Empire 208 turntable

Yes, it's worth it and the arm (model 98) is better than most think. The Denon 103 & 103R sound really good on this heavy arm. Key here, heavy arm for the Denons. You really can't get away with elliptical stylus or finer because of the set geometry with this arm. Your stuck with the overhang and off-set angle. I loaded up the headshell with 4 grams of blue tac and it sounds even better. Total effective mass now at app. 24 grams. It really amazes me because of how inexpensive my Empire TT set-up is and it sounds a bit better than my TD124/Grace 840FB/103R which I have a lot more invested in.

IMO the 208 is the one to mess with because you can put a modern arm on it. We did so much tweaking to it we finally even made a new plinth for it

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

If you want a simple effective tweak, get rid of the 45 rpm adapter and get the lip milled down. Then install a modern platter pad on it. Finally, there is a concentric well on the bottom of the platter that can be filled with various damping compounds. You will hear an immediate improvement!

Those tweaks are effective. Another is to replace the plinth with something that ain't a gong or, at least, use more of the damping compounds on its underside.

Also, remove the motor cover when using the TT.

Kal

Interesting. So it rings, does it. I've ways of taking care of that. Plinth could be a major endeavor, but perhaps there's a median between damping and a different arm. I thought it was a really good find, and it's just down the street from me. Thanks for your help.

There are quite a few guys at Audiocircle that have modded their Empire TTs. Check the archives.