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Using an Empire 1000 ZE/X

I have bought a NOS stylus and Empire 1000 ZE/X and tried it on my three arms (Ikeda IT-407; Morch DP6 red point; Audiocraft AC-3300). It performs best on the Morch but still lacks the definition and drama afforded by my standard-bearing Nagaoka MP-50 cartridge.

Can anyone advise how I might get better performance from this former top of the range Empire? I would particularly appreciate any advice from actual owners (few as they seem to be) on the perfect set up - including tonearm, SRA, VTF etc.

I really hope to get firmer imaging and presence nearer to that offered through my Nagaoka. The Empire's midrange is phenomenal as is its staging but imaging and dramatic contrast need help.

Thanks in advance (and hope)

Dgob

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dgob
dean_man
90 posts
 
I also admire the 1000ZE/X, having used it on more modest arms--a Jelco, and a mildly modified Thorens TP13A. The things that struck me first about its performance were its speedy bass, macro-dynamics, and neutral/beautiful midrange tone. A terrific music-maker but I agree with you about its initial imaging skills. I didn't fully break in the NOS stylus, I'm certain.

If you have an owners manual on the cartridge you've probably noticed that it recommends a widget that I presume had been enclosed with the cartridge, to hold the cartridge a bit nose-down in its mount (from parallel to the arm). Presumably to make VTA adjustments easier with most arms. I don't have the widget.

Not having the widget and not wanting to fabricate one right now I decided to leave further experiments for another day. Waiting for it's place back, in my case instead of your Nagaoka, was an Empire 600LAC...

I know this doesn't directly address your questions, but perhaps someone else will dive in?

Jim
dgob OP
848 posts
 
Dean-man,

Many thanks for your response. I have a widget from an Empire 999XE/X that I also bought recently. However, I'm not sure if this fits on the 1000ZE/X, which has a plastic frame attached with mounting holes. The 999 XE/X has no frame and so needs that clip on one. I am not certain if that is the widget that you mean or if it is something else.

Can you go into a little more detail?

Cheers

Dgob

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dean_man
90 posts
 
Sure, now that I've looked at the owners manual the widget is called an "auxilliary mounting bracket" and you can see a drawing of it on the last page of the owners manual (you can download the manual from Vinyl Engine). It also says "under certain conditions the height of the tonearm or the record stack may necessitate use of the auxilliary mounting bracket to ensure proper angle of tracking." It looks like it works as a wedge under the front of the mounting surface that points the cartridge in a more nose-down position. It's not the snap-in mount that was for certain kinds of headshells. I thought about just laying a piece of thick copper wire underneath the front to do the same thing, and will probably try that the next time I feel like futzing.

Jim
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