Tbg, I too owned an Empire (598III) and I found that while the stock version was somewhat underwhelming, it could GREATLY improved. I drilled the base and installed three 1/4"x20 threaded inserts so I could experiment with various footers and then sited the table on a thick maple platform. The improvements were quite startling. While I'd never try to bs anyone about the modded 598 being some sort of real competitor with a good modern table, it could perform at a respectable level with attention to vibration/isolation issues.
Audiophile turntables of the 60's and 70's
This is for the dealers and people that remember what turntables were selling back in the golden years of the 60's and early 70's (what would you see at a dealer playing along with a McIntosh C22,and 275 amp ?)
I know there was the Garrard 301,401 but what else was the table to have back then.
Thanks
Mark