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This is one of the 70's Empire's Rare Cartridge in excellent shape that comes with the brand new Diamond Elliptical Stylus. These cartridge sounds crystal clear. It's very hard for the new cartridges to match the sound of these old Empires especially with the vintage diamond elliptical stylus. This is a brand new stylus and never been used. I have several of these and theyre a jaw dropper to listen to. This also comes with the bolt screw and washers. All you need is to install and set.Don't miss this one. Seriously. It's not easy to get the sound you are raving for with the newer made ones. With a stroke of luck, This is in excellent working condition with a brand new stylus. Look at the close-up!Frequency Response - 10-35,000 hzOutput Voltage - (mv. per channel) 4.5Channel Separation - 30dbTracking Force (grams): .75 to 1.50 gramsDC Coil Resistance: 445 ohms Stylus Tip (mil.) - .3 x .7 mlLoad Impedance: 47k Ohm Stylus Type - Nude Diamond Elliptical Shipping:$13.50 USPS Priority Air Anywhere in the US.Worldwide contact me for shipping quote.
At $325, this listing is a standout bargain compared to the typical used market, sitting well below the 25th percentile of $381 and far under the median of $450 derived from seven recent comparable USD listings. For a $325 budget, finding a used cartridge in mint condition is rare, but this Empire 70s 3000 ZE offers genuine value at a price that qualifies as a strong deal.
The Empire 3000 ZE is a respected vintage moving magnet cartridge known for its smooth, detailed sound and reliable performance, especially when fitted with a fresh NOS stylus like the Swiss-Japan elliptical included here. The addition of the original box, screws, and new stylus makes this a clean, original-owner opportunity with meaningful upside in rarity and timing, presenting a clear buying opportunity rather than a risk.
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.
