• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Restorable blast from the past (1962) ?

KLH9

KLH9

A Double Pair Sounds OK
I've had this old Empire A108 turntable for as long as I can remember but have not used it in several decades and was wondering if it is worth doing anything with.

The platter weighs 6 lbs and has the date of March 2, 1962 in the casting (all cast parts have the same date cast into them).

I have a new belt on it and it seems to run perfectly and it is quiet as a mouse, but the arm looks a little scary unless I put on a low compliance cartridge and track it around 1.5-2.5 grams (at least from what I can remember)....

So.....

Is it worth replacing the arm with something a little less scary or should I just take the belt back off and put it on the shelf once again for another couple of decades?

I can no longer locate the dust cover for it and I am sure that they are no longer a "stock item"
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
It's a great table, well worth some effort. :yes:

You could replace the arm as I did (see here) or use the original arm - I understand they're fairly decent and doing so would retain the original look.
 
A resounding yes to your question.

As for the dustcover you can´t loose anything by getting in touch with this AK sponsor:

http://www.turntabledepot.com/home.php

Alternatively, pack the empire nicely, and rather than storing it for another couple of decades, I´ll offer to do it for you. I´ll even pay shipping.
 
It looks like a perfect candidate for restoration. If it were mine, I wouldn't dream of putting a different tonearm on it.
 
cactuscowboy said:
It looks like a perfect candidate for restoration. If it were mine, I wouldn't dream of putting a different tonearm on it.
Click to expand...


Yes the arm is not too bad and it is in pristine condition. I recall running a Stanton 500 on it and was very pleased. I think I even ran a couple of moving coil cartridges on it also.

attachment.php


It was only a couple of years old when I purchased it and I have not abused it. It's always been stored inside (not basement or garage but in the heated/cooled house).
 
Last edited:
The Empire arms are better than most seem to think. I'd recommend not ripping it out and mating it with a good cartridge. Really nice unit and clean. The 108, the original Empire table is I think the hardest to find of the Empires and it is close to a collector's item.
 
Brian said:
The Empire arms are better than most seem to think. I'd recommend not ripping it out and mating it with a good cartridge. Really nice unit and clean. The 108, the original Empire table is I think the hardest to find of the Empires and it is close to a collector's item.
Click to expand...
I'm wondering what differentiates the 108 from the 208. My 208 has manufacture dates from 1960 inscribed on it, which would predate KLH9's table.
 
Oh man, nice turntable! I suggest keeping it all original.

And I thought most, if not all turntables from that era were changers, with those huge, extremely heavy tonearms.
 
The Empire was my primary turntable for 10 years until I purchased a DDX-1000 and put the old A108 in the closet where it has resided for the past 30 years (with a few excursions into a system when I was waiting for a new tone arm or cartridge to arrive and needed a "temporary" table for a week or two).

I don't know why I did not put it back into service when I put together other systems for other parts of the house. I guess I just figured "oh it's old and I should get something more modern". I purchase a couple of Denon armless platters (DP-1500 and DP-3000) and used them with the other systems.

It can't be that bad if these folks are using it as the starting point for the one they build.

http://www.atma-sphere.com/products/208.html

.
 
Last edited:
Hey, I was born in '62..

I don't know anything about these Empires but this sure is a sight to behold! That's a work of art, thanks for posting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom