Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

OK, I did some experimenting today with my set-up. First I removed quite a bit of damping fluid. I heard more information coming through (air, ambient info, detail) and found that I needed to raise VTA somewhat, but things were sounding somewhat dark. I removed my added weight, slid lead weights outwardly to bring me to 2 grams tracking on my Dyna (manufacturers recommended VTF)set the VTA back to where I thought it should be. The sound has opened up quite a bit and still seems to have the dynamics, fast transient response, and real bass weight (not bloated). Conclusion for now: I used more damping fluid than necessary to evaluate my set-up.
When I set up my cartridge, I use the help of a lighted magnifying glass to try and visually set at 92 degrees. This is where I make my reference point in regards to VTA for any record.
I'm a little frustrated with the recent changes to A'gon myself.

Slaw, glad the changes yielded good results. You said:

"With regards to the damping trough... if the best results come from the paddle lightly touching the fluid, would there be any sonic difference in trying different weights of fluid or is that going way too far out in left field. Has anyone tried this?"

Yes, I did. And yes it's probably going too far in left field. Eighteen years ago or so, before I had kids and had a lot more time on my hands I actually tried, among other things, vegetable oil and hair conditioner (which dried up and made a mess). Bottom line: same results can be accomplished by controlling how far into the fluid the paddle goes. BTW, you don't need to remove or add fluid. Simply turn the paddle one way or the other with needle-nose pliers to raise or lower it.

ET2 Damping Trough

Hi Frogman/Slaw/others – what type of fluid are you using for damping now after all these years ? Have you changed from the ET supplied fluid.

Slaw – you said “The sound has opened up quite a bit and still seems to have the dynamics, fast transient response, and real bass weight (not bloated)”

Without the trough in place I noticed similar results / just a tad brighter. I have not re installed the damping trough yet. Weights are to the very end. I added one thin ET2 lead weight last night which brought the weight assembly of the 1.1 gram cartridge to number 5 on the scale. The benefits remained with a little more bottom end and it seemed to help with the highs as well in my system. But I need another listening session to be sure. Call me crazy - I believe the mood you are in when you start listening to your system affects what you hear - the body has blockers. This is just a gut feel obviously. Listening sessions over multiple days usually ensures me what I am hearing is in fact what it is to me in my room.

FWIW – the same words here describing the sound we are hearing is how I would describe the sound improvement I heard when I replaced the soft VPI rubber belts with thread except it was multiplied.

Cheers

Chris... I still use the ET supplied fluid. Your observation on mood influencing what you hear I think has some validity. When listening to brand new Lps, what I hear the first time doesn't always equal to what I hear the second time. I believe this has something to do with unknown expectations.

I am using the ET supplied silicone fluid.