Empire 598-III (1975–1976)
Documentation on the Empire 598-III is thin, and what exists is mostly Empire's own advertising. From late 1975 through early 1976, the company ran a full-page campaign for this turntable in several hi-fi magazines. It was built around the claim that Empire had concentrated its total effort on "a single superb model." Independent editorial reviews of the 598-III have not surfaced in the Archive's sources. The record is essentially the ad campaign.
Empire's own full-page advertisement in Audio (November 1975, p.19) describes a self-cooling hysteresis synchronous motor with an inside-out rotor. It could bring the platter to full speed in one-third of a revolution. The bearing was finished and lapped into two oilite, self-lubricating bearings, which Empire said reduced friction and brought rumble down to -63 dB (CBS ARLL). Empire claimed that was among the lowest figures ever measured in a professional turntable. The tonearm used a coordinated anti-skating adjustment, and the ad also cited more than 35 dB of channel separation. The same campaign appeared in High Fidelity (January 1976, p.14).
No production years, original price, or independent lab measurements are documented. The 1975-76 dates above reflect the known advertising run, not confirmed manufacturing dates.
Known specifications (from Empire's 1975–76 advertising)
- Self-cooling hysteresis synchronous motor, inside-out rotor
- Platter reaches full speed in ⅓ revolution
- Two oilite, self-lubricating bearings, lapped finish
- Rumble: −63 dB (CBS ARLL)
- Tonearm with coordinated anti-skating adjustment
- Greater than 35 dB channel separation as advertised
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