Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Hi ye all! Did anybody ever try a Decca in the ET2.5 (or ET2 arm)?
I once did with an ET one and was not blown away - it didn't quite fit, but this was with a rel. light subchassis turntable, which acerbates several problematic aspects: High horizontal, quite low vertical compliance (one third!). Subchassis resonance above the horizontal resonance frequency of the arm/cartridge system.
I assume, but don't know, that using the decoupled counterweight could help here really. The question being:
Which stiffness, which weight/distance.
My feeling with decoupling and the rel. high compliance in the horizontal plane goes into the direction of
far out weight, with medium to low stiffness spring.
But I'd like to hear of real experiences, not virtual ones, or concepts. Of the latter, I have enough myself :-)

Pegasus, I tried a Decca "London" in my ET2 years ago. What I can tell you is that the problems that I encoutered with this pairing had more to do with grounding issues that I was never been able to resolve. I still own that Decca (three pins/shared ground pin) and for reasons that I cannot explain the only arm that I have been able to use it in with marginally acceptable levels of hum/buzzing was the Grado "Signature" arm that I had years ago. With the ET2 the ground noise was completely unacceptable. Of course, I tried every conceivable "fix" to no avail. Still, when I listened through the noise, the Decca magic was there. I did not hear (as one might expect) tracking issues any worse than with the other arms; except in very demanding orchestral passages. The fabled Decca immediacy and explosive dynamics were there and something almost indescribable that says this is what live music sounds like. Very frustrating experience because of the noise problem. All this was before I went direct to preamp with continuous run of tonearm wire. Now, with the continuous run and naked wire the noise is horrible and even worse. Every once in a while I will take that old Decca out again and try "one last time"; no better. Aargh! Have wanted to try one of the new generation Deccas for some time.

The Londons made since they have had four pins are better in numerous ways than the older three pin versions. Not only less noise, but different stylus profiles, improved tracking, tighter assembly standards, etc. There are now three different models, the main difference between them being the design and construction of the cartridge body housing, the moving parts being very similar.

Thanks a lot Frogman! The wiring is an issue for sure, but the EM-field situation is actually the cause, and the noise is the symptom. And the ET2 / wiring / Decca system seems to be very sensitive. What turntable do you use, and how close are other power supplies?

Frogman - With the ET2 the ground noise was completely unacceptable. Of course, I tried every conceivable "fix" to no avail. Still, when I listened through the noise, the Decca magic was there. I did not hear (as one might expect) tracking issues any worse than with the other arms; except in very demanding orchestral passages.

.....All this was before I went direct to preamp with continuous run of tonearm wire. Now, with the continuous run and naked wire the noise is horrible and even worse.

Yes...but once one has **successfully** run naked through the woods with the bears. There is never going back to wearing clothes. :^)

I found that dealing with interference a lot like the James Bond movies; you know where he is trying to lift the diamond from the vault - while keeping from being burned/destroyed by the laser beams. The laser beams represent this interference.

**
With the stylus on the still record (not moving) unmute and slowly raise volume. 4 strands of phono wire behind the gear rack. Move the first wire strand a little this way - oh the noise! - a little this way - noise gone. A small quick dab of blue tac to keep it in place. Next strand please. 3 more times.....

The success of these James Bond maneuvers are highly dependent on having good access to the back of your gear. If your set up is one that to accomplish the above would require you to become a temporary contortionist ? Forget-about-it .....Running naked through the woods I mean...
Stick to shielded cables and a more closed in sound.

fwiw
It was impossible for me to set up my pivot arms in this fashion as the wiring played havoc with the pivot arm tubes action (wanting to race to the spindle + antiskating) I believe the ET2's big advantage (even over other linear trackers) is the Freedom it gives you (lots of rope for the Audio Hangman) to experiment with wiring. It doesn't need the wiring for damping like others. But then if its operation is not well understood - the wiring also becomes the main reason for its downfall - Achilles Heel.

10-26-15: Pegasus
...... The wiring is an issue for sure, but the EM-field situation is actually the cause, and the noise is the symptom. And the ET2 / wiring / Decca system seems to be very sensitive.

Detecting emi with an am radio.


Found this to be a really good primer on Ground Noise, EMI or RF - for those unaware.

Ground Noise or RF

10-26-15: Bdp24
The Londons made since they have had four pins are better in numerous ways than the older three pin versions. Not only less noise, but different stylus profiles, improved tracking, tighter assembly standards, etc. There are now three different models, the main difference between them being the design and construction of the cartridge body housing, the moving parts being very similar.

Thanks for this info Bdp24. Think I may have have found my next cartridge, if when I decide / need to acquire a new cartridge one day.