelery.

Wayner

[TheChairGuy]

John, as the ONLY guy I know that has 10 pounds of plasticlay on the outside of his turntable, I'm shocked that you don't find the excess hardware on the cartridge OK and even encourage it. I guess it depends on the set-up if there is any effect to removing cartridge jewelery.

Wayner

Just barely a half pound on the outside of the JVC....the Technics has zero inside or out.  That deck has been set up with good feedback rejection from the start and wouldn't likely benefit from a clay-job.  A good hard tap to the top or sides of the Technics transmits nearly nothing back into the feedback audio chain.

As mentioned, taking off the stylus guard on the AT was helpful....but I prefer it with it on the Pickering and Stanton (beats me exactly why that is).

I have one on the Denon DL-160vdH....which I haven't removed as the vdH stylus is pricey indeed.  But, I may just remove it now in honor of your post.  Going away for a week so it'll wait until I get back 

John

[Wayner]

I went to Ace hardware after finishing Saturday chores and found some 1500 grit sandpaper. I took that to the platter shaft and removed all of the bluing. It is now very smooth and shinny. I'm not sure why the folks at Empire decided to leave the bluing on except for inhibiting rust as I think the shaft is made from a steel alloy rather then stainless steel. It is definitly fixed and sounds great.

Wayner

[doug s.]

awesome, wayner!   

doug s.

[Wayner]

I took off the stylus guard on the AT440MLa cart that was mounted to the Empire and I've been listening to this table all weekend. With Franks new Insight solid state line (I have the EC preamp and 260 amp), I have to conclude that the Empire is sonically superior to any turntable I have, even the Technics, as far as deep wide sound stage and imaging. It truely is extrodinary.

Wayner

[doug s.]

I took off the stylus guard on the AT440MLa cart that was mounted to the Empire and I've been listening to this table all weekend. With Franks new Insight solid state line (I have the EC preamp and 260 amp), I have to conclude that the Empire is sonically superior to any turntable I have, even the Technics, as far as deep wide sound stage and imaging. It truely is extrodinary.

Wayner

which is why wintage empires are my first recommendation for budget winyl, the techincs, second.     but, i have never heard a modded lenco, these might move up to the top, based upon comments of others...

doug s.

[Wayner]

Yes, I have heard they are good. I have no room for any more tables. Nor can I keep maintaining cartridges in them all!