I think you’re correct Walt. So in summary when the 999-II MEX w/ white 239- PDE has a good good recording it is really great. It is just not consistent enough to be a daily driver for me, but the 2000e/III with 237-DET is. The later is the sound of Empire that I seem to remember as a teenage when I save my dollars for a 2000e I.
I will come back to the Empires in while. I just mounted an Audio Technica AT-35E LOMC into my SUT. This is a great sounding MC and it has a replaceable stylus that are still available.
Seems like I rotate carts every few weeks. Why not?
Hoping someone can help me a bit here.... I have an Empire 875XLT, but I'm looking for the step DOWN from that, which I know I have seen somewhere online N.O.S. (barring that, I'd settle for just a used cart, but...). Does anyone know what source had this cartridge? It was sold as Empire and/or Azden I believe?
The Azden that corresponds to your Empire is the YM-P50VL, and the only thing I know of a "step down" from that would be the YM-P50E, which puts us back with the lousy-tracking blue stylus (S333) which I presume is the same one that came with the Empire 775XLT. This is the only photo I've been able to find, and I don't know of anyone/anything selling it:
View attachment 1347841
I guess I should mention that the bodies of all these Azden-sourced cartridges are the same. As usual, the stylus makes the model.
Nope. V-M Audio Enthusiasts had a supply of S2000T, S2000S and EXL-30 styli sold collectively under the Pfanstiehl number 239-DET (they're the same as the S2000Z except for the color) but they were eventually all sold.
Sorry to hear that. The 2000Z/T is a wonderful sounding cartridge/stylus combination.
Gary (V-M Audio Enthusiasts) still has a supply of the 235 SDE white styli. If they are the same as those I purchased (Empire boxed, labeled S999TE/X ERD) then they are a true "nude" stylus with a .2x.7 mil, hand polished elliptical diamond. The 999TE/X is one small step down from my favorite, the 999VE/X. This may be a "last chance opportunity" to find a classic Empire stylus at a reasonable price. It will work in the 999TE/X or 999SE/X bodies and all others in that series.