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Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners


Where are you? What mods have you done ?

I have been using these ET2's for over 9 years now.
I am still figuring them out and learning from them. They can be modified in so many ways. Bruce Thigpen laid down the GENIUS behind this tonearm over 20 years ago. Some of you have owned them for over 20 years !

Tell us your secrets.

New owners – what questions do you have ?

We may even be able to coax Bruce to post here. :^)

There are so many modifications that can be done.

Dressing of the wire with this arm is critical to get optimum sonics along with proper counterweight setup.

Let me start it off.

Please tell us what you have found to be the best wire for the ET-2 tonearm ? One that is pliable/doesn’t crink or curl. Whats the best way of dressing it so it doesn’t impact the arm. Through the spindle - Over the manifold - Below manifold ? What have you come up with ?
128x128ct0517
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
Hi Acman3 (Danny)
I don't know what direction you are wanting to go.
I myself will go any direction (no biases here) as long as it provides the chills and goosebumps when listening. This hobby for me is a means to end and is much safer than - car racing ? - and the reason I’m sure my wife puts up with me.
Welcome to the thread – thx for the lp recommendation.

Hi Dover
On the track titled "Five guys named Moe" there is a part where Moe is repeated 5 times. With the ET2 you can clearly hear each utterance and the position, starts front slightly right of centre and each "moe" is behind and to the left of each preceding one.
Nice test – those 5 Moe’s go by really fast. I am going to try this one with my pivot arms.

Slaw - the top two leads on my setup are crammed pretty tight on the ET2 with the 420 right now.

DG – I think you could sell your shims as fast as you can make them here.
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,541 posts
 
Thanks Dgarretson for the tips.

I started reading the MM thread, WOW, boy am I behind on my homework! It will take me a while to get through it all but already getting excited about the Acutex if I can obtain one.
timeltel
830 posts
 
Regards, Gentlemen: Ct0517 (Chris) referenced me to this thread, I've read it with interest. Not having an air-bearing tonearm, I feel somewhat like an interloper, but as I'm familiar with the Acutex carts, and although the 420STR is no longer available from this vendor:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/ebusinesspoint/m.html?_uhb=1&hash=item3a770b6404&item=251105338372&pt=Piatti_e_Lettori_CD&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2562

The 412s response is similar to the 420 but with more apparency in the mids. The 312 is less aggressive in the hfs, either offers the distortion-free character of the 420. The 310 (bonded elliptical) is not in any way remarkable, it's my impression of the 415 that some may find it overly analytical.

No association with the above vendor, he (?) has been reliable in the several transactions with me.

Peace,
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
Timeltel
“The 412s response is similar to the 420 but with more apparency in the mids”

In a moment of weakness last night I decided to buy another crack jack box and see if a prize existed inside. I picked up a 412. I am curious how it will react with my other ET2 being set up to feed WPK Quad 57’s. One midrange apparent cartridge feeding very midrange apparent speakers ? Is it too much of a good thing ? I could not resist giving it a try for $49 euros.

Timeltel – I always enjoy and value your posts on the MM thread. Thx for contributing here.
frogman
7,451 posts
 
I look forward to your impressions of the 412, Chris. Actually, I have been seriously considering buying a 415 on the assumption (perhaps mistaken) that the body/motor of the 415 is the same as for the 420. I would like to experiment with fashioning a different (wood or...), non-plastic mount/ shell for the 420, and don't want to risk damaging mine. If anyone has definitive (or simply educated) information about the motors of the the various Acutex(i) please chime in.
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