Randy's Empire Background Page

This blog page was created to documente my Empire 208 rebuild project.
I bought an Empire 108A from Ebay, at the end of July, 2005. So, by early August, I had my new, used Empire.

Based on my research at AudioAsylum and the net, there was no Empire model number 108A or 108, and it was actually a 208 or 298. It does have the number 108 cast into the platter, but it looks identical to the 208, so I have just assummed it is a 208. The difference between the 208 and 298 is the 208 was sold without a tonearm, while the 298 came with an arm. My table had an empire arm, so it is technically a 298 I guess.

I should have taken a picture of the table when I got it, but I forgot, and I can't go back now.

Here is the original metal top, resting on the wooden base that it came with. Here is a picture of the bottom of the original metel plate. As you can see it is not solid metal, so it is not as thick as it appears. Atmosphere sells a new metal plate, but it was more money than I wanted to spend.










Here is the arm that came with it. It will be replaced with a modded, rewired Rega RB-250.











Here is the motor, switch and motor run cap after I pulled it all out.




















Here is the top and bottom of the platter. You will notice some small holes on the bottom of the platter, on the outer rim. These are the balancing holes, as the platter was precision balanced.

















Here are the bearings. On the left, this is the platter and spindle, with a ball bearing welded to the bottom of the spindle. On the right is the other part of the bearing. The shaft goes into this. There is something that looks like plastic at the bottom of this part.


















the end