![sme tonearm with empire cartridge sme tonearm with empire cartridge](https://hifilounge.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SME-Series-M2-12R-Tonearm-1.jpg)
Separately and, therefore, had no individual model numbers.Ģ08 = Turntable, no arm, no base, satin chromeĪll units came with satin chrome (silver anodized aluminum) add a G to any model number for satin gold finishīaseless versions of the Empire turntables were sold for use in audio consoles (remember those?). The later 598 and 698 came with different arms which, afaik, were never available The first suspended Empires were the 498/488 which used the 980 arm. It becomes the 298 with the base and earlier arm and it becomes the 398 withĢ88 and 388 are the numbers for the TT+arm w/o base. Numbering for Empire Turntable Models from Kal Rubinson on AudioAsylum:īTW, the 208 is the armless, baseless version. Mine runs a tiny bit fast even after adjustment. Just be patient, and prepare to snipe it at Their appearance is streaky on eBay none for a month and then Have suspensions and are not as good (lighter platter, wonkier setup,Įtc.). There are plenty of 598 and 698 models out there but these Have a Empire or SME arm), a 298 (came with the Empire arm), or the rareģ08/398. Look for a 208 (sold without arm, usually The early Empire tables are solid mount and IMO work better than the The Empire 208 is a great example of 'they don't make 'em like that anymore.'. I started watching eBay for any of these and, after a few frustrating sessions, ended up with an Empire 208. That you cannot march over to your local audioemporium and hear any of them yourself. These three turntables work, age well, and are available. But three used turntables show up inĭiscussions and as working models in desireable systems more than most -ġ) the Thorens TD-124, 2) the Empire 208, and 3) the Garrard 301 transcription table. On almost everything, and turntables are no exception. I decided to buy a used turntable and do a restoration. So, after much discussion with other Dixie Bottleheads and entirely too much reading online, Well, maybe not disappointed, but feeling an unexpressible longing for more. Well, maybe not unhappy, but disappointed. Though I had the Pro-ject 6.1 tweaked beyond all reason, I was still unhappy with the sound. Platter mat shown is DIY spotmat made with heavy watercolor paper and stick-on cork dots. New laminated plywood base for turntable, moved aluminum tonarm adapter to left rear, new cocobola armboard for Rega tonearm.