Empire 598 II Troubadour Turntable
Best vintage turntable for audiophiles seeking authentic, restored analog sound.
Rediscover the authentic vinyl experience with the Empire 598 II Troubadour Turntable. This highly regarded classic is celebrated for its precision engineering and superior sound reproduction, making it a favorite among vinyl enthusiasts. Its elegant vintage design, featuring a luxurious wooden base, has been fully restored, including the electronics and plinth. The powerful hysteresis synchronous motor and heavy, balanced aluminum platter ensure exceptionally low rumble and minimal wow/flutter, delivering magnificent sound quality for both stereophonic and standard records.
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
98
/ 631
#98 in Turntables & Record Players
Motor Type
hysteresis synchronous type
/ hysteresis synchronous type
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking vibration-free playback and sonic clarity
- Design enthusiasts looking for a centerpiece vintage aesthetic
- Vinyl collectors utilizing high-compliance, sensitive cartridges
Who should skip it
- Listeners preferring a plug-and-play experience without maintenance
- Owners wanting easy access to affordable replacement components
- Beginners intimidated by complex calibration and manual setup
Performance breakdown
Audio Fidelity
Precision engineering delivers a rich, authentic sound profile for discerning ears.
Build Quality
Restored wooden plinth and heavy aluminum platter offer timeless, robust construction.
Speed Stability
Hysteresis motor ensures consistent rotation with minimal wow and flutter.
Ease of Use
Manual operation requires a hands-on approach typical of vintage audiophile gear.
Setup Complexity
Lacks modern conveniences like built-in preamps, requiring external component matching.
Aesthetic Appeal
Iconic vintage design serves as a stunning centerpiece for any room.
Key Specs
Motor Type
hysteresis synchronous type
Drive System
flexible belt drive
Platter Size
12" OD
Platter Material
Aluminum
Supported Speeds
33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM
Tonearm Type
S-shaped
Cartridge Type
Moving Magnet
Operation Mode
Manual
Features
- Exceptional audio fidelity
- Elegant vintage wooden design
- Fully serviced and restored
- Powerful hysteresis motor
- Heavy balanced aluminum platter
- Low rumble and wow/flutter
- Includes Empire cartridge
- Designed for audiophiles
What customers say
The Empire 598 II Troubadour is highly regarded by audiophiles for its classic 1970s high fidelity. Owners consistently praise its robust construction, noting the heavy platter and substantial plinth contribute to excellent speed stability and vibration damping. Its elegant wood design makes it a visual centerpiece. Sonically, users report exceptional clarity and warmth, often stating the performance rivals much newer, more expensive models when paired with a quality cartridge. The primary consideration is that, being vintage, these units often require routine maintenance like belt replacement or lubrication to maintain peak performance. This makes the turntable best suited for enthusiasts comfortable with minor upkeep, yet it remains celebrated for delivering enduring sound quality and outstanding value.
Know before you buy
The restoration process involves a complete overhaul of the electronics and the wooden plinth to ensure the unit functions as reliably as it did when originally produced in 1970. All internal components have been serviced and tested to meet modern performance standards while preserving the unit's original character.
No, this model does not feature a built-in preamp. You will need to connect it to an external phono stage or an amplifier with a dedicated phono input to achieve proper sound levels and equalization.
Yes, the unit comes equipped with an Empire moving magnet cartridge. It is calibrated to work seamlessly with the S-shaped tonearm for optimal tracking and audio fidelity.
This is a manual turntable, so speed adjustments are performed by manually moving the drive belt on the motor pulley. This design choice minimizes vibration and interference, contributing to the turntable's exceptionally low wow and flutter.
No, this specific unit does not include a dust cover. Because it is a vintage model, we recommend finding a compatible aftermarket cover or keeping the unit in a clean, low-traffic environment to protect the platter and tonearm.
Like most vintage belt-drive turntables, you should periodically inspect the belt for signs of wear or stretching to ensure consistent speed. Additionally, keeping the platter bearing lubricated and the stylus clean will help maintain the high audio fidelity this model is known for.
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