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I am selling a very good Empire 498. This is the rarest of the Empires and many consider it the best. You get the massive platter of the 398 with the suspension of the 598. That's right, this turntable spins on a one piece massive platter similar to the one on the 398, not a lighter, cheaper two piece version like the 598 or 698. This means the motor spins with more torque. The motor is super quiet on this one. A lot of Empires have noisy motors but I was shocked at how quiet this one is. Also this table has a new aftermarket plinth that was custom built. It will last you for years into the future. I am only selling it because I came upon a 498G Gold version. There's really nothing wrong with this one. I will include an Empire sled with an Audio Technica cartridge pictures in the first 3 pictures.I accept returns so buy with confidence !
At US$900, this is above the usual used market for this turntable: the median comparable listing is US$450, and US$900 sits well above the US$800 75th percentile. That makes it an ambitious ask, not a bargain, unless the condition or setup is genuinely exceptional.
What keeps it interesting is the model’s reputation among Empire fans: these vintage tables are prized for their distinctive engineering, strong visual appeal, and collectible status, and the “rarest” angle suggests some scarcity premium. At this price, I’d want clear proof of a properly sorted example: full operational health, intact original parts, and any accessories or documentation that help justify the premium.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Empire is best known as a vintage American hi-fi brand that dates back to 1959, when it appeared as Audio Empire in the United States. It began under Dyna-Empire, a precision machine-shop manufacturer, before evolving into Empire Scientific; later history suggests the audio side changed hands and eventually faded as a consumer audio name. Because the brand’s classic era is several decades behind us, some details are unevenly documented, but its roots in mid-century U.S. hi-fi are clear.
In its heyday, Empire focused on analog playback gear, especially phono cartridges, styli, and tonearms. The company was particularly associated with turntable accessories and record-playback components rather than complete systems. That makes Empire a name most often encountered by vinyl enthusiasts, vintage-audio collectors, and restoration-minded buyers rather than shoppers looking for modern amplifiers, speakers, DACs, or headphones.
Today, Empire’s reputation is primarily that of a respected vintage brand with a strong collectible following. Its products are remembered for careful engineering and a place in the golden age of American hi-fi, but it is not a current mainstream audio manufacturer in the modern consumer market. For buyers, Empire is more a heritage name than an active high-end badge, valued for classic analog performance and historical significance.
See all Empire listings on RADAR.
