Troubadour 598 MK2

About the Troubadour 598 MK2

The Empire Troubadour 598 MK2 is a classic belt-drive transcription turntable introduced around 1970 and produced until 1976. It features a 12-inch cast aluminium two-piece platter weighing approximately 7 lbs, driven by a powerful hysteresis synchronous motor with a flexible belt drive system. The turntable has microhoned oilite main bearings and pneumatic suspension to minimize vibration and noise. It supports two speeds: 33.33 and 45 rpm with zero speed error, and offers extremely low rumble and almost unmeasurable wow and flutter (0.1%). The 598 MK2 is fitted with the Empire 990 tonearm and is known for its smooth, uncolored, and natural sound reproduction. The plinth is typically made of heavy wood with walnut veneer and often includes a wood-and-glass flip-up dust cover. This model has a cult following for its elegant design and superb sonic performance, often restored with refinished plinths and upgraded vibration damping materials. It was designed to far exceed professional standards and is considered one of the world's most perfect record playback systems.