RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Here is a Walnut plinth built to cradle a vintage Empire 398 Troubadour turntable. Solid Walnut base and high-quality plexiglass dust cover fits snug into the plinth with high-quality isolation feet. Check our reviews for peace of mind.
This is a fair ask, edging a touch above the median rather than a bargain. At US$495 against a recent used median of US$450, it sits comfortably in the normal market band and well below the US$870 75th percentile, so the pricing looks reasonable for a desirable example.
The 398 has a strong reputation among vintage-table fans for its overbuilt feel, quick start-up, and lively, authoritative presentation; the walnut plinth and cover add to the appeal for collectors who want the classic look intact. If it’s complete, clean, and running properly, this is the kind of listing that rewards patience and ownership, with the main value upside coming from originality and condition rather than bargain-basement pricing.
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.
